10 incredible music festivals in Europe

A festival holiday with plenty of dancing in a crowd alongside friends, family or strangers is an unforgettable travel experience. From discovering new artists to making memories, it’s the perfect way to live in the moment.

Featuring all the top things to do and see, as well as places to stay nearby – here are the 10 hottest festivals in Europe for 2023.

When: 29 May – 4 June 2023
Where: Barcelona, Spain

Primavera Sound is a massive moment on the European festival scene, bringing the biggest names across rock, indie, pop, hip hop and EDM together to party under the sun and stars. It’s located in the public Parc del Fòrum in Barcelona, with past performance highlights including Tame Impala, The Strokes and a wild, showstopping set from Megan Thee Stallion.

For 2023, the lineup features Rosalía, Depeche Mode, Pet Shop Boys, Four Tet, FKA Twigs, Skrillex and Kendrick Lamar, among star-studded others. Sleep off your hangover on the beach or at Barcelona Princess, where most of the acts playing at the festival stay.

When: 21 June – 25 June 2023
Where: Pilton, United Kingdom

For festival-lovers, Glastonbury is something of a pilgrimage. You’ll have to be fast, because simply getting tickets is an experience in itself (they sell out in seconds). But that’s for good reason – the bill always offers something for every musical palate and features the biggest acts in the industry.

Since its inception in 1970, the festival has hosted performances by Radiohead, the late, great David Bowie, Beyonce and Dolly Parton. In 2023, Elton John is set to hit the stage for his last ever UK show. And with over 200,000 people in attendance these days, the electrifying energy of such a huge musical celebration can’t be understated.

Alongside the live music offering, you can expect circus tents, yoga, cabaret and cinemas dotted around the festival’s Worthy Farm setting – plus lots of Somerset cider. If you’re not a camper, head back to Glastonbury town to stay at The Covenstead.

When: 24 June – 1 July 2023
Where: Roskilde, Denmark

Another veteran festival on the scene, Roskilde has been running since 1971 in a town of the same name not far from Copenhagen. Names like Bob Marley and The Rolling Stones have graced the festival’s stages over the years. And in 2023, Blur, Burna Boy and Christine and the Queens will top the stellar lineup.

Spanning eight days, it’s a non-profit event with a broad focus; featuring all the biggest names from a mix of genres as well as a touch of art and creativity – expect murals and thought-provoking exhibits dotted around the site. After a week of staying on the festival’s various campsites, treat yourself to a night or two of luxury in Copenhagen at the elegant Hotel Sanders.

When: 25 June – 30 June 2023
Where: Zrce, Croatia

For a hedonistic five days of sun, sea and some of the biggest names in electronic music, the acclaimed Hideout Festival in Croatia is a guaranteed hit. It’s held on the island of Pag on Zrce Beach and offers a non-stop lineup of techno, house, grime, garage and drum and bass in idyllic surroundings.

Watch the likes of Chase & Status and Skream hit the stage in one of the five open-air clubs, featuring hammocks, ladders and spots where you can jump off into the waves. There are also secret beach and boat parties that promise amazing sunsets over the Adriatic Sea. Stay at the highly rated Hotel Olea, just a 5-minute drive from the festival beach.

When: 15 June – 18 June 2023
Where: Clisson, France

With a name like Hellfest, this metal festival’s setting – amid the vineyards of the bucolic French village of Clisson – may seem surprising. But upon arrival, you’ll see why it’s so perfect. Festival-goers get to enjoy excellent local food like great-value baguette sandwiches and steak frites, plenty of space for camping, and proximity to the city of Nantes for those who would prefer a proper bed.

Taking place over a June weekend, it’s one of the biggest metal festivals in the world and certainly in Europe, with diverse lineups each year. Past highlights include Metallica, Nine Inch Nails and Alice Cooper, while the 2023 edition will see Iron Maiden, Slipknot and Kiss top the roster. For those not camping, stay at La Cascade in Clisson or L'Erdream, an apartment in Nantes.

When: 30 June – 3 July 2023
Where: Corsica, France

Calvi on the Rocks is a week-long extravaganza of dance music held in Calvi, a scenic Corsican town on the island’s northwest coast. Surrounded by beaches and a medieval citadel that towers over the crescent-shaped bay, revellers can dance on the sand all day and all night, until the sun comes up over the beachside palm trees.

Discover DJs like Mark Ronson and Sébastien Tellier leading the lineup, as well as delicious Corsican food and refreshing cocktails to cool down in the summer heat. Stay at the stylish La Villa Calvi for island sunrise views after dancing the night away.

When: 6 - 8 July 2023
Where: Madrid, Spain

Mad Cool Festival in Madrid promises the ultimate summer festival party. Championing pop, rock, indie and some electronic music, the lineup offers something for everyone. In 2023, festival-goers will be able to dance to the Red Hot Chili Peppers, The Black Keys, Janelle Monáe and Robbie Williams.

The sunny, colourful grounds are designed so that it’s easy to hop from stage to stage – stop en route for an ice-cold drink and to try delicious Spanish street food from various stalls. Check into the AC Hotel Atocha by Marriott, one of the festival’s official hotels.

When: 21 - 23 July & 28 - 30 July 2023
Where: Boom, Belgium

Taking place in the suitably named Boom in Flanders, Belgium, Tomorrowland is a ticket to see the most cutting-edge DJs and electronic acts in the industry. For the last two weekends of July 2023, the glittering lineup features Amelie Lens, Eric Prydz presents HOLO, and Ben Nicky, among others.

But it’s also famous for the set design of its 14 stages, with elaborate, themed arrangements featuring volcanoes, butterflies and confetti. The festival has its own accommodation but you can book a night or two at the nearby Hotel Le Dixseptième in Brussels to recover in comfort.

When: 23 Aug - 27 Aug 2023
Where: Paris, France

Rock en Seine can be found just outside Paris, held in the vast, historic and beautiful Domaine National de Saint-Cloud gardens and parkland. Since it started in 2003, the festival has been growing to become one of France’s major music events, attracting acts like Tame Impala, Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds, Jamie xx and Kraftwerk.

2023 promises more impressive shows from talented newcomers as well as from headliners Billie Eilish, Placebo, and Florence + The Machine. Extend your festival holiday with a few days in Paris either side of the event, staying at Villa Glamour – just 30 minutes on public transport (or a 17-minute drive) from the festival gardens.

When: 8 Jun - 11 Jun 2023
Where: Gräfenhainichen, Germany

Dubbed the City of Iron, the Ferropolis open-air museum serves as the incredible industrial setting for Melt Festival over a memorable few days each June. Less than two hours south of Berlin by car or bus, it’s a surreal space dotted with 20th-century cranes and located beside a lake.

There are some impressive stages, including The Radio stage, set right next to the beach – the chance to cool off after daytime dancing in the sun with a splash in the water adds to the summery atmosphere. The range of music is broad; Bon Iver, A$AP Rocky, Cigarettes After Sex and Koffee have performed in the past, while Slowthai, Róisín Murphy, FKA Twigs, Joy Orbison and Young Marco will headline in 2023.

There are also yoga classes, creative seminars and workshops available. If festival camping isn’t your thing, stay at Hotel Cranach-Herberge in the nearest town of Wittenberg, which has a regular shuttle bus to the festival.