{"id":428874,"date":"2026-05-02T15:10:19","date_gmt":"2026-05-02T15:10:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/428874\/"},"modified":"2026-05-02T15:10:19","modified_gmt":"2026-05-02T15:10:19","slug":"the-10-best-music-festivals-in-europe-for-2026","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/428874\/","title":{"rendered":"The 10 best music festivals in Europe for 2026"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Just because Glastonbury isn\u2019t happening this year, that doesn\u2019t mean you can\u2019t set up camp and spend a weekend (or even a whole week) watching some of your favourite artists perform. If anything, it\u2019s the perfect opportunity to look further afield.<\/p>\n

The Independent\u2019s culture team has singled out some of our favourite European music festivals, whether you\u2019re seeking a sun-soaked getaway in Sicily or a forest rave in the Netherlands. <\/p>\n

So grab your passport, your sunscreen and your shades: here are the 10 best music festivals in Europe for summer 2026.<\/p>\n

Primavera Sound Barcelona <\/p>\n

Where: Barcelona, Spain<\/p>\n

When: 3 \u2013 7 June<\/p>\n

\"TheThe lineup poster for Primavera Sound 2026 (Primavera Sound Barcelona)<\/p>\n

Barcelona-based festival Primavera Sound consistently assembles some of the best line-ups in Europe<\/a>, and this year is no different \u2013 Doja Cat, The Cure, and Gorillaz are among the headliners, but it\u2019s the muscular undercard that\u2019s really going to draw people in. Gen-Z rock sensation Geese<\/a> are playing, with frontman Cameron Winter also performing solo; indie rockers Rilo Kiley appear for what is currently their only European festival date of the summer. In terms of indie music, I\u2019m not sure there\u2019s a stronger ticket this year \u2013 the indomitable Big Thief are there, alongside heavy-hitters like Father John Misty and Ethel Cain.<\/p>\n

But if you\u2019re after something more uptempo to move around to there\u2019s no shortage of choice either, from Skrillex to rowdy Irish iconoclasts Kneecap, fresh off the back of their third no-holds-barred album, Fenian. Add to that the setting \u2013 northern Spain at the cresting of summer \u2013 and you\u2019ve got a truly special time on your hands. The sun is almost certain to be blazing though, so brace for that; bear in mind too that it requires something of a nocturnal mindset, with the festivities extending beyond the wee hours and into the slightly larger ones (primetime is 7pm til 7am). But that\u2019s all part of the experience. To paraphrase the FC Barcelona motto: this is m\u00e9s que un festival. Louis Chilton<\/p>\n

We Love Green<\/p>\n

Where: Paris, France<\/p>\n

When: 5 to 7 June<\/p>\n

\"ImmaculateImmaculate vibes: Addison Rae will be a highlight on the We Love Green lineup (Getty)<\/p>\n

Paris isn\u2019t exactly the first city you think of when you think of festivals, but We Love Green greatly benefits from its unassuming standing. Its low-profile belies a superb weekend of all-star acts and good vibes that compete with its bigger, better known siblings \u2013 without the crushing crowds and mind-numbingly long drink queues. A night-focused festival with the main stages running until 1.00am, the days are yours to do what you wish with \u2013 the museums, shopping and bouillons of Paris await. Or you can, of course, while away the hours in a plush hotel bed because (another bonus for anyone like me) We Love Green is not a camping festival. <\/p>\n

As for the music, you won\u2019t be disappointed no matter your tastes; it really is a bit of everything for everyone. For the pop girlies, the Noughties-era stylings of Addison Rae<\/a> will no doubt appeal. She co-headlines with French-Congolese genre-blending artist Theodora. Elsewhere on the stacked line-up, Gorillaz are joined by indie-electro icons the xx, who make their French return after eight years, as well as British rapper Little Simz and pop-punk guitar hero Hayley Williams. The glitchy hyperpop beats of Australian DJ Ninajirachi will be a surefire pick-me-up in the dead of the night. And for revellers who like to do some good in their partying, you can pat yourself on the back knowing that We Love Green is a sustainable affair. Carnivores be warned, though, the food is strictly vegetarian. But delicious. Annabel Nugent<\/p>\n

Rock in Rio Lisboa<\/p>\n

Where: Lisbon, Portgual<\/p>\n

When: 20 \u2013 21 and 27 \u2013 28 June<\/p>\n

\"KatyKaty Perry is headlining Rock in Rio Lisboa (Getty)<\/p>\n

To prevent any airport mishaps, a reminder that this is Rock in Rio Lisboa, the long-running off-shoot from the Brazilian one \u2013 where mountain ranges are traded for ocean views, but the song largely remains the same. This year is led across two weekends by an enormously diverse line-up of people your grandparents adore, and people your grandparents probably have never heard of. Katy Perry caps an, um, interesting year of space travel and dating the former Canadian PM by headlining the first Saturday, alongside Taylor Swift\u2019s most underrated artist Charlie Puth. <\/p>\n

The first Sunday is led by Linkin Park and Cypress Hill (alongside Noughties iPod staples The Pretty Reckless, Kaiser Chiefs and Hoobastank), while a week later we\u2019re met by a frankly outstanding roll call of Cyndi Lauper, Shaggy and Rod Stewart (Lulu probably not included) on the Saturday. The (likely fantastical) idea of those three coming out for a mash-up is, frankly, too exciting to miss. Younger folks may gravitate towards the second Sunday, though, with 21 Savage and Central Cee leading proceedings. Hospitality packages for the fest are also available \u2013 and actually decently affordable \u2013 with many offering perks including boat trips and local tours, because what kind of monster only goes to gloriously sunny Lisbon for the music? Adam White<\/p>\n

Roskilde <\/p>\n

Where: Roskilde, Denmark<\/p>\n

When: 27 June \u2013 3 July<\/p>\n

\"AA camp party at Roskilde Festival (Sofia Ninesa\/Roskile)<\/p>\n

Pretty much every country in Europe purports to have its own \u201canswer to Glastonbury\u201d, but few can make the claim with as much conviction as Denmark, where the not-for-profit Roskilde Festival endures as one of the continent\u2019s biggest music events. The 2026 edition features some giant acts \u2013 Talking Heads legend David Byrne is sure to be a highlight, likewise Lily Allen, performing last year\u2019s talk-of-the-town divorce album West End Girl in full.<\/p>\n

The Cure, Gorillaz, Zara Larsson and Addison Rae are also among the big names set to play, as well as a host of hotly tipped up-and-comers. A few to watch out for: Digicore artist Jane Remover, fresh off the back of a buzzy, moshy Coachella set; distinctive Canadian folk musician Cat Clyde; and Esdeekid, the masked British rapper who last year was at the centre of a bizarre (and disproven) conspiracy theory proposing that he was in fact an alter-ego of Timoth\u00e9e Chalamet. As well as the music, Roskilde is also renowned for its progressive, inclusive vibe; it\u2019s a festival with an ethos, something that\u2019s pretty impressive given its huge scale. (More than 130,000 people will be there, temporarily making the festival Denmark\u2019s fourth-largest \u201ccity\u201d.) The end-of-June weather may be the biggest question mark \u2013 but if you\u2019re British, you\u2019ll surely be used to that. LC<\/p>\n

Mad Cool <\/p>\n

Where: Madrid, Spain<\/p>\n

When: 8 \u2013 11 July<\/p>\n

\"CoolCool for the summer: Zara Larsson is on the lineup for Mad Cool 2026 (Getty)<\/p>\n

You only need to glance at Mad Cool\u2019s impressive lineup to recognise that there\u2019s something for everyone, here. Indeed, last year The Independent\u2019s Lydia Spencer-Elliott noted <\/a>how it operates as a \u201ccross-generational\u201d festival, where you can see the latest viral sensation from TikTok play the same stage as a rock\u2019n\u2019roll veteran. This year, that includes Irish pop sensation CMAT, rock band Villanelle and Swedish star Zara Larsson, along with Florence and the Machine, Wolf Alice, Lorde, Nick Cave, Foo Fighters, David Byrne and Kings of Leon. Phew! This also happens to be one of Europe\u2019s most welcoming festivals. In spite of the frequently scorching weather, Mad Cool\u2019s crowd is, as the name suggests, delightfully chill \u2013 especially when blowing off some steam in one of the air-conditioned dance tents. Roisin O\u2019Connor<\/p>\n

Montreux Jazz Festival <\/p>\n

Where: Montreux, Switzerland<\/p>\n

When: 3 \u2013 18 July<\/p>\n

\"MontreuxMontreux Jazz Festival has organised a spectacular programme for its 60th edition (Lauriane Vega)<\/p>\n

The cr\u00e8me de la cr\u00e8me of festivals, Montreux Jazz puts on a spectacular and diverse lineup for two weeks every summer that pays tribute to its jazz roots, while always keeping its finger on the pulse of contemporary music. As it\u2019s evolved over the years, it has maintained its identity as something of a musicians\u2019 playground, where a headline act could easily be spotted jamming on a small stage in the early hours of the morning, or in the audience cheering on a fellow artist. For music fans, too, it\u2019s a hedonistic escape with music at every turn. And if you need to cool off? Just plunge into the crystal-clear waters of Lake Geneva, surrounded by a spectacular mountain backdrop. <\/p>\n

Highlights this year include a third consecutive performance from RAYE, now curating her own stage, plus unmissable sets from Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds, The Roots, Tyla, Zara Larsson, Lewis Capaldi and rock legends Deep Purple, who wrote their most iconic song, \u201cSmoke on the Water\u201d, about the fire at Montreux Casino in 1971. If that wasn\u2019t enough, Montreux Jazz Festival also champions new and emerging talent with its free stages, so you\u2019re bound to return home with a few new favourites on your playlist. The Independent is once again partnered as the exclusive global news partner of MJF, so we\u2019ll see you on those beautiful shores in a few months. ROC<\/p>\n

Dekmantel<\/p>\n

Where: Amsterdam, Netherlands<\/p>\n

When: 29 July \u2013 2 August<\/p>\n

\"DekmantelDekmantel festival is the premiere dance music event in Europe (Katja Ruge)<\/p>\n

One of Europe\u2019s premier dance festivals is the annual EDM extravaganze Dekmantel, thrown south of the city in the forest-covered parks of Amsterdamse Bos. Fans flock to see more than 200 artists play ingenious stage set-ups, dealing in everything from deep house and disco to EDM and hard techno. This year you\u2019ll get to see collaborations between Carl Craig, Saul Williams and Actress, the all-female DJ supergroup Sass, American DJ Jeff Mills debuting his new show Stargate, and Berlin-based modular synthesist Sibel Ko\u00e7er, aka JakoJako. If you get bored of the music (unlikely), organisers have come up with a few extra ways to keep you entertained, from football tournaments to organ recitals. ROC<\/p>\n

Ypsigrock<\/p>\n

Where: Castelbuono, Sicily<\/p>\n

When: 6 \u2013 9 August<\/p>\n

\"AA view from inside the castle at Castelbuono, where Ypsigrock is held each year (Roberto Bonomo)<\/p>\n

If fighting to get within 100 metres of the main stage sounds like your idea of hell, turn your attention to those smaller, more boutique festivals for something a little less stressful. Sure, you might not see as many of the big names, but you will get to see some fantastic artists up close and personal. The bonus? This one\u2019s located in a stunning little Sicilian town about an hour\u2019s drive from the bustling city of Palermo \u2013 and the main stage happens to be the courtyard of a medieval castle. <\/p>\n

The organisers at Ypsigrock take pride in the fact that they never book the same artist twice, meaning there will always be something to surprise and delight on the lineup \u2013 from thrilling new rock bands to soulful singers and adventurous electronic acts. Sicilians tend to start their evenings pretty late (compared to us Brits, anyway), so you can spend the day at the beach, hiking in the hills or soaking up the sun with some gelato in the town piazza. Then it\u2019ll be time for a siesta and a delicious meal in one of the town\u2019s many excellent restaurants, before a night of music begins. ROC<\/p>\n

\u00d8ya Festival<\/p>\n

Where: T\u00f8yenparken, Oslo When: 12 \u2013 15 August 2026<\/p>\n

\"TheThe Cure are headlining \u00d8ya this year (Getty)<\/p>\n

Come to \u00d8ya for the breezy muso crowd, the organic food stalls and one of the lowest carbon footprints of any festival on earth. Stay for Nick Cave\u2019s feral grandeur, The Cure\u2019s goth monuments and Amyl & the Sniffers\u2019 snarling Australian punk. Found in T\u00f8yenparken, a verdant park in the heart of Oslo, the festival is now in its 28th year and consistently delivers. You\u2019ll also struggle to find a cleaner festival. Elsewhere on the lineup this year, you can revel in Blood Orange\u2019s kaleidoscopic art-R&B, Geese\u2019s wired New York art-rock, Underworld\u2019s veteran electronic grandeur and CMAT\u2019s glorious country-pop chaos. Patrick Smith<\/p>\n

Way Out West<\/p>\n

Where: Gothenburg, Sweden<\/p>\n

When: 13 \u2013 15 August<\/p>\n

\"Lorde-ingLorde-ing it over the rest: Lorde will perform at Way Out West 2026 (Getty)<\/p>\n

Those looking to cut shapes in the land of IKEA and alt-pop legend Robyn should look no further than Way Out West \u2013 the multi-genre music festival found in Sweden\u2019s central Gothenburg. Perfect for city dwellers whose camping days are behind them, the three-day event will see Gorillaz, Lorde, Moby, Lily Allen, Zara Larsson and The Cure storm its five stages, while emerging stars Geese, Sombr, Alessi Rose and Fcuckers join the wide-ranging line-up. <\/p>\n

While the main Slottskogen area of the festival ends at 11pm, the night doesn\u2019t end there \u2013 with Honey Dijon and other late acts performing at various nightclubs into the early hours as part of the festival\u2019s Stay Out Late scheme. Lauren Morris <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Your support helps us to tell the story From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":428875,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[8],"tags":[10863,93,61,60,10864],"class_list":["post-428874","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-entertainment","tag-bestof","tag-entertainment","tag-ie","tag-ireland","tag-topix"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/428874","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=428874"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/428874\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/428875"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=428874"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=428874"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=428874"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}