The best music festivals in Europe to book for 2026

Over the past two decades, no festival has consolidated its place amongst Europe’s very best quite like the Barcelona edition of Primavera Sound. Renowned for a marvellously broad line-up that features as many hot-shot newcomers as proper, established legends, it’s all impeccably well-organised. And it’s in a remarkable waterfront location, the Parc del Forum, which is both inside Barcelona itself and a place that seems purpose-built for a continent-leading music festival. Be sure to check out the Primavera in Porto, too.

Who's playing? Wet Leg, Jade, Alex G, Geese, Blood Orange, Doja Cat, Addison Rae, Skrillex

Last year’s big names: Charli XCX, Sabrina Carpenter, Chappell Roan 

Where: Parc del Forum, Barcelona, Spain

When: June 4-6, 2026

The Montreux Jazz Festival has been drawing legends of jazz (and jazz-adjacent music) to the shores of Lake Geneva since all the way back in 1967. Over the past half-century everyone from Miles Davis and Bill Evans to Ella Fitzgerald, Nina Simone and Frank Zappa has graced the fest – and these days the line-up is more star-studded and varied than ever. Classic rock, modern soul and fiery hip-hop often feature – as well as, obviously, plenty of jazz.

Who's playing? TBC April 2026

Last year’s big names: Diana Ross, Lionel Richie, RAYE, Chaka Khan

Where: Montreux, Lake Geneva, Switzerland

When: July 3-18, 2026

As if being out on São Miguel island in the Azores – i.e. out in the middle of the Atlantic, about 1,400 kilometres off the coast of mainland Portugal – wasn’t adventurous enough, Tremor turns the entire music festival experience into a sort of quest. Performances are at secret locations dotted throughout the island, some reached by raft and/or jungle trek. The music leans towards all things experimental, from folk and punk to electronics, while the limited number of tickets ensures it all remains shrouded in tantalising mystery.

Who's playing? Angry Blackmen, Housepainters, The Bug + Warrior Queen

Last year’s big names: DJ Giovanna, The Zenmenn, Keeley Forsyth

Where: São Miguel, Azores

When: March 24-28, 2026

Way Out West festival is back this August in Gothenburg, and the line-up is one of the best this summer. Never been to Gothenburg? Think of it as Stockholm’s cool, younger sibling (and one of our most underrated destinations to visit in Europe, don’t you know). As well as some huge artists, you’ll find talks, film screenings and more – all in Gothenburg’s very central Slottsskogen Park. 

Who's playing? The Cure, Gorillaz, Lorde, Nick Cave, The XX, Geese

Last year’s big names: Charli XCX, Chappell Roan, Pet Shop Boys, Iggy Pop, Little Simz, Yung Lean, Fontaines D.C.

Where: Slottsskogen Park, Gothenburg, Sweden

When: 13-15 August, 2026

Arguably the coolest festival in Barcelona’s summer calendar, Sónar celebrates the intersection of art, music and technology. It's back for its 33rd year with an ecletic lineup of global artists that transcends sonic borders. Sónar Week runs for three days in
late June, transforming the city into an international hub of electronic music and culture, through collaborations and co-productions with the city’s leading promoters and institutions. This includes partnerships with +RAIN Film Festival, OFFSónar and the main event, Sónar 2026. 

Who's playing? Skepta, Sammy Virji, Nia Archives, Joy Orbison

Last year’s big names: Arca, BICEP present CHROMA AV/DJ set, Honey Dijon, Four Tet, MOCHAKK, Skrillex b2b Blawan, Overmono, Pa Salieu, Peggy Gou

Where: Barcelona, Spain

When: June 18-20, 2026

How much music can you squeeze into one island in the middle of the Danube? A heck of a lot, it turns out. Sziget, which is on leafy Óbudai-sziget island in Budapest, crams literally thousands of performances (and 60 stages) into its programme and consistently churns out some of the biggest names in world pop music. Each year Sziget somehow manages to get bigger and better, adding party boats, amusement parks and even immersive chill-out domes.  

Who's playing? Florence + The Machine, Twenty One Pilots, Underworld, Ashnikko, Biffy Clyro

Last year’s big names: Post Malone, ASAP Rocky, Chappell Roan, Charli XCX, Shawn Mendes

Where: Óbudai-sziget, Budapest, Hungary

When: August 11-15, 2026 

Taking place every August bank holiday, Shambala is truly the adventure in Utopia that it claims to be. A fiercely independent and sustainable offering that prides itself on being 100% meat free and powered by renewable energy. It is a hidden gem on a beautiful site in the midlands with lakes and forest areas full of delights. Every year they have a Saturday dress up theme, with their most recent being the hilarious: pun intended. 

Who's playing? Bob Vylan, Goat, Emma-Jean Thackray, The Selecter

Last year’s big names: Hak Baker, Dub Pistols, Asian Dub Foundation, Corto.Alto

Where: Northamptonshire, England, UK

When: August 27-30, 2026

Legendary electronic fest Dekmantel is all about pushing beyond the limits of electronic music, offering everything from pounding techno and house beats to ambient space-outs and cosmic jazz. Held riverside on the IJ in the leafy southern Amsterdam suburb of Amstelveen, Dekmantel is as apt for interrogating the potential of electronica as it is for a mad dance sesh.

Who's playing? Jeff Mills, DJ Sprinkles, Sampha, and James Holden & Surgeon

Last year’s big names: Avalon Emerson, British Murder Boys, Yaeji, and Honey Dijon

Where: Amstelveen, Amsterdam, Netherlands

When: July 30-3 August, 2026

Croatia (and much of the Adriatic coast in general, for that matter) has become a dance music hotspot in recent years. As ideal for boogieing ‘til sunrise (and long after) and blissing out in the daytime as it is for secret island parties, festivals from Dimensions to Defected have shown just how to make the most of this spectacular setting. Our pick of the bunch is Love International, which consistently boasts the best line-ups of any of ‘em. 

Who's playing? Daniel Avery, Peach, Binh, Fold

Last year’s big names: Ellie Stokes, Objekt, Mad Professor 

Where: The Garden Tisno, Croatia

When: July 8-14, 2026

Considering it has just two stages, Paredes de Coura boasts a lot of quality into its small-ish line-up. Taking place in a valley outside Porto, PdC has been running for nearly three decades and is a rite of passage for Portuguese teenagers. And it’s hard to disagree that this place simply has to be experienced. Not only does the natural amphitheatre provide a spectacular setting, but if you’re flagging you can get yourself a raft and doze off as you float down the river at the valley bottom.

Who's playing? Amyl and The Sniffers, Wet Leg, Cate Le Bon

Last year’s big names: Franz Ferdinand, Jersey, Ana Frango Elétrico

Where: Praia do Taboão, Paredes de Coura, Portugal

When: August 12-15, 2026