Summer’s not over until the first leaf falls so keep the sunny spirit alive and hit up some of Europe’s best end-of-summer festivals before the streets burn orange.
Held simultaneously over a long weekend in August, Leeds and Reading are two of the UK’s most loved festivals for their various music genres and electric atmospheres. Whilst the Reading site is more renowned for its easily-accessible location, Leeds has more space to dance your heart out till the early hours. Not one to bring the kids to, both of these events are party central with after-hour raves carrying on until the sun comes up for the duration of the three days.
Flights to London
From big names to rising talent, head to the idyllic coastal town of Tisno for a few days of musical mayhem. One of Croatia’s dance gems, this festival specialises in House music and serves up a roster of top notch DJs for six days straight. Spend the days partying on boats and beaches, and carry on the party as the sun drops into the ocean to the beats of one of Europe’s best summertime festivals.
Flights to Zadar
Spread across 12 stages with over 250 artists in the line-up every year, this is a bucket list experience for any festival lover. Boasting a multi-genre alternative musical set list, this Dutch party has been taking place since 1993. Not only serving crowds a feast for their ears, festivalgoers can also expect visual arts, stand-up comedy and street theatre. Spend three days getting to know why Lowlands is one of the best festivals in Europe.
Flights to Amsterdam
Hosted on an island in the Danube River, Budapest has been dancing to the sounds of Sziget festival every August since it started in 1993. Featuring the best EDM, rock, pop, indie and rap artists, to name a few of the genres on offer, this event carries on for seven days so make sure you’re prepared to party till your feet fall off.
Flights to Budapest
Environmentally friendly, Way Out West in Gothenburg’s Slottsskogen, aims to bring the party in the most sustainable way possible. Playing pop, hip-hop, electronic and rock, this scenic Swedish festival runs alongside its very own club concept encouraging attendees to see in the sunrise after an evening of hitting the grassy tiles.
Flights to Gothenburg
Bid summer farewell to the tune of various dance music on Buljarica’s golden sands in Budva. Nabbing awards for the quality of its raves, this festival is one for the movers and shakers among us with its line-up of EDM, House, electronic and techno. Blaring its speakers for three days, this is one of the most visited events in Montenegro.
Flights to Montenegro
Originally part of the culture in the Isle of Wight, Bestival has since closed up shop and relocated to the Lulworth Estate in Dorset. For music loving families, this is your go-to with its variety of music and games to suit all ages complimented by its yearly fancy dress theme. Thrilling crowds since 2004, this Southern English gem is a veteran when it comes to the European festival scene.
Flights to Bournemouth
Taking place near the melting pot of creativity that is Amsterdam, Mysteryland is the longest running music festival in the world and a must see when planning what to do in August and September. Purely paying homage to the EDM genre, this is nothing but a two day dance party that’ll blow your socks off. Famed for its imaginative stages and sustainable ethos, revel in the carnival atmosphere at one of the most unique events on the continent.
Flights to Amsterdam
With a setting as picturesque as Brenton’s coastline, this festival was bound to be a success from the word go. Sway to the sounds of mixed and world music as you mingle with the international crowd here. Putting Brittany on the map every year in August since 2000, this festival will having you booking next year’s tickets before you’ve even wiped the mud of your wellies.
Flights to Brest
Carrying on the spirit of rock and roll since 2003, the Parisian festival offers something for everyone including the little ones. Setting up in Domaine National de Saint-Cloud park at the gates of the French capital, this festival has a section for the minis with their very own line-up and supervisors to give the adults a break to enjoy the main festival. Featuring five stages and more than 65 bands, this is not to be missed if you’re a rock music fan.
Flights to Paris
Thrilling guests since 1947, this is one of the largest arts festivals in the world and takes over Edinburgh city for three weeks every August. Showcasing everything artsy from theatre, to dance, circus, cabaret, comedy and opera, there really is something that’ll suit every type of arts enthusiast. Held across 300 venues and counting, come to Scotland’s capital to see performers both big and small for an experience you’ll never forget.
Flights to Edinburgh
Hidden in the heart of the Luneburger Heide forest, A Summer’s Tale is a four day festival putting the spotlight on diverse musical acts and creative experiences. Get stuck into workshops alongside the river and bop your head to the beats of an impressive DJ line-up. Bringing the storybook-esque countryside to life, this is undoubtedly one of Europe’s best end-of-summer festivals.
Flights to Hamburg
Opening up its dancefloor in 2015, this is one of the newcomers to the Europe’s festival arena but that hasn’t stopped it going from strength to strength. Flying in the best international artists as well as giving slots to locals, here you’ll party hard to EDM, urban and pop music from dusk till dawn. A leader in visual production, find the main stage inside Cluj Arena Stadium and explore the smaller venues for your fix of techno, house and drum and bass.
Flights to Cluj
A classic in London’s cultural calendar, as the sun begins to fade have one last blow out and hit the streets of Notting Hill to celebrate Caribbean culture in all its extravagant glory. Completely free to take part in, dance to the steel bands that parade through the area while you enjoy the biggest street festival in the world. Tuck into some traditional cuisine and embrace the flamboyancy of one of the best festivals in Europe.
Flights to London
Taking over Stradbally one tent at a time, Electric Picnic is the most anticipated music event of the year in Ireland with tickets selling out seconds after going on sale. The weekend long festival has been serving some of the best musical performances the country has ever seen since 2004 and it just keeps getting better. Referred to as Ireland’s answer to Glastonbury, catch a movie at the outdoor cinema, discover new beginnings at Body and Soul and cry with laughter in the comedy tent while you wait for the likes of Billie Eilish to take centre stage.
Flights to Dublin
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- Lucy Norris
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