Check these ace European Festivals
If there’s one thing that Europe does well, it’s festivals. Line-ups so mouthwatering you’d swap your own family members for a ticket and locations that are ludicrously beautiful. From mountain-top snow resorts to sun-kissed Croatian festivals and exotic Moroccan locations, there’s a plethora from which to choose, so start saving your pennies and peruse some of our own recommendations.
Snowbombing – 4-9 April 2016
Mayrhofen, Austria
snowbombing.com
Taking place in the charming alpine town of Mayrhofen, Austria. Snowbombing has carved out a reputation as the No.1 festival on snow. A world-class line-up, warm spring rays, 5* spas, and pure powdery perfection make snowbombing the ultimate winter sports festival experience. With live acts The Prodigy, Jungle, Bastille, Skepta and Slaves mixing with electronic music’s finest including Fatboy Slim, Sven Väth, Jamie Jones, Netsky and Oliver Heldens to name just a few, it’s set to be one of the most exciting editions to date.
Caprices – 7-10 April 2016
Crans Montana, Switzerland
caprices.ch
Launched in 2003, the concept of Caprices Festival was to bring people and artists together in a dreamlike location in the Swiss Alps: Crans-Montana ski station. Now in it’s 13th year, the festival has gained a reputation for outstanding electronic lineups, an operational excellence, a creative mindset and one of the finest mountain line of the Alps. With a line up of the biggest names in techno including Ricardo Villalobos, Nina Kraviz, Maceo Plex and Jamie Jones, Caprices is set to be an unmissable party.
Electric Elephant – 7-11 July 2016
Tisno, Croatia
electricelephant.co.uk
Set in a magnificent natural amphitheatre with gently rolling hills leading down to a private bay, a shimmering sandy beach and crystal clear waters, Electric Elephant offers the perfect fusion of holiday and festival. For five days, the picturesque Garden Tisno site is taken over by many of the the leading names in House, Disco and Electronica, playing across three stages, daily boat parties and the much-loved open-air club Barbarella’s. Acts taking to the decks for EE16 include Âme, Andrew Weatherall, Bicep, Boo Williams, Greg Wilson, Kerri Chandler, Laura Jones, Jacques Renault, Psychemagik, Steffi and Todd Terry.
Exit Festival – 7-10 July 2016
Petrovaradin Fortress , Novi Sad, Serbia
exitfest.org
Started as a student protest fighting for political change and freedom, EXIT continues to spread positive vibes in the Petrovaradin Fortress in Novi Sad. With a host of different stages connected by cobbled streets, ramparts and tunnels, EXIT welcomes you to enjoy artists from a diverse mix of musical genres. Just a short ride away from the Serbian capital Belgrade, this beautiful medieval fortress provides the perfect backdrop to enjoy the likes of hip hop hero Wiz Khalifa, pop superstar Ellie Goulding, much loved indie rockers Bastille as well as some of the biggest names in the electronic music such as Dimitri Vegas & Like Mike, Solomun, Nicky Romero & James Zabeila. EXIT. Where hedonism meets activism.
Positivus – 15-17 July 2016
Salacgriva, Latvia
positivusfestival.com/en/
Taking place in the picturesque coastal town of Salacgriva in Latvia, Positivus is gearing up to celebrate its 10th anniversary in 2016. Positivus transports chart-topping headliners, underground emerging talent and exciting art and dance stages to their unspoiled atmospheric coastal setting amid stunning woodland. Festival goers can dip their toes in the baltic sea or take in the atmosphere in a hammock beneath the trees as well as enjoying artists such as Ellie Goulding Wolf Alice, Seinabo Sey, Richard Hawley, John Newman, C Duncan, Mercury Rev and San Fermin.
Secret Garden Party – Jul 21-24 2016
Abbots Ripton, UK
http://www.secretgardenparty.com/
SGP (pictured, above) is an independently-spirited and uniquely themed UK summer Festival set in Cambridgeshire, 70 miles out of central London. It overflows with creativity, colour and mystery and this year, as always, boasts a fine line-up including Caribou and Primal Scream. Definitely a festival for people who don’t like their festivals drowned in branding.
OFF Festival – 5-7 August 2016
Three Lake Valley, Katowice, Poland
off-festival.pl
Fresh from the success of its 10th anniversary edition in 2015, OFF Festival returns with another bold and eclectic lineup. With everything from the vital hip hop of Flatbush Zombies and grindcore legends Napalm Death through to much lauded producer Machinedrum and Philadelphia punks Beach Slang, OFF is truly a festival for the discerning music fan and the place to discover the best alternative acts from around the world. Staying true to itself and flying in the face of current trends the organisers and crowd have one serious finger on the pulse when it comes to music.
Mysteryland – 27-28 August 2016
Haarlemmermeer, Netherlands
mysteryland.nl
Just a short distance from the city of Amsterdam, the world’s longest running dance music festival takes visitors on a creative journey, combining the finest electronic music with an extensive arts and culture line-up. With over 346 acts, criss-crossing house, techno, disco, African beats, vinyl-only, hardstyle, hip hop and feel-good bands, there’s something for every electronic music fan. The extensive lifestyle and culture programme also features theatre, movies, live art, interactive installation art, street performers, hidden raves in the forests and spectacular shows.
Lollapalooza Berlin – 10-11 September 2016
Treptow Park, Berlin, Germany
http://www.lollapaloozade.com/
The legendary Lollapalooza Festival rolls into Treptow Park and gives the German capital another festival experience to svaour. Visitors can look forward catching this epic line-up: Radiohead, Kings Of Leon, New Order, Major Lazer, Paul Kalkbrenner, Dimitri Vegas & Like Mike and Philipp Poisel. Wow!
Oasis – 16-18 September 2016
Morocco, Marrakesh
theoasisfest.com
Oasis brought a unique new festival experience to Morocco in 2015 with its debut event at the Fellah hotel in Marrakech. Soundtracked by the ultimate blend of house, techno, disco and electronica, the sizzling Moroccan sun ensures a laid-back festival vibe by day as guests cool off in the pool, unwind with daily yoga and massage, enjoy authentic local street food, and revel in the spectacular views of the nearby Atlas Mountains. As night falls, the dancefloor brings the heat, as the finest DJs and live acts perform under captivating star-lit skies.
Amsterdam Dance Event – 19-23 October 2016
Amsterdam, The Netherlands
amsterdam-dance-event.nl
Amsterdam’s thriving club and nightlife scene is well documented and for 5 days a year the city becomes the centre of the electronic music world as over 375,000 visitors flock to the city for the Amsterdam Dance Event – the ultimate music event for fans of electronic music. Taking place from 19-23 October, the festival features more than 2,200 international artists performing in more than 100 of Amsterdam’s most celebrated venues including Melkweg, Closure, Gashouder, the NDSM Docklands and De School.
What are you waiting for? Take your pick and get planning! See you there!
