TOP 10: Electronic Music Festivals in Europe

James Kilpin
20 Jul 2018
First Published 2 Jun 2016

Given Europe's historic infatuation with dance music, it should come as no surprise that it leads the way for electronic music festivals. While the near-legendary Tomorrowland is the headline grabber, there’s no shortage of other incredible events spread across all corners of the continent.

Whether you’re fan of house or techno, bass or experimental, electro or EDM, there’s guaranteed to be something that can tick all your musical boxes.

From abandoned forts in the Eastern Bloc to boat parties on the Adriatic, here are ten of our favourites…

Tomorrowland

Headliners (2019): Armin van Buuren, Martin Garrix, Carl Cox, Dimitri Vegas & Like Mike, The Chainsmokers

Belgium's dance behemoth is the undeniable emperor of Europe, attracting electronic music lovers from the world over with its famed staging, visual production, and lineups packed with the biggest names from EDM to hardstyle. The festival has since spawned satellite events across five continents, but the original in the aptly named Boom will forever be the ultimate archetype.

When & where: 17-19 & 24-26 July 2020; Boom, Belgium

Tomorrowland Festicket Guide

Awakenings Festival

Headliners (2019): Adam Beyer, Nina Kraviz, Amelie Lens, Charlotte De Witte, Dixon

A relative elder statesman of the European electronic festival scene. The iconic Dutch brand has celebrated over 20 years of combining mammoth lineups and spectacular effects for its hoards of European techno fans. The eight stages over two days regularly reads like a who’s who of techno music.

When & where: 27-28 June 2020; Spaarnwoude, Netherlands

Awakenings Festival 2020 Festicket Guide & Waiting List

Sónar Festival

Headliners (2019): Andy C, Dixon, Four Tet, Skepta, Stormzy, Underworld

Experimental electronic music from an almost unparalleled range of styles and genres. Sónar takes over the city of Barcelona for a weekend – literally. Venues range from clubs and bars to rooftops or pool-sides as the city welcomes industry professionals and music fans alike to witness the most exciting new trends alongside some of the most respected names in electronic music.

When & where: 18-20 June 2020; Barcelona, Spain

Sónar Festival 2020 Festicket Guide & Waiting List

Dimensions / Outlook

Headliners (2019): Jeff Mills, Blawan, Nina Kraviz, Peggy Gou / Andy C, Chase & Status, Shy FX, Goldiw

Europe’s premier ‘Soundsytsem Culture festival’, Outlook’s celebration of bass sets it aside from almost every other European festival. Welcoming MCs and rappers alongside DJs and producers: you can expect to skank to the best in dubstep, drum & bass, grime and hip-hop as well as techno, house and garage.

Sister festival Dimensions focuses on the slightly more refined side of electronic music, favouring disco grooves over enormous bass but without pulling any punches on the lineup or commitment to partying. The opening night for each festival is a must, taking place in an ancient Roman amphitheatre.

When & where: 28 August - 1 September 2019 (Dimensions) and 4-8 September 2019 (Outlook); Pula, Croatia

Dimensions Festicket Guide
Outlook Festicket Guide

Ultra Europe

Headliners (2019): Swedish House Mafia, David Guetta, Carl Cox, Above & Beyond, Armin van Buuren

Staying in Croatia; the European edition of Miami’s renowned Ultra Music Festival sees the biggest names in EDM and big-room house descend upon the island of Split for a weekend of huge-scale production, big beats and beach & boat parties aplenty. Since the first edition back in 2013 the festival has welcomed hundreds of thousands of dance fans from over 75 countries, making the festival a truly global spectacle.

When & where: 10-12 July 2020; Split, Croatia

Ultra Europe Festicket Guide & Waiting List

Boomtown

Headliners (2019): Ms. Lauren Hill, Prophets of Rage, The Streets

While the headliners might not suggest that this festival belongs on this list, a quick look down the lineup reveals it is well and truly deserving of a mention. The diverse combination of drum & bass, jungle, dubstep, reggae, ska, garage, house, hip-hop, electro-swing, gypsy-folk and much more make the annual knees-up arguably the most unique festival in Europe.

When & where: 7-11 August 2019; Winchester, United Kingdom

Boomtown Festicket Guide

EXIT Festival

Headliners (2019): David Guetta, Grace Jones, Martin Garrix, Migos

Exit Festival has become one of the best-known in Europe, thanks to its ever-impressive lineup and stunning setting – an 18th Century fortress on the banks of the Danube. Although not exclusively focused on electronic music, the festival's Dance Arena is one of the scene's most famous stages anywhere in the world.

When & where: 4-8 July 2019; Novi Sad, Serbia

Exit Festival Guide & Waiting List

Sonus Festival

Headliners (2019): Chris Liebling, Amelie Lens, Solomun, Charlotte De Witte, Len Faki

Croatia's techno showpiece for the summer comes in the form of Sonus Festival, as superstars of the genre make their way to the Adriatic coast for parties on the beach, on boats and in some of Croatia's best clubs: Aquarius, Kalypso and Papaya.

When & where: 18-22 August 2019; Novalja, Croatia

Sonus Festival Festicket Guide

Creamfields

Headliners (2019): Swedish House Mafia, deadmau5, The Chemical Brothers, Martin Garrix, Eric Prydz, Carl Cox

The UK's biggest dedicated dance music festival has been at the forefront of the scene since its debut over 20 years ago. Spawning global spinoffs across Europe, the Middle-East, the Americas and even Australia, the brand has now become one of the most recognisable names in electronic music. But the UK edition, near its spiritual home in Liverpool, is still the one to beat.

When & where: 27-30 August 2020; Daresbury, United Kingdom

Creamfields 2020 Festicket Guide / Book Creamfields 2020

Nuits Sonores

Headliners (2018): Four Tet, Jennifer Cardini, Paula Temple, Daniel Avery

A Gallic showcase of the most forward-thinking and cutting edge underground electronic music, Nuits Sonores celebrated its 15th edition in 2017. The clubs, art galleries, rooftops and industrial wastelands of Lyon play host to an exploration of music and arts, both by day and by night as world famous DJs co-curate their own lineups.

When & where: 6-13 May 2018; Lyon, France