Rock With These Top 5 Music Festivals in Europe
Do you like rock and roll music, and do you have a bucket list in mind? If your answer to either (and especially both) of these questions is, “Yes,” then you will want to read on to find out what the top 5 music festivals in Europe are.
What are the top 5 music festivals in Europe? The top 5 music festivals in Europe consist of the Isle of Wight, Rock Werchter Belgium, Denmark Roskilde, Rock Fest Barcelona, and NOS Alive in Portugal.
What follows is a description of five top European music festivals. Read on if you’d like to experience them during one trip that can yield saving yourself time and money.
In other words, you can have a spectacular tour of Europe and enjoy some of the best music while spending reasonable amounts of time and money. Continue reading to find out everything you need to know.
What are the Top 5 Music Festivals in Europe?
Lots of Americans like rock and roll, and we love our concerts and our festivals. Most people have heard of Woodstock, a 1969 music festival from which music festivals grew in popularity.
We Americans have our Kaaboo (Del Mar, CA), Lollapalooza (Chicago, IL), and Summerfest (Milwaukee, WI) to name just a few.
The year 2019 brings the 50th Anniversary of Woodstock, and our festivals have indeed grown in number.
It would be fun to check out many or all of the American festivals. And if you’re ready to rock and roll, and we mean in a really big bucket list manner, we salute your enthusiasm.
There are many music festivals across Europe, and which one(s) you choose to visit is a very personal decision. Here, though, we will introduce you to five European rock and roll festivals that are considered to be really, really good.
So, what are the top 5 music festivals in Europe? This list of five festivals is a compilation of several other lists.
Additionally, the list expands—just a little bit—on the idea that a rock and roll enthusiast might not get to Europe too often.
Therefore, the list below includes the MOST POPULAR festivals across Europe while also keeping time and cost in mind. It is hoped that the devoted rock and roll reader might take advantage of this insight and plan a trip.
If you take in just one festival, our job is worth it; if you take in more, then more power to you!
This list is certainly not exclusive, you can always change location based on where you want to travel.
Or, you might want to look ahead to the next year, check out the bands that have been booked for the festival(s). Your decisions will likely be based on the above two factors.
In the meantime, let’s look at a list of some great festivals.
The top 5 music festivals in Europe are noted below. You’ll learn about their locations and histories. We’ll throw out some names of bands that have performed over the years.
You can also learn some cool facts and maybe some rumors, too. The order of the list below is in the order of how you could tour all five festivals, depending on your resources and time. Remember: they say time is money. But time is also life, so spend yours well!
A list of some top 5 music festivals in Europe follows:
- The Isle of Wight
- Rock Werchter Belgium
- Denmark Roskilde
- Rock Fest Barcelona
- NOS Alive Portugal
ENGLAND: 6/11-6/14 UK The Isle of Wight
The Isle of Wight Festival is held in Newport, on the Isle of Wight, England. Its first events, 1968 through 1970, were similar to the counterculture event of Woodstock.
Amazingly, the 1970 (IOW) festival held what may have been the world’s largest: over 600K people attended the festival so that they could experience the likes of Jethro Tull, Tiny Tim, Jimi Hendrix, The Who, Ten Years After, and so many more.
The event does allow camping. There are two main stages, the Main Stage and the Big Top. Additionally, you can hang out (some at a cost) at the Sky VIP, Old Mout Cider Kiwi Camp, Kashmir Café, Hard Rock Stage, and several others, some even cater to kids.
The Kid Zone offers boats, face painting, and lots of performances and activities for kids and their adults, too. An average attendance since about 2002 through 2018 is 60-70K.
Some great acts over the years include
Red Hot Chili Peppers, Fleetwood Mac, The Who, Queen, Rod Stewart, Depeche Mode, Tom Petty, Pink, Pear Jam, Bruce Springsteen, and so many more.
Isle has been nominated for many awards, and won quite a few. An important award, Best Family Festival, has been clinched more than once.
Reviews reveal a fun several days. In particular, the 50th anniversary reviewing public was kind.
The biggest problems most folks encounter is making decisions about which acts to see; there are just so many. All in all, if you miss an act one year, you can hope it will be back the next.
Fans can secure free tickets to Isle of Wight Festival in return for volunteering with FESTAFF. They’re a great firm to volunteer with because you usually only have to work two 8 hour shifts. Most other volunteering organizations make you work three.
FESTAFF also give you a meal voucher each shift, which can be used at any of the food traders around the festival.
The volunteering roles available at Isle of Wight Festival include bar work, wristband checking, and information personnel. Specific shifts are not confirmed until on site, in contrast to other festival organizations that confirm your shifts in advance.
BELGUIM: 6/27-6-30 Rock Werchter Belgium
This is an annual festival held in a village called Werchter, and the festival has continued since 1976. It is large, and it is fun.
Originally it was a one-day event (1974), but grew to a double festival to include the village of Torhout. Since 1999, though, the Werchter site has grown in size and days, and it falls the first weekend of summer vacation in Belgium.
Ticket prices were rising rapidly during the 2000’s, so it is now priced relatively well. Camping is allowed, and Live Nation is the owner.
That is great because, like all the best European festivals, visitors from across the globe trek to experience Werchter. And there’s a lot to experience. There is The Main Stage; another called Pyramid Marquee (now called KluB C, and a Third, The Barn.
Acts usually begin around noon each day, and they end with fireworks at about 1:00am. Some notable acts include Talking Heads, Dire Straits, The Kinks, Robert Palmer, Steve Miller Band, and U1. Peter Gabriel, Sting, Pink Floyd, Rage Against the Machine, Smashing Pumpkins, Suzanne Vega, Coldplay, and R.E.M.
More recently, Paul McCartney, Lenny Kravitz, Mumford & Sons, Depeche Mode, Black Eyed Peas, The Cure, and Pink have all played. Muse, Jack White, Imagine Dragons, and Tool are some recent acts.
An official festival campsite, The Hive, and some other camping that you’ll find to be quieter because of their further locations are available.
As with other festivals, Rock Werchter’s camping rules are created for the safety of festival attendees.
Rock Werchter enjoys the distinction of being among the first European festivals to include Green & Clean guidelines. Many festivals have followed.
The ‘Green’ distinction means green travel (buses and other public transportation and encouraging bicycling), practices of reducing waste through sustainable practices, and they continue to reduced their dependence on fossil fuels.
Even the sanitary facilities are green, and this festival collaborates with a local water treatment plant in an effort to treat and reuse water.
Many festivals include a ‘take home’ policy. Finally, and this is important, food banks are invited in to collect leftovers, a form of rescued food for the needy.
DENMARK: 6/27-7/4 2020 Denmark Roskilde
The Roskilde Festival is the largest annual music AND cultural event in Northern Europe. The festival, four days of great music, began in 1971. Roskilde is run as a non-profit 301c.
Roskilde Festival goers have enjoyed some great bands over the years. 2019 Included Bob Dylan and his band, Cardi B., Travis Scott, The Cure, and Janelle Monae.
In all, about 180 bands performed across eight stages. Almost 1000 line array system loudspeakers by Leo, Lyon, Leopard, Lina, and more bring audio/acoustics technology to a new height.
The foundation highlights music, but also culture and humanism. The festival is usually eight days.
Its website promotes Roskilde as eight days of MUSIC, ACTIVISM, ARTS, CAMPS, AND FREEDOM. But it’s even more. Roskilde is on a mission: while bringing music, Roskilde promotes equality throughout society.
Here are some cultural activities you can experience:
Roskilde Festival chooses a theme each year. Most themes are inspired by youth. In turn, the festival’s foundation supports youth in music, art, workshops, and debate, as well in promoting youth monetarily.
It is their hope that after 8 or so days of togetherness and community, folks will also pick up on the volunteerism, sustainability, while noting that the foundation supports initiatives that benefit children and youth to support humanitarian and cultural work.
The foundation’s Festival Charity Society even sends out an open call for people’s applications of organizations they’d like to see the foundation support.
If you’re interested in talks and workshops, the House of Chroma is the spot to visit. The site is quite beautiful really, a dome that was created by Brazilian Eli Sudbrack. There are also musical performances inside the dome.
The food is mostly organic, the workers are volunteers, and there’s a museum, too. Visitors are asked to take their waste home, including your camping gear. They weigh waste, by category, and Roskilde set goals for reduction.
Help them meet their goals, it’s really good practice that will follow you home!
No politics, no borders, just leave little footprint helping others enjoy a great rock and roll experience.
For volunteering, there are no costs, and you can camp in special volunteer area w/ free shower.
You may also indulge in Volunteers village, with free coffee, free access to a Wi-Fi zone, tea, lemonade, music w/ bands, free massage, free shuttle bus, total access to festival site all days. However, you must volunteer 32 hours for total festival, or 24 hours on last four days only.
SPAIN: Rock Fest Barcelona, Spain July 4-7 Rock & Heavy Metal
Rock Fest is an easy to get to venue from Barcelona or from Badalona. It takes place in Can Zam Park in Santa Coloma de Gramanet. It is seeping with culture and charm while also packed with great music.
The 2019 line-up was set to include ZZ Top, Def Leppard, Arch Enemy, Therion, Hammerfall, Sebastian Bach, Saxon, Cannibal Corpse, Raven, Thunder, FM, and many more.
This is a fairly new rock festival; it’s only been around since 2014. However, with such names as Aerosmith, Deep Purple, Iron Maiden, Whitesnake, Ozzy Osbourne and Alice Cooper, we can understand its growth in popularity.
Rock Fest is 4 days with two stages. There’s also a smaller third stage (Rock Tent Stage) where the local, and lesser known, bands play.
Here’s your viewing decision at Rock Fest. If you plant yourself in front of one of the main stages, you will have a lesser view of the other stage. If you choose to sit near the middle, you’ll get views of each, but not as great.
Sound is fabulous wherever you plant yourself, so if you don’t mind sitting a little towards the middle, you’ll get the best experiences. Here’s why: while one stage hosts a band, the other stage is preparing for the next act.
Rock Fest’s autograph signing tent is where you want to head to get a chance to meet the bands. Get a picture with your favorite rock idol, get an autograph, or just hang out. One note: the bigger names don’t always show up here.
There’s some food and beverage, there are taps with water, but because it isn’t a big site, there are few choices. Some merchandisers, food trucks, and a market outside the venue can meet some of your daily needs. Also, there is no camping.
Opening day one of four is at 3:00, and the last band finishes around 1:30.
Otherwise, opening is around 1:00-1:30 and the last band finishes at about 2:00am.
The final day, Sunday opens at 12:00, and the last band finishes just after midnight.
Prices 1 day: about 130.00E to be used Friday or Sunday. A 4-day pass is around E180.00.
PORTUGAL: 7/11-7/13 Portugal NOS Alive
This music lover would have loved to see Greta Van Fleet at NOS in 2019. Here’s some other acts: Fernando Rocha, Joana Ramos, Kohey Radical, Roda Bota For a, Hugo Sousa, Carlos Vidal, Ena Pa, and more for this three-day festival in Alges riverside, in Oeiras, Portugal.
It is 8 minutes from downtown Lisbon and just 15 minutes to the Atlantic Ocean. If you look at pictures, it’s a stone’s throw from water; it is a lovely setting.
NOS Alive carries a review of 4.5 out of 5 with over 2,600 reviewers. NME readers (from the UK) have rated this festival 10 of 10.
The first NOS (Called Optimum Alive!) began in 2007. It is one of the top festivals in Europe even in spite of its short history.
The stages are Optimus Stage and Sagres Mini Stage. Optimus has hosted Pearl Jam, The Smashing Pumpkins, Bob Dylan, Neil Young, Rage Against the Machine, Metallica, Dave Matthews Band, The Black Eyed Peas, Coldplay, Foo Fighters, White Stripes, Linkin Park, Beastie Boys, and so, so many more.
The first Alive took place in 2007.
Here’s what you can look forward to: take in the music, but don’t forget to stop at the food hall for pizza to sushi, vegetarian foods, and more. Either seat yourself comfortable in the huge terrace of take the food back to the grassy lawn.
There’s a phone hotspot on the grassy area, and in a couple other areas. A train stops at the site, and buses are available until about 1:00 am.
Over the course of three days, expect to see legends and eat well. Portugal is bustling with culture; that’s food, architecture, and museums galore.
There are mega-screens that surround the stages to enhance the experience.
A great way to experience NOS is as a volunteer. Chances are it would be a great way to experience the culture and the attendees. Volunteers, called the A-Team, can work set-up and teardown; you can be part of the stage crew, or other positions.
Although you might have to sacrifice some viewing time, it is usually just one day or evening of three days. A $25 volunteer fee is the only cost! All volunteers get free tent camping, too!
How Much Do Music Festival Tickets Cost in Europe?
Isle of Wight
England
2020 early bird: adult weekend E150 Parking E15.
Camping: pre-pitched tent $68.23/night
Pink moon camping (bell tent $105.59/night
Other camping tent configurations: lotus belle tent $370.38/night
Ticket and accommodations just minutes away, from $331.38/per person
Rock Werchter
BELGIUM
Super package deal = ticket and camping the hive = $273 euro
Roskilde
DENMARK* 6/27-7/4 2020 Denmark Roskilde camping package = E300.00
Special camping $1026, – $2052,
Recycled tent $1026.
Rock Fest
SPAIN
Prices 1 day: about 130.00E to be used Friday or Sunday. A 4-day pass is around $205.00
NOS
PORTUGAL
Daily $ 70.00
3-day $160.00
3 day Camping and 3 day ticket $180.00
Hotel and 3 day ticket:
3 days festival, 4 nights hotel & breakfast $1702.00/couple
How Much Does it Cost to go to a Music Festival in Europe (travel both ways, food, additional expenses while there, etc.)
Suppose the festival enthusiast wishes only to go to Lisbon from Los Angeles. An all inclusive flight and two-star hotel = Excellent = 8.3 hotel and breakfast is $1255. That’s per person, so the total would be $2509, round trip.
Add a three-day festival pass $180.00
Snacks and one festival meal E 30.00
Bus fare 3.00
Incidentals and keepsakes 250.00
Total cost of $2792, but your trip is short. $558/day
On the other hand, let’s suppose you want to see only the Isle of Wight festival. You are going for 6 days, from Los Angeles to Southampton, and then driving to Isle of Wight. You’ve rented a car, and you plan to camp at the festival.
You will drive back to Southampton and stay at Abbey Lodge – Guest House (rated 2-1/2). The cost is $1,130. Per person
Food and other lodging can be had for approx. 660.
Incidentals and keepsakes for the trip 110.
Let’s suppose you’ll find accom. at the festival 331.
That’s a total of approximately $4,462.00. $744/day
Now, lets look at the cost if you choose to work the festival. You need to make arrangements far out, and hope you can get a volunteer position you’ll really like.
Your round trip flight would be $3154.
Cost for transportation to-from site 200.
Volunteer fee (refunded) 40.00 – 0 –
Food (you receive a meal voucher w/ shift) 400.
Incidentals and keepsakes 250.
This would bring your total to $4004. $745/day
We’ve taken a look at three possibilities to include a three-day ticket to Lisbon and back while staying in a hotel that is rated excellent. It’s the cheapest choice.
A six-day tour to Isle of Wight to include the festival experience and lodging is the most expensive.
A trip to include volunteering and lodging at the festival is for 4 days. Your lodging would be pretty much taken care of, but you would need to buy most all of your food. Also, because you haven’t secured lodging, your flight cost seems high.
This trip is almost as expensive as the 6-day trip, yet you’re sleeping in a tent and working the festival, which is actually okay if you desire an adventurous experience.
Finally, let’s look at the cost of experiencing all five festivals to include the cheapest lodging available; bus or train transportation, and we will assume you are going to volunteer at each festival.
We’ll call this a working vacation.
Leaving from Los Angeles, you’ll land in Southampton, then on to Belgium, Denmark. Your trip will proceed to Spain, and you’ll fly out from Portugal.
Let’s plan no stay coming in, and none before you leave. That will help lower the cost, perhaps. This means you will travel and visit Europe from about June 9th until July 14th, just over a month.
Cost of the round-trip flight for two is about $1800.
We’ll assume you will camp when you can (England) 600.
Belgium trip will include hotel during
your festival $800., and we’ll include transportation
to Denmark. That festival will be ongoing 1000.
You will work Roskilde, and you’ll need to
Hurry to Spain, where you’ll hostel $180. & $100. = 280.
You’re last trip is Portugal where you will
Be a part of the A-team and you will camp for free.
We’ll add two nights of a nice hotel and one night
At a hostel for 650.
In all, food should be a mixture of cultural experiences
And cheaper choices, and we mustn’t forget snacks 1,200.
Travel arrangements throughout Europe 550.
Incidentals and keepsakes for this over 30-day
Adventure should respect each visit 700.
Your trip would cost $6,780.
*Comparing the cost per day, it works out to: $194/day*
European Festival Must-Haves
If you desire to travel to Europe for one or more concerts, bring clothing that is suited to early June through early July. You’ll want to check the weather forecast before you leave to ensure you’re packing for the temperatures.
What you pack depends on the length of your stay and how you plan to move around.
For the least hassle and the best experience, pack light using a bag the size of 1-1/2 cu.ft. that weighs 25-30 lbs. is easy to handle. Generally, you want it to be lightweight, unisex, include a dedicated compartment for your laptop/tablet, and comfortable straps. Here are some great packs:
Backpack:
- Osprey Farpoint 40L, all around
- Pacsafe Vibe 40L, Anti-theft
- Hynes Eagle 40L
- Tortuga Travel Backpack 40L, (tall)
Small pack:
- TRAVEL INSURANCE
- UNDERWEAR AND SOCKS 5-6 PAIR
- 2 SPORT BRAS
- 1 SWIMSUIT
- 1-2 LEGGINGS
- 2-3 SHORTS
- 2 TANKS
- 2-3 T-SHIRTS
- 1-2 LONG SLEEVE SHIRTS
- FLEECE OUTER SWEATER
- LIGHTWEIGHT RAIN JACKET
- 1 PAIR HIKING BOOTS
- 1 PAIR WALKING SHOES
- 1 PAIR FLIP FLOPS
- 1 PAIR FLAT SHOES
- HAT THAT CRUNCHES
- 1 NICE OUTFIT
- PHONE CAMERA KINDLE LAPTOP/TABLET
- UNIVERSAL ADAPTOR
- HEADPHONES & EARPLUGS
- ELECTRONIC CHARGERS
- WALLET
- PASSPORT
- LICENSE
- MONEY, CREDIT CARD(S)
- POCKET KNIFE
- PEN
- TRAVEL CABLE LOCK
- 1 LARGE SOFT SCARF (makes a good pillow)
- TOILETRIES
- SUNSCREEN & HAND SANITIZER
Have a perfect trip, and don’t forget to take a few stamps for postcards; everyone will be excited for your rock n roll adventure!
