Summer is here! Days that lengthen, swimming in the sea, sunbathing on the beach, travelling to far-away destinations, fish-based lunches and dinners. What people mainly ask is to relax. However, there are those who want to relax without ceasing to party. That’s why happily, there are festivals. From June to September Europe becomes a reference point for music lovers from all over the world. Here a list of 15 European festivals not to be missed this summer. Ranging from pure electronic music such as the Kappa Futur or Awakenings to a mix of genres such as Exit or Sziget, from exotic festivals such as Glitch or Dimensions to artistic festivals such as Nextones or, again, to immersive experiences in nature such as Basilar. One thing is certain: it will be a summer where getting bored is not allowed.
Kappa Futur Festival / Turin, Italy / June 30 – July 2
2009: FuturFestival was born as a celebration of 100 years of Futurism making itself recognized as the most loved New Year’s Eve by Italians. 2012: the Kappa Futur Festival was born (the name takes it from the homonymous brand) becoming the first daytime festival in Italy with Parco Dora designated location. 2022: three days of programming, 85,000 visitors from more than 100 countries. This year’s news are definitely the show “Afterlife presented by Tale of Us”, a “KFF exclusive set” by the Swedish House Mafia and unusual b2b. “The future is in Turin” reads their well-known trademark.
Exit Festival / Novi Sad / Serbia July 6-9
More than 1000 artists who alternate for more than 40 stages and areas. Exit Festival received several awards such as “Best Major European Festival” and “Best Summer Musi Festival in Europe”. Billboard and Variety even defined that an historic event. Founded in 2000 at the University Park by a student movement fighting for democracy and freedom of Serbia, the Petrovaradin Fortress was chosen as the seat of this. More than twenty years later, the festival’s mission is still to change and improve society with music. And this year more than ever Exit amazes us because the first day of the Dance Arena will have an exclusively female line up and the memorable Urban Bug stage will host local and regional artists.
Awakenings Festival / Hilvarenbeek, Netherlands / July 7-9
Awakenings Summer Festival is the child born from the namesake festival born in 2022 in Hilvarenbeek which has been taking place in June for more than 25 years. Also, last year they registered more than 100,000 people who came from all over the world to listen to the music of about 130 artists. Amelie Lens, Ben Klock, DVS1, Ellen Allien, Function, Nina Kraviz, Robert Hood are just few names that appear in this year’s massive line up.
Nextones / Oira, Italy / July 20-23
More than just a festival, Nextones combines music, art and research. It takes place in Val D’Ossola, more precisely in the Tones Teatro Natura. The latter, thanks to a redevelopment project, has gone from being an abandoned quarry to a space dedicated to entertainment and well-being. Here, in addition to immersive DJ sets such as those of Richie Hawtin, Courtesy, Stenny and VTSS, you can also attend real art and dance performances.
Junction 2 Festival / London, United Kingdom / July 21-22
Born in 2016 when more than 5000 ravers gathered under the M4 flyover of Boston Manor Park, a park in West London characterized by a perfect union of green woods and industrial environments. Junction 2 is one of the most loved festivals in the field of electronic music since it combines techno, house and minimal. Growing quickly, it has achieved to host more than 30,000 participants. In addition to veteran artists, there will be highly anticipated b2b artists such as Helena Hauff and Ben Ufo, Dj Stringay 313 and Objekt, Carlita and Dj Tennis and Nick Leon and Bitter Babe.
Tomorrowland Festival / Boom, Belgium / July 21-23 & July 28-30
It is one of the oldest and longest-running festivals in Europe and in the world. Since 2005 the town of Boom has hosted thousands of people from all corners of the globe (only last year the total amount was 600,000 participants). Since 2012 Tomorrowland has focused on themes or messages generally linked to love, happiness or life, confirming that music is not for the sake of it. Moreover, the festival is recognized for its magnificent fantasy decorations that characterize its 16 stages where artists alternate for more than 12 hours a day. It is now considered a holy grail by lovers of electronic music. It is certain that any DJ you love or want to listen to is there.
Polifonic Festival / Itria Valley, Italy / July 27-30
Polifonic is a unique experience where the so-called polyphony of international music meets the Mediterranean roots of the host land of Puglia, more precisely in the Valle d’Itria. Dancing in the midst of olive trees that dot the magnificent Masseria Capece or in the Cala Maka beach club waiting for the sun to rise from the sea. Alongside sets of the caliber of Roi Perez, Marcell Dettman, Dj Nobu, Nu Genea, Z.I.P.P.O., Hiver there will also be performances related to art because Polifonic is also this, art.
Monegros Desert Festival / Fraga, Spain July 29-30
30 years ago, in the Arnau family estate in the middle of the desert of Los Monegros it was decided to transform that into a rave dance floor. From an intimate event for friends to an international musical event with 120 artists, 11 stages and more than 2000 workers. This year Monegros blows out 30 candles and wants to do everything bigger than past editions. Among the innovations of this year there are the creation of the largest stage art installation ever seen and a strong presence of technology in musical terms. 22 hours of non-stop techno, drum & bass, house, acid, hardcore and hip hop. That’s Monegros Desert Festival.
Dekmantel Festival / Amsterdam, Netherlands / August 3-7
Dekmantel confirms Amsterdam, and the entire Netherlands, as the country of festivals par excellence. We have reached the ninth edition of one of the most desirable musical events ever. The day that anticipates the opening and the opening day itself will be a time for unique and unmissable talks, concerts and performances related to the musical sphere. During the entire duration of the festival you will be able to listen to DJs such as Freddy K, Jeff Mills, Blawan, Fadi Mohem, Parrish Smith, Planetary Assault Systems and many others.
Sziget Festival / Budapest, Hungary / August 10-15
Born in 1993 as a small gathering, the Sziget Festival now has a weekly schedule of more than 1000 shows in 60 venues. Music acts as the central theme side by side to another fundamental factor of the island of freedom: art. There are several locations including a circus, a theater and a museum quarter where artists from all over the world showcase their talent. Equality, freedom and love are some of the values that Sziget wants to convey with any musical genre: rock, pop, techno, house, dance, alternative.
Glitch Festival
Glitch Festival / Rabat, Malta / August 13-16
Now in its sixth year, the Glitch Festival is one of the most popular summer festivals. A real multi- sensory experience where you can dance in breathtaking places: from rooftop pools to hidden caves, from boat parties to intimate places that Mother Nature offers; all of them with the Mdina Fortress (UNESCO heritage) as backdrop. A new feature of the this edition seems the presence of Boiler Room after the recent debut in 2019 besides the presence of old masters and new generation of techno.
Sonus Festival / Novaija, Croatia / August 20-24
Among the first in the rankings for the best electronic music festivals by the sea in Europe. The Sonus Festival is hosted in Novajja, that becomes a parallel world for five long and crazy days where only the music will mark the passage of the hands on the clock. This year is also Sonus’s 10th birthday. Some guests of this special edition are Adiel, ARTBAT, Boston 168, Dax J, Kobosil, Patrick Mason, Pan Pot and more.
Dimensions Festival / Tisno, Croatia / August 31 – September 4
Tisno returns for the Dimensions Festival to give electronic music lovers an edition that promises to be unmissable, from the iconic boat parties on the crystalline sea of Croatia to the unforgettable Barbarella. Important returns such as Josey Rebelle, new debuts such as Donato Dozzy and the reconfirmation of live shows of international djs.
Basilar Festival / Queimadela, Portugal / September 7-10
Techno and nature. That’ s Basilar Festival. In the north of Portugal, Barragem de Queimadela, this intimate event is born with a conscious community. Flow, rhythm, environment in a single phase. In this way artists can be absorbed in their craft. 24 hours of non-stop music featuring around 27 DJs including Blasha & Allatt, Mareena, Temudo, Tasha, Amulador or Judy.
Decibel Open Air Festival / Florence, Italy / September 9-10
Two days of pure celebration, music and more than 60 artists who will take turns in an arena in the cradle of the Italian Renaissance, Florence. We are now in the fifth edition of Decibel Open Air Festival which attracts thousands of people not only from the Italian peninsula but also from the rest of Europe. Standing out in this year’s line up are names of the caliber of Moderat, Paul Kalkbrenner, Peggy You, Daria Kolosova, Indira Paganotto, Mattia trani and Dyen.
Summer Festivals / 2023
Festivals: @futur_festival / @exitfestival / @awakenings
@nextones / @junction_2 / @tomorrowland / @polifonic_
@monegrosfestival / @dkmntl / @szigetofficial
@glitchfestival / @sonusfestival / @dimensionsfestival
@basilarfestival / @decibelopenair
Words: Gianmaria Garofalo / @gianmaria.garofalo