Table of Contents
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Music Festivals
- 1.1 Tomorrowland
- 1.2 All Points East
- 1.3 Primavera Sound
- 1.4 Parklife Festival
- 1.5 NOS Alive
- 1.6 Sziget Festival
- 1.7 EXIT Festival
- 1.8 Country 2 Country
- 1.9 Sea Star Festival
- 1.10 Kala Festival
- 1.11 Slam Dunk
- 1.12 Best Kept Secret
- 1.13 Take Off Festival
- 1.14 Lollapalooza
- 1.15 Mystic Garden Festival
- 1.16 Hideout Festival
- 1.17 Glastonbury
- 1.18 Terminal V
- 1.19 Mysteryland
- 1.20 Les Plages Électroniques
- 1.21 Reggae Land
- Pride Festivals
- Cultural Festivals
If there’s one thing Europe still does better than just about anyone (yes, even better than croissants, castles and chaotic Eurodance throwbacks), it’s festivals. After a few rollercoaster years and nonstop reunion tours, 2026 has officially locked it in: festival season isn’t just back, it’s becoming bigger and better than ever.
From legendary music fests like Primavera Sound in Barcelona and Tomorrowland in Belgium, to cultural spectacles that turn entire cities into playgrounds, 2026 is shaping up to be the year to let loose, sing your heart out, and maybe even get pelted with tomatoes (looking at you, La Tomatina).
The vibes? Immaculate. The line-ups? Insane. The FOMO? Very, very real.
So, grab your glitter, lace and leather, pack your wellies and gumboots, and let’s dive into the wildest, weirdest, and most wonderful festivals Europe has in store for 2026. Let’s GO!
Music Festivals
Tomorrowland
Where: Boom, Belgium
When: July 17-19 and July 24-26, 2026
What to expect: If you’re even remotely into dance music, Tomorrowland is the holy grail. This is EDM on a cinematic scale — fantasy-level stages, fireworks, and a crowd that genuinely feels like the whole world showed up to party together.
Prrepare for late nights, blown-out voices, and stories you’ll be telling long after the glitter’s washed off. This one isn’t just iconic — it’s bucket-list status.
And if you want to extend the feeling of fun and freedom, as well as make lifelong besties, make sure to check out Contiki’s Euro summer best-sellers.
Image source:Danny Howe / unsplash
All Points East
Where: Victoria Park, London, United Kingdom
When: August 22-23 and August 28-30, 2026
What to expect: If you thought the 2025 lineup was epic, just wait for 2026! Over two huge weekends, the London festival will be hosting names like Lorde, Tyler, The Creator, Twenty One Pilots, and Deftones.
And All Points East isn’t just about the music! The week between the headline shows will see Victoria Park turn in a community zone with kid-friendly spots, free concerts, outdoor cinema, street food bars and wellness zones.
Primavera Sound
Where: Barcelona, Spain
When: June 3-7, 2026
What to expect:
If last year’s Primavera Sound was enticing, 2026 is set to be back bigger and better than ever, from beloved and nostalgic rock bands to global pop superstars.
The eclectic 2026 lineup will see The Cure, Doja Cat, Gorillaz, Addison Rae, Pink Pantheress, Massive Attack, The xx, and Skrillex grace the stages for the genre-bending festival and the party isn’t just starting and ending at the festival grounds.
Barcelona becomes so chaotically fun during this time we’d recommend extending your trip and making the most of all Spanish life has to offer. Need inspiration? We’ve got you covered.
Image source:Nate Holland / unsplash
Parklife Festival
Where: Heaton Park, Manchester, United Kingdom
When: June 20-21, 2026
What to expect: Ready to return for its 15th year in the UK’s cultural hub of Manchester, Parklife will return in 2026 and fans are already busy speculating who will be gracing the lineup.
Yep, we haven’t been told yet. But if last year’s lineup was anything to go by – with Charli XCX, Lola Young, 50 Cent, and Jorja Smith owning the stages – we’re predicting 2026 will be just as iconic.
Fans are keeping their fingers crossed 2026 may see Linkin Park headline, with the band in Europe around the time of the festival dates.
When it comes to Parklife, expect a full-on party experience that won’t hold back. And, expect a fair few bucket hats… definitely a few bucket hats.
NOS Alive
Where: Lisbon, Portugal
When: July 9-11, 2026
What to expect: Some big headliners are already confirmed for 2026, with Twenty One Pilots, Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds, Foo Fighters, and Florence & The Machine taking centre stage, while Lorde, Teddy Swims, and Zara Larsson will also be set to dazzle the crowds.
When it’s not hosting wicked music festivals, Portugal is definitely a place to fall in love with. Why not join us as we explore beyond the festival grounds?
Sziget Festival
Where: Budapest, Hungary
When: August 11-15, 2026
What to expect: Hosted in one of our favourite cities and destinations in the world we can’t think of a better reason to book a trip to Budapest and leave some room in between to explore!
Sziget is a music festival in Europe you don’t wanna miss. Think chill vibes, popular artists, good food and an environment that thrives on being inclusive, free and diverse. It’s called the Island of Freedom after all!
The 2026 is starting to be teased, with Florence & The Machine (she’s having a busy summer!), Lewis Capaldi, Twenty One Pilots (also having a busy summer!), Dom Dolla, Sombr, Biffy Clyro, and more already set to play, while more acts are set to be announced soon.
EXIT Festival
Where: EXIT is going global in 2026, baby!
When: May (Croatia), June (Macedonia), August (Malta), October (Egypt), November (India, Serbia) with more destinations to be revealed.
What to expect: Okay, so, 2026 is looking VERY different for EXIT festival, which was traditionally held in Serbia at the 17th-century Periovarian Fortress in the city of Novi Sad. Due to political and funding pressures from Serbian authorities, the festival wasn’t financially viable to run in 2026, so the organisers have organised a mammoth EXIT Global Tour instead.
Teasing big acts across numerous countries, we’ll update you as soon as the lineup drops. But until then, find out more about the dates and locations here.
Country 2 Country
Where: London, Belfast, Glasgow
When: March 13-15, 2026
What to expect: Get your cowboy boots at the ready and grab the keys to the pickup truck, we’re calling all country fans! Listen, if you aren’t able to admit that country music absolutely slaps, then that sounds like a problem. We’ll be over in the O2 Arena having the time of our lives.
This is the time of year when country artists from across the world hop across to the UK to belt out banger after banger for three nights.
If your heart truly belongs in Nashville this is one you don’t want to miss out on. Zach Top, Keith Urban and Brooks & Dunn are headlining the festival in 2026 and will be joined by musicians like Scotty McCreery, Alana Springsteen, Tyler Braden, and Drake Milligan. Yeehaw!
Sea Star Festival
Where: Croatia
When: May 28-31, 2026
What to expect: Brought to you by the organisers that started the EXIT festival, Sea Star Festival takes us to a Contiki fan favourite: the beautiful islands of Croatia. Who’s complaining?
Similar to its sister festival EXIT, Sea Star celebrates the best of EDM. In 2026, this is looking like Boris Brejcha, Xzibit, Layla Benitez, and more. You’ll be able to catch a good sprinkle of house classics and alternative indie tunes as well over the weekend, so there’s something here for everyone.
What we especially love about this festival is the encouragement to go out and explore the lush surroundings of Umag, an island known for its beautiful Mediterranean landscapes and historical architecture. Partying and culture, it’s the best of both worlds, kind of like Contiki dreamt this one up…
Kala Festival
Where: Albania
When: June 3-10, 2026
What to expect: If you didn’t already know, Albania is an absolute gem of a country. Located just between Greece and Macedonia, it’s beachy and sunny, AND the birth place of Dua Lipa, so… Albania really doesn’t get enough praise, but maybe this festival will finally give it the points it deserves.
Kala Festival is a smaller and more intimate take on a music festival so if big crowds aren’t your thing, this is the one for you! Think blissful beach days, making new besties, and the very best DJs performing across open air beach stages. You may just find your new fave act!
Slam Dunk
Where: UK: Hatfield Park and Temple Newsam, Leeds
When: May 23-24, 2026
What to expect: Happy 20th anniversary Slam Dunk! The iconic alternative festival is going BIG in 2026 as it celebrates its big birthday bash. This awesome mosh pitting party started off as a small event in the city of Leeds, and grew massively in popularity. It opened for the first time as an open air festival in 2019 and the scene has just been bigger and better since. It’s a revolution.
Expect nostalgic emo bangers from Good Charlotte because this is the anthem, throw all your hands up and Dashboard Confessional, as well as harder, heavier hitting jams from Knocked Loose and Bury Tomorrow. Plus, Taking Back Sunday will be celebrating the 20th anniversary of Louder Now, so you better MakeDamnSure you rock up to this one.
Best Kept Secret
Where: The Netherlands
When: June 12-14, 2026
What to expect: This three-day festival may no longer necessarily be the best kept secret amongst indie kids, but it’s definitely a good excuse hit up The Netherlands.
With Jack White, Gorillaz, Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds, Ethel Cain, and Hayley Williams of Paramore fame set to impress, the festival prides itself on connection, culture, and forging friendships through music. So what do you say? Want to come cry to Hayley Williams’ solo music with us?
See you soon, Netherlands.
Take Off Festival
Where: Greece
When: To be announced
What to expect: Who said bigger was always better? Taking place in one of our favourite and most popular travel destinations, this boutique festival offers up just 2,000 tickets and invites some of the hottest DJs from the UK to perform at various locations around the island. A dream come true for our island-hopping experts.
Packed with exclusive pool parties, beach parties, and paint raves (sounds promising), with the gorgeous backdrop of white sandy beaches and blue-domed buildings, this is the experience of a lifetime. It may not be the most cost friendly, but after partying through the most vibrant six nights of your life, we guarantee you won’t regret spending a single penny.
According to the crew at Take Off the festival is all about “Focusing on both Music and Experience” and will also lean into what is already an incredibly busy period for the Greek Islands. It is giving Contiki Big Weekender vibes…
Ready to experience the ultimate festival adventure and explore the Greek Islands? Join us on one of Contiki’s Greece vacations.
Lollapalooza
Where: India, Argentina, Chile, Brazil, United States, Germany
When: Location dependent
What to expect: This is a HUGE one, and depending on where you are in the world you’ll probably end up with a slightly different Lollapalooza experience, but that’s the fun of it. With festivals happening in numerous countries, you’re bound to find one close to home that you can fly to and go full party mode.
Lollapalooza manages to hook some of the biggest and best names in the business and the 2026 lineup is no different. With genuinely too many names to mention, here’s a quick list just to give you a taste: Sabrina Carpenter, Chappel Roan, Tyler The Creator, Deftones, Lorde, Skrillex, Linkin Park, Calum Scott, Doechii, Lewis Capaldi, and Turnstile.
Basically, this is the biggest party on the planet, hands down. So gather your mates and get ready for the adventure of a lifetime in 2026!
Mystic Garden Festival
Where: Amsterdam, the Netherlands
When: August 21-23, 2026
What to expect: As is perhaps quite obvious in the name, the Mystic Garden Festival is indeed held in, drum roll please, a mystical garden! Think a mix between a rave and a summer fever dream in a Booktok setting, with lush forest vibes, glowing art installations and an intimate but electric environment.
Not only that, but Amsterdam and MGF are leaders in the field when it comes to sustainability in the festival world. They organise massive clean ups during the festival, as well as free parking for electric cars, reusable cups, and loads more.
The music leans heavily into melodic house, techno and deep electronic so think big vibes over a big, famous headliner. This festival is perfect for the people who crave a little taste of something different and unique.
Hideout Festival
Where: Croatia
When: To be announced
What to expect: Think Euro summer dialled all the way up. What’s better that crystal clear water, sun-soaked days and boat parties so epic you’ll be reminiscing in the years to come?
This isn’t one of those chill festivals, even if by day you’ll be swimming and recovering, But by night, things pick up the pace with a full-send dancefloor that is fun, slightly unhinged and powered by the best kind of energy. Trust us, you’ll be talking about this experience forever, in the way that will have your future grandchildren looking at you with wide, shocked eyes.
Glastonbury
Where: Somerset, United Kingdom
When: Not until 2027 – sorry folks!
What to expect: Now we could’ve left it off the list, but that would feel weird. Glastonbury, after all, is the Hunger Games of all festivals.
However the popular and beloved festival is taking a planned ‘fallow’ year in 2026, which is a longstanding tradition for the event. Basically it means every few years, the organisers rest the festival for a year, so the land at Worthy Farm in Somerset can recover from the years gone by.
But in good news, the festival is already set to return in 2027 so mark your calendars. Glastonbury will be back June 23 – 27 in 2027 and we already know the lineup will be worth waiting for.
Image source:James Genchi @ Unsplash
Terminal V
Where: Edinburgh, Scotland
When: April 18-19, 2026
What to expect: Scotland’s biggest electronic music festival is back, bringing two days of pounding, goosebump-inducing techno and house beats to the Royal Highland Centre. Think: massive stages, mind-blowing visuals, and a lineup packed with heavy hitters that’ll make the walls shake and earth rumble. It’s gonna be a rave like no other. So if you love high-energy warehouse vibes, you’re gonna love this one.
Les Plages Électroniques
Where: Cannes, France
When: August 7-9, 2026
What to expect: Beach, beats, and good vibes. Les Plages Électroniques transforms the Cannes waterfront into an open-air dance floor. Picture yourself raving in the sand, cooling off with a sea dip, and partying under the stars with top DJs. If you’re looking for a festival with a luxury twist, this one’s got your name on it. And even better, 2026 is the 20th anniversary so it’s one not to be missed!
Reggae Land
Where: Milton Keynes, United Kingdom
When: August 1-2, 2026
What to expect: Love reggae? Then Reggae Land is your paradise. Set in Milton Keynes, this festival brings good vibes, infectious rhythms, and a stacked lineup of top reggae, dancehall, and dub artists. Organisers are teasing that 2026 is going to be the biggest edition yet, expanding to 120+ artists, so we’ll update this post as soon as we know more about the lineup!
Pride Festivals
Amsterdam Pride
Where: Amsterdam, the Netherlands
When: July 25 to August 8, 2026
What to expect: 2026 isn’t just Pride Amsterdam. It’s WorldPride, meaning the celebration is sure to draw in visitors from all across the world. The celebration will make 30 years of Pride Amsterdam and 25 years of civil marriage equality in The Netherlands.
Amsterdam will come even more alive with street parties, concerts, marches, art installations and more, with the festival kicking off with a colourful march through the city.
What really makes this Pride extravaganza so special is the location: right along the famous Amsterdam Canals. Residents and tourists alike swarm the canals across the city to catch a glimpse of the colourfully decorated boats (and crew members!) as they float down these beautiful and iconic canal routes. Music booms across the city as people navigate their way through the party… it’s a full on, but awesome experience!
Mighty Hoopla
Where: London, United Kingdom
When: May 30 – 31, 2026
What to expect: From high energy and glittery crowds dancing with prosecco in hand, and artists like Lily Allen and the Scissor Sisters, London’s 2026 Might Hoopla is the perfect blend of pop meets queer culture.
Located in South London’s Brockwell Park, Mighty Hoopla has gained massive popularity within the LGBTQIA+ community and has become a safe space to express yourself exactly as you are, all while rocking out to smashing hits, with Jessie J, Five, Cascada, Trixie Mattel and Liberty X all on the 2026 bill.
And Mighty Hoopla is going global in 2026! The iconic festival will also be landing on Sydney’s famous Bondi Beach in February, with Kesha headlining the inaugural Aussie edition.
Solidays
Where: Paris, France
When: June 26 – 28, 2026
What to expect: Back for its 28th anniversary, you will be expected to attend this massive celebration for three thrill-packed days in Paris, France. Bring your best attitude and your best party outfits, because it’s about to get crazy.
Solidays attracts party goers from across the globe due to that certain je ne sais quoi. It has a particularly strong fan following within the LGBTQIA+ community as the festival raises funds and awareness in the fight against HIV/AIDS.
With over 160,000 tickets up for grabs and over 150 artists taking the stage playing everything from hip hop, rock, pop, indie, and EDM, you can be sure this will be the most epic weekend of your life.
Cultural Festivals
St. Patrick’s Day
Where: Ireland
When: 17th of March
What to expect: If you know anything about the Irish, you know that the promise of a good time is taken very seriously, and the promise of a good time in Ireland doesn’t look much bigger than St. Patrick’s Day.
Make your way into Dublin during this festive period and expect to be introduced to some of Ireland’s top upcoming musicians performing on every street corner, pub and café in town (also plenty of fancy dress). Grab your Guinness and whisky chaser and embrace this celebration of Irish culture and tradition!
Image source:Anne Church / unsplash
Oktoberfest
Where: Munich, Germany
When: September 19 – October 4, 2026
What to expect: One of our personal favourites, we’ll take you to Germany to experience Oktoberfest like you never have before. Welcome to the biggest beer festival and travelling fairground on the planet. Have your Steins at the ready and prepare for cheesy tunes, even worse fancy dress, and some footlong hot dogs to get the party started.
La Tomatina
Where: Buñol, Spain
When: August 26, 2026
What to expect: Things are about to get saucy at the world’s biggest food fight. That’s right. Every year, 20,000 people gather to throw tomatoes at each other. At 12 pm, truckloads of juicy red tomatoes arrive at the centre of a small town in Spain and once the water canons hit the streets, the chaos begins. Now that’s one way to paint the town red.
Fasnacht Carnival, or Carnival of Basel
Where: Switzerland
When: February 23 – 25, 2026
What to expect: The deafening sound of brass and percussion bands at five in the morning will wake you up if you happen to be in Switzerland in February. And if you look outside your window, you’ll see about 18,000 active Fasnächtler dressed up in costumes and masks. Yep. This is the Swiss way of celebrating ancestors, fertility and saying goodbye to the cold, dark winter. And honestly, we wouldn’t have it any other way.
