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 does exceptionally well (aside from croissants, castles, and questionable Eurodance hits), it’s throwing a mind-blowing festival. And after a few years of chaos and comeback tours, 2024 proved that festivals are not just back —they’re bigger, bolder, and more spectacular than ever.
From legendary music fests to cultural spectacles that turn entire cities into playgrounds, 2025 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, pack your wellies and gumboots, and let’s dive into the wildest, weirdest, and most wonderful festivals Europe has in store for 2025. Let’s GO!
Music Festivals
Tomorrowland
Where: Belgium
When: 18th-20th July & 25th-27th July 2025
What to expect: If you know anything about Contiki, you know that we rave on about (pardon the pun) social travel: connecting and experiencing things with others from all walks of life.
Well, Tomorrowland is kind of that, executed through EDM madness. 400,000 people are expected to make an appearance across the sets this year. So, strap in for the biggest, most iconic, electronic music festival on the planet and get ready to witness something beautiful, as well as some strange stories to bring home.
Image source:Danny Howe / unsplash
All Points East
Where: London, United Kingdom
When: 21st-24th August 2025
What to expect: After a groundbreaking show last year, APE is back, and it’s bigger than ever. This year it’s a big one. The line up will include a full day of artists including the Maccabees, Tyla, RAYE, Doechii & Bombay Bicycle Club. This is a party you do not want to miss.
Primavera Sound
Where: Barcelona, Madrid, Porto, LA, Santiago, Buenos Aires, São Paulo
When: 4th-8th June 2025
What to expect: No, you didn’t read that title wrong. Primavera Sound really does take place in all these locations. Wild, we know. This festival has chosen to release fewer dates this year too, but that doesn’t mean the momentum is low.
2025 shows no signs of holding back either. Barcelona and Madrid lineups include Charli XCX, Troye Sivan, Chappell Roan, Sabrina Carpenter and a hell of a lot more. Expect sun, sea, dance music madness and Estrella by the bucket load.
Image source:Nate Holland / unsplash
Parklife Festival
Where: Manchester, United Kingdom
When: 14th-15th June 2025
What to expect: Ready to return for its 14th year in the UK’s cultural hub of Manchester, Parklife returns with its huge, genuinely HUGE, line-up. We’re starting to feel like there is definitely something in the water when it comes to festival line ups for 2025.
Ready? Ok. Go! 50 cents, Jorja Smith, Charli XCX, Peggy Gou, Overmono, Lola Young, Rudimental, Hybrid Minds, Steve Angello – Geeeeeeez!
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: 10th-12th July 2025
What to expect: This year, they’ve thrown in Olivia Rodrigo, Kings of Leon, Benson Boone, Barry Can’t Swim, Finneas, Artemas, Foster the People. It’s a pop, R&B and rock festival all together.
When it’s not hosting wicked music festivals, Lisbon is still a city to fall in love with and we have just the perfect route to allow you to do that.
Sziget Festival
Where: Budapest, Hungary
When: 6th-11th August 2025
What to expect: Think chilled out, good vibes, sexy dance festival, along with lots of sun, sand, and sea action. The line-up this year has a little bit of everything for everyone we reckon: Post Malone, A$AP Rocky, Chappell Roan, Charli XCX, Papa Roach, Nelly Furtado, Shawn Mendes – just to name a few, with many more yet to be announced.
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! It’s a music festival in Europe you don’t wanna miss.
EXIT Festival
Where: Serbia
When: 10th-13th July 2025
What to expect: Dancing, and a lot of it. When thinking about what festivals to book next, Serbia may not be at the top of your list, but we’re here to tell you that it absolutely should be! Tiesto, Sex Pistols, Ki/Ki, The Boomtown Rats – this line-up is promising one hell of a show.
This award winning summer music festival takes place within the walls of the spectacular Periovarian Fortress in the city of Novi Sad, and has as a motto “Together always” (which we quite relate to here). There’s a real focus on happiness and love here, with more than 1,000 artists who play over 40 stages and festival zones, enough to share with everyone.
Bonus fact: founded in 2000, EXIT Festival has snatched up the award for Best Major Festival not once but twice at the European Festivals Award, and to top it off, it was awarded Best European Festival in 2013 and 2017.
Country 2 Country
Where: London & Belfast
When: 14th-16th March 2025
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 USA hop across the border to the UK to belt out banger after banger for 3 nights.
Codey Johnson, Lainey Wilson, Nate Smith, Dylan Gosset and Dierks Bentley include some of the artists this year and we cannot wait. So, if your heart belongs in Nashville, then this is one festival that you do not wanna miss out on.
Sea Star Festival
Where: Croatia
When: 22rd-25th May 2025
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. We’re talking ArtBat Joker Out, Iniko, and many more yet to be announced. 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: 5th-12th June 2025
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 banging, and though you may not initially recognise some of the names on the bill, you won’t regret buying a ticket once you’re there. It’s all about that adventurous spirit baby!
Slam Dunk
Where: UK, France, Italy
When: 25th-26th May 2025
What to expect: Emos of the world, unite! It’s our time to have some fun. Come one, come all, and celebrate the early 00s when bangs, ripped jeans, and MySpace ruled. Break out the Vans and your skateboards, maybe get a fresh scene haircut, some choppy highlights, and jump through this time portal to witness the magic of NeckDeep, cemetrysun, Alkaline Trio and many more.
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.
Best Kept Secret
Where: The Netherlands
When: 13th-15th June 2025
What to expect: I mean… It’s a secret so we can’t talk about it. But, what we will say, is that the line-up is to die for (indie kids get ready):Barry Can’t Swim, Deftones, Eefje de Visser, Michael Kiwanuka, TV On The Radio, Wilco, Amadou & Mariam, Amenra. Wow. It’s giving off serious house party vibes and it’s incredible.
As the name suggests, this festival really keeps it on the down-low, and we’re not ashamed to admit that we hadn’t heard of it before, though we’re absolutely pumped now we have! Take a long weekend with us in the Netherlands, and we’ll party together like one big fam. According to the festival themselves they’re “Here to connect people, cultures and disciplines through music. From sounds to art to food to friendships to all kinds of expressions, we bring them together in the same place to create synergies and magic moments” Ok. We. Are Sold.
See you soon Netherlands…and if you have any sense, you’ll meet us there.
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 6 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: Chicago, Brazil, Berlin, Argentina, Chile, Sweden, Mumbai
When: Location dependant
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 8 different countries, you’re bound to find one close to home that you can fly to and go full party mode… and full party mode you will go.
Lollapalooza manages to hook some of the biggest and best names in the business and the 2025 lineup is no different. With genuinely too many names to mention, here’s a quick list just to give you a taste: Justin Timberlake, Olivia Rodrigo, Macklemore, Benson Boone, Raye, David Guetta, The Last Dinner Party, Ive, Joé Dwèt Filé, and Shaboozey.
Basically, this is the biggest party on the planet, hands down. Lock the squad and book those flights, you will NOT regret it. A vibrant crowd at a concert, illuminated by mesmerising fireworks in the background, creating an electrifying atmosphere reminiscent of festivals in 2025.
Mystic Garden Festival
Where: Amsterdam, the Netherlands
When: 14th June 2025
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! Stunning, and quite unique as well.
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.
If there’s anything that’ll make us feel less anxious about last night’s antics, it’s knowing that we did them sustainably.
Hideout Festival
Where: Croatia
When: To be announced
What to expect: Back yet again for 2025 (their 15th anniversary!) this festival is popular among Brits. Hideout Festival is known for sun, sea, and house DJs galore. Set on the beautiful beach of Zrce on the island of Pag, experience some serious day-partying with antics that’d have your mum on the first flight out to Croatia to drag you home by your ear.
Glastonbury
Where: Somerset, United Kingdom
When: 25th-29th June 2025
What to expect: Now this, this is the Hunger Games of all festivals, and if we’re talking about the largest festivals in the world it’d be rude to end anywhere but here. Glastonbury festival. What can we say that hasn’t already been said? Glastonbury is known around the world for being a festival like no other. Ask anyone who’s been, and they’ll confirm.
The terms biggest and best have been thrown around quite a bit in this article, but when we use them here, we mean them. We really mean them. It’s not about the headliners here (though they are always fantastic), and it’s not about the setting or the time; here it’s all about the atmosphere, the vibes, and the people. And all three go crazy. A cultural festival with music at the heart of it.
Practically a city within a city, Glastonbury is set up across a pretty incredible 900 acres of land. 210,000 incredibly lucky ticket holders will visit the site this year and along with these 210,000 over 3,000 artists will play across 100 stages spread around the field.
Organisation is key here if you want to secure your tickets with over 2.5 million people all grasping for them at the same time. But, if you’re successful, congratulations, you’re in for the treat of all treats.
Image source:James Genchi @ Unsplash
Terminal V
Where: Edinburgh, Scotland
When: 19th-20th April 2025
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 like Helena Hauff, Dax J, and Kettama. It’s gonna be a rave like no other. So if you love high-energy warehouse vibes, you’re gonna love this one.
Mysteryland
Where: Haarlemmermeer, Netherlands
When: 22nd-24th August 2025
What to expect: It’s the world’s longest-running electronic festival. So best believe that Mysteryland knows how to throw a party or two. With over 300 artists across multiple stages, this Amsterdam-based festival blends everything from house and techno to hardstyle and bass. Expect next-level production, wild stage designs, and an atmosphere that keeps festival-goers coming back year after year.
Les Plages Électroniques
Where: Cannes, France
When: 8th-10th August 2025
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.
Reggae Land
Where: Milton Keynes, United Kingdom
When: 2nd-3rd August 2025
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. This year’s lineup? Chronixx, YG Marley, Protoje, Capleton, Steel Pulse, and Kabaka Pyramid – absolute legends. Whether you’re skanking to live bands or chilling with a drink in the sun, expect two days of pure island energy in the UK’s reggae capital.
Pride Festivals
Amsterdam Pride
Where: Amsterdam, the Netherlands
When: 26th July-3rd August 2025
What to expect: A pride celebration like no other (seriously!) 2025 will look back on 27 years of canal parade celebrations. With over 300 events taking place over the course of this period you can expect all things weird and wonderful that excite the senses… This is Amsterdam after all.
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!
If you want to surround yourself with all the positive vibes and love this Summer then get yourself over to the Amsterdam Pride Celebrations!
Mighty Hoopla
Where: London, United Kingdom
When: 31st May-1st June 2025
What to expect: Time to get the glitter out and turn the festival fashion up a notch. 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.
Mighty Hoopla is also huge in the female festival market as women from all over attend to dance the night away to the tunes of Britney Spears and the Spice Girls on the decks. 2025 will welcome Wicked The Musical on stage as well as Ciara , Kesha, JADE, JoJo, and Nelly Furtado. We already know this one is going to be one hell of a party!
Solidays
Where: Paris, France
When: 27th-29th June 2025
What to expect: Back for its 27th 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 was able to raise 25 million euros for the fight against AIDs, and we are totally here for that!
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: 20th September-5th October 2025
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: 27th of August
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: 10th-12th March 2025
What to expect: The deafening sound of brass and percussion bands at 5 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 do it any other way.
