Top 25 Most Famous Festivals In Europe 2024 You Should Enjoy

Top 25 Most Popular Festivals In Europe 2024

Europe's environment will once again morph into the hub of the global dance music industry in 2024, hosting the year's most thrilling music festivals. From the sun-kissed Mediterranean coast to the ancient heartlands of Central Europe, the continent is preparing to host a kaleidoscope of music festivals in 2024 that promise to be larger, louder, and more vibrant than ever before.

The forthcoming year is a treasure mine of throbbing sounds and immersive experiences set against the backdrop of Europe's most iconic sites for both enthusiasts and first-timers. Prepare to embark on a tour across Europe's most anticipated festivals.

Top 25 Most Popular Festivals In Europe 2024

1. Dunkirk Festival (France)

When: June 2-5

The Carnaval de Dunkerque, commonly known as the Dunkirk Festival, is one of France's most unusual and joyous celebrations. This Festival has a long history dating back to the 17th century and is held each year in the city of Dunkirk, located in northern France.

The Festival is held over several weekends between January and March, with the "La Bande" procession on the Sunday before Ash Wednesday being the centerpiece. Thousands of costumed revelers flock to the streets, singing and dancing to traditional Festival songs and throwing herrings into the crowd as a tribute to the city's fishing background.

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2. Carnevale di Torino Festival (Italy)

When: September 1-10

The Piedmont Festival, also known as Carnevale di Torino, is one of the most famous and colorful celebrations in Italy. It is held each year in February or March in Turin, which is located in the northern province of Piedmont.

The Festival includes a range of activities such as parades, music performances, and street theater. The procession of floats, which showcases large, quirky floats designed and built by local artists, is one of the Festival's highlights. These floats are frequently decorated with beautiful lights and are accompanied by costumed dancers and performers.

3. Cadiz Festival (Spain)

When: July 1-10

The Cadiz Festival, also known as Carnaval de Cádiz, is one of the most vivid and thrilling festivals in Spain. It is held each year in February in the city of Cadiz, which is located in the southern region of Andalusia.

The Festival is recognized for its loud music and colorful costumes, with participants dressed in a variety of themes ranging from political satire to traditional Andalusian attire. The Festival also includes a number of competitions, such as singing contests and costume contests.

4. Transylvania, Halloween

Count Dracula's birthplace, Romania, celebrates the eerie traditions of Halloween better than any other country. While exploring haunted castles steeped in centuries of spooky history, listen to mythical legends about werewolves, vampires, and curses you can't get rid of, and join your fellow travelers for a spine-tingling Halloween party like no other.

5. Carnival of Venice, Italy

When: Jan 27-Feb 13

Imagine this: crowded streets filled with enigmatic characters wearing ornately decorated masks, revelers screaming out to one another from street-side café tables, boats speeding through canals ferrying partygoers to the next hotspot - it's February and you're in the midst of Venice's Carnival. This chaotic event is a once-in-a-lifetime experience you don't want to miss, from street dancing to gorging on traditional Italian food.

There will be a lot of people around, so don't expect to be able to speedwalk anyplace - instead, choose a path and slowly explore!

Participate in the festivities by donning a mask (even if it's simply a cheap one from a souvenir shop the day before).

6. ANZAC day service, Turkey

When: April 25

The ANZAC day dawn ceremony commemorates the day Allied troops from Australia and New Zealand arrived on the Gallipoli Peninsula in April during World War I, allowing each attendance to pay their respects to the warriors who fought and reflect on their greatest sacrifice for their country. Explore ANZAC Cove, walk through the trenches, and hear stories of bravery and camaraderie as part of this one-of-a-kind memorial.

7. Christmas markets, Europe

Nobody does Christmas like the Europeans, so as the clock approaches December 25th, there's no better place to be than among the joyful stalls of Central Europe's Christmas markets. From listening to traditional tunes in Munich to browsing trinkets in Vienna to sipping forralt bor (boiled wine) in Budapest, you'll be immersed in the festive spirit in no time.

8. Snowbombing (Mayrhofen, Austria)

When: April 8-13

This six-day event combines apres-ski with a snow party, inviting top artists from many genres to perform for snow fans from all across Europe. The first wave of acts has already been confirmed, and it includes a slew of well-known names.

9. Primavera Sound (Barcelona, Spain)

One of the most well-known events on the European calendar, with lineups that rival Glastonbury. Pet Shop Boys, Blur, Depeche Mode, and Kendrick Lamar headlined Primavera in 2023, and fans may expect a similarly hyped-up lineup next year.

10. Nos Alive (Algés, Portugal)

When: July 11-13

Nos Alive is another standout in a crowded European summer calendar, with the Algés-based festival attracting Kendrick Lamar and Rosalia, as well as 55,000 revelers.

11. Sonar (Barcelona, Spain)

When: June 13-15

This three-day music festival takes over Barcelona for massive day and night events featuring major international bands and DJs. Last year's lineup included BICEP, Black Coffee, and Peggy Gou, with Little Simz also performing.

12.Tomorrowland (Boom, Belgium)

When is it: July 19-21, 2024 / July 26-28, 2024

This festival has no introduction; it is the pinnacle of EDM music festivals in Europe. Attendees from all over the world converge in the fairytale setting of Boom, Belgium, to experience a lineup that includes EDM legends and luminaries. The history of electronic dance music unfolds here, amidst the most inventive stage designs and a plethora of cultures, giving a multisensory feast that reverberates with the heartbeats of thousands.

13. Amsterdam Dance Festival

When: From October 16 to 20, 2024

During the Amsterdam Dance Event, Amsterdam is transformed into the ideal dance destination. It's a city-wide festival of electronic music that brings together industry professionals, aspiring musicians, and fans. The event's long history of creativity and community weaves a dynamic tapestry that resonates with the essence of Amsterdam, providing a seamless blend of music conference and festival vibes in the heart of one of Europe's most beautiful cities.

14. Vinterjazz (Denmark, Copenhagen)

When: February 1-17

Vinterjazz is a must-see event on the Danish music calendar. Consider 600+ performances, 100+ locations, and 25 independent promoters around the country. It's no surprise that the festival attracts thousands of visitors from all around the world! It's an amazing opportunity to hear live jazz amid Copenhagen's ancient streets. Since the 1950s, the city has been renowned as one of Europe's jazz capitals, therefore these performers are the best of the best!

15. Saint Patrick's Day (Ireland)

When: March 17, 2019

St. Patrick's Day is a national holiday in Ireland. It commemorates the death of Ireland's patron saint. Today, several countries celebrate St. Patrick's Day! What will you discover? Lots of shamrocks, leprechauns, and green beer. The celebration takes on a whole new meaning in Dublin, the capital city. Lá Fhéile Pádraig (St Patrick's Day) brings parades, concerts, and even treasure hunts in Ireland!

16. Chelsea Flower Show (London)

When: May 21-25

The RHS Chelsea Flower Show, often known as the "Great Spring Show," is a massive flower and landscaping extravaganza. Gardening lovers from all over the world go to the United Kingdom for this five-day event. What are the event's high points? Many exhibition gardens are developed by the top landscaping artists in the UK. Avant-garde artworks that would look great surrounding futuristic architecture or antique castles are among them. Some even show how to cultivate in a small space, which could be handy!

17. Zagreb Folk Fest (Croatia)

When: July 17-21

The KULTUR-NIK tourist agency organizes the Zagreb Folk Fest. This yearly folk festival showcases Croatian and other European countries' music and culture. All across the city, there are open-air stages and concert halls. Who will be on stage? Groups and ensembles from Slovakia, the Czech Republic, Turkey, and other countries. This festival is a terrific way to sample each country's unique mythology!

18. Maslenitsa

When: March 11-17

Maslenitsa is one of Europe's best celebrations, combining religious carnivals from Eastern European Slavic traditions. It is one of Europe's oldest March festivities, taking place eight weeks before Eastern Easter. During the festival week, Orthodox Christians are permitted to consume pork, cheese, and other dairy products; the festival's traditions are so based on this relaxation of the taboo that the festival is often referred to as Cheesefare Week or Crepe Week. The production of crepes in this event, one of the largest in Europe, creates a stir all over town.

19. Glastonbury Festival

When: June 26-30

The Glastonbury Festival is unique among famous European music festivals. The event, which has been held in Somerset, England, since the 1970s, has become an important element of British culture. Major pop acts and current music performers, among others, are invited to perform and headline. The festival draws up to 175,000 people and is the world's largest greenfield festival. Beyonce, Dave Grohl, U2, Coldplay, and nearly every other pop celebrity have performed at the festival, making it one of the most popular music festivals in Europe in 2022.

20. Oktoberfest (Germany)

When: Sept 21-Oct 6

Raise a glass to the 5.9 million visitors expected at this year's 188th Munich Oktoberfest! There is so much German beer to select from that each year, up to 7.7 million litres are consumed during the event! In addition, the festival promotes Bavarian culture. You can dress up and march in a parade, or you can listen to brass band performances and concerts. Prost!

21. Hogmanay (Scotland)

When: Dec 31

Hogmanay is a world-famous New Year's Eve festivity held in Edinburgh. It's three days of nonstop enjoyment! There are several bands and events hosted by musicians from all over the world. You can attend street parties, fireworks displays, and concerts with people from all around the world. What a way to start the new year!

22. Water Jousting

When: 19–24 August

This is one of Europe's best summer festivals, having been held since 1666, mostly at the harbor of Sete in the town known as the Venice of Languedoc. The town celebrates its patron saint in exuberant style, hosting water jousting games on its canals throughout the summer. However, it is during the month of August that the region goes into overdrive. Water Jousting, one of the world's most popular youth-centric summer festivals, is celebrated on a large scale with 70-plus events including street parades, pop-up bars, and concerts.

READ MORE: Top 10 Weirdest Traditional Festivals in The UK Today

23. Ultra Europe (Croatia)

When: 7 – 9 July

Are you a lover of EDM or house music? You should already be aware of Ultra Europe! This is one of the most prestigious dance music locations in the planet. Split, Croatia, hosts a three-day outdoor electronic music event with multiple venues. Ultra Europe hosts stadium concerts, beach concerts, and boat parties. This all takes place on the breathtaking Adriatic coast. David Guetta, Deadmau5, and Steve Aoki are among the most recent headliners. That's what we call a talented group of artists!

24. Rock Im Park

When: June 7-9

One of the most well-known European rock festivals in 2022 will be Rock Im Park, which takes place in Nuremberg and has featured the biggest international rock acts since 1985. The festival has featured performances by rock superstars such as David Bowie, Eddie Van Halen, Guns n Roses, Metallica, Rage Against the Machine, and Foo Fighters. In conjunction with the Rock Im Ring, the festival draws 150,000 visitors and is one of Europe's upcoming festivals.

25. San Fermin

When: July 6

This is one of Europe's more traditional July festivities, as well as a huge festival in Pamplona, Spain. Almost a million people visit the city during the week to take part in numerous celebrations such as the San Fermin procession, the struendo (when people congregate to play drums, pots, and pans), and the closing solemn ceremonial of Pobre De Mi. The festival is well known for the running of the bulls, which takes place every morning from July 7th to 14th at 8 a.m. The spectacle is televised live on television, and the entire country of Spain becomes obsessed with matadors for a week.

Conclusion

Are you prepared for Europe's most exciting and awaited festivals? Make a note of the dates on your calendar so you don't forget any of them.

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