13 alternative European festivals in 2025 and how much to travel to them - from Tomorrowland to Lowlands

• As we welcome in the new year, many music lovers are planning their next series of music festivals to attend in 2025.
• But rather than going to one of the many festivals taking place in the UK, why not expand your horizons a little and check out a festival taking place in Europe?
• We’ve picked 9 music festivals taking place in Europe in 2025 that are unmissable, along with how much flights to each location could cost you should you feel adventurous in 2025.

So you’ve done it all in the UK; Glastonbury, both Leeds and Reading, Creamfields, Download, Bloodstock - what’s left then to check out in 2025?

Why not take the opportunity to cast your festival net further abroad, across to mainland Europe, where some of the biggest musical festivals take place that can give many UK festivals a run for their money? 

Plus, the added bonus of going abroad on holiday, especially the warmer climates of Spain or the friendly bunch that live in Denmark, for a festival experience that you may never have had before. 

We’ve looked at a couple of our favourite music festivals (or in this writer's case, wish fulfilment) that combine a range of musical genres for the discerning musical fan. Be it those who “wanna rock” or those who simply want to vibe to the beats with like minded people.

We’ve also taken a look at Google Flights to give you an indication how much a flight to one of these music festivals would cost from Manchester, along with the current ticket price to attend these events. 

All information is correct at the time of writing - could one of these European music festival tickets take your fancy in the New Year?

9 European music festivals you could attend in 2025

Tomorrowland (Belgium)

• Who’s playing: David Guetta, Armin van Buuren, Charlotte de Witte, Dimitri Vegas and Like Mike, Martin Garrix, Steve Aoki and more.
• Dates: 8th – 27th July 2025
• Average ticket price: £305
• Average flight price: £175 return

One of the most iconic electronic dance music (EDM) festivals in the world, held annually in Boom, Belgium. Tomorrowland is renowned for its jaw-dropping stages, elaborate themes, and top-tier DJ lineups. The atmosphere is immersive, drawing people from all over the world. It’s a must for anyone looking to experience the pinnacle of EDM culture for those that have already done Creamfields in the UK.

Rock en Seine (France)

• Who’s playing?: Chappell Roan, London Grammar, Suki Waterhouse, Luvcat
• Dates: 20 – 24 August 2025
• Average ticket price: £68 (day tickets)
• Average flight price: £103 return

Set in the beautiful Domaine National de Saint-Cloud near Paris, Rock en Seine combines rock, pop, and electronic music. It has hosted acts like Arctic Monkeys, The Cure, and Massive Attack. Despite its laid-back Parisian vibe, the festival delivers major headliners and a solid lineup of rock and alternative music.

Rock am Ring (Germany)

• Who’s playing?: Bring Me The Horizon, The Prodigy, Biffy Clyro, Weezer
• Dates: 6 - 8 June 2025
• Average ticket price: £160
• Average flight price: £157 return

Held at the Nürburgring racetrack, Rock am Ring is a heavyweight in the European rock scene. Together with its sister event, Rock im Park, it showcases the biggest names in rock, metal, and alternative music. Expect performances from legends like Metallica, Foo Fighters, and Slipknot.

Pukkelpop (Belgium)

• Who’s playing: Chappell Roan, A$AP Rocky, Queens of the Stone Age, Justice, Papa Roach, IDLES, Chase and Status and more.
• Dates: 14 – 17 August 2025
• Average ticket price: £221
• Average flight price: £175 return (to/from Brussels)

Known for its eclectic lineup, Pukkelpop in Hasselt is a go-to for fans who enjoy a mix of genres, from pop to hip-hop, indie, electronic, and punk. It’s one of Belgium’s largest festivals and known for breaking new acts alongside showcasing established artists like Radiohead, The Prodigy, and Kendrick Lamar.

Wacken Open Air (Germany)

• Who’s playing?: Guns N’ Roses, Machine Head, Papa Roach, Gojira
• Dates: 30 July – 2 August 2025
• Average ticket price: £279
• Average flight price: £174 return (to/from Hamburg)

The ultimate pilgrimage for metalheads, Wacken is a legendary festival focusing on heavy metal, hard rock, and subgenres. Located in the small village of Wacken, this festival is a haven for fans of bands like Iron Maiden, Slayer, and Amon Amarth. It’s the largest metal festival in the world, selling out annually.

Primavera Sound (Barcelona)

• Who’s playing?: Charli XCX and Troye Sivan, Chappell Roan, Sabrina Carpenter, Michael Bibi, Caribou
• Dates: 5 – 7 June 2025
• Average ticket price: £222
• Average flight price: £140 return

Held by the sea in Barcelona, Primavera Sound is known for its impeccable curation, blending indie rock, alternative, electronic, and experimental music. Artists like Radiohead, Arcade Fire, and The Strokes have graced its stages. It’s a trendsetting festival, beloved by music lovers looking for fresh and diverse acts.

Roskilde (Denmark)

• Who’s playing?: Olivia Rodrigo, Stormzy, Fontaines D.C., Jamie XX, Deftones
• Dates: 28 June – 5 July 2025
• Average ticket price: £283
• Average flight price: £116 return (to/from Copenhagen)

Denmark’s Roskilde is one of the largest and oldest music festivals in Europe. Originally rooted in rock, its lineup has expanded to include a wide variety of genres, including pop, electronic, and world music. What sets Roskilde apart is its strong sense of community and commitment to social activism, with profits donated to charity.

EXIT Festival (Serbia)

• Who’s playing?: Eric Prydz, Sex Pistols with Frank Carter, Tiesti, Hurts, Loreen
• Dates: 10 – 13 July 2025
• Average ticket price: £90
• Average flight price: £180 return (to/from Belgrade)

Situated in the Petrovaradin Fortress in Novi Sad, EXIT is one of Europe’s most unique festivals. It started as a student movement for democracy and has grown into a global celebration of music and freedom. The lineup features a broad mix of genres, from electronic to rock, reggae, and hip-hop, with a stunning fortress backdrop that enhances the experience.

Sziget Festival (Hungary)

• Who’s playing?: Charli XCX, Chappell Roan, Nelly Furtado, Papa Roach, Blossoms
• Dates: 6 – 11 August 2025
• Average ticket price: £209
• Average flight price: £193 return

Held on Óbuda Island in Budapest, Sziget is one of Europe’s largest and most diverse music and arts festivals. It features a mix of genres, from rock and indie to electronic and world music, with big names like Ed Sheeran, Florence + The Machine, and Foo Fighters. The festival is also known for its inclusive, multicultural vibe, with plenty of arts, theatre, and activities beyond the music.

Frequency Festival (Austria)

• Who’s playing?: Post Malone, Chappell Roan, Central Cee, Kygo, Will Smith and more.
• Dates: 13 - 15 August 2025
• Average ticket price: £224
• Average flight price: £314 return

Frequency Festival is one of Austria's premier music festivals, offering a vibrant blend of rock, alternative, pop, and electronic music across three days of non-stop performances. Held annually in St. Pölten, the festival's scenic festival grounds are located within the picturesque Pannonia region, surrounded by rolling hills and green landscapes, creating the perfect backdrop for a summer festival experience.

Electric Picnic (Ireland)

• Who’s playing?: Noah Kahan, Calvin Harris, Kylie Minogue, Gerry Cinnamon, Kodaline, RAYE, CMAT, J Hus and more.
• Dates: 16 - 18 August 2025
• Average ticket price: £246
• Average flight price: £110 return

Electric Picnic has a reputation for attracting some of the biggest names in music. The festival's line-up typically features a blend of chart-topping acts, underground gems, and emerging artists across various genres. Past headliners have included The Killers, Kendrick Lamar, Tame Impala, Arcade Fire, and LCD Soundsystem, as well as electronic and indie favourites like Björk, The Chemical Brothers, and Grace Jones. This diverse mix ensures that there's always something for fans of different music styles to enjoy.

Lowlands Festival (The Netherlands)

• Who’s playing?: A$AP Rocky, Chappell Roan, Queens of the Stone Age, Chase and Status, Fontaines D.C., Jamie XX, Khruangbin, Marc Rebillet and more
• Dates: 15 - 17 August 2025
• Average ticket price: £291
• Average flight price: £172 return

Lowlands Festival, held annually in the picturesque town of Biddinghuizen, is one of the Netherlands’ largest and most respected multi-genre festivals. Known for its eclectic and innovative line-up, it attracts tens of thousands of music fans from all over the world. The festival’s programming blends a broad spectrum of genres, from rock and indie to electronic and hip-hop, creating an inclusive and dynamic environment where music lovers of all tastes can come together and experience a diverse range of sounds.

Sonar Festival (Spain)

• Who’s playing?: Peggy Gou, Plastikman, BICEP present CHROMA AV/DJ Set, Four Tet, Sega Bodega and more
• Dates: June 12 - 14 2025
• Average ticket price: £96 (per day)
• Average flight price: £295 return

Sonar, a globally recognized festival held annually in Barcelona, Spain, stands at the forefront of electronic music and digital art. The festival has garnered a reputation for its audacious exploration of experimental music, showcasing ground-breaking performances that push the boundaries of sonic and visual expression

Have you been to one of the European festivals featured on our list, or are there any other European festival recommendations you would like to suggest to those reading this or to the writer themselves? Leave a comment down below or contact the writer of this piece.