Electronic dance music festivals have a strong history across the continent of Europe and this year is packed with wall to wall choices. From classics like Belgium’s Tomorrowland and EXIT Festival in Serbia to boundary pushers like Sonar Festival out of Barcelona and the new summer edition of Awakenings, the EDM festival scene has never been stronger. And while it may be impossible to pick the “best EDM festivals”, we have selected 15 of our favorites that we hope you get a chance to discover.
Tomorrowland 2023
July 21-30, 2023
Boom, Belgium
One of the top electronic music festivals in the world, Tomorrowland in Belgium should be on the bucket list of every festie. It's known for epic stage production along with its insane fireworks displays, and is one of the few festivals in Europe so popular that they hold two editions over two consecutive weekends.
Featured Artists: Adam Beyer, Afrojack, Alesso, Alok, Amelie Lens, Angerfist, Bassjackers, Blasterjaxx, Chuckie, Dimitri Vegas & Like Mike, Dixon, DJ Diesel, Dyro, Eats Everything, Firebeatz, Gareth Emery, Gordo, Henri Pfr, John Newman, Lost Frequencies, Martin Garrix, Martin Jensen, Mattn, Nina Kraviz, Nora En Pure, Oliver Heldens, Paul Kalkbrenner, Quintino, Solardo, Steve Angello, Sub Zero Project, Tale of Us, The Chainsmokers, Timmy Trumpet, Vini Vici, Vintage Culture, Warface
Photo Credit: Tomorrowland
Amsterdam Dance Event 2023
October 18-22, 2023
Amsterdam, Netherlands
The Dutch capital of Amsterdam goes off in mid-October when ADE comes to town. 300 parties, 80 venues, and 2000 DJs makes this the electronic event of the season. Amsterdam Dance Event began life as a conference back in 1996 and the daytime events are stuffed with industry professionals and panels. At night, the showcase festival moves into the wild clubs and stages of Amsterdam for non-stop entertainment.
Featured Artists: Afrojack, Armin Van Buuren, Ben UFO, Bicep, Bonobo, Dimitri Vegas & Like Mike, Dixon, Headhunterz, Helena Hauff, Jamie Jones, Markus Schulz, Martin Garrix, Nick Warren, Nora En Pure, Oliver Heldens, Sasha, The Blessed Madonna, The Martinez Brothers, Timmy Trumpet, Vini Vici
Photo Credit: @dutchwnderer
Ultra Europe 2023
July 7-9, 2023
Split, Croatia
Hosted every year on the idyllic Dalmatian Coast in Croatia, the European edition of the massively popular Ultra Festival has become one of the largest electronic festivals on the continent. The multi-venue event is known for changing up venues around Split, so expect everything from a massive stadium to intimate beach parties.
Featured Artists: Adam Beyer, Afrojack, Alesso, Axwell, Boris Brejcha, Carl Cox, Charlotte De Witte, DJ Snake, Fedde Le Grand, Hardwell, Martin Garrix, Nora En Pure, Oliver Heldens, Steve Aoki, Timmy Trumpet, Zedd
EXIT Festival 2023
July 6-9, 2023
Novi Sad, Serbia
For those of you tired of festivaling in a field, check out this Serbian festival. One of longest running music festivals in the East, the annual EXIT Festival distinguishes itself by being held in an ancient Petrodovian fortress. The constantly evolving festival has recently added a sister festival held on the shores of the Adriatic Sea.
Hideout Festival 2023
June 25-29, 2023
Pag, Croatia
You're going to need a vacation from your vacation after Hideout. With five packed days and nights of pool, boat, and after parties with 100+ DJs and thousands of electronic fans tearing it up under the Croatian sun, Hideout remains one of the standout electronic parties of the summer.
Featured Artists: Andy C, Chase & Status, Gorgon City, Honey Dijon, Loco Dice, Skream, Solardo
Photo Credit: Hideout Festival
Creamfields North 2023
August 24-27, 2023
Daresbury, UK
With two decades spent at the forefront of electronic music, there are not many festivals in the world that can compare to the behemoth that is Creamfields. This UK fest features 300 artists performing across a mind-blowing 30 stages with over 70,000 festies in attendance. Every summer, this four-day festival unleashes a lineup that covers the full spectrum of dance music.
Featured Artists: Adam Beyer, Amelie Lens, Andy C, Armin Van Buuren, Calvin Harris, Carl Cox, Chase & Status, David Guetta, Diplo, DJ Snake, Eric Prydz, Fatboy Slim, Four Tet, Jamie Jones, Martin Garrix, Peggy Gou, Pete Tong, Solardo, Swedish House Mafia, Tiesto
Photo Credit: Anthony Mooney
Creamfields South 2023
May 26-28, 2023
Chelmsford, UK
Creamfields, one of Europe's biggest electronic promoters, has expanded to another full weekend of the best EDM in the world. Kick off the summer camping at Hylands Park in Chelmsford and taking in this epic production of dance.
Featured Artists: Andy C, Annie Mac, Calvin Harris, Carl Cox, Chase & Status, Eric Prydz, Example, Fatboy Slim, Gorgon City, Jamie Jones, Nina Kraviz, Swedish House Mafia, Tiesto
Mysteryland 2023
August 25-27, 2023
Haarlemmermeer, Netherlands
The longest running dance festival in the world takes place in the Netherlands for two days every August and even spawned a spin-off in the United States. After a day of hedonistic dancing, Mysteryland fans find solace at Holy Ground Camping. Mysteryland strongly believes in festival soul, focusing on sustainability, and local participation.
Featured Artists: Adam Beyer, Alesso, AlunaGeorge, Claptone, Don Diablo, Gordo, Hardwell, Headhunterz, Horse Meat Disco, Oliver Heldens, Paul Van Dyk, Sub Zero Project, Timmy Trumpet, Warface
ParookaVille 2023
July 21-23, 2023
Weeze, Germany
'Parookaville is a city that comes to life once a year to keep the legend of Bill Parooka alive. It was built as an artistic, free flowing and mad musical place where people can make contact with their pure selves, experience true connections and feel deep sensation of bliss and fulfillment. Step into the dark if you dare, follow your inner light and dive into a spectacular world of freedom and love!'
Featured Artists: Alok, Dimitri Vegas & Like Mike, Felix Jaehn, Fisher, Gareth Emery, Giuseppe Ottaviani, Hardwell, Kygo, Mike Williams, Neelix, Oliver Heldens, Steve Aoki, The Chainsmokers, Timmy Trumpet, Vini Vici, Wildstylez
Photo Credit: Parookaville
Sónar Barcelona 2023
June 15-17, 2023
Barcelona, Spain
Since its founding in 1994, Sónar has held 25 editions of the festival in Barcelona and another 74 events in 33 cities around the world. The flagship event in Barcelona embodies the event at its core which is to be the “pulse of the current electronic landscape”. During Sónar by Day, the festival features a huge music program along with its own tech conference called Sónar+D. At night, the event moves to a massive venue that easily makes this Spain's largest electronic festival. With its unique format and ever-changing style, Sonar continues to redefine the festival landscape.
Featured Artists: AME, Amelie Lens, Aphex Twin, Bicep, Eric Prydz, Honey Dijon, Peggy Gou, Richie Hawtin, The Blessed Madonna
Awakenings Summer Festival 2023
July 7-9, 2023
Hilvarenbeek, Netherlands
After a successful debut, the epic Awakenings Festival returns with a spectacular, summertime camping experience not to be missed. Featuring the best of European techno and dance artists, this is an incredible introduction into the Dutch festival scene.
Featured Artists: Adam Beyer, Amelie Lens, Chris Liebing, DJ Seinfeld, Ellen Allien, Honey Dijon, Maceo Plex, Nelly, Nina Kraviz, Richie Hawtin, Seth Troxler, Tale of Us
Photo Credit: Awakenings Festival
Balaton Sound 2023
June 28-July 1, 2023
Zamardi, Hungary
'Seaside lounges, restaurants, bars and anything you need to enjoy the Balaton sunset, plus a great number of stars on several stages, that’s the already beloved concept of Balaton Sound. The event attracts approx. 100 000 visitors each year and turns Zamárdi, a small town on the southern shores of Lake Balaton into a massive party arena. The festival’s venue is a picturesque beach resort at the biggest lake of Central Europe, also regarded as a touristic center of the region.'
Featured Artists: Armin Van Buuren, Blasterjaxx, Dimitri Vegas & Like Mike, Don Diablo, Hardwell, Kshmr, Tiesto, Vini Vici
Photo Credit: Sandor Csudai
Untold Festival 2023
August 3-5, 2023
Cluj, Romania
The Untold Festival of Romania unfolds another chapter this summer in the charming city of Cluj. The heart of Untold is the open air Cluj Arena where international superstar electronic headliners play sets until the sun comes up. The soul of the festival lives in Central Park, a shady expanse of trees and grass filled with hammocks, small stages, and art.
Featured Artists: Alesso, Amelie Lens, Armin Van Buuren, Boris Brejcha, David Guetta, Dixon, Imagine Dragons, Kshmr, Marco Carola, Martin Garrix
Airbeat One 2023
July 12-16, 2023
Neustadt-Glewe, Germany
It's all about the hardstyle at the Airbeat One Festival in Neustadt-Glewe, Germany. For over 15 years, Airbeat One has entertained fans with the harder side of electronic music, putting on an event that features forward thinking stage design, epic light shows, and top notch DJs from around the world.
Featured Artists: Alok, Angerfist, Astrix, Bassjackers, Boris Brejcha, Charlotte De Witte, Claptone, Danny Avila, Dimitri Vegas & Like Mike, EDX, Fisher, Fritz Kalkbrenner, Hardwell, Headhunterz, Kshmr, Neelix, Nora En Pure, Oliver Heldens, Paul Kalkbrenner, Paul Van Dyk, Quintino, Steve Aoki, Sub Zero Project, Timmy Trumpet, Vini Vici, Vintage Culture, W&W, Warface, Wildstylez, Zatox
Sea You Festival 2023
July 14-16, 2023
Freiburg, Germany
There's more to Sea You than just two full days with more than a 100 artists playing on 7 stages. There's chilling on the water with views of the Black Forest. There's free wake-boarding. There's dancing in and on the water. It's Germany's largest beach club and you're invited.
Featured Artists: Boris Brejcha, Charlotte De Witte, Fisher, Neelix, Richie Hawtin