12+ trips

The Beat Awaits: Festivals Worth Crossing Borders For

Festival Essentials

Prep like a pro (so your trip doesn’t flop)

Quick, high-impact tips that save money, time, and stress — before you hit “Plan This Trip”.

Before you book
  • Festival dates ≠ travel dates. Add a buffer day before/after if possible.
  • Airport check: confirm the closest airport (and night transport options).
  • Ticket source: use official/verified sellers to avoid scams.
Getting around (the underrated part)
  • Download offline essentials: Google Maps area + festival map + your accommodation address in Notes.
  • Have a “meet-up point”. Pick one obvious landmark in case your group splits (signal can die in crowds).
  • Plan the exit. Leaving 10 minutes before the final act ends can save 45 minutes of queues.
Pack like a regular human (not a survivalist)
  • Earplugs + power bank = the two items you’ll thank yourself for every day.
  • Comfort shoes only. If you wouldn’t walk 15,000 steps in them, don’t bring them.
  • One small “health kit”: electrolytes, ibuprofen, blister plasters, sunscreen.
Quick win
Save your From city + travel dates first — then plan. It keeps routes realistic and avoids accidental mismatches.

Primavera Sound Barcelona

Parc del Fòrum turning into a full indie–alt–pop universe by the sea.

  • Music
  • City
  • Indie/Alt
★★★★★★★★★★4.8
4–6 June 2026
Barcelona · Parc del FòrumMulti-stage city festival

Sziget Festival

5 days of stages, art zones and random 4 a.m. friendships.

  • Music
  • Party
  • City + Nature
★★★★★★★★★★4.8
11–15 August 2026
Budapest · Óbuda IslandFull-camp festival city

Roskilde Festival

Eight days of DIY camps and legendary mosh pits.

  • Music
  • Camping
  • Alt Culture
★★★★★★★★★★4.7
27 June – 4 July 2026
Roskilde · DenmarkNon-profit mega festival

NOS Alive

Sunset sets over the Tagus with huge headliners.

  • Music
  • City
  • Sunset Vibes
★★★★★★★★★★4.6
9–11 July 2026
Lisbon · AlgésEasy city access

Sónar Barcelona

Where club culture, art and tech merge.

  • Electronic
  • City
  • Tech + Art
★★★★★★★★★★4.6
18–20 June 2026
Barcelona · Fira Gran ViaMusic + tech

Rock Werchter

Belgium’s classic big-guitar festival.

  • Music
  • Rock
  • Camping
★★★★★★★★★★4.7
2–5 July 2026
Werchter · BelgiumIconic weekender

St. Patrick’s Festival Dublin

Parades, pubs and city-wide celebrations.

  • Culture
  • City
  • Street Party
★★★★★★★★★★4.6
14–17 March 2026
Dublin · IrelandNational holiday

Carnival of Venice

Masks, gondolas and pure theatre.

  • Culture
  • City
  • Costumes
★★★★★★★★★★4.7
7–17 February 2026
Venice · ItalyHistoric carnival

Berlinale

Europe’s top-tier film festival.

  • Film
  • City
  • Cinephile
★★★★★★★★★★4.5
12–22 February 2026
Berlin · GermanyGlobal cinema hub

Festival de Cannes

The most glamorous film festival on earth.

  • Film
  • Luxury
  • Riviera
★★★★★★★★★★4.6
12–23 May 2026
Cannes · FranceLuxury hotspot

Tomorrowland Belgium

EDM’s most iconic mega festival.

  • Electronic
  • Party
  • Mega Festival
★★★★★★★★★★4.9
July 2026
Boom · BelgiumFlagship edition

Tomorrowland Winter

Ski resort + Tomorrowland production.

  • Electronic
  • Snow
  • Mountains
★★★★★★★★★★4.7
21–28 March 2026
Alpe d’Huez · FranceAlpine festival

Coachella

Desert art, huge US headliners.

  • Music
  • Desert
  • Global Icon
★★★★★★★★★★4.8
April 2026
Indio · USATwo-weekend event

Rio Carnival

The biggest street party on the planet.

  • Culture
  • Street Party
  • Global Icon
★★★★★★★★★★4.9
13–21 February 2026
Rio de Janeiro · BrazilSambadrome + blocos