If you’re a music fan, you’ll want to add some festivals to your to-do list for this summer. The good news is you don’t have to spend a fortune to spend some time in the sun and see some of your favourite bands. Combine your summer holiday with one of the great music festivals around Europe and before you know it, you’ll be soaking up some sun while listening to some great live music.
Pukkelpop, Belgium
This annual festival, held in August from the 16th to the18th this year, plays host to more than 180,000 people each year. Held in Kiewit, a small village, this year’s lineup includes Bjork, The Stone Roses, Snoop Dogg, Keane, The Black Keys and the Foo Fighters. Around 200 bands in total are set to play the three-day festival. The variety of bands appeals to many, and the alternative, relaxed atmosphere bumps this festival to the top of the list. Day tickets are €79 and a three-day ticket is €155.
Sziget Festival, Hungary
Held for a week every August, specifically from August 6th to the 13th this year, this enormous festival has about 1,000 musical acts perform every year. If you’re up for a crazy week with thousands of others, on an island no less, this is the festival for you. Held on an island on the Danube in Budapest, this festival is often less expensive in the long run due to many things, including food and drink, being cheaper in Hungary. If you want a break from the festival scene for a bit, you can always head into the city centre to check out the city’s hopping bar and club scene. Day tickets are €45 and a seven-day ticket with camping is €225.
Woodstock Festival, Poland
If you are tired of spending big money on festival tickets, think about heading to Poland’s Woodstock Festival, held August the 2nd until the 4th this year. It’s free! With just two stages and many acts from Poland, this festival is smaller and cosier than a lot of others. If you want a festival atmosphere without the madness, this could be the one for you.
Although August will be here before we know it, it’s not too late to get flights to some of these festivals. Look for cheap flight deals online once you decide to go. If flights are still costing more than you want to spend, consider flying into neighbouring cities and taking a bus or renting a car and driving to your final destination.
And if camping’s not your thing, or you simply prefer to not have to queue hours for a shower, look into last minute hotel deals before you go. There are hotels near enough to each of these festivals. You may want the luxury of heading back to a clean hotel room every night, giving you the chance to recharge your batteries and get ready for the next day’s acts.
Jamie Monteath is a keen writer on his passions: music, theatre and travel. After touring around the UK for a number of years performing, Jamie has found time to write about the last minute hotel deals he’s encountered and the benefits of them whilst living out of a suitcase.
