Top 5 European Music Festivals to Experience This July

Top 5 European Music Festivals to Experience This July

Turn up the volume and feel the beat this July. Summer in Europe is more than sun and beach time; this period hosts some of the most significant music fests worldwide. Whether you are an indie, rock, EDM, or hip-hop fan, there is something for everyone this July. So, mark your calendar for these top 5 European Music Festivals to experience this July. Each offers a unique mix of sound, energy, and atmosphere that will make your summer truly epic.

Montreux Jazz Festival🎷

Montreux Jazz Festival
Listen to jazz music at the Montreux Jazz Festival. (Source: Montreux Jazz Festival Facebook)

Rhyme to Jazz and Blues this summer with the Montreux Jazz Festival. This annual Swiss music fest begins in early July and runs for sixteen days. Over this period, 250,000+ attendees have come to attend concerts in a breathtaking setting. The 2025 Montreux Jazz Festival will take place from July 4 to 20 across 15 legendary stages. It will host 600+ free activities, including concerts, Jam sessions, and silent discos. This is a must-do activity for anyone traveling to Montreux in Switzerland.

Highlights

  • Scenic lakeside setting with a mix of legendary and emerging artists.
  • Wide range of activities, including concerts, film screenings, workshops, record fairs, drag performances, and dance classes.
  • The 2025 Lineup: Yazz Ahmed, Peggy Gou, Theodora, Rita Payes, Luvcat, Marcin, Nemzzz
  • 380 concerts, 250 of which are free.
  • 55 bars and stands.

Insider Tips

  • More Than Music: Attend free open-air shows daily + workshops & lakeside activities.
  • Food & Drinks: Get your own food or enjoy meals with a breathtaking view of the Alps at the festival grounds.
  • Accessibility: Most festival areas are accessible to people with reduced mobility. Guests with disabilities can access a dedicated checkpoint onsite.
  • Take Public Transportation: Take direct trains if you are traveling from outside Montreux. The Montreux-Vevey regional bus service is free for ticket-holders at certain times of the day.
  • Buy Priority Pass: Purchase the Priority Pass to enjoy priority access to the festival’s paid and free stages at all times.

Nearby Experience

Duration
2.5 hours
Free cancellation
Yes
Reviews
Rating 4.91 (23)
Duration
1 hours
Free cancellation
No
Reviews
Rating 4.74 (47)
Duration
2.5 hours
Free cancellation
No
Reviews
Rating 4.64 (14)

Love International🎧

Love International
Experience the epic Love International Festival. (Source: Love International Festival Facebook)

Get ready for one of the hottest summer music festivals this July! Love International is a beloved Croatian festival bringing global headliners to the small town of Tisno. It is a must-attend event for electronic music fans in Europe. Expect a week of live electronic music, secret island parties, late-night discos, sunrise acoustic sessions, beachside dancing, and boat parties. The Love International will have a world-class lineup of DJs to keep you dancing throughout the festival period.

Highlights

  • Barbarella’s Discotheque: Get an open-air club experience with music running until sunrise at The Garden Resort.
  • Boat Parties: Separate from the main festival ticket, boat parties offer unique experiences on the Adriatic Sea.
  • Secret Island Party: Participate in secret island parties for unique experiences at the festival.
  • The 2025 Love International Lineup: A For Alpha, Ben UFO, Castro & Nemo, DJ Lloyd, Jennifer Loveless, Louis Ray, Safiye, Tania Just

Insider Tips

  • Age Limit: Love International is an 18+ event, ideal for adults, friends, and couples.
  • RFID Wristbands: The Garden Resort doesn’t accept cash; you must make payment with your cashless RFID wristbands.
  • Food & Drinks: You can’t bring food or drinks from outside; all items must be purchased on-site.
  • Accessibility: Guests with mobility issues have to access the festival through the campsite or the beach.
  • Accommodation: The Garden Resort offers apartments, mobile homes, and glamping options. You will also find many hotels near the site and in Tisno.
  • Transportation: Take a taxi, bus, or shuttle to the festival site.

Pair With

  • Bike or book a walking tour of Tisno
  • Visit the Krka National Park and check out its islands and waterfalls, including the famous Skradinski Buk Falls.
  • Plan a day trip to the nearby Vodice.

EXIT Festival🎸

EXIT Festival
Check out the famous EXIT Festival. (Source: EXIT Festival Facebook)
  • Dates: July 10-13, 2025
  • Genre: Rock, Electronic, Hip-Hop
  • Location: Petrovaradin Fortress, Novi Sad, Serbia
  • Tickets: Regular 4-Day Ticket – 5 for the price of 4: €108, Regular 4-Day Ticket: €135, VIP Gold 4-Day Ticket: €400, EXIT Infinite Experience: €1,250
  • Social Media: Official Website, Official Facebook, Official Instagram

Experience the summer at full blast with the EXIT Festival. This summer music fest boasts a 25-year legacy and many recognitions, including the 2013 and 2017 Best Major European Festival at the EU Festival Awards, the 2007 Best Overseas Festival at the UK Festival Awards, and the 2016 Best Summer Music Festival in Europe. It is annually held in a 17th-century Petrovaradin Fortress in Novi Sad, Serbia. Having been voted “Best Major European Festival” multiple times, EXIT Festival is a summer treat for rock, hip-hop, and electronic music fans.

Highlights

  • Rebellious History: The EXIT Festival was founded in 2000 as a student movement, fighting for democracy and freedom in Serbia and the Balkans.
  • Great Music: Expect outstanding music performances by internationally acclaimed artists, such as Sex Pistols, DJ Snake, Amelie Lens, Sara Landry, Nina Kraviz, and KI/KI in 2025.
  • Affordable Prices: Ticket prices are cheaper compared to other European music festivals, with a 4-Day pass only costing a little above €100.
  • 40 Stages and Zones: There are more options to choose from at the festival.

Insider Tips

  • Accommodation: Plan your accommodation in advance, since hotels are usually booked out during the festival.
  • Check the lineup and plan your schedule: Since 1,000+ artists perform at the EXIT, check the lineup to not miss out on your favorite artist’s performance.
  • Outfit Ideas: Showcase your creativity and eccentric styles by trying bold and exaggerated outfits. Carry a jacket or a scarf for evenings.
  • Take Advantage of the Shuttle Services: Use EXIT’s shuttle services from Belgrade Airport and other areas in Belgrade and Budapest.
  • Stay in Belgrade pre/post festival for cultural immersion.

Travel Ideas

  • Enjoy a guided underground tour of Petrovaradin Fortress.
  • Check out the oldest Serbian library, Matica Srpska.
  • Attend cultural performances, including opera, ballet, and drama, at the Serbian National Theater.
  • Book a Danube River-based water activity.
Duration
3 hours
Free cancellation
No
Reviews
Rating 5 (1)
What's included?
English–speaking guide
A beverage
Duration
3 hours
Free cancellation
Yes
Reviews
Rating 0 (1)
What's included?
English–speaking guide
Admission to Petrovaradin Fortress' underground tunnels
Duration
2 hours
Free cancellation
Yes
Reviews
Rating 0 (1)

Bilbao BKK Live💿

Bilbao BBK Live
Watch diverse music performances at Bilbao BBK Live. (Source: Bilbao BBK Live Facebook)

Music meets nature with the highly anticipated Bilbao BKK Live. It is set on a green hill overlooking the Basque city of Bilbao. In addition to its picturesque setting, this music festival is the first of its kind and size to take place in the Bilbao region. Indie rock fans will have a field day listening to national and international artists specializing in indie rock, alternative, and electronic genres. Also, did we mention Bilbao BKK Live was nominated for the Best Medium-Sized European Festival three consecutive times in 2009-2011?

Highlights

  • The festival is held on a special complex on the slopes of Mount Cobetas.
  • 12 fantastic Stages
  • The 2025 Lineup: Abhir, Alice Phoebe Lou, Amaia, Bad Gyal, Damiano David, Malko
  • Camping is allowed inside the venue.
  • Glamping experiences are available at affordable rates.

Insider Tips

  • Food & Drinks: You can’t bring food from the outside. You will find varied gastronomic offers inside the venue.
  • Getting There: It’s recommended to walk to the venue to help reduce your carbon footprint. Or, you can take Metro Bilbao to the festival gates.
  • Accessibility: The festival offers assistance and accessibility for individuals with reduced mobility.
  • Age Limit: Children under 11 receive free entry, but parents must complete a form for minors in advance.
  • Fit Check: Opt for casual and comfortable attire, such as t-shirts, shorts, graphic tees, jeans, and sneakers.

Nearby Experience

Tomorrowland🎶

Tomorrowland
Rhyme to EDM beats at Tomorrowland. (Source: Tomorrowland Facebook)

Finally, Tomorrowland is one of the top 5 European Music Festivals to experience this July. It is one of the world’s largest and most immersive electronic dance music festivals, featuring mind-blowing stage design and top-tier DJs. It has been awarded five times consecutively as the Best Musical Event of the Year at the International Dance Music Awards. The 2025 Tomorrowland will take place over two weekends, from July 18-20 and 25-27, in Boom, Belgium. Its spin-off festivals are scheduled to take place on October 10-12 (Tomorrowland Brasil) and March 21-28, 2026 (Tomorrowland Winter).

Highlights

  • The World of Tomorrowland: People of tomorrow step inside the different worlds and themes of the Tomorrowland Universe.
  • Orbyz: The magical universe of Orbyz is made entirely out of ice and reveals a hidden community consisting of a unique source of light, energy, and power.
  • DreamVille: Tomorrowland’s official campsite welcomes attendees to relax after an exuberant day at the festival.
  • Immersive Experience: Tomorrowland’s unique immersive audio-visual experience is for visitors of all ages.
  • The 2025 Tomorrowland Lineup: Alok, Martin Garrix, Vini Vici, Eric Prydz, Sennix, MC Rim

Insider Tips

  • Tickets sell out fast: Consider resale platforms or book a tour with included tickets.
  • How to get there: Take public transport, a bike, or a car to reach the venue in Boom.
  • Opening Hours: The festival starts from 12 PM and continues till 1 AM. Arrive early or late, depending on your preferences.
  • Tomorrowland Bracelet: Pay extra Treasure Case Fee to get your Tomorrowland Bracelet, which will make your entry to Tomorrowland and DreamVille more convenient.
  • Dress Stylishly: Opt for vibrant and expressive attire, with glitters, rhinestones, neon colors, sequins, faux furs, or flashy accessories.

Nearby Experience

What's included?
Local guide
Tastings of a variety of different Belgian Chocolates
Hotel pickup and drop-off
Additional food and drinks
Duration
1.5 hours
Free cancellation
Yes
Reviews
Rating 4.76 (480)
What's included?
Unavailable
Details unavailable
Duration
1.5 hours
Free cancellation
No
Reviews
Rating 4.6 (337)
Duration
2 hours
Free cancellation
No
Reviews
Rating 4.03 (32)

That’s it for this blog on the top 5 European Music Festivals to experience this July. Each one is impressive with its vibe, genre, ambiance, facilities, and setting. You won’t regret adding any of these fests to your travel plan this summer. Or, you can plan a road trip to hit multiple festivals in one go. As there are plenty of days between each festival, this plan is feasible to give a try. 😉

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