Festivals Like Bestival

Every January, Groningen becomes a destination for indie, pop and rock fans as Eurosonic Noorderslag takes over the city. A staple of the regional festival calendar, the festival has earned a devoted global following. The lineup covers indie, pop and rock, with additional sets spanning electronic and alternative across 4 days, underpinned by strong cultural roots and a diverse international lineup. Headliners and notable names include Sigrid, Arlo Parks, Bicep, and Inhaler, joined by 1 more act across the bill. Total costs — tickets, travel, accommodation, and food — typically fall between $300 and $700 USD, making Eurosonic Noorderslag one of the more wallet-friendly options on the circuit.

Every September, Hamburg becomes a destination for indie, pop and rock fans as Reeperbahn Festival takes over the city. A well-established festival with a devoted following, the festival has earned a devoted global following. Over 4 days, the lineup spans indie, pop and rock, with additional sets spanning electronic and alternative. The atmosphere is shaped by strong cultural roots and a diverse international lineup, making it a standout on the early autumn circuit. Headliners and notable names include Black Midi, Yard Act, Dry Cleaning, and Wet Leg, joined by 1 more act across the bill. Budgeting for the full trip (flights, tickets, accommodation, food) typically comes to $300–$700 USD. Expect mild, rain conditions. At that price point, Reeperbahn Festival is one of the more wallet-friendly options on the circuit.

Every August, Biddinghuizen becomes a destination for indie, rock and electronic fans as A Campingflight to Lowlands Paradise takes over the city. A major event on the global festival circuit, the festival has earned a devoted global following. Over 3 days, the lineup spans indie, rock and electronic, with additional sets spanning pop. The atmosphere is shaped by alternative artists and a non-mainstream sensibility, making it a standout on the late summer circuit. Headliners and notable names include Florence + the Machine, Massive Attack, The National, and Idles, joined by 1 more act across the bill. All-in costs range from $250 to $400 USD. Expect mild, variable conditions. A Campingflight to Lowlands Paradise is one of the more wallet-friendly options on the circuit. The festival is family-friendly and welcomes attendees of all ages.

Every June, Madrid becomes a destination for indie, rock and electronic fans as Primavera Sound Madrid takes over the city. A large-scale international festival, the festival has earned a devoted global following. Over 3 days, the lineup spans indie, rock and electronic, with additional sets spanning pop and alternative. The atmosphere is shaped by alternative artists and a non-mainstream sensibility alongside strong cultural roots and a diverse international lineup, making it a standout on the summer circuit. Headliners and notable names include Kendrick Lamar, Rosalía, LCD Soundsystem, and Mitski, joined by 1 more act across the bill. Budgeting for the full trip (flights, tickets, accommodation, food) typically comes to $600–$1,600 USD. Expect hot, sunny conditions. At that price point, Primavera Sound Madrid is reasonably priced for the calibre of artists on offer. Valid ID required — minimum age is 18.

Laneway Festival runs every February in Multiple Cities, Australia, drawing fans of indie, electronic and rock from across the globe. As a beloved mid-size festival, it occupies a unique place on the festival calendar. Over 1 days, the lineup spans indie, electronic and rock, with additional sets spanning pop. The atmosphere is shaped by alternative artists and a non-mainstream sensibility, making it a standout on the late winter circuit. Headliners and notable names include Tame Impala, Clairo, Wet Leg, and Mitski, joined by 1 more act across the bill. All-in costs range from $120 to $300 USD. Expect hot, sunny conditions. Laneway Festival is one of the more wallet-friendly options on the circuit. Valid ID required — minimum age is 18.

Glastonbury Festival runs every June in Pilton, UK, drawing fans of rock, pop and indie from across the globe. As one of the world's most iconic festivals, it occupies a unique place on the festival calendar. Over 5 days, the lineup spans rock, pop and indie, with additional sets spanning electronic and world music. The atmosphere is shaped by strong cultural roots and a diverse international lineup alongside mainstream headliners and high-production stages, making it a standout on the summer circuit. Headliners and notable names include Coldplay, Elton John, Arctic Monkeys, and Beyoncé, joined by 1 more act across the bill. Total costs — tickets, travel, accommodation, and food — typically fall between $400 and $1,200 USD, making Glastonbury Festival reasonably priced for the calibre of artists on offer. The festival is family-friendly and welcomes attendees of all ages.

Pukkelpop is one of the biggest festivals in its region, held every August in Hasselt, Belgium. Known for its rock, pop and indie programming, it draws a crowd defined by mainstream headliners and high-production stages alongside relentless energy and a crowd that dances till dawn. Over 4 days, the lineup spans rock, pop and indie, with additional sets spanning electronic and hip-hop. The atmosphere is shaped by mainstream headliners and high-production stages alongside relentless energy and a crowd that dances till dawn, making it a standout on the late summer circuit. Headliners and notable names include The Prodigy, LCD Soundsystem, Queens of the Stone Age, and Gorillaz, joined by 1 more act across the bill. All-in costs range from $300 to $900 USD. Expect warm, rain conditions. Pukkelpop is one of the more wallet-friendly options on the circuit. The festival is family-friendly and welcomes attendees of all ages.

Reading & Leeds Festivals runs every August in Reading, Leeds, UK, drawing fans of rock, indie and pop from across the globe. As a globally recognised mega-festival, it occupies a unique place on the festival calendar. Over 3 days, the lineup spans rock, indie and pop, with additional sets spanning electronic and hip-hop. The atmosphere is shaped by mainstream headliners and high-production stages alongside relentless energy and a crowd that dances till dawn, making it a standout on the late summer circuit. Headliners and notable names include Arctic Monkeys, Rage Against the Machine, Queens of the Stone Age, and Kendrick Lamar, joined by 1 more act across the bill. All-in costs range from $400 to $1,200 USD. Expect mild, rain conditions. Reading & Leeds Festivals is reasonably priced for the calibre of artists on offer. The festival is family-friendly and welcomes attendees of all ages.