Okay, so last summer I was totally itching for an adventure, and I landed on the idea of hitting up some music festivals in Europe. But not just any festivals, I wanted the weird, the wonderful, the ones with a theme! I started from scratch, basically just googling “unique music festivals Europe”.
First things first, the research! I spent hours digging through blogs, festival websites, and YouTube videos. My criteria were simple: had to be in Europe (duh), had to have some kind of distinct theme beyond just “music,” and had to be relatively accessible – meaning not in the middle of nowhere with a week-long trek to get there.
I made a massive spreadsheet. Seriously, it was huge. I listed potential festivals, dates, locations, themes, ticket prices, travel info, and a “level of weirdness” rating (from 1 to 5 stars, 5 being the most bonkers). I even included links to photos and videos so I could get a real feel for the vibe.
Narrowing it down was tough. There were so many cool options! But I only had a limited amount of time and money, so I had to be picky. Ultimately, I chose two:
- Boom Festival in Portugal: This one’s all about psychedelic trance, art, and sustainability. Think yoga, workshops, and a whole lot of colorful craziness.
- Sziget Festival in Hungary: Sziget is huge, but it’s got a cool “Island of Freedom” vibe with art installations, theatre performances, and all kinds of unexpected stuff happening. Plus, Budapest is an awesome city!
Next up: Booking everything! Flights, accommodation, tickets – it all adds up fast. I snagged early bird tickets for both festivals to save some cash. For accommodation, I decided to camp at Boom (it’s part of the experience!) and booked a hostel in Budapest for Sziget. I also spent ages comparing flight prices and eventually found a decent deal flying into Lisbon and out of Budapest.
Packing was a nightmare. Trying to cram everything I needed for two weeks of festivals into one backpack was a challenge. I had to be ruthless! Lots of layers, comfortable shoes, sunscreen, a hat, a reusable water bottle – the essentials. And of course, a healthy dose of glitter for Boom!
Boom Festival was insane! In the best possible way. The music was mind-bending, the art was incredible, and the people were so friendly and open. I spent my days exploring the festival grounds, attending workshops, and dancing until sunrise. It was a truly transformative experience.
Sziget was a completely different vibe. Much more mainstream, but still super fun. The sheer scale of the festival was mind-blowing. There were stages everywhere, playing all kinds of music. I saw some amazing bands, met people from all over the world, and explored Budapest in between festival days.
Things I learned:
- Research is key! The more you know about a festival beforehand, the better prepared you’ll be.
- Don’t be afraid to go alone. I met some of the coolest people when I was solo.
- Pack light! You’ll thank yourself later.
- Stay hydrated! Festivals are exhausting, especially in the summer heat.
- Be open to new experiences. You never know what amazing things might happen.
Would I do it again? Absolutely! It was an unforgettable adventure, and I’m already planning my next European festival trip. Maybe something in Germany next time… or perhaps even further afield!
Final thoughts
This whole experience? It was a blast from start to finish. From the initial frantic Googling to the final, exhausted plane ride home, every moment was filled with new experiences and amazing memories. If you’re even remotely considering hitting up a music festival in Europe, just do it! You won’t regret it.
