Alright, so I got this real itch this year. You know, after being stuck indoors, staring at screens, I just felt I needed to get out there and actually experience something proper. Something big, noisy, maybe a bit muddy. I started digging around, looking for the best outdoor festivals happening across Europe.
First off, you see all the usual suspects, right? Massive music festivals, huge headline acts everyone’s talking about. Names get thrown around, the really famous ones. And yeah, they look cool on video, loads of people having a good time. But honestly? Seemed like a lot of the same thing, just in different fields. Plus, the thought of those crowds and the price tags… made me pause a bit.
So, I kept looking. Went down a bit of a rabbit hole, searching for stuff that felt a bit different, maybe more local, you know? Not just the same international bands you can see anywhere.
Digging Deeper Than Just Music
And that’s how I stumbled upon something kinda unexpected. Heard about this thing in Ireland called “The National Ploughing Championships”. Sounds a bit odd at first, doesn’t it? Ploughing? But I looked into it more. Turns out, it’s absolutely massive! Like, Europe’s biggest outdoor event, happening in Ratheniska, County Laois this year, September 17th to 19th. They’re expecting well over a quarter of a million people.
It’s not just about tractors, though I guess there’s plenty of that. It’s like this huge country fair mixed with trade shows, food stalls, live music, the whole lot. It just struck me as something genuinely unique, a real slice of local culture on a massive scale. Totally different vibe from the usual festival circuit.
What Makes a Festival ‘Best’ Anyway?
It got me thinking, what does ‘best’ even mean? For some, it’s seeing the biggest bands on the planet. Fair enough. But for me, this year anyway, I think it’s about finding something with a bit more character. Something that tells you a bit about the place you’re in.
- Maybe it’s about the food.
- Maybe it’s about some weird tradition.
- Maybe it’s just about being somewhere different, not just another generic festival field.
So, my plan started shifting. Instead of trying to tick off the ‘big names’, I focused on finding one or two that felt right for me. The Ploughing Championships definitely went on the potential list. I also looked at some smaller folk festivals, some food-focused events. Stuff that feels a bit more grounded.
The process wasn’t just about picking a place, either. It was figuring out the travel, where to stay (because trying to find a decent spot near these big events can be a nightmare if you leave it late!), and just generally getting my head around the logistics. It’s part of the experience, I suppose. Building the anticipation.
So yeah, my “best outdoor festivals” list ended up looking a bit different from the glossy magazine ones. It’s more personal. I haven’t booked everything solid yet, still juggling dates and costs, but I’m definitely leaning towards something like that Irish event. Feels more like an adventure, less like ticking a box. We’ll see how it goes, but I’m looking forward to getting my boots dirty somewhere interesting this year.
