Now that the Kingsday debauchery is behind us, it’s time to start planning the rest of this year’s benders. With thermometers surpassing 20 degrees this week, the collective urge to maximize outdoor time has officially settled in. This week’s pre-taste of summer was a timely reminder of our favorite way to enjoy the great outdoors: surrounded by close friends, great music, and maybe a few mind-expanding experiences along the way.
Continuing our yearly tradition, we’ve put together a list of must-attend festivals for 2026. Ranging from established icons decades in the making to newcomers hosting their very first edition, this edit subjectively unites the festivals we purely believe are the best out there — chosen for their setting, lineup, the chance to discover something new, and a unique approach to worldbuilding. From our Dutch favorites to lineups worth traveling for, here are the festivals you’ll most probably find us at this year.
Horst
When & Where? May 14th to 16th / Asiat Park, BE
What? A definite must-go, Horst is one of those festivals where exploration takes center stage. Rather than chasing big names or flashy lineups, Horst focuses on creating a cohesive world shaped by each year’s theme, uniting some of the best names in underground culture today, across music, architecture, and every modality of art.
Lineup highlights: spirit blue (live), Mama Snake, OK Williams & Tasha, DJ Sotofett , livwutang
Lentekabinet
When & Where? May 23rd and 24th / Het Twiske, NL
What? Dekmantel’s little sister, putting fresh Dutch talent on the map while bringing some of the Dekmantel family’s favorite artists into the intimate and magical setting of Het Twiske.
Lineup highlights: Chris Stussy & Shanti Celeste, Chaos in the CBD, Jensen Interceptor (Live), Maatje Patje, Stella Zekri & Suze Ijo, Sherelle, CCL & Verraco, DJ SWISHA, Peach & Prosumer
Primavera Sound
When & Where? June 3rd – 7th / Barcelona, SP
What? The European Coachella, except Europeans do it better. This year’s lineup resurfaces legendary names and puts them face to face with hyperpop royalty, all against the backdrop of Barcelona’s sun-soaked Parc del Fòrum.
Lineup highlights: The Cure, Little Simz, Gorrilaz, Mechatok, Ecco2k, Fcukers. Oklou, PinkPantheress
Best Kept Secret
When & Where? June 12th to 14th / Beekse Bergen, NL
What? Eclectic festival spanning genres and generations, bridging the gap between the known and the unknown.
Lineup highlights: Gorrilaz, Mark William Lewis, Amaarae, De La Soul, Ethel Cain, Mac DeMarco, Sammy VIrji, Surusinghe, MAVI, Femi Kuti & The Positive Force
Waking Life
When & Where? June 17th – 22nd / Carto, PT
What? Although we’ve yet to experience Waking Life ourselves, everyone in our circles who has visited comes back somehow reawakened. A week-long escape where you reconnect with a natural way of being, detach from the hustle and bustle of everyday life, and land in a universe governed by the freedom to experience, express, and take it all in.
Lineup: This year Waking Life is not announcing its lineup, inviting festival-goers to embrace the unknown. Past acts have included the likes of Bochum Welt, Andy Stott, and DJ Koze.
Solstice
When & Where? June 18th – 20th / Ruka, FI
What? A gathering for adventurous music lovers just below the Arctic Circle during midsummer. Picturesque views over pine trees and lakes, where the sun never sets and the music never stops.
Lineup highlights: AceMo, KMRU (Live), Mad Professor (Live Dub Show), DJ Fart in the Club, mad miran, Trickpony
Memòri
When & Where? July 2nd – 5th / Domaine de Gayfié, FR
What? Label and collective Useless Seconds’ real-world manifestation, Memòri makes its debut in Occitanie this year with a classy mix of adventurous music spanning techno, trip-hop, and psychedelic rock.
Lineup highlights: Konduku, OKO DJ Live, Nono Gigsta, Kia, Agonis (Live), Trickpony, CCL
Down the Rabbit Hole
When & Where? July 3rd to 5th / Groene Heuvels, NL
What? Although the festival brings together musicians spanning multiple genres, Down the Rabbit Hole has an undeniably punk spirit, with programming that puts rebellion front and center.
Lineup highlights: David Byrne, Oklou, Vegyn, Little Simz, Overmono, Jim Legxcy, MAHA, Peaches, DJ Babatr
Wilde Weide
When & Where? July 3rd – 5th / Kraggenburg, NL
What? Wildeburg’s newest project, Wilde Weide is an intimate nature getaway uniting your favorite Dutch live acts and DJs, alongside a handful of exciting international bookings.
Lineup highlights: 1tbsp, angelboy & TWIENA, Roi Perez, David August, SAIDAH, Nusantra Beat. Full line-up.
Dekmantel
When & Where? July 29th to August 2nd / Het Amsterdamse Bos, NL
What? Boundary-pushing electronic music gathering, giving a stage to some of the most promising new names in the scene while placing household names in unexpected back-to-backs and settings.
Lineup highlights: Trickpony, NICOLINI (Live), CCL presents invisible cities, Sampha (DJ Set), SASS (Moxie & Peach & Saoirse & Shanti Celeste), Khadija al Hanafi Hybrid, Headache, Riccardo Villalobos
Maiden Voyage
Where & When? August 8th / Burgess Park, London
What? A one-day gathering celebrating electronic music and beyond, promising one thing above all else: extremely good fun.
Line-up highlights: ALCATRAZ, SHERELLE, Skin on Skin, Tokischa, Yaeji, Mietze Conte
Dekmantel Selectors
When & Where? August 20th – 24th / Tisno, HR
What? Dekmantel’s tenth Croatian escapade, bringing together favorite local artists and the festival’s eclectic curation in a seaside setting, joined by all the friends along the way.
Line-up highlights: upsammy, Roi Perez, Hamatsuki & Skyra (live), boats by Radio TNP, pos, Bassiani
Field Maneuvers
When & Where? August 21st – 23rd / Norfolk, UK
What? The premise of this UK festival is simple: no-frills raving, excellent DJs playing excellent music on excellent sound systems. In a world obsessed with finding deeper meaning in everything, sometimes a good no-frills party is all you need.
Line-up highlights: Detroit in Effect, Angel D’Lite, Call Super, Tash LC, Roza Terenzi
Rally
When & Where? August 28th / London, UK
What? Nothing beats a London getaway, and this one-day outdoor gathering inspired by DIY culture and grassroots movements brings some of our recent favorite artists together.
Line-up highlights: Voice Actor, Blood Orange, james K, spirit blue, Smerz
Rally
When & Where? August 28th / London, UK
What? Nothing beats a London getaway, and this one-day outdoor gathering inspired by DIY culture and grassroots movements brings some of our recent favorite artists together.
Line-up highlights: Voice Actor, Blood Orange, james K, spirit blue, Smerz
Meakusma
When & Where? September 3rd – 6th / Eupen, BE
What? A road trip into musical discovery — a festival that takes over Belgium’s Eupen and brings together artists you might never have discovered otherwise.
Line-up highlights: TBD
Draaimolen
When & Where? September 4th & 5th / Tilburg
What? A magical music and arts escape in the forest of Tilburg, the perfect end of summer experience.
Line-up highlights: Still TBA, 2025 artists have included DJ Stingray 313 b2b Moodymann, Carista, LSDXOXO, Mr. G
