No rain, no muddy puddles, no blasting sun will ever stop the die-hard music festival lovers, who year after year browse for the biggest festivals and the most impressive line-ups and this is where we come into the picture. Like every year, we bring you a round-up of the newest and the good old classic music festivals of the spring and summer.
Our Ultimate Music Festival Guide includes all the festivals in Stockholm, the most outstanding festivals in Sweden and for those adventurous souls who like to combine traveling with music, we have included some festivals from 9 very much loved European cities.
Let the music festival season begin in style!
FESTIVALS IN STOCKHOLM
ECHO TREE FEST / May 27, Slaktkyrkan & Hus
This is the second edition of the Meat Packing District’s own music festival. Expect a relaxed atmosphere and a unique lineup with the perfect mix of beats and fierce sounds.
LINEUP HIGHTLIGHTS: Dungen, Slowgold, Jaakko Eino Kalevi, The Hanged Man, Virginia and the Flood, Mary Anne’s Polar Rig, Sven Wunder (DJ)
WEBSITE: https://slakthusen.se/echo-tree-fest-2023
ADMISSION: 395kr
STOCKHOLM EARLY MUSIC FESTIVAL / June 1-6, Gamla Stan
Stockholm Early Music Festival is the largest international event for historical music in the Nordic countries and alone in Sweden in presenting repertoire from baroque, renaissance, and medieval times in one festival. The festival has been held annually in the historical setting of Stockholm’s Old Town since 2002, in the special summer atmosphere of early June. The programme includes lunch, afternoon, and evening concerts, seminars and masterclasses.
WEBSITE: semf.se
ADMISSION: Different prices for different concerts, see website.
SMAKA PÅ STOCKHOLM / June 1-6, Kungsträdgården
This early summer festival takes place in the heart of Stockholm, at Kungsträdgården to be precise. It’s actually a feast packed with a wide array of culinary options to awake your taste sensations and your ears as there are also live performances by different artists. Restaurants with cuisines from all over the world provide everything from simple dishes to the exotic and daring. You can cook along with celebrity chefs, watch chef vs chef duels or just simply sit down, enjoy the food, get yourself a drink and listen to some music!
WEBSITE: smakapastockholm.se
ADMISSION: Free
DEPARTMENT FESTIVAL / June 2-3, Långholmen
Department is a festival for electronic music, founded in 2017. In addition to offering the best in swinging electronic music, they promote sustainability and equality. Every year, the festival gathers around 6,000 people in the same place for two packed days, at Långholmen in Stockholm. Over the years, artists such as Four Tet, Bicep, Fatima Osman, Princess Nokia, Tale Of Us, Röyksopp, MOLØ, and many more, have been on Department’s stages.
LINEUP HIGHLIGHTS: Jeremy Olander, Ross From Friends, Ellen Allien.
WEBSITE: departmentfestival.com
ADMISSION: 390kr – 890kr
STHLM AMERICANA / June 9-10, Münchenbryggeriet
The organisers describe Americana as: creating a festival that they wouldn’t want to miss for the world, but that originally could only be found in the American south. A place where high quality music is in the center of the community. Sthlm Americana is back with the fifth festival in a row on June 9-10, 2023.
LINEUP HIGHLIGHTS: The Devil Makes Three, David Ramirez, Calexico, Bonny Light Horseman, The Deslondes, Emily Nenni, Amigo The Devil, Jaime Wyatt, The Bones Of Jr Jones
WEBSITE: sthlmamericana.se
ADMISSION: 1100kr – 1900kr
ROSENDAL GARDEN PARTY / June 8-11, Rosendal
Rosendal Garden Party brings you the most magical evenings of the summer. Four days of great acts, nice food & beverages, art, activities & experiences. Each day has it’s own unique identity – a headliner accompanied by handpicked newcomers and timeless favourites. All brought together in the beautiful surroundings of Rosendal, Djurgården.
LINEUP HIGHLIGHTS: Stormzy, Cherrie, The War On Drugs, Amason, Aphex Twin, Fever Ray, Thåström, Eva Dahlgren
WEBSITE: https://www.rosendal.com/en/
ADMISSION: 895kr per day
LOLLAPALOOZA / June 29 – July 1, Ladugårdsgärdet
Stockholm’s most awaited three days of blasting sun and pounding music beats. Lollapalooza is Stockholm’s largest music festival and this year the city will see its third edition. Expect good music, good vibes, good food and outsized spectacle. The festival area is very large and it even includes a kids festival area.
LINEUP HIGHLIGHTS: Travis Scott, Kygo, Fatboy Slim, Miss Li, Mando Diao, Sofi Tukker, Lizzo, Zara Larsson, Icona Pop, Lis Nas X, Peggy Gou, The 1975, Onerepublic.
WEBSITE: lollastockholm.com
ADMISSION: 1295kr – 2395kr
VI SOM ÄLSKAR 90 TALET / July 8 – Gärdet
The festival for all the people who miss the catchy pop tunes of the 90s and want to relive the nostalgia with the original artists.
LINEUP HIGHLIGHTS: Markoolio, Venga Boys, E-Type, Corona, Cascada, Culture Beat, Paradiso, Pandora, Dr Bombay, Solid Base, ATC, Atomic Kitten
WEBSITE: vialskar.se/90talsfestival-stockholm/
ADMISSION: 1295kr – 2395kr
KULTURFESTIVALEN / August 16-20, Central Stockholm
Stockholm Culture Festival fills the streets and squares with all kinds of culture in all genres, for all ages. 600 program items during five vibrant days in August. All in the middle of the city center and with free admission. From Sergels Torg to Gustav Adolfs Torg, all the way over the Norrbro bridge and finally to Skeppsbron with treats and samples of all the culture that Stockholm has to offer all year round, with performers and guests from all corners of the world.
WEBSITE: kulturfestivalen.stockholm.se
ADMISSION: Free.
STOCKHOLM FRINGE FESTIVAL / August 29 – September 3, various venues around Stockholm
Stockholm Fringe Festival (Stoff) is a five day multidisciplinary arts festival, acting as a ‘stage’ for local and international artists to present their innovative work ranging from performance to installation art and absolutely anything in between. The festival stands for artistic freedom and focuses on out-of-the-box and “alternative” works that may not fit into mainstream performance or exhibition spaces. Stoff is a chance for arts practitioners to test new ideas, network and collaborate with other artists, develop their work, and get inspired by many different creative expressions.
WEBSITE: stockholmfringe.com
ADMISSION: Prices vary depending on the event.
STOCKHOLM JAZZ FESTIVAL / October 13-23, various venues in Stockholm
Stockholm Jazz Festival has been run since 2009 by Stockholm International Jazz & Blues Festival AB. Through a cooperation agreement, the company appoints Fasching to be responsible for the implementation of the festival. The festival functions as an umbrella organization for around 50 participating jazz clubs in and around Stockholm.
LINEUP HIGHLIGHTS: Avishai Cohen Trio, Incognito, Gard Nilssen’s Supersonic Orchestra, Lakecia Benjamin, Georg Riedels Jiddischland, Jasmine Myra, Oddjob Jazzoo, Brandee Younger Trio
WEBSITE: stockholmjazz.se/
ADMISSION: Prices vary depending on the concert from 225kr – 595kr.
STOCKHOLM FILM FESTIVAL / August and November 8-19, Central Stockholm
Ok, this is not a MUSIC festival, but we wanted to mention it since it’s a festival that YLC never misses out on and you shouldn’t either.
The aim for Stockholm International Film Festival is to broaden the selection of films in Sweden with creative new films of high quality and to offer the visitor an orientation within modern film to stimulate a continuing debate. With seminars and opportunities to meet actors and filmmakers during Face2Faces, along with the extensive catalogue, all means are used to make the film experience come full circle. Each year the festival’s organisation has expanded until it reached its current state of an all-year-round festival. In August the Festival also organises free outdoor screenings in Rålambshovsparken for five nights. And it also runs monthly membership screenings.
WEBSITE: stockholmfilmfestival.se
FESTIVALS IN SWEDEN OUTSIDE OF STOCKHOLM
BRÄNNBOLLSYRAN / June 2-4, Umeå
Brännbollsyran is a unique festival experience with the World Cup in brännboll during the day and northern Scandinavia’s largest music festival in the evening. The festival takes place at the central and beautiful Hedlunda in Umeå. The cup takes place at Mariehemsängarna close to Umeå University.
LINEUP HIGHLIGHTS: Marshmello, Future, Galantis, Oskar Linroos, Fricky, HOV1, Miriam Bryant, Vigiland, Headhunterz, Salvatore Ganacci, Tjuvjakt, Molly Sandén, Mares, Jireel, Imenella.
WEBSITE: brannbollsyran.com
ADMISSION: Festival pass 1750kr – 1950kr. Single day ticket 995kr.
SWEDEN ROCK FESTIVAL / June 7-10, Sölvesborg, Blekinge
A rock & metal festival established in 1992 and one of the most important festivals in Europe in the genre. During the years, names like Black Sabbath, Aerosmith, Guns’n’Roses, Def Leppard, Judas Priest and Whitesnake have all played there. Classic rock, hard rock, metal and even some blues – something for all tastes. Clean and neat, safe and secure. Ocean-near location, cozy grass hillsides, real lavatories and a minimum of lines. But most of all, a really friendly and good-natured atmosphere. Like one big family, with members from over 50 countries. The best audience in the world, quite frankly.
LINEUP HIGHLIGHTS: Mötley Crüe, Def Leppard, Deep Purple, Gojira, Ghost, Iron Maden, Pantera, Wolfmother, Europe, Testament, Rancid.
WEBSITE: swedenrock.com
ADMISSION: 1598kr – 4272kr
SUMMERON / June 16-17, Båstad
Mix a small, charming town and a beach with electronic and pop acts, the result is a celebration of all the cool things that Sweden has to offer.
LINEUP HIGHLIGHTS: Sebastian Ingrosso, HOV1, Will Sparks, Bolaget, Daniel Adams-Ray, Mike Williams, Norlie & KKV.
WEBSITE: summeron.se
ADMISSION: 1045kr – 3795kr
SOUTH OCEAN FESTIVAL / July 7-8, Sibbarp, Malmö
The coolest music festival in Malmö. Enjoy world class music, food and beverages by the ocean in the VIP, The Cabanas or Business Lounge. Get your tickets, bring your friends and prepare for a hell of a festival.
LINEUP HIGHLIGHTS: Florence + The Machine, Röyksopp, Smith & Thell, Benjamin Ingrosso, Dina Ögon, Albin Lee Meldau, Father John Misty.
WEBSITE: southoceanfestival.com/
ADMISSION: Festival pass including camping 1075kr – 1775kr
ÖLAND ROOTS / July 13-15, Sandbergen, Öland
The biggest reggae festival in Sweden takes place on the island of Öland. Everyone will spread their reggae-dusting tones over Öland. Öland Roots is a youth initiative, and to this day the work around the festival, both planning and implementation, is done by young adults on the board together with their many friends around the country.
LINEUP HIGHLIGHTS: Alvaret, The Bustups, Cleo, Delphi, Etzia, Olumo Soundz, Rotpuls, Svenska Academien, Syster Sol, Twinkle Brothers.
WEBSITE: olandroots.com
ADMISSION: Festival pass including camping 700kr – 1595kr
ÖSTERSJÖFESTIVALEN / July 19-22, Karlshamn
During a few magical summer days in July, the city of Karlshamn, off the Stockholm archipelago, shows all its charm. The city offers a folk festival in colossal format – always Wednesday to Saturday of week 29. The Baltic Sea Festival in Karlshamn is one of the largest and oldest city festivals in Sweden and this year the festival turns 57!
LINEUP HIGHLIGHTS: Check their website for events, concerts and activities.
WEBSITE: ostersjofestivalen.se
ADMISSION: Most events are free.
WAY OUT WEST / August 10-12, Gothenburg
This three-day, multi-genre festival is located in the idyllic park of Slottsskogen, the leafy and lush heart of Gothenburg. From there, pretty much everything in the city is within walking distance, and if your legs are tired there’s always trams, buses and boats to get you where you want in no time. When the Slottsskogen area closes down for the night, the festivities continue in venues around the city as a part of the unique club concept, Stay Out West (which is included in the 18+ festival ticket).
LINEUP HIGHLIGHTS: Blur, Tove Lo, Kelela, Yo La Tengo, José González, Soundtrack of Our Lives, The Blessed Madona, Masego, Boygenius, Devo Aurora, D-Block Europe
WEBSITE: www.wayoutwest.se
ADMISSION: 795kr – 4995kr
FESTIVALS IN EUROPE
And now let us take you abroad with our extension to our year round music festival list. Here are our picks of the best festivals to visit around Europe’s main cities this year.
PRIMAVERA SOUND / June 1-3, Barcelona, June 8-10, Madrid, Spain
Primavera Sound Barcelona will celebrate the main days of its 21st edition from 1st to 3rd June in Parc del Fòrum, while the main days of the first edition of Primavera Sound Madrid will take place from 8th to 10th June in Ciudad del Rock de Arganda del Rey. Both locations will also run Primavera a la Ciutat: different and complementary activities during the days coming up to the festival, from Monday to Wednesday and the closing Sunday (from Monday 29th May in Barcelona and from Monday 5th June in Madrid) to fully integrate the festival into the city, subject to capacity limitations and according to the entry system that will be detailed in the future.
LINEUP HIGHLIGHTS: Pet Shop Boys, Blur, Hasley, New Order, Darkside, Ghost, Turnstile, Kendrick Lamar, Depeche Mode, Four Tet, Skrillex, Rosalía, Calvin Harris, Måneskin, St. Vincent, The War On Drugs, Maggie Rogers, My Morning Jacket, Ben Böhmer.
WEBSITE: primaverasound.com/en
ADMISSION: From €175 – €900
WE LOVE GREEN / June 2-4, Bois de Vincennes, Paris, France
Every year, We Love Green invites wild and exciting artists who draw the music of our time. An eclectic program that crosses the bridges between indie and electro, merging pop and hip hop on the same stages. The music programming flourishes on two large stages: those of La Prairie, solar, open to the outside, feet in the grass, the head in the stars … and the scene of La Clairère, a half-marquee, like a bubble, ideal for meticulous stage design, resting as much on the light as the video to welcome the most innovative artists, and it becomes a real dive into their universe
From the artistic line-up to their innovative, eco-friendly scenography, the whole We Love Green package is in keeping with their green commitments which underlie the festival’s beliefs, and they’re always on the lookout for new ways of working and evolving.
LINEUP HIGHLIGHTS: The Blaze, Orelsan, Nx Worries, Anderson Paak & KNXWLEDGE, Yung Lean, Phoenix, Pusha T, Gazo, Little Simz, Lomepal, Skrillex, Bon Iver, Dinos, Tems, Jack Johnson.
WEBSITE: welovegreen.fr
ADMISSION: €49-€159
SYD FOR SOLEN / June 8-10, Søndermarken, Frederiksberg, Denmark
SYD FOR SOLEN means South of the Sun and it’s a 3-day concert, atmosphere and community right in the heart of the city.
Every day, a new line up: music, people, food and moments of international class, just to go to. Must be experienced live in really good company, one day at a time and up to three days in a row.
LINEUP HIGHLIGHTS: Unknown Mortal Orchestra, Bon Iver, Arooj Aftab, Peggy Gou, Aphex Twin, The War on Drugs, Iggy Pop, Warpaint.
WEBSITE: sydforsolen.dk/
ADMISSION: DKK 740
SÓNAR / June 15-17, Barcelona, Spain
Sónar’s founding values have defined the festival since its inception: the link between creativity and technology, its commitment to being a global event and a meeting point for creative people from different disciplines and communities.
Sónar Barcelona’s activities are divided into two main locations: Sónar by Day, located in Fira Montjuïc, concerts and dj’s, showcases and Sónar+D; the international congress focused on the digital creative industries and dedicated to creating professional, business and networking opportunities.
Sónar by Night is located at the Fira Gran Via de L’Hospitalet, and hosts live shows and dj sets from the biggest names in international music.
LINEUP HIGHLIGHTS: Aphex Twin, Eric Prydz presents HOLO, BICEP live, Bad Gyal, Black Coffee, The Blessed Madonna, Peggy Gou, Fever Ray, Little Simz, Solomun, Richie Hawtin, Amelie Lens, Oneohtrix Point Never
WEBSITE: sonar.es
ADMISSION: €45-€300
ROSKILDE FESTIVAL / June 24 — July 1, Roskilde, Denmark
With the slogan ‘Music, activism, arts, camps and freedom’, Roskilde Festival is the largest music and arts festival in Northern Europe. It’s also one of the oldest, dating back to 1971. With equality and sustainability in focus, it takes place during 8 days of music, art, food, co-creation and freedom. At Roskilde Festival you can experience over 170 acts – in all sizes and genres. Join 129,999 fellow Roskilde-goers for a week-long international celebration of music, art, co-creation and freedom.
LINEUP HIGHLIGHTS: Kendrick Lamar, Queens of the Stone Age, Fever Ray, Lorna Shore, Rema, Villano Antillano, Lil Nas X, Burna Boy, Central Cee, Blur, Rosalía, Cristine and the Queens, Lizzo.
WEBSITE: roskilde-festival.dk
ADMISSION: 1200kr-2600kr
EXIT / July 6-9, Petrovaradin Fortress, Petrovaradin, Serbia
EXIT Festival takes you to the EXIT Universe – a place woven from the emotions of everyone who has set foot on the Fortress, where miracles happen, and the brightest star is YOU!
LINEUP HIGHLIGHTS: The Prodigy, Wu-Tang Clan, Skrillex, Eric Prydz, Alesso, Chase & Status Dj set, Dimitri Vegas & Like Mike, Nina Kraviz, Rico Nasty, Hot Since 82, Viagra Boyz, Sofi Tukker, Ben Bömer live.
WEBSITE: exitfest.org/en
ADMISSION: €39-€150
RUISROCK / July 7-9, Turku, Finland
Ruisrock is one of the oldest and leading cultural events in Finland. During three days Ruisrock takes its audience to another world filled with joy, friendship, and freedom.
LINEUP HIGHLIGHTS: Lil Nas X, Skrillex, Machine Gun Kelly, Denzel Curry, Alesso, The 1975, Zara Larsson, Lil Yachty.
WEBSITE: ruisrock.fi
ADMISSION: €125-€225
FLOW FESTIVAL / August 11-13, Helsinki, Finland
Flow Festival has become synonymous with bringing music from old school legends to topical newcomers. Beyond the music, Flow offers a warm embrace of the arts and an exceptional array of world spanning cuisine. Only a short walk away from the centre of Helsinki, the festival strikes an alluring setting of blissed-out festival escapism for a few days. There are easily enough activities to keep attendees occupied, if ever spending a summer weekend in the culture hub Helsinki wasn’t enough.
Flow Festival will be organised in its current location in Suvilahti for the last time on August 11–13, 2023. The festival will announce its 2024 venue after this year’s edition. Join the celebration and enjoy Flow at Suvilahti for the last time!
LINEUP HIGHLIGHTS: Wizkid, Kelela, Suede, 070 Shake, Lorde, Devo, Tove Lo, Pusha T, Blur, Cristine and the Queens, Moderat,
WEBSITE: flowfestival.com/en/
ADMISSION: €119-€345
ALL POINTS EAST / August 18-19 & August 25-28, London, England
All Points East is a festival in Victoria Park, Tower Hamlets, London. Major headline shows with curated, credible lineups bookend free activities, In The NBHD, during the week. All Points East is more than just about the music and are passionate about making a positive impact on the local community, and leading the way with sustainability policies.
LINEUP HIGHLIGHTS: Stormzy, Erikah Badu, Haim, The Strokes, Aphex Twin, Dermot Kennedy, Jungle, Badbadnotgood, Fever Ray, Girl In Red, Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Jon Hopkins, SBTRK, Confidence Man, Sampha, Tove Lo, Kelela, Moderat
WEBSITE: allpointseastfestival.com
ADMISSION: Prices vary depending on the concert from £75
