No rain, no muddy puddles, no blasting sun will ever stop the die-hard music festival lovers, who year after year look 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 the 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 10 very much loved European cities.
Let the music festival season begin in style!
FESTIVALS IN STOCKHOLM
DRÖMMEN FESTIVAL / May 25, Stockholms Stadion
A brand new festival in Stockholm, at the Stockholm Stadium – Drömmen. The festival is a grand celebration and a tribute to the music we all love, featuring some of the most beloved artists of recent decades, with emphasis on Swedish schlager.
LINEUP HIGHLIGHTS: Carola, Bonnie Tyler, Boney M, Kate Ryan, Arvingarna, Lucianoz, Army of Lovers
WEBSITE: https://drommenfestival.se/en/
ADMISSION: 795kr
STOCKHOLM EARLY MUSIC FESTIVAL / June 4-9, Gamla Stan
Stockholm Early Music Festival is the largest international event in the Nordic countries for baroque, renaissance and medieval music. With variety and quality as its motto, the festival highlights the diversity of early music and offers every year a rich selection of known and unknown music from all over the world, with both Swedish and international artists of the highest repute.
WEBSITE: https://www.earlymusicsweden.se/en/event/stockholm-early-music-festival/
ADMISSION: Different prices for different concerts, see website.
DEPARTMENT FESTIVAL / June 7-8, Slakthusområdet
Slakthusområdet offers a perfect blend of urban vibrancy and cultural allure. With its diverse mix of residential spaces, commercial hubs, and cultural amenities seamlessly integrated with green spaces and plazas, this dynamic location provides an inviting backdrop for the festival’s eclectic offerings. Slakthusområdet is the new playground for Department Festival 2024.
So what would a summer be without some great music and clubbing at Stockholm’s Meat Packing District, aka Slakthusområdet.
LINEUP HIGHLIGHTS: Sofia Kourtesis, Floating Points, Dafni
WEBSITE: departmentfestival.com
ADMISSION: 490kr
Afrikan Fusion Arts Festival / June 15, Quality Hotel Globe, Arenaslingan 7, Johanneshov
Experience the Richness of African Culture
Afrikan Fusion Art Festival is a celebration of African culture through fashion, food, music, and art. The festival aims to promote sustainability and cultural exchange. Join the festival for a weekend of fun and learning.
WEBSITE: https://www.afrikanfusionfest.com/
ADMISSION: 250kr
ROSENDAL GARDEN PARTY / June 14-16, Rosendal
Rosendal Garden Party brings you the most magical evenings of the summer. Three 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 on the Djurgården island.
LINEUP HIGHLIGHTS: M.I.A., Refused, Massive Attack, Raye, The Cardigans, Grace Jones, YG Marley
WEBSITE: https://www.rosendal.com/en/
ADMISSION: 995kr per day
WHAT A VIEW / July 14-15 – Münchenbryggeriet
The techno-house music festival, What A View takes place at Münchenbryggeriet, with Stockholm’s best views overlooking the City Hall. The festival presents the best artists and DJs of the techno-house scene like Folamour, Argy and more.
LINEUP HIGHLIGHTS: Folamour, Argy, Dj Koze, Jeremy Olander, Studion Barnhus All-Stards, Julia Sandstorm
WEBSITE: https://wav.nu/
ADMISSION: 550kr
STHLM Fields / June 28, July 1, July 2, July 5, July 6 – Gärdet
This summer’s new live scene at Gärdet in Stockholm is offering magical evenings of individual concerts – where the main acts are to some extent involved and curate their days.
LINEUP HIGHLIGHTS: Greta Van Fleet, Bring Me The Horizon, The Hives, Viagra Boys, TOTO, Molly Sandén
WEBSITE: https://www.sthlmfields.se/
ADMISSION: 795kr
We Love the 90s and 00s / July 6 – Gärdet
Expect a cavalcade of the best of the 90s and 00s music heroes, when the summer’s big party comes to Stockholm. Join up with all your friends and acquaintances, it will be a nostalgia party of a rarely seen kind.
LINEUP HIGHLIGHTS: Jenny from Ace of Base, Nick Carter, Lasgo, Haddaway, La Bouche, Mr. President, Markoolio
WEBSITE: vialskar.se/90talsfestival-stockholm/
ADMISSION: 895kr
Gott snack festival / August 2-3 – Gröndals båtklubb
Gott snack festival returns to Gröndal’s boat club on August 2 & 3 after last year’s success where 700 guests danced into the summer night to light music. Gröndals Båtklubb is a cozy oasis 10 minutes from the city with access to a sauna, swimming and kayak rental. In the area, there will also be two bars, food trucks, co-creation, lounge hang, nice wines selected by sommeliers, locally produced beer from Fjäderholmarnas brewery and hard seltzer in good flavors from Kubik.
LINEUP HIGHLIGHTS: Llojd, Boys and Ivy, Tiger, Aasma
WEBSITE: https://gottsnack.nu/festival#top
ADMISSION: 495kr
STOCKWIG / August 2 – Fållan
The rumors are true — Scandinavia’s biggest, coolest and funkiest drag event is returning yet again to fill your appetite for drag, performance, music and overall cross-dressing fun!
Taking over the new and great venue of Fållan, STOCKWIG brings you a tantalizing queer night of pleasure and fun with live happenings, surprises and lots of unforgettable moments.
WEBSITE: https://gottsnack.nu/festival#top
ADMISSION: 280kr
KULTURFESTIVALEN / August 14-18, 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 Roots / August 16-18, Debaser
Debaser presents Stockholm Roots – a three-day country and roots festival in the heart of Södermalm.
Whether you’re a dedicated country fan or just curious to experience a bit of genuine southern charm, Stockholm Roots will offer an unforgettable weekend and an authentic oasis filled with music, dance and some of the most interesting acts in country, americana, folk and rock.
LINEUP HIGHLIGHTS: Foy Vance, Bonnie Bishop, Phosphorescent, Elliot Greer
WEBSITE: https://www.facebook.com/events/624335882973262?active_tab=about
ADMISSION: 1295kr
Baltic Sea Festival / August 23-31, Berwaldhallen
The Baltic Sea Festival in Berwaldhallen is one of Europe’s biggest and most important classical-music festivals, featuring the best artists, orchestras and conductors from the Baltic Region.
A unique feature of the festival is the scientific angle, with Baltic-Sea specialized scientists invited to combine their research with specially composed music.
WEBSITE: https://www.berwaldhallen.se/en/balticseafestival/festival-programme
ADMISSION: Different prices for different concerts, see website.
STOCKHOLM FRINGE FESTIVAL / August 26, 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: Immanuel Wilkins Quartet, GoGo Penguin, Ibibio Sound Machine, Staples Jr Singers, Sona Jobarteh, Dr John Cooper Clarke, Bill Frisell FOUR
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 / May 31 – June 1, 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: Zara Larsson, Lil Tjay, Veronica Maggio, Galantis, Alan Walker
WEBSITE: brannbollsyran.com
ADMISSION: 1399kr
SWEDEN ROCK FESTIVAL / June 5-8, 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: Journey, Judas Priest, Alice Cooper, Megadeth, The Hives, The Black Crowes, Evanescence
WEBSITE: swedenrock.com
ADMISSION: 1598kr
SUMMERON / June 14-15, 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: Steve Aoki, Veronica Maggio, Thomas Stenström, Salvatore Ganacci, Bolaget, Lukas Graham
WEBSITE: summeron.se
ADMISSION: 1295kr
SOUTH OCEAN FESTIVAL / July 12-13, 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: Phoenix, The Midnight, DeWolff, Familjen, The Cardigans, Viagra Boys, The Wannadies
WEBSITE: southoceanfestival.com/
ADMISSION: 1075kr
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: Amanda Warren, Dubland, Pappa Bonde, Institutionen
WEBSITE: olandroots.com
ADMISSION: F1400kr
ÖSTERSJÖFESTIVALEN / July 17-20, 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: Queens of the Stone Age, Pulp, PJ Harvey, The National, The Smile, Sampha,
WEBSITE: www.wayoutwest.se
ADMISSION: 1245kr
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 / May 29 June 2, Barcelona, June 6-8, Porto, Portugal
Primavera Sound Barcelona will celebrate the main days of its 2024 edition from 29th of May to 2nd of June in Parc del Fòrum, and from 6th to the 8th June in Porto. 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 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: Justice, Peggy Gou, L’Impératrice, Disclosure, Lana Del Rey, BADBADNOTGOOD, Roísín Murphy, Charli XCX, Deftones, Vampire Weekend,
WEBSITE: primaverasound.com/en
ADMISSION: €325
WE LOVE GREEN / May 31 – June 2, Bois de Vincennes, Paris, France
Every year, We Love Green invites wild and exciting artists who represent 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: Burna Boy, Ninho, Justice, Kaytranada, Josman • Four Tet, L’impératrice, Sza, Peggy Gou
WEBSITE: welovegreen.fr
ADMISSION: €79
SÓNAR / June 13-15, 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: Air play ‘Moon Safari’, Charlotte de Witte presents ‘Overdrive’, Kaytranada, Paul Kalkbrenner, Jessie Ware, Vince Staples, Laurent Garnier, Floating Points
WEBSITE: sonar.es
ADMISSION: €45-€300
ROSKILDE FESTIVAL / June 29 — July 6, 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 includes 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: 21 Savage, Doja Cat, Foo Fighters, Skrillex, Sza, Aurora, Gilli, Janes Addiction, Kali Uchis, Pj Harvey, Tyla
WEBSITE: roskilde-festival.dk
ADMISSION: 1200kr
EXIT / July 10-14, 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: Black Eyed Peas, Carl Cox, Tom Morello, Maceo Plex, Bonobo, Steve Angello,
WEBSITE: exitfest.org/en
ADMISSION: €95
RUISROCK / July 5-7, 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: The Chainsmokers, Stormzy, Ashnikko, Romy, Louis Tomlinson, Yaeger, Blind Channel, Käärijä
WEBSITE: ruisrock.fi
ADMISSION: €135
SYD FOR SOLEN / August 8-10, Valbyparken, Copenhagen, Denmark
SYD FOR SOLEN is a 3-day concert, atmosphere and community right in the heart of your village. Every day, a new line-up: music, people, food and moments of international class, ready to go to – and cycle home again. To be experienced live in really good company, one day at a time and up to three days in a row.
LINEUP HIGHLIGHTS: Fred Again, Sampha, Kenya Grace, Jorja Smith, Michael Kiwanuka, André 3000, Queens Of The Stone Age, Air, Big Thief, Viagra Boys, The Kills
WEBSITE: sydforsolen.dk/
ADMISSION: DKK 840
FLOW FESTIVAL / August 9-11, Helsinki, Finland
Flow Festival, the truly unique city festival, has been organised in Helsinki annually since 2004. Flow Festival was born out of the founders’ passion for culture. Feeling that Finland and Helsinki, in particular, were lacking a high-quality alternative music festival. In 20 years, Flow Festival has grown from a small club event to the trailblazing European music and arts festival it is today.
LINEUP HIGHLIGHTS: Halsey, Janelle Monáe, Idles, Vince Staples, Amaraae, Blonde Redhead, Miriam Bryant, Raye
WEBSITE: flowfestival.com/en/
ADMISSION: €149
ALL POINTS EAST / August 16-18 & August 23-25, 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: Kaytranada, Victoria Monét, Loyle Carner, Mas, André 3000, Mitski, Tv girl, LCD Soundsystem, Pixies, Floating Points, Justice, Phoenix, Pinkpantheress, Gossip, Yo La Tengo, Sleater-Kinney
WEBSITE: allpointseastfestival.com
ADMISSION: Prices vary depending on the concert.
