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
GRÖNAN LIVE / May 9 – Sep 13, Gröna Lund
The longest lasting festival in Sweden, extending over 4 months with concerts every week and featuring both national and international favourites to please and tease audiences of all tastes and preferences. And the best thing is, you just need one single ticket and you can attend each and every concert that takes place on both Gröna Lund’s big and small stages.
LINEUP HIGHLIGHTS: Natasha Bedingfield, Alanis Morrisette, The Libertines, Sepultura, Veronica Maggio, The Corrs, Anastacia, Kaj, Miss Li, The Smashing Pumpkins, Manic Street Preachers, Miriam Bryant
WEBSITE: https://www.gronalund.com/en/concerts#filter=Stora%20Scen,Lilla%20Scen
ADMISSION: 420kr
STOCKHOLM EARLY MUSIC FESTIVAL / June 4-8, 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 6, Frihamnen
This festival offers a perfect blend of urban vibrancy and cultural allure. Frihamnen is the new playground for Department Festival 2025.
LINEUP HIGHLIGHTS: Richie Hawtin, Ross From Friends
WEBSITE: departmentfestival.com
ADMISSION: 755kr
DRÖMMEN FESTIVAL / June 7, Evenew Frihamnen
This festival offers a perfect blend of urban vibrancy and cultural allure. Frihamnen is the new playground for Department Festival 2025.
LINEUP HIGHLIGHTS: Ronan Keating, Gipsy Kings
WEBSITE: https://drommenfestival.se
ADMISSION: 695kr
Afrikan Fusion Arts Festival / June 13 – 15, Scandic Victoria Tower
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: 349kr
ROSENDAL GARDEN PARTY / June 13-15, 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: Chaka Khan, Sean Paul, Peaches, Lars Winnerbäck, Kraftwerk, Róisín Murphy
WEBSITE: https://www.rosendal.com/en/
ADMISSION: 995kr per day
WHAT A VIEW / July 13-14 – 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: Mockakk, Jungle, Desiree
WEBSITE: https://wav.nu/
ADMISSION: 595kr
STHLM Fields / June 24, June 25, June 27, June 28 – Gärdet
After last year’s success, the summer stage STHLM Fields returns to Gärdet in 2025. Bringing a constellation of stellar acts, each date with a different style, from punk, rock, pop classics and everything in between
LINEUP HIGHLIGHTS: Green Day, Weezer, Millencolin, Europe, Skunk Anansie, Muse, Mando Diao, Mother Mother, Ant Wan
WEBSITE: https://www.sthlmfields.se/
ADMISSION: 895kr
Vi älskar 90- och 00-talet / July 5 – 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: Melanie C, Venga Boys, Paul Oakenfold, Dr Alban, Peter Andre
WEBSITE: vialskar.se/90talsfestival-stockholm/
ADMISSION: 995kr
KULTURFESTIVALEN / August 13-17, 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.
LINEUP HIGHLIGHTS: Stefflon Don, Myriam Fares, Daniel Adams-Ray, Olivia Lobato, Dina Ögon
WEBSITE: kulturfestivalen.stockholm.se
ADMISSION: Free.
Country in Swedish / August 19, Mosebacketerrassen
Swedish country music is iconic, it has been around for almost 100 years. It is one of the country’s oldest music genres and this has to be celebrated with Country in Swedish at Mosebacketerrassen with several generations on stage and in the audience! Legendary Stockholm club Club Nuggets is resurrected for the curated one-day festival.
LINEUP HIGHLIGHTS: H. Self, Erika Jonsson, BroMesa, Kiitos För Allting, Kikki Danielsson
WEBSITE: https://sodrateatern.com/evenemang/musik-show/country-pa-svenska/#om-evenemanget/
ADMISSION: 440kr
Baltic Sea Festival / August 28-September 6, Berwaldhallen, Finlandsinstitutet, Fasching
This year’s edition of the Baltic Sea Festival takes its starting point in the theme of “waves” – a symbol for everything from sound and light to the movements of history and emotions. In line with the theme, the festival invites you to magnificent concerts and exciting conversations with a focus on nature, creativity, collaboration, and music.
The highlights are many: The festival will open on the Baltic Sea Day on August 28 with Grammy-winning conductor Alan Gilbert, the NDR Elbphilharmonie Orchestra, and shooting star Maria Dueñas in Bruch’s Violin Concerto. The world premiere of Mikael Karlsson’s and Anna von Hausswolff’s Grand Guignol, with both the Swedish Radio Symphony Orchestra and the Radio Choir, promises an evening of darkness and ecstasy, and the Gustav Mahler Youth Orchestra makes its first appearance in Sweden under the direction of Manfred Honeck.
WEBSITE: https://www.berwaldhallen.se/en/the-baltic-sea-festival
LINEUP HIGHLIGHTS: Esa-Pekka Salonen, Maria Dueñas, Omer Meir Wellber, Alan Gilber, Asmik Grigorian, Anna von Hausswolff, Michele Pasotti, Sofia Jernberg, NDR Elb Philharmonie Orchester
ADMISSION: 180-750kr per event
STOCKHOLM FRINGE FESTIVAL / August 27-30, various venues around Stockholm
Stockholm Fringe Festival (Stoff) is a multi-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 10-19, 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: Marcus Miller, Lauren Henderson, Chip Wickham, Johnathan Blake – My Life Matters, Theo Croker, Louis Matute Large Ensemble, Alabaster Deplume, Dave Holland Trio, Emma-Jean Thackray
WEBSITE: stockholmjazz.se/
ADMISSION: Prices vary depending on the concert from 325kr – 695kr.
STOCKHOLM FILM FESTIVAL / August and November 5-16, 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 28 – 31, 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: Bolaget, Steve Angello, Miriam Bryant, Roc Boyz
WEBSITE: brannbollsyran.com
ADMISSION: 1499kr
SWEDEN ROCK FESTIVAL / June 4-7, 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: Slipknot, KoRn, Scorpions, Sex Pistols, Sabaton
WEBSITE: swedenrock.com
ADMISSION: 1698kr
SUMMERON / June 13-14, 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: Axwell, Bolaget, Miriam Bryant, Daniela Rathana, Timmy Trumpet
WEBSITE: summeron.se
ADMISSION: 1295kr
ÖLAND ROOTS / July 9-12, 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: The Gladiators, Ayla, Antonio D, Efia Abu, The Congos
WEBSITE: olandroots.com
ADMISSION: 1295kr
ÖSTERSJÖFESTIVALEN / July 16-19, 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 7-9, 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: Chappell Roan, Charli XCX, Iggy Pop, Queens Of The Stone Age, Yung Lean, Kite, Refused, Lola Young, Greentea Peng, Wet Leg
WEBSITE: www.wayoutwest.se
ADMISSION: 1695kr
SOUTH OCEAN FESTIVAL / August 29-30, 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: Oscar Linroos, Mø, Albin Lee Meldau, Molly Hammar, The Plan, Louis Pax
WEBSITE: southoceanfestival.com/
ADMISSION: 895kr
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 4-8, Barcelona, June 12-15, Porto, Portugal
Once again, Primavera Sound Barcelona will open the doors to its inimitable parallel reality from 4th to 8th June in the Parc del Fòrum. However, committed to ensuring that this bubble should only refer to everything musical, the festival continues to strengthen its ties with the UN SDG Action Campaign for the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) with the aim of ensuring a total connection with its surroundings in social and environmental issues. An extraordinary and pioneering relationship in the world of music festivals that began to take shape in 2019.
LINEUP HIGHLIGHTS: Caribou, Charli XCX, Troye Sivan, Jamie XX, Idles, Sabrina Carpenter, Haim, Chappell Roan, Clairo, Turnstile
WEBSITE: primaverasound.com/en
ADMISSION: 135€
WE LOVE GREEN / June 6-8, 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: Air, LCD Soundsystem, FKA Twigs, Charli XCX, Laylow, Bicep, Beach House
WEBSITE: welovegreen.fr
ADMISSION: 74€
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: Peggy Gou, Bicep, Armin Van Buuren, Eric Prydz, Four Tet, Skrillex
WEBSITE: sonar.es
ADMISSION: 225€
ROSKILDE FESTIVAL / June 28 — July 5, 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: Charli XCX, Olivia Rodrigo, Stormzy, Nine Inch Nails, Tyla, Doechii, Jamie XX, Africa Express
WEBSITE: roskilde-festival.dk
ADMISSION: 1330DKK
EXIT / July 10-13, 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: Sex Pistols, Amelie Lens, Boris Brejcha, Dj Snake, Eric Prydz, Solomun, Nina Kraviz, The Prodigy, Tiësto
WEBSITE: exitfest.org/en
ADMISSION: 44€
RUISROCK / July 4-6, 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: Deftones, Dimitri Vegas, Camila Cabello, Benjamin Ingrosso, Ken Carson, Axwell, Miriam Bryant, KAJ, Käärijä
WEBSITE: ruisrock.fi
ADMISSION: 149€
SYD FOR SOLEN / August 7-9, 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: Chappell Roan, Khruangbin, Sam Fender, Blaue Blume, Queens of the Stone Age, Bikini Kill
WEBSITE: sydforsolen.dk/
ADMISSION: DKK 940
FLOW FESTIVAL / August 8-10, 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: Charli XCX, Burna Boy, FKA twigs, Little Simz, Air play Moon Safari, Underworld, Khruangbin, Yung Lean & Bladee
WEBSITE: flowfestival.com/en/
ADMISSION: 159€
ALL POINTS EAST / August 16 & August 22-24, 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: Chase And Status, Raye, Tyla, Doechii, Jade, The Maccabees, Bombay Bicycle Club, Barry Can’t Swim
WEBSITE: allpointseastfestival.com
ADMISSION: Prices vary depending on the concert.
