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We've teamed up with Stansted Express to pick the best of Europe's festivals this summer. With direct flights from Stansted Airport to over 170 destinations, and frequent, fast trains from Liverpool Street and Tottenham Hale to the airport with Stansted Express, you can get front-of-stage from Zone 1 in no time.
So read on, get hip, hear great music and give yourself a little holiday while you're at it. And check out our competition to win a weekend in one of Europe's greatest party capitals – Amsterdam.
New Order, Fatboy Slim and Laurent Garnier join a packed bill of dance-infused sounds at one of the world’s best festivals of music, modern arts and technology.
Fly to: Barcelona
The shipyard at Sete is the prime location for this mega DJ fest, as discerning clubbers check out talents both upcoming and legendary. Sunsets, sea breezes and soulful noise.
Fly to: Montpelier
Scarcely a duff name on the bill here. Arcade Fire, New Order, Pixies, Underworld, Tame Impala and packed support line-ups each day, including Chvrches, Father John Misty and Courtney Barnett.
Fly to: Bilbao
The Prodigy, Bastille, David Guetta and Ellie Goulding head up the Exit ‘Magic Adventure’ at Novi Sad, on the Danube. The festival even has its own beach, though for serious coastal beats, book the sister festival Sea Dance the following weekend.
Fly to: Budapest for festival bus transfers
Galway International Arts Festival, July 11-24
Music, theatre, art and dance collide in a rainbow of ideas at this celebrated festival on the west coast of Ireland. Highlights this year include Suede, a production of ‘Waiting for Godot’ and the world premiere of new work by Enda Walsh.
Fly to: Shannon
New for 2016, Amsterdam’s festival of contemporary and underground electronic music hosts new events at some of the city’s vibrant arts venues along the IJ river, as well taking over its biggest clubs.
Fly to: Amsterdam
Funky sounds, films, arts and seaside – life’s a beach at this clubbing-happy Croatia gathering in Tisno.
Fly to: Split
Performance, interactive installations and glorious art in all its forms make Sziget the perfect festival for lovers of creativity. A weirdly wonderful escape.
Fly to: Budapest
If you’re going to pick a location for your festival, make it a good one. This drum and bass shindig on Sardinia attracts top acts and boasts good beaches and great Italian dining.
Fly to: Alghero
Oasis Festival, September 16-18
On the back of last year’s successful debut, this three-day party of beats in Morocco offers an impressive bill. Other strong inducements include yoga and feasting.
Fly to: Marrakech
