Unmissable Music Festivals in France and Belgium

If you’re a music fan, you’re spoilt for choice for top music festivals in Europe, especially in France & Belgium. From dance to funk, pop to folk, and everything in-between, get ready to soak up the atmosphere and enjoy your favourite songs at these events.

Also, remember when travelling to Europe with Eurotunnel Le Shuttle there’s no baggage limit. Loading up the car with your tent and every festival essential you can think of (sequin jacket included) is the perfect way to discover new music.

Will music festivals go ahead in France & Belgium?

Restrictions due to Covid-19 mean that some events will run at reduced capacity, while others sadly will have to wait until the following year to be open. For each festival we have included a link to the official website, where the most up-to-date information will be shared. Always check before you purchase tickets or make any travel plans.

For the latest travel information from Eurotunnel Le Shuttle check our Covid regulations.

Music festivals in France

You can get to Calais from the UK in just over half an hour with Eurotunnel, which is your first step to enjoying these amazing French festivals. As most of them take place in the summer, don’t forget to take the chance to visit other parts of the country, including those right by Calais like Grand Site des Deux Caps.

Festival Classique au Vert

Held in Parc Floral de Paris, one of Paris’ many stunningly well-manicured gardens, Festival Classique au Vert celebrates classical music in all forms, with a series of free open-air concerts throughout the summer. Typically taking place from early August to mid-September, the festival has become popular among people of all ages, especially since the program has come to include acts that have a modern take on traditional classical music.

Festival de Confolens

Festival de Confolens is one of the oldest and largest international folk festivals, attracting almost 150,000 visitors each year. Held in Confolens, in southwest France around mid-August, the festival features hundreds of musicians and artists from all over the world, with each group showcasing a unique aspect of their country’s culture through a special performance. The festival celebrated its 60^th anniversary in 2017, which is a huge achievement.

Festival Musica, Strasbourg

Strasbourg is known for its pretty landscape and picturesque scenery, but it also plays host to Festival Musica, a critically acclaimed festival featuring a broad range of contemporary and classical music concerts. Many of the shows include art installations, unusual instruments, and audience participation. That means these unique performances offer something for everyone, taking place around the end of September to early October.

La Route du Rock, Saint-Malo

If some of the biggest names in alternative, indie and rock music performing by the beautiful Brittany coast suits your tastes, then La Route du Rock is the festival for you. The event takes place in or around the seaside town of Saint Malo in August, the main stage placed inside the ruins of an old French castle. La Route du Rock regularly pulls in the biggest names in the industry and offers ticket holders free parking on site, perfect for a road trip!

Arras Main Square Festival

The majestic main square of Arras is deceivingly quiet for most of the year. Then, in mid-summer, this small scenic town just north of Paris turns into the venue of one of Europe's major musical events. Arras Main Square Festival unites the best up-and-coming artists with a mix of leading international artists to create the best offering of contemporary music. Those wanting the true festival experience can camp on a site a short walk away from the main square, very near the citadel. If camping isn’t for you try the Hôtel d'Angleterre, a four star hotel that boasts an English heritage and a luxury stay, or for a cheaper alternative there’s Hôtel Diamant.

Lollapalooza, Paris

Lollapalooza Paris is the French edition of the worldwide music festival brand bringing a lineup of rock and pop artists to Paris for one of the city's most anticipated weekends. As with all Lollapalooza festivals, the Paris edition showcases a typically superstar-packed, diverse range of genres, from rap to rock. It’s also a particularly modern event, thanks to a special microchipped bracelet you can pre-charge and an app which allow you to buy food and drinks.

Music festivals in Belgium

Head north west of Calais into Belgium for even more festival fun. Here, some of the best European festivals happen in cities and woodland, with an diverse mix of talent from all over the world.

Pukkelpop

PukkelPop has been held at various locations in Belgium for over 30 years, before settling on a woodland site near the city Hasselt. Typically held in August, it offers a wide variety of artists from various genres performing over eight different stages and sometimes in ‘secret rooms’ across the site that are waiting to be discovered and explored. On top of the great music, Pukklepop also provides festival goers with free access to two camping sites, so you'll save plenty of money on accommodation.

Les Ardentes, Liège, Belgium

Les Ardentes, which takes place in Liège, presents a mixture of electronic and rock music. It has attracted big-name acts such as Snoop Dog, Kate Nash, The Gossip, and Cypress Hill since its inception in 2006, with acts performing across two stages. This festival is usually held across three days in July, and you can camp or choose a glamping option, including luxury chalets for your stay.

Tomorrowland Festival, Boom, Belgium

Tomorrowland is the world’s biggest dance festival and has some of the most visually impressive stage designs. Every year has a theme that transforms the festival into an immersive experience like no other. This extends to the festival camping ground, Dreamville, set up as a ‘city’ complete with a supermarket, jewellery store, and even a hairdresser. The festival usually takes place in late July at recreation area De Schorre, in appropriately named Boom.

Brussels Summer Festival

Starting in 2002 as the Brussels European Rhythm’s Festival or Eu’ritmix, the festival grew in popularity and was renamed in 2007. Now Brussels Summer Festival is a summer pop festival that brings some of the world’s biggest names to the capital. Despite the pop music focus, there are also acts performing on all three stages from hip-hop, electro, techno, and beyond to enjoy. While you’re visiting, the stunning Sonian Forest is close by for some relaxation pre or post festival.

Couleur Café, Brussels

Couleur Café Festival is an annual urban contemporary music festival that has been running since 1990. Celebrating funk, hiphop, reggae, dance, dub, soul, Latin, and blues, there are four stages to experience. As well as the music there’s also a large art exposition, a marketplace featuring new designers, dance workshops, cocktail bars, and food stands. Festival visitors can camp nearby at Camping Zen.

Start your journey to the best music in Europe with Eurotunnel Le Shuttle

Feeling ready to sing, dance, and rock? If this guide has inspired you to party at a festival in Europe this year, make sure you make the journey with Eurotunnel Le Shuttle. It only takes 35-minutes to cross the Channel, so you'll be moshing, singing, and cheering along to your favourite acts in no time at all.