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The 10 Best Winter Music Festivals In Europe
As the dark evenings close in and we head towards the depths of winter, it’s safe to say our summer festival season is well and truly over.
However, we don’t all have to hibernate for the next 6 months while we wait for Spring to come around, because as soon as one festival season draws to a close, another one is just getting started.
Here are 10 of the best winter festivals Europe has to offer, from all-day raves here in the UK to week-long parties on the pistes…
RISE FESTIVAL
When: 15 – 22 December 2018
Where: Les Deux Alpes, France
Headliners: Annie Mac, Camelphat, David Rodigan, Richy Ahmed, Sonny Fedora
Set in the French Alps, Rise Festival is a six-day celebration of snow, music, adventure and wellbeing, bringing together a collection of top electronic artists and club brands for a huge party in the clouds.
With multiple mountain-top venues hosted by a collection of Europe’s foremost record labels, the fifth edition of Rise Festival is set to be the biggest and best one yet.
SNOWBOXX
When: 23 – 30 March 2019
Where: Avoriaz, France
Headliners: Craig David’s TS5, Rudimental (DJ), Jax Jones, Wilkinson
With multiple snow-covered arenas, mini nightclubs and its famous Igloo Stage, Snowboxx offers a massive variety of venues to keep you entertained for a full 7 days.
In October the festival announced its most impressive line-up to date, with Craig David, Rudimental and Jax Jones topping a bill including the likes of Danny Howard, Wilkinson and Yungen.
AWAKENINGS EINDHOVEN
When: 2019 Date TBA (2018’s event took place 27 January)
Where: Eindhoven, Netherlands
Headliners: TBA
One of the very best techno one-dayers the Netherlands – and arguably the whole of Europe – has to offer; Awakenings Eindhoven showcases the finest underground electronic artists along with mind-blowing levels of production.
The event is spread across 3 stages and runs from 10pm through until 7:30am.
Find accommodation nearby:
SNOWBOMBING
When: 8 – 13 April 2019
Where: Mayrhofen, Austria
Headliners: Stormzy, The Prodigy, Fatboy Slim, Andy C, Bicep (DJ)
Snowbombing are set to celebrate their 20th birthday in spectacular style this April, with Stormzy, The Prodigy and Fatboy Slim all lined up as the festival marks two decades in the business.
EDINBURGH’S HOGMANAY FESTIVAL
When: 30 December 2018 – 1 January 2019
Where: Edinburgh, Scotland
Headliners: Franz Ferdinand
Edinburgh’s Hogmanay is one of the UK’s biggest New Year celebrations, featuring a huge variety of mini events across the city during the build-up to midnight.
Along with the usual fireworks display, there will also be street parties, traditional Ceilidhs, kids discos and performances from Franz Ferdinand, Metronomy and Free Love at the Concert In The Gardens.
(Tickets for this show will need to be purchased in advance.)
POLARIS FESTIVAL
When: 29 November – 2 December 2018
Where: Verbier, Switzerland
Headliners: Massive Attack (DJ), Dixon, Nina Kraviz, Carl Craig, Tale of Us
Polaris Festival welcomes Carl Craig, Nina Kraviz and Dixon to Verbier, Switzerland, for four days of banging house and techno at an altitude of 2,200 metres.
Set on within the famous Verbier Ski Resort, Polaris‘ location is just as impressive as its music roster. The Main Stage, le Mouton Noir, is located directly on the slopes, with festival tickets including free access to the ski lift.
TOMORROWLAND WINTER
When: 16 – 19 March 2019
Where: Alpe D’Huez, France
Headliners: Armin van Buuren, Steve Aoki, Martin Garrix, Dimitri Vegas & Like Mike
Tomorrowland‘s first ever winter edition is set to welcome 30,000 guests to the luxurious Alpe D’huez resort this March, along with festival regulars Armin van Buuren, Dimitri Vegas + Like Mike, and Martin Garrix.
Expect spectacular stage setups, mind-blowing production levels and plenty of surprises as a new chapter of Tomorrowland unfolds in the French Alps.
Watch highlights of Tomorrowland Belgium, here.
ELECTRIC MOUNTAIN FESTIVAL
When: 4 – 5 April 2019
Where: Sölden, Austria
Headliners: TBA
The biggest of a series of music events at the Sölden resort, Electric Mountain Festival brings together a collection of top names from the EDM scene for a two-day party on the slopes.
Last year’s festival featured sets from Oliver Heldens, Don Diablo and Bakermat, so expect more huge names in 2019.
ROCK THE PISTES
When: 17 – 23 March 2019
Where: Portes du Soleil, France
Headliners: TBA
Set in the Portes du Soleil ski area of the French Alps, Rock The Pistes combines live music and snowsports for a feel-good festival in the snow.
With multiple resorts taking part, visitors can ski and snowboard between stages and catch performances from a hugely diverse variety of acts.
Charlie Winston, Hyphen Hyphen and Gaetan Roussel are currently lined up to headline the festival’s ninth edition this March.
SNEEUWBAL FESTIVAL
When: 26 January 2019
Where: Utrecht, Netherlands
Headliners: TBA
The weird and wonderful Sneeuwbal Festival features not only a killer line-up of DJs, but also a huge variety of daytime activities.
Featuring everything from snow slides and ice skating through to fairground rides, circus tents and arts & crafts workshops, Sneeuwbal is the ultimate winter one-dayer.
Featured photo credit: Rudi Wyhlidal, Electric Mountain Festival