Foule en festival
Festival crowds © piccaya - Adobe Stock

Discover the 10 must-see music festivals in Belgium for 2024! From the electrifying Airbeat One to the legendary Rock am Ring, get ready to experience unforgettable moments. Vibrate to the rhythm of the music, meet passionate people and create memories that will last a lifetime!

1. Tomorrowland 2024

@tomorrowland - instagram.com

This year's Tomorrowland mainstage is distinguished by its eclectic mix of House, Hardstyle, Techno and Melodic Techno. Tomorrowland 2024 unveils an explosive line-up. Taking place in Belgium over two weekends in July, the edition celebrates the richness of electronic music with over 400 artists!

  • Dates: Friday, July 19, 2024 to Monday, July 29, 2024
  • Venue: De Schorre, in Boom
  • Artists : Tale Of Us and Anyma, as well as Afro House with the Keinemusik collective. Headliners Hardwell, Tiësto and Lost Frequencies are also expected. David Guetta, Kungs and Swedish House Mafia mark the return of electro icons for its 20th anniversary.

How to get there? Tomorrowland, located at De Schorre in Boom, Belgium, between Antwerp and Brussels, is accessible by bike, train, bus and car, with guarded bike parking close to the entrance. Boom station is a 30-minute walk away, and from Mechelen, the 500 bus takes you directly to the festival, with a post-event night service. Parking vouchers will be available for those who choose to come by car.

2. Rock Werchter among Belgium's 2024 Music Festivals

@rockwerchterfestival - instagram.com

This festival is one of Europe's biggest rock festivals, with a line-up featuring international superstars. Rock Werchter 2024 announces a full line-up of incredible headliners.

  • Dates : July 4 to 7, 2024
  • Location: Rock Werchter near Leuven
  • Artists: Lenny Kravitz Lenny Kravitz, Maneskin, Dua Lipa and Foo Fighters, Against the Current, Snow Patrol, Avril Lavigne, and The Last Dinner Party, Sum41, Yungblud, and other exceptional artists.

How do I get there? To get to Rock Werchter, your festival ticket includes free rail travel to and from a Belgian station, in 2nd class. What's more, the final journey by De Lijn's special bus is included to ensure a convenient and hassle-free trip to the festival.

3. Pukkelpop

@pukkelpop - instagram.com

This festival is known for its avant-garde approach to music. It features a wide variety of genres, from independent artists to more established names. Since 1985, Pukkelpop, organized by the Young Humanists of Leopoldsburg, has become an alternative festival of European renown. With almost 200 artists, the festival offers a program ranging from powerful rock to smashing house. The tradition of the Boiler Party on the eve of the event spices up the unique Pukkelpop experience.

  • Dates : August 15-18
  • Location: Kiewit, near Hasselt
  • Artists: Skrillex, Jorja Skrillex, Jorja Smith and others join the festival line-up.

How to get there? The nearest train station is Hasselt. From there, special shuttles will take you to the festival site in Kiewit. If you prefer to drive, you can go directly to the site. Parking lots will be available nearby for safe parking. Bus services will also be available from various Belgian cities to take you to the festival.

4. Graspop Metal Meeting

@graspopmetalmeeting - instagram.com

A must-attend event for metal fans, featuring a wide range of metal sub-genres, from heavy to black metal.

  • Dates : June 20 to 23, 2024
  • Location: Dessel
  • Artists: Tool, Alice Cooper, Five Finger Tool, Alice Cooper, Five Finger Death Punch, Judas Priest, Bring Me The Horizon, Avenged Sevenfold, Scorpions and Machine Head, Judas Priest, Deep Purple and Megadeth.

How do I get there? Take advantage of a paid shuttle service to get to the festival in comfort, with routes from various airports and departures from 19 locations in Belgium, guaranteeing your arrival at 11:30 a.m. and your return at 2:00 a.m. For festival-goers coming from France, several transport options are available to get to the festival, including by train, car or bus.

5. Dour Festival: one of Belgium's top 10 Music Festivals 2024

@dourfestival - instagram.com

Close to the French border, this not-to-be-missed event, held annually for over 20 years in Wallonia, invites you to five days of musical celebration. The festival brings together over 250 artists , delivering unparalleled diversity ranging from rap and drum'n'bass to electro, reggae and hip-hop. Eight stages, includingThe Last Arena which can accommodate up to 20,000 people, and a variety of other spaces offer vast dancefloors and more intimate corners.

  • Dates: Wednesday July 17 to Sunday July 21, 2024
  • Location: Dour, province of Hainaut
  • Artists: Arca, Ganja Arca, Ganja White Night, Mochakk, Ice Spice, and The Libertines.

How to get there? To get to Dour Festival 2024, we recommend you arrive at Saint-Ghislain station, which is served by extra trains organized by SNCB for the occasion. From here, you can take a free shuttle bus directly to the festival site and campsite

6. Gent Jazz Festival

@gentjazz - instagram.com

The Gent Jazz Festival continues to surprise and enrich its program with the announcement of new names that promise to captivate lovers of jazz and live music. The festival invites music lovers to experience memorable moments through concerts that cross genres from traditional jazz to the avant-garde. The historic Bijloke site becomes the stage for a musical exploration where tradition and innovation meet, supported by a passionate community of fans and world-renowned artists.

  • Dates : July 5 to 20, 2024
  • Venue: the Bijloke in Ghent
  • Artists: André André 3000, the hip-hop icon, Nile Rodgers & CHIC, for electrifying funk disco, The Cinematic Orchestra and its captivating electronic jazz, Mélanie De Biasio, with her spellbinding vocal jazz, join an already impressive list of artists such as DJ Shadow, Bolis Pupul, and ANOHNI and the Johnsons.

How do I get there? To get to the Gent Jazz Festival in Ghent, Belgium, take the train to Gent-Sint-Pieters station, then a streetcar or local bus to the festival site at the Bijloke, easily accessible from the city center.

7. Couleur Café: the 2024 Belgium Music Festivals selection

@couleurcafefestival - instagram.com

The third edition of Club Couleur Café has been announced with the same energy and formula as its predecessors. The festival offers a palette of sounds ranging from electronic to world music. This not-to-be-missed event for fans of live music and DJ sets stands out for its unique atmosphere and its ability to bring together emerging and established talents.

  • Dates : June 28-30, 2024
  • Location: Brussels
  • Artists: a selection of 10 DJs and live artists including Dre Tala, JAEL, Buruntuma, DJ Vega, and Uzi Freyja.

How to get there? You can use STIB public transport services to get close to the festival site, choosing the nearest stop according to your line of departure. The festival encourages the use of sustainable modes of transport, so also check out carpooling or cycling options, with bike parking available to make your visit easier.

Where to buy your pass? Book your ticket here!

8. Les Ardentes 2024

@lesardentes - instagram.com

This festival is known for its hip-hop, electro and rock programming. It attracts international artists and fans from all over Europe. The festival features international headliners from rap and R&B to electro and afrobeats. With new features and surprises announced regularly, the festival continues to establish itself as an essential summer rendezvous for music fans across Europe.

  • Dates : July 11 to 14, 2024
  • Location: Liège
  • Artists: DJ Snake, Doja Cat, Central Cee, and Nicki Minaj, Gunna, Offset, Ninho, Booba

How to get there To get to Les Ardentes festival, located in Liège, Belgium, take a train to Liège-Guillemins station, then take a bus or cab to Parc Astrid where the festival takes place, or follow the signs for the special shuttles set up during the event.

Where to buy your pass? Book your ticket here!

9. Francofolies de Spa 2024

@francosdespa - instagram.com

After a 2023 edition that generated exceptional excitement and enthusiasm among festival-goers, professionals and the media alike, the organizers have vowed to set the bar very high so that this 30th anniversary marks the history of the Francofolies de Spa.

  • Dates : July 18 to 21, 2024
  • Location: Spa
  • Artists : Christophe Maé, Colt, Francis Cabrel, Pascal Obispo, Patrick Bruel, Ykons, Djadja & Dinaz, Gims, Moji X Sboy, Hoshi, Louise Attaque, Pierre De Maere

How to get there? To get to the Francofolies, opt for a train journey to Spa station, followed by a short walk or a local shuttle bus, or prefer the car with dedicated parking lots in the vicinity, ensuring a hassle-free arrival at the festival.

Where to buy your pass? Book your ticket here!

10. Leuven Jazz in the 10 Music Festivals 2024 Belgium

@leuvenjazz - instagram.com

This festival showcases both local talent and international jazz stars. It features a series of concerts in various venues across the city. Leuven Jazz 2024 is set to light up the city of Leuven, showcasing young prodigies from the local jazz scene.

  • Dates : March 21-24
  • Venue: Leuven
  • Artists: the Beraad Geslagen duo of Lander Gyselinck and Fulco Ottervanger, and pianist Alex Koo.

How to get there To get to Leuven Jazz à Louvain, Belgium, take a train to Leuven station, then walk or take a local bus to the various festival venues scattered around the city center, easily accessible on foot or via local public transport.

How to plan your festival in Belgium

For a successful festival in Belgium, book your ticket and accommodation early, as options near the venues fill up fast. Use the SNCB app for trains and Google Maps for local buses/trams, which makes it easy to get around. Take all-weather clothing with you, as the weather changes quickly. Learn a few words of Dutch or French, depending on the region, to help you communicate. Finally, check out the festival's special features (cashless, official app).

What's the biggest festival in Belgium?

The biggest festival in Belgium is Tomorrowland, a global electronic music event that attracts visitors from all over the world. With its enchanting decor, renowned DJs and unique atmosphere, it's a must for fans of the genre.

Discover more of Belgium's wonders and not-to-be-missed events in 2024 by consulting our selection of articles:

And for even more festival inspiration and advice, don't miss our festival news section!