Best Festivals in Europe for Solo Travellers
Why Festivals Are Perfect for Solo Travellers
Introduction
Travelling solo doesn’t mean travelling alone—especially when you plan your adventures around festivals. Europe is home to some of the most exciting cultural, music, and food festivals, attracting people from all over the world. The best part? Festivals naturally bring people together, making them the perfect setting to meet fellow travellers, share unforgettable moments, and immerse yourself in a destination’s unique energy.
Whether you're dancing in the streets at Carnival in Venice, throwing tomatoes at strangers in La Tomatina, or bonding over a beer at Oktoberfest, these events guarantee an incredible experience—solo or not.
Here’s a list of the best European festivals that are solo traveller-friendly, packed with fun, and full of opportunities to meet like-minded adventurers.
Top Festivals in Europe That Welcome Solo Travellers
1. Edinburgh Fringe Festival (Scotland) – Best for Arts & Comedy Lovers
📍 Where: Edinburgh, Scotland
📅 When: August
If you love theatre, stand-up comedy, and immersive performances, Edinburgh Fringe Festival is a dream come true. As the world’s largest arts festival, it hosts thousands of shows across the city, from international headliners to underground performances in tiny pubs.
💡 Why it’s great for solo travellers:
- The festival's informal, social atmosphere makes it easy to chat with fellow audience members.
- Free street performances and comedy gigs encourage spontaneous connections.
- There are solo-friendly walking tours and pub meetups throughout the city.
🚀 Solo Travel Tip: Stay at Castle Rock Hostel or CoDE Pod Hostels to meet other travellers.
Festival Fringe Society - Callum Bennetts - CC BY-SA 3_0 via Wikimedia Commons
Over the Edge Twelfth Night By HoratioZim - Own work CC BY-SA 4_0 via Wikimedia Commons
2. Oktoberfest (Germany) – Best for Socialising Over Beer
📍 Where: Munich, Germany
📅 When: Late September – Early October
Steins of beer, long wooden tables, and a festival spirit like no other—Oktoberfest is the world’s biggest beer festival and one of the easiest places to meet new people. The communal beer tents encourage conversation, and the atmosphere is pure joy.
💡 Why it’s great for solo travellers:
- The long tables mean you’ll always be sitting with new people.
- Many hostels and tour groups offer solo traveller meetups.
- Dressing in traditional Bavarian outfits is a great conversation starter!
🚀 Solo Travel Tip: Book a spot in a group beer tent tour to secure a seat and meet other festival-goers.
Oktoberfest 2006 - MihaKrucz at Romanian Wikipedia Public domain via Wikimedia Commons
Bierzelt auf dem Münchner Oktoberfest By AK-Bino - Own work CC BY-SA 4_0
3. La Tomatina (Spain) – Best for Pure Fun & Chaos
📍 Where: Buñol (near Valencia), Spain
📅 When: Last Wednesday of August
Ever wanted to be part of a massive food fight? At La Tomatina, thousands of people gather to pelt tomatoes at each other in a wild, messy, and hilarious battle. It’s a short but unforgettable experience!
💡 Why it’s great for solo travellers:
Everyone is covered in tomato juice—no one has time to feel awkward!
Pre- and post-festival parties in Valencia are full of travellers looking to connect.
Tour packages cater to solo travellers with transport and group activities.
🚀 Solo Travel Tip: Wear old clothes, bring goggles, and book a day-trip package from Valencia.
Tomatina 2006 - Graham McLellan from London UK CC BY 2_0 via Wikimedia Commons
La Tomatina Spain flydime CC BY-SA 2_0 via Wikimedia Commons
4. Sziget Festival (Hungary) – Best for Music and Cultural Diversity
📍 Where: Budapest, Hungary
📅 When: August
Set on an island in the Danube River, Sziget is one of Europe’s best music festivals, blending live music, art, theatre, yoga, and circus performances. It’s a week-long celebration with a global crowd, making it one of the easiest places to meet people.
💡 Why it’s great for solo travellers:
- Many international visitors travel solo, creating a welcoming vibe.
- There’s a "solo traveller" campsite where you can easily meet others.
- The lineup is always diverse, covering rock, pop, EDM, and indie.
🚀 Solo Travel Tip: Book the Sziget camping area to be surrounded by fellow festival-goers.
Sziget - Gergely Csatari CC BY SA 2_0 via Wikimedia Commons
Sziget 2016 - Pamputt CC BY SA 4_0 via Wikimedia Commons
5. Venice Carnival (Italy) – Best for Tradition & Mystery
📍 Where: Venice, Italy
📅 When: February
Venice Carnival is a celebration of masks, mystery, and history. Whether you attend public street parades or splurge on a masquerade ball, the city transforms into a magical wonderland.
💡 Why it’s great for solo travellers:
You can blend in with the masked crowds and enjoy the spectacle.
Venice is an easy city to explore alone, with plenty of free events.
Walking tours and photography meetups provide easy ways to connect with others.
🚀 Solo Travel Tip: Join a local walking tour to learn the history behind the masks and traditions.
Carnevale di Venezia 2010 - Giorgio Minguzzi from Italy CC BY SA 2_0 via Wikimedia Commons
Venice Carnival - Masked Lovers 2010 - Frank Kovalchek from Anchorage Alaska USA CC BY 2_0 via Wikimedia Commons
6. Running of the Bulls (Spain) – Best for Adrenaline Seekers
📍 Where: Pamplona, Spain
📅 When: July
If you’re up for a thrill, the Running of the Bulls in Pamplona is a once-in-a-lifetime event. Even if you don’t participate in the run, the street parties, fireworks, and parades make it an exciting festival.
💡 Why it’s great for solo travellers:
A mix of international travellers and Spanish locals makes for a social scene.
You can experience the festival without running—watch from a balcony or enjoy the city-wide parties.
🚀 Solo Travel Tip: Stay in Pamplona instead of commuting from nearby cities to be part of the action.
Running of the Bulls - Asier Solana Bermejo CC BY SA 2_0 via Wikimedia Commons
Running of the Bulls on Estafeta Street - Atkins525 CC BY SA 4_0 via Wikimedia Commons
7. St. Patrick’s Day (Ireland) – Best for a Global Celebration
📍 Where: Dublin, Ireland
📅 When: March 17
Dublin’s St. Patrick’s Day is the ultimate solo travel party. The city turns into a sea of green, with parades, live music, and a legendary pub culture.
💡 Why it’s great for solo travellers:
Irish hospitality makes it impossible to feel alone.
There are official solo traveller meetups and pub tours.
The celebration lasts all day (and all night).
🚀 Solo Travel Tip: Book accommodation well in advance—Dublin fills up fast!
St Patricks Day Dublin Ireland - Giuseppe Milo CC BY 3_0 via Wikimedia Commons
St Patrick Cathedral Dublin Ireland Giuseppe Milo from Dublin Ireland CC BY 2_0 via Wikimedia Commons
How to Make the Most of a Festival as a Solo Traveller
The Mediterranean is vast, with countless routes to choose from. Here are some of the most popular itineraries for solo cruisers:
✨ Join online groups before you go (Facebook groups, Reddit threads, or festival forums).
🏠 Stay in social hostels or opt for festival campsites.
🍻 Attend pre-festival meetups—many festivals offer solo traveller meet-and-greet events.
🛑 Stay safe—keep an eye on your belongings and share your location with a friend.
Conclusion: Festivals Are the Ultimate Solo Travel Experience
Attending a festival alone can be one of the most freeing, exhilarating, and social travel experiences. Whether you’re into music, culture, food, or adventure, Europe has a festival for you.
So, where will your next festival adventure take you?
Call 1300 241 705 today to start planning your trip or learn more about these festivals in Europe
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