Have you missed out on festival tickets in the UK or tired of the usually British festival weather? Why not head to Europe and combine a holiday with some of continents biggest festivals with the leading acts in music and dance.

The European music scene has ever been more accessible with cheap flights to almost anywhere. An ever increasing number of Brits are looking to combine festival going with a holiday or short break.

The awful British summer in 2008 has left music fans wanting better weather and the lure of cheaper ticket prices and similar line up of bands make jetting off very enticing. Where the euro has yet to come into force bargain ticket prices can be got.

Primavera Sound – Barcelona, Spain. 20th – 30th May 2009.
Primavera Sound Festival is held in the Parc Del Forum Convention Space, with views over the Mediterranean Sea. The line up includes: Aphex Twin, Jarvis Cocker,
Bloc Party, Bat For Lashes and The Horrors.

Southside Festival – Munich, Germany. 19th – 21st June 2009.
Confirm acts for the amazing festival includes: Franz Ferdinand, Friendly Fires, Kings of Leon, The Wombats and Fleet Foxes.

Hove – Norway. 23rd – 26th June 2009.
Hove Festival on began in 2007 and has since been established as Norway’s biggest festival. Set on the island of Tromoya with stunning beaches and beautiful surroundings. The festival has three stages, DJ Booths, cinema and theatre with The Killers headlining. Other confirmed acts include Slip Knot, The Ting Tings, White Lies and Franz Ferdinand.

Quart – Kristiansand, Norway. 30th June – 4th July 2009.
Confirmed acts include Slash and friends including Ozzy Ozbourne, Korn, Black Eyed Peas and Chris Cornell.

Exit – Novi Sad, Serbia. 9th – 12th July 2009.
Exit is one of the largest festivals in Europe with twenty fives stages and over six hundred acts from DJ’s, international and Serbian performers. Exit is held at Petrovaradin fortress in the city of Novi Sad, return this year for its 10th birthday. The line up includes Arctic Monkeys, Fabio and Grove Rider, Sasha, Moby and Korn.

Fiberfib – Benicassim, Spain. 16th – 19th July 2009.
Fiberfib is Spain’s largest festival with four stages and over one hundred acts. Fiberfib is held in the small town of Benicassim between Valencia and Barcelona and has stunning views over the Mediterranean. Acts include Oasis, Kings of Leon, The Killers, Franz Ferdinand, Glasvegas and The Mystery Jets.

Paredes da Coura – Praia do Tabuao, Portugal. 29th July – 1st August 2009.
Paredes da Coura is set in a beautiful location in Portugal, confirm acts so far are Supergrass and Franz Ferdinand.

Way Out West – Gothenburg, Sweden. 14th – 15th August 2009.
Way Out West festival covers all genres of music with indie, rock, hip hop and alternative acts. The festival is set in the centre city centre in a beautiful park with two outdoor and one indoor stage. Acts include Arctic Monkeys, Lady Hawke, Band of Horses, Rise Against and Timo Raisanen.

Sziget – Budapest, Hungary. 12th – 17th August 2009.
Sziget festival is held on an island in the middle of the River Danube in central Budapest. Sziget is one of the largest music and cultural events in Europe. Acts include White Lies, The Kills, The Offspring, Snowpatrol and Bloc Party.

Electric Picnic – Stradbally, Republic of Ireland. 4th – 6th September 2009.
Electric Picnic is Ireland’s boutique arts and music festival that’s been staged since 2004 with an emphasis on eco friendly initiatives. There are no confirmed acts as yet but these will be released late spring.

If you’re tempted then tickets are available for many of these festivals at less than half the price of their UK equivalent. Check out the festival websites for up to date ticket and price information.