Feeling the Glastonbury Void in 2026? Sziget Festival is the answer
With Glastonbury taking its fallow year in 2026, a space opens in the summer calendar.
A growing number of festival lovers are already planning their next great escape: Sziget Festival, set on an island in the heart of Budapest, at the same cost, including flights! Having been to the festival last year, and eagerly awaiting my return this year, I can confirm that Sziget Festival is filled with community spirit, with Szitizens gathering for sing-alongs and dance parties while enjoying 4 Euro beers in the sunshine. Not a speck of mud was seen, and time was spent swimming in the Danube River instead.
2025 and past headliners include Dua Lipa, Kendrick Lamar, Billie Eilish, Arctic Monkeys, Charli XCX and Chappell Roan. For more information on the line-up this year, check out our previous line-up announcement here. There is something for every music lover at Sziget, and with 50 stages, there is so much on offer, including immersive art events, theatre workshops, circus shows and late-night raves.
Chloe Chesby, a loyal returner to Sziget Festival, said: “Sziget has opened my eyes to how enjoyable a festival can really be. The energy, the music, the whole vibe of being on an island dedicated to music and art – it is incredible, and a feeling I’ve not been able to match since last attending.” She continued: “The music at Sziget is very diverse, with something for everyone. Plus, the festival's on an island, which creates a really cool, unique vibe. I’d also go back for the chance to continue to meet people from all over the world and experience Sziget’s culture!”
A 6-day ticket plus return flights from London and food and drink for the week amounts to £600, approximately the same as a Glastonbury ticket including travel. The freedom to camp under the stars without the need for wellies and access to normal toilets makes Sziget a standout festival. The guarantee of good weather and the call for a European adventure mean that Sziget festival is a must-see event of the summer calendar. For many Brits, it’s long been a low-key summer secret. But next year, with Glastonbury on pause, Sziget is the spiritual home-away-from-home for the UK’s festival faithful.
Six-day tickets and accommodation options for Sziget 2025 are on sale via szigetfestival.com.
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Heather Gosling is a university student currently studying English Literature at York. She is passionate about journalism, creative writing and music. She has written for many online and print publications and is working on a music magazine (@circulationzine).
