12 Belgian music festivals to catch this summer

Sfinks
A world music festival that aims to bring different cultures together. This year’s edition sees four different stages, with a concert stage, a DJ stage, a club stage and a “different” stage, meaning that no matter where your tastes lie, there’s something for everyone. There’s also a multicultural market, parades and acrobats, and the festival is child-friendly, with workshops and other events to keep kids happy. The line-up still hasn’t been announced. While the festival is free, camping comes with a charge.
28-31 July in Boechout (Antwerp province)

Rock Werchter
One of the biggest and best-known pop and rock festivals in Belgium, with artists as varied as Rammstein, The Last Shadow Puppets and Florence and the Machine just on the main stage. Add to that a club music stage featuring the likes of Flume and The 1975, and a third stage with performances from groups such as Years&Years and Mura Masa, there’s plenty of variety. Tickets with public transport to and from the site are available. One-day tickets start at €100, camping from €20 per person. Combi tickets €236.
30 June-3 July, Werchter

Couleur Cafe
Right in the heart of Brussels with six different stages, as well as smaller side acts popping up all over the place and a world food market. More than 70,000 people were there last year. There’s a wide range of music, from reggae to dubstep, from groups such as Black Box Revelation and Method Man & Redman. Three-day pass €95 or €110 with camping. Day tickets €43, discounts for groups of 10 or more.
1-3 July, Tour et Taxis

Cactus Festival
This festival has a great variety of different acts, whether you're into big, internationally known bands or up-and-coming groups. Acts this year include Wilco, Damien Rice and Air. Day ticket €45, weekend €105, free for under-12s.
8-10 July, Minnewater, near Bruges

Linkerwoofer
On the left bank of Antwerp with disco music, acoustic rock and all kinds of other genres. There’ll be food trucks, bars and other catering services. Day tickets are €17 in advance, €23 on the day, children under 12 go free and camping is not available.
5-6 August, Linkeroever

Les Ardentes
This festival combines outdoor stages with indoor performace halls, with music ranging from pop to rock, hip hop and dance music. Big names this year include Pharrell Williams and Mark Ronson. Five-day pass €150, or €55 per day.
6-10 July, Liège

Tomorrowland
One of world's biggest electronic music festivals, Tomorrowland has been running since 2005. Last year’s edition sold over 180,000 tickets within an hour of becoming available. Known for its intricate light shows and incredible stages and featuring the likes of D3adMau5, Armin Van Buuren and Tiesto as headliners, it’s sure to be one big party from start to finish.
22-24 July, Boom (Antwerp province)

Pukkelpop
One of Europe’s best-known alternative music festivals. With a dance hall, club tents, and eight stages, as well as a diverse line-up, featuring the likes of the Chemical Brothers, Biffy Clyro, Warpaint and Cage the Elephant, this is one festival not to be missed. Day tickets cost €99 (travel included) and combi tickets €199.
17-20 August, Hasselt

Brussels Summer Festival
Louise Attaque, Roscoe and the Fun Lovin' Criminals are among 44 acts performing at three venues across the city: La Madeleine, Place des Palais and the Mont des Arts. An all-concert pass costs just €55, while a one-day ticket starts at €22 (€27 for the final four days).
5-14 August, across Brussels

Dour
Eight different stages feature alternative music, with dubstep, reggae, house and more. Headliners this year include Wiz Khalifa, The Vaccines and Prodigy. Day tickets €50-€60, five-day pass with camping €150.
13-17 July, Dour

Graspop
For fans of everything metal, heavy rock and punk, Graspop could be exactly what your looking for. Last year 140,000 people came to see 100 bands perform. This year, bands such as Megadeth, Iron Maiden and Bullet for My Valentine will be playing during the three-day festival. Day ticket €95, combi ticket €195.
17-19 June, Dessel

Lokerse Feesten
Spread over 10 days, this festival sees a huge variety of different genres of music come together, with performances from Kygo, Limp Bizkit, Steel Panther, Faithless and Van Morrison. Prices vary from one concert to the next, starting at €28. Ten-day pass €150.
5-14 August, Lokeren