Some of the most famous acts in the world, tens of thousands of visitors and multiple stages. The largest festivals are a regular pilgrimage for many and a rite of passage for most. This award recognises the festival of the highest quality and is restricted to events with a capacity exceeding 40,000 visitors per day.

Nomination and election procedure
Festivals can register via self-registration form (closed). This form is available from October 13 until October 31, 2023.
Afterwards, the vote will be open to the public to choose their favourite festival between November 1 and November 30, 2023.  The result will be a longlist of 20 festivals. A jury of established festival promoters and experts from various European countries will select the final shortlist of 10 festivals and also select the winner. All nominees will be announced at the beginning of December 2023.

Winner 2022: Roskilde Festival (Denmark)

Not as large as the giants, but by no means in their shadow. These events provide more of a boutique vibe and a more intimate experience. Often, after having started out much smaller, they grew to this size thanks to their popularity. This award recognises the best festival with a daily capacity between 10,000 and 39,999 people.

Nomination and election procedure
Festivals can register via self-registration form (closed). This form is available from October 13 until October 31, 2023. Afterwards, the vote will be open to the public to choose their favourite festival between November 1 and November 30, 2023.  The result will be a longlist of 20 festivals. A jury of established festival promoters and experts from various European countries will select the final shortlist of 10 festivals and also select the winner. All nominees will be announced at the beginning of December 2023.

Winner 2022: Best Kept Secret (The Netherlands)

Often quirky and with the charm of a distinct personal touch, the cosiness and sense of community at these festivals is second to none for many people. This award celebrates those who stick to the mantra that small is best. The daily capacity of the festivals in this category is lower than 10,000.

Nomination and election procedure
Festivals can register via self-registration form (closed). This form is available from October 13 until October 31, 2023.

Afterwards, the vote will be open to the public to choose their favourite festival between November 1 and November 30, 2023.  The result will be a longlist of 20 festivals. A jury of established festival promoters and experts from various European countries will select the final shortlist of 10 festivals and also select the winner. All nominees will be announced at the beginning of December 2023.

Winner 2022: Roadburn (the Netherlands)

The Green Operations Award is the annual award presented by YOUROPE and the GO Group. Its target group are festivals that have made a significant contribution to or achievement towards developing more sustainable events. This can mean practices and systems introduced at their own event, the development of good practices that they have shared with other events, a specific innovation or continuous improvements over a number of years.

The award is given out by a jury panel made up of experts that are not directly linked to any specific festival, with the exception that the previous year’s winner will be invited to cast a vote for the following year’s award only.

Festivals can apply for this category alone or together with a partner organisation.

Nomination and election procedure
Festivals can register via self-registration form (closed). This form is available from October 13 until November 15, 2023. A jury within the GO Group will select the final shortlist (3 festivals) and the winner of this category. All nominees will be announced  at the beginning of December 2023.

Winner 2022: Rock Werchter (Belgium)

The Event Safety Award will be given to a project or good practice implemented this year at a European festival in the field of event safety. This could be an innovation, a well-established procedure or the documentation of a development process that improved the occupational health and safety, security, service for the attendees and/or working conditions for the staff.

The award is given out by a jury panel of experts assembled of YES Group Committee members, who will assess the value of the submitted application for the Event Safety sector, especially in the festival context.

Please read the application requirements carefully before you apply (see link below).

Nomination and election procedure
Festivals can register via self-registration form (closed). This form is available from October 13 until November 15, 2023. A jury within the YES Group will select the final shortlist (3 festivals) and the winner of this category. All nominees will be announced  at the beginning of December 2023.

Winner 2022: Watt En Schlick Fest (Germany)

The Brand Activation Award celebrates sponsorship projects that create a better festival experience for all. It acknowledges projects in which a festival and its audience are at the heart of the sponsor’s marketing strategy. In short: we’re looking for exciting brand activations done in the right place at the right time!

Please note: Festivals and sponsors can apply together with a project that meets at least one (but possibly more) of the mentioned criteria (see self-registration form).

Please read the application rules carefully before you apply. 

Nomination and election procedure
Festivals can register via self-registration form (closed). This form is available from October 13 until November 15, 2023. A jury will select the final  shortlist (3 festivals) and the winner of this category. All nominees will be announced  at the beginning of December 2023.

Winner 2022: Wacken Open Air + Krombacher (Germany)

The Take a Stand Award honours political and social activities and initiatives by European festivals. This category recognizes those speaking up for peaceful dialogue, humanity, tolerance and mutual understanding. In your application, please describe your actions and activities. Show your creativity and purpose.

Festivals can apply for this category alone or together with a partner organisation.

Nomination and election procedure
Festivals can register via self-registration form (closed). This form is available from October 13 until November 15, 2023. A jury of established festivals from all across Europe will select the final shortlist and winner of this category. All nominees will be announced  at the beginning of December 2023.

Winner 2022: Atlas Festival  + Music Saves UA (Ukraine)

Creating the right bill will make or break a festival – no mean feat when there are hundreds of others trying to outbid you and there is a decreasing pool of established acts to choose from. Whether it’s about securing the biggest names in the world, putting together special collaborations, or just knowing what the audience wants, our judges are looking for the festival which displayed the best vision when booking acts.

Nomination and election procedure
A jury of established festival promoters and experts from all across Europe will select the final shortlist of 10 nominees of this category. The vote will be open to the public who will choose the the final winner of each category between November 1 and November 30, 2023 on the website of the European Festival Awards. All nominees will be announced at the beginning of December 2023.

Winner 2022: Hellfest (France)

It’s not easy being relatively unknown on a festival bill, but it’s a fantastic opportunity to have thousands of people hear your music. Who among the unsigned and relatively unknown acts or just those who have been working for years with few chart hits despite being in almost every line-up shone the brightest for you this year?

Nomination and election procedure
A jury of established festival promoters and experts from all across Europe will select the final shortlist of 10 nominees in this category. The vote will be open to the public who will choose the final winner of each category between November 1 and November 30, 2023 on the website of the European Festival Awards. All nominees will be announced at the beginning of December 2023.

Winner 2022: Fred Again (United Kingdom)

Dedicated to an individual whose personal vision and energy has propelled the entire festival marketplace forward in a dynamic, creative and positive way.

Nomination and election procedure
A jury of established festival promoters and experts from all across Europe will select the winner of this category. The winner will be announced on December 5, 2023.

Winner 2022: Roskilde Festival (Denmark)

This award is dedicated to an individual for their excellence, passion, outstanding contribution and dedication to the European Festival scene. To a person who creates a picture that is bigger than just a show, just a festival.

Nomination and election procedure
A jury club of established festival promoters and experts from various European countries will select the final shortlist of 10 nominees and also the winner of this category. All nominees will be announced on December 5, 2023.

Winner 2022: Holger Jan Schmidt (Germany)

This award recognises a booking agent who treats his or her artists and promoters fairly, develops new talent and is well respected in the European festival scene.

Nomination and election procedure
A jury of established festival promoters and experts from all across Europe will select the final shortlist of 10 nominees and  the winner of this category. All nominees will be announced on December 5, 2023.

Winner 2022: Josh Javor (X-Ray Touring, United Kingdom)

This award recognises a promoter representing at least one outstanding festival who may have notably overcome adversity or exceeded expectations.

Nomination and election procedure
A jury of established festival promoters and experts from all across Europe will select the final shortlist of 10 nominees and the winner of this category. All nominees will be announced on December 5, 2023.

Winner 2022: Mojo (The Netherlands)