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 24 until November 9, 2022. Afterwards, the vote will be open to the public to choose their favourite festival between November 11 and December 7, 2022.  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 on December 16, 2022.

Winner 2019: Open’er Festival (Poland)

Not as large as the giants, but by no means in their shadow. These events provide more of aboutique 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 24 until November 9, 2022. Afterwards, the vote will be open to the public to choose their favourite festival between November 11 and December 7, 2022.  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 on December 16, 2022.

Winner 2019: Electric Castle (Romania)

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 24 until November 9, 2022. Afterwards, the vote will be open to the public to choose their favourite festival between November 11 and December 7, 2022.  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 on December 16, 2022.

Winner 2019: Jazz in the Park (Romania)

Using the existing infrastructure of a town’s venues, this sector is growing because there’s no need for camping, very little threat from the weather and they can potentially take place at any time of the year. Sold either on a show-by-show basis or as a wristband covering all concerts, they give people the chance to see multiple acts in the comfort of the indoors.

Nomination and election procedure
Festivals can register via self-registration form (closed). This form is available from October 24 until November 9, 2022. Afterwards, the vote will be open to the public to choose their favourite festival between November 11 and December 7, 2022.  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 on December 16, 2022.

Winner 2019: Reeperbahn Festival (Germany)

Once again, some excellent new events were launched this year, bravely taking on those with established reputations by bringing fresh ideas, new music and alternative audiences to the festival scene. Recognizing the most promising new festival that launched in 2022.

Nomination and election procedure
Festivals can register via self-registration form (closed). This form is available from October 24 until November 9, 2022. Afterwards, the vote will be open to the public to choose their favourite festival between November 11 and December 7, 2022.  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 on December 16, 2022.

Winner 2019: No Sleep Festival (Serbia)

Yourope and the GO Group recognise festivals which have made a significant contribution to or achievement towards developing more sustainable events. This may be through practises and systems introduced at their own event, through the development of good practices which they have shared with other events, a specific innovation or through continued improvements over a number of years. The award is judged and awarded by a panel made up of experts 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.

Nomination and election procedure
Festivals can register via self-registration form (click here). This form is available from October 24 until November 30, 2022. A jury within the GO Group will select the final shortlist (3 festivals) and the winner of this category. All nominees will be announced  on December 16, 2022.

Winner 2019: OpenAir St. Gallen (Switzerland)

Launched in 2013, this award recognises innovation in health and safety at music festivals. Many festivals have, or are developing, new ways to enhance both health and safety within their crowded spaces. Some go to great efforts to deliver new and exciting products and services, which keep the audience ever safer and reduce the risks within the event environment.  These innovations can inform and positively change public behaviour and also create a safety culture throughout the event industry.

Nomination and election procedure
Festivals can register via self-registration form (click here). This form is available from October 24 until November 30, 2022. A jury within the YES Group will select the final shortlist (3 festivals) and the winner of this category. All nominees will be announced  on December 16, 2022.

Winner 2019: Balaton Sound (Hungary) 

Sponsorship is a revenue stream that many festivals now depend on for their very existence. Yet creating an effective brand strategy around festivals that adds, rather than detracts, from the experience is an art form in itself. This award celebrates the most creative and well-executed sponsor activity this year.

Nomination and election procedure
Festivals can register via self-registration form (click here). This form is available from October 24 until November 30, 2022. A jury within the EMAC Group will select the final  shortlist (3 festivals) and the winner of this category. All nominees will be announced  on December 16, 2022.

Winner 2019: Open'er Festival (Poland) + Netflix - Stranger Things

2022 is the European Year Of Youth and without any doubt there is a special connection between festivals and their young participants. Within the European Festival Awards 2022 we acknowledge this with this especially initiated category presented by YOUROPE and the EFA - European Festivals Association.

Nomination and election procedure
Festivals can register via self-registration form (click here). This form is available from October 24 until November 30, 2022. A jury of established festivals from all across Europe will select the final the winner of this category. All nominees will be announced  on December 16, 2022.

Recognising those speaking up for peaceful dialogue, humanity, tolerance and mutual understanding.

Nomination and election procedure
Festivals can register via self-registration form (click here). This form is available from October 24 until November 30, 2022. A jury of established festivals from all across Europe will select the final the winner of this category. All nominees will be announced  on December 16, 2022.

Winner 2019: Das Fest (Germany)

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 11 and December 7, 2022, on the website of the European Festival Awards. All nominees will be announced on December 16, 2022.

Winner 2019: Glastonbury (United Kingdom)

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 thiscategory. The vote will be open to the public, who will choose the final winner of each category between
November 11 and December 7, 2022 on the website of the European Festival Awards. All nominees will be announced on December 16, 2022.

Winner 2019: Billie Eilish (US)

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 16, 2022.

Winner 2019: Holger Hübner + Thomas Jensen (Wacken Open Air)

This award is dedicated to an individual for their excellence, passion, outstanding contribution and dedication tothe 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 selects the winner of this category. All nominees will be announced December 16, 2022.

Winner 2019: Codruta Vulcu

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 16, 2022.

Winner 2019: Lucy Dickins (WME)

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 16, 2022.

Winner 2019: Wepromote (Switzerland)