Some of the most famous acts in the world, tens of thousands of people and multiple arenas, the largest festivals are a regular pilgrimage for many, and a rite of passage for most. But which one is the best of the biggest?
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 here from 1 October 2026 until 23 October 2026.

Afterwards, the vote will be open to the public to choose their favourite festival between October 27 and November 20, 2026.  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 2026.

Winner 2025: Paléo Festival Nyon (Switzerland)

Not as large as the giants, but by no means in their shadow, these events provide a more boutique feel, and a more intimate experience. Often starting life much smaller, they have often grown to this size due to their popularity. Who will pick up the prize this year?
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 here from 1 October 2026 until 23 October 2026.

Afterwards, the vote will be open to the public to choose their favourite festival between October 27 and November 20, 2026. 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 2026.

Winner 2025: Pohoda Festival (Slovakia)

Often quirky and with the charm of a personal touch figuring heavily, 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 here from 1 October 2026 until 23 October 2026.

Afterwards, the vote will be open to the public to choose their favourite festival between October 27 and November 20, 2026.  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 2026.

Winner 2025: Dynamo Metalfest (The Netherlands)

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.

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

Please read the application requirements carefully before you apply.

Nomination and election procedure
Festivals can register via self-registration form here. This form is available from October 1 until November 1, 2026.
A jury within the GO Group will select the final shortlist (5 festivals) and the winner of this category. All nominees will be announced  at the beginning of December 2026.

Winner 2025: Štěrkovna Open Music (Czech Republic)

The Event Safety Award honors innovations, projects, or procedures which aim to improve the safety of festivals which positively change public behavior, enhance the wellbeing and/or create a safety culture throughout stakeholders at festivals. The Award is specifically given to these innovations, projects or procedures and does not state the overall safety of the festivals. In unique circumstances, people can be nominated for this award by the jury.

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.

Nomination and election procedure
Festivals can register via self-registration form here. This form including all relevant information is available from October 1 until November 1, 2026.

A jury will select the final  shortlist and the winner of this category will be chosen by the YES Group members at the YES Group seminar in Groningen on the day of the Awards Ceremony. All nominees (3 festivals) will be announced  at the beginning of December 2026.

Winner 2025: Rock For People (Czech Republic)

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.

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 here. This form is available from October 1 until November 1, 2026.
A jury will select the final  shortlist (5 festivals) and the winner of this category. All nominees will be announced  at the beginning of December 2026.

Winner 2025: Pinkpop X Libresse (The Netherlands)

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 here. This form is available from October 1 until November 1, 2026. 
A jury of established festivals from all across Europe will select the final shortlist (5 festivals) and winner of this category. All nominees will be announced  at the beginning of December 2026.

Winner 2025: Sziget Festival (Hungary)

This award honours new and young business talents up to the age of 30 who have made a name for themselves in the international music festival business through exceptional achievements and creative talent (booking, artist liaison, production, marketing, project management, safety, sustainability etc.). The winner stands out by going above and beyond what was expected of them and demonstrating high potential for the future.

The nominees are proposed by colleagues from their festival team. This proposal is made via the online submission in this section.

The award is given out by a jury panel made up of experienced experts that are not directly linked to any of the nominated new kids or the respective festivals. 

Nomination and election procedure
Festivals can submit their nominees here. This form is available from October 1 until November 1, 2026. 
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 2026.

Winner 2025: Kristína Mlynárová (Pohoda Festival, Slovakia)

European Talent Exchange is proud to present an award recognising the continent's most in-demand emerging live act. This category honours the standout act that clocked up the highest number of festival bookings across the 2026 season through the European Talent Exchange programme. Who took the festival circuit by storm? The nominees will be revealed by ESNS (Eurosonic Noorderslag) this December 2026!

Initiated by ESNS, European Talent Exchange accelerates the international careers of emerging European musicians by introducing showcase acts directly to festival bookers across Europe and beyond. By tracking real bookings throughout the summer, this award highlights the breakthrough act that successfully crossed borders and defined the live sound of 2026.

This initiative is made possible through a strong international platform supported by Creative Europe. The platform brings together the European festival association Yourope, over 130 major festivals in Europe and beyond, 30+ public radio stations via the European Broadcasting Union (EBU), and 26 national and regional music export offices, all working together to export European talent to international stages.

Winner 2025 (newcomer of the year):
Addison Rae, 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 at the beginning of December 2026.

Winner 2025: Ewald Tatar (Austria)

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 at the beginning of December 2026.

Winner 2025: Stephan Thanscheidt, FKP Scorpio Germany (Germany)

This award recognises the booking agent who works in a fair and straight way with his artists and promoters, develops new talent and is well respected in the European festival scene. Size doesn’t matter – quality matters!

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 at the beginning of December 2026.

Winner 2025: Steve Zapp (ITB)

This award recognises the festival organiser who has produced an outstanding event, overcome adversity, or truly gone above and beyond the call of duty.

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 at the beginning of December 2026.

Winner 2025: Exit Festival (Serbia)

Picking the right bill will make or break a festival – no mean feat when there are hundreds of others trying to better you and a decreasing pool of established acts to bid on. 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 most 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 October 27 and November 20, 2026.  on the website of the European Festival Awards. All nominees will be announced at the beginning of December 2026.

Winner 2025: Lowlands (The Netherlands)