Europe’s Festival Summer & Ibiza 2025

Living in London on a working holiday visa is about more than just nine-to-five. It is about giving yourself a home base in one of the world’s most connected cities. For young travellers, London is the ultimate launchpad to Europe. Weekends in Paris? Easy. A quick flight to Barcelona? Done. Want to catch a sunrise set in Berlin or spend a long weekend in Amsterdam? You are only a budget flight or a night train away.

That is what makes London so special. You are earning pounds during the week, meeting new mates in the city, and then using your weekends to tick off the kind of adventures most people save up for years to do. When summer rolls around, this lifestyle really comes alive. London becomes the gateway to one of the best experiences you can have on this side of the world: Europe’s festival circuit and Ibiza’s legendary party season.

And we are not just talking about a random list of festivals. This is your guide to making it happen without blowing your savings or burning out. From knowing which airports to fly from, to booking tickets before they sell out, to finding hostels that will not drain your budget, it is all here. You will even get advice on how to juggle festival season with your London working holiday job, because we know you do not want to choose between earning money and dancing under the stars with thousands of people.

Think of this as your survival guide to the summer of your life: how to plan it, how to pay for it, and how to actually enjoy it without stress.

Glastonbury, UK

Why Go

The granddaddy of music festivals. Since 1970, Glastonbury has been the heartbeat of UK festival culture. It is not just about headline acts. It is about stumbling across sunrise sets, secret fields, and that indescribable “only at Glasto” feeling. You might wander from a pop superstar on the Pyramid Stage to an underground DJ in a hidden tent, then end the night dancing barefoot in the mud.

And the best part? If you are living in London, this one is right on your doorstep. No flights, no border checks, just a coach ride to Somerset and you are in the middle of it all.

Need to Knows

• Tickets: They sell out in minutes. Pre-register on the Glastonbury website months ahead, and have a group of friends online at the same time on ticket day. More people in the queue means more chances.
• Cost: Around £360 for a ticket. Factor in food, drinks, and transport and budget at least £500–£600 for the full weekend.
• Accommodation: Camping is included, but come prepared. Invest in a decent tent, a sleeping mat, and wellies. Mud is part of the experience.
• Getting There from London: National Express and shuttle coaches run direct to the site, or you can split petrol with mates. Do not even think about trying to Uber it.

Working Holiday Hack

Give your boss notice months in advance. Glastonbury week is practically a rite of passage for UK workers, and employers expect staff to ask for time off. If you cannot get leave, volunteering is a smart option. Do a few shifts with a crew, get your ticket covered, and still enjoy most of the festival.

Tomorrowland, Belgium

Why Go

Tomorrowland is the world’s most famous electronic music festival. Born in 2005, it has become a global phenomenon, famous for its fairy-tale stages, insane production, and a line-up that reads like the DJ Hall of Fame. Think fireworks, giant animatronics, and crowds of 400,000 over two weekends.

If you are into EDM, house, or techno, this is the crown jewel. It is more than just music, it feels like stepping into another universe.

Need to Knows

• Tickets: The Global Journey package (ticket, accommodation, and transport) is the easiest option if you are flying in from London. It is more expensive but guarantees entry. General sale tickets start around €300 and can go all the way up to €10,000, but expect them to sell out fast.
• Cost: €300–€500 for tickets, €30–€50 per day for food and drinks, plus flights. Budget around €1,000 for the weekend if you are flying from London.
• Accommodation: DreamVille camping is the go-to. If you prefer creature comforts, Antwerp and Brussels are nearby with hotels and hostels.
• Getting There from London: Eurostar to Brussels is the stress-free choice (around two hours). Shuttles run from Brussels to Boom, where the festival is held. 

Working Holiday Hack

Book Eurostar the moment tickets drop, it is cheaper and you avoid last-minute airport chaos. Travelling light with just a backpack saves on budget airline baggage fees. 

Sziget Festival, Hungary

Why Go

Nicknamed the Island of Freedom, Sziget is one of Europe’s biggest multi-genre festivals, drawing more than 500,000 people each year. Held on Óbuda Island in the Danube, it feels like a mini city of music, art, and international travellers.

Unlike Glastonbury’s five days, Sziget runs for an entire week. That means you can see global headliners, discover quirky art installations, and still have time to recover at Budapest’s ruin bars and thermal baths.

Need to Knows

• Tickets: Multi-day passes are the best value (around €350 for seven days). Single-day tickets are available, but the week-long experience is where it is at.
• Cost: Hungary is far cheaper than Western Europe. Food and beers inside the festival are more affordable than Glastonbury or Tomorrowland. Budget €600–€700 for the whole trip.
• Accommodation: Camping on site is cheap and social, but Budapest hostels are only a short ride away. Book early as the city fills up.
• Getting There from London: Budget airlines fly London to Budapest in 2–3 hours, often for under £100 return if you book months ahead.

Working Holiday Hack

Plan your shifts around Sziget early. August is a quieter month for many UK industries, so it is easier to take leave. Stretch your money by pairing the festival with a few days exploring Budapest, £1 beers, late-night food stalls, and thermal baths mean your pounds go far.

Primavera Sound, Spain

Why Go

Primavera is less of a muddy field and more of a city festival. Since the early 2000s, it has built a reputation for the most eclectic line-ups in Europe: indie rock, hip-hop, pop, and electronic all on the same bill.

Set on Barcelona’s waterfront, it combines daytime tapas and beach swims with late-night music under the stars. No camping required. This is about living like a local while hitting up some of the best artists in the world.

Need to Knows

• Tickets: A three-day pass is around €325.
• Cost: Add in accommodation, flights, and food and you are looking at €800–€1,000 for a long weekend.
• Accommodation: Skip camping. Stay in a hostel or Airbnb in Barcelona. Public transport makes it easy to reach the festival site.
• Getting There from London: Budget airlines offer endless options, with flights as low as £40–£60 return if booked early.

Working Holiday Hack

If you are earning pounds in London, Spain will feel affordable. Stay central and you can walk to the sights by day and the festival by night. To save cash, jump on the SuperLite app and get a crew together - a festival is always better when shared with many. 

Ibiza, Spain

Why Go

Ibiza is not a festival, it is an entire season. Known as the party capital of the world, the island runs on club nights, pool parties, and beach raves from May through October. Superclubs like Amnesia, Ushuaïa, and Pacha pull in the biggest DJs on the planet, while hidden coves and beach bars offer more laid-back vibes.

Every night is a festival. One evening you could be at a pool party with 3,000 people, the next at a sunrise set on the beach.

Need to Knows

• Costs: Ibiza is pricey. Club entry is usually €50–€70 per night, with drinks inside starting at €15+. Budget €1,000+ for a week if you are clubbing most nights.
• Tickets: Buy in advance online to avoid inflated door prices. Packages often include multiple nights and venues.
• Accommodation: San Antonio is cheaper and social, Ibiza Town is stylish but expensive. Hostels and shared apartments are your budget-friendly bets.
• Getting There from London: Summer budget flights can be as low as £60 return if you book early. Otherwise, prices spike.

Working Holiday Hack

Do Ibiza smart. Mix a few big club nights with cheaper days; beach hopping, cliff hikes, or hostel-organised trips. If you are working in London, you can even make Ibiza a long weekend by taking Friday off.

Budget Breakdown: What to Expect

Here is a rough guide to festival costs from London:

• Glastonbury: £500–£600
• Tomorrowland: €1,000+
• Sziget: €600–€700
• Primavera Sound: €800–€1,000
• Ibiza week: €1,000+

Pro tip: book flights and tickets early. Hostels, budget airlines, and trains like Eurostar are your best friend for keeping costs down.

Festival Survival Kit

Before you set off, here are a few must-haves:

• Portable charger: Your phone will not last without it.
• Refillable water bottle: Free refills at most festivals.
• Decent shoes: Muddy fields, cobbled streets, or dusty grounds need something better than flip-flops.
• Lightweight rain jacket: Because Europe in summer still rains.
• Travel insurance: Cover that actually includes festivals, lost gear, and medical emergencies - Global Work & Travel Insurance. 

Why London is the Best Base

This is where the UK Working Holiday Visa (Youth Mobility Scheme) comes in. By living and working in London, you will:

• Earn pounds during the week.
• Be a short flight or train ride from Europe’s biggest festivals.
• Have a steady job and income, so you can afford multiple trips instead of blowing all your savings in one go.
• Join a community of other working holiday travellers who will be just as keen to hop on a plane to Barcelona, Brussels, or Budapest.

How Global Work & Travel Can Help

We know a summer like this can feel daunting. Booking tickets, figuring out where to stay, keeping your job secure, and still having enough cash to travel can get overwhelming quickly. That is exactly why we have been helping travellers since 2008. More than 95,000 people have already set up their working holiday in the UK with us, and we have learnt what works. Think of us as the mate who has already done it, handing you the shortcuts so you can skip the stress and jump straight into the fun.

Here is how we have got your back:

• Visa Packs: Step-by-step guidance with your UK Working Holiday Visa so you arrive in London job-ready. No confusing paperwork or endless Googling. You land with everything sorted and a plan in place.
• Job Support: A guaranteed job match before you even arrive, plus access to our network across hospitality, retail, and events. That means money coming in from the start, and the flexibility to book those last-minute flights to Tomorrowland or Barcelona.SuperLite App: More than just an app. It is your pocket travel assistant. Build your CV, apply for jobs, connect with other Global Travellers, and even find discounts on flights, hostels, and tours. It is also where most people find their festival crew before they have even left home.
• Travel Insurance: Proper cover for the way you actually travel. Festivals, clubs, outdoor adventures — all the things standard policies often miss. It is a peace of mind that lets you focus on dancing until sunrise, not worrying about “what ifs.”

Our Pack Top Picks

If you pick the Plus, you are going for the all-in option. It is designed for travellers who want extra support and even more adventure built into their trip. You still get everything from the Lite pack, including a guaranteed job before you land, a Trip Coordinator to guide you, airport transfers, hostel nights, and all the essentials to get settled. The Plus takes things further. With unlimited job matches, you can swap roles as often as you like, whether that means starting in a London café, then moving on to a Scottish castle, or trading pub shifts for summer camp life.

You will also kick things off with bonus tours and social events, like a London nightclub crawl, so you are meeting new people and making memories from day one. On top of that, you get more long-term support, from accommodation resources to tax return help, giving you the flexibility and confidence to keep your working holiday on track. If the Standard pack is the essentials kit, the Plus is the fully loaded version that makes sure your UK adventure runs smoothly from start to finish.

• Work Holiday in UK (Lite) 
• Work Holiday in UK (Plus) 

Final Thoughts

Europe’s festival season and Ibiza’s legendary nightlife are the kind of experiences you will be talking about for the rest of your life. By basing yourself in London on a working holiday visa, you make it possible, not just once but all summer long. With smart planning, early booking, and the right support, you can work during the week and dance with thousands in a field, on a beach, or under the stars every weekend.

This is the summer you will never forget. And we are here to help you make it happen.