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Destination: Brest

Whether you’re a fan of rock, pop or electronic music, here’s everything you need to know about the best 2026 summer music festivals in Volotea destinations.

If you can’t wait to get moving to the beat in the top European locations, pick the event that suits you best, find your flight and get ready to soak up the festival atmosphere and explore some of Europe’s most charming destinations!

The best 2026 festivals in France

Les Nuits Sonores

Nuits Sonores calls itself a “cultural, artistic and urban laboratory”, focusing on the world of electronic and digital culture. An unmissable event for lovers of electronic music, taking place on four different sites in Lyon from 13 to 17 of May, turning the city and its different districts into one vast club. During the day, emerging artists will be performing in an industrial site, whilst at night, iconic names such as Amelie Lens, Four Tet and Ben UFO will take their turn on the other stages. 

les nuits sonores
© Nuits Sonores

LES PETITES FOLIES

Les Petites Folies is an essential music festival in Brittany, offering a unique experience for 13 years. Nestled on the beach with a view of the sea, it offers a diverse program of national and international artists, in a friendly and family atmosphere. This year, the event will take place from May 22 to 24, 2026 in Lampaul-Plouarzel.

More than 30,000 people are expected over 3 days.

Marsatac

The Marsatac festival has been taking place for 27 years and is the perfect event for kicking off summer with some music and fun; it’s held every year in mid-June in a large park covering an area of 12,000m2, Parc Borély, in Marseille, drawing artists from the worlds of electronic music, trap and rap. Emerging talent mixes with more famous names from the urban scene, such as Niska, Meryl and Théodora.

You can buy 1-day, 2-day and 3-day tickets on the festival’s website.

Hellfest

Founded in 2006 and based in the town of Clisson, Hellfest has established itself as one of the main European festivals dedicated to hard rock. A real marathon of rock, hardcore, punk, grind, death metal and trash, just a few minutes from Nantes by train. Over four days, metal legends will take to the stage (of which there are six), to literally raise hell. There are 180 acts in total, including Iron Maiden, Limp Bizkit, Deep Purple.

hellfest nantes

La Nuit de L’Erdre

La Nuit de l’Erde is a diverse music festival featuring artists from different genres and styles; the event is held every summer between the end of June and the beginning of July in the Atlantic Loire region, around 25km north of Nantes. French headliner acts, like Etienne de Crécy, and international artists, including Ben Harper and Lenny Kravitz, take their turn on the stage throughout the three days of the festival, which also aims to raise awareness of important social and environmental issues. 

2026 marks the 26th staging of the festival, and 1-day tickets can be purchased from the website.

la nuit de l'erdre
Bon Entendeur – La Nuit de L’Erdre © Nicolas Lebeouf

Garorock

“The Garorock Experience is impossible to explain, you have to be there”, say the organisers of this French festival, which promises to welcome the summer with a long weekend of madness!

From 26 to 28th of June 2026, Garorock returns to Marmande with an exclusive line-up of 60 artists, performing on four stages in over 20 concerts a day. The line-up for the largest festival of contemporary music in south-west France is unmissable, with acts such as Viagra Boys, Nico Moreno and Gims. You can also camp at this event and enjoy all kinds of entertainment, including a funfair.

Vieilles Charrues

Les Vieilles Charrues is the largest summer music event in France, a huge festival of indie rock and pop, lasting four days and held in the town of Carhaix, in northwest France. The festival will take place for the 34 time from 16 to 19 of July and aims to get thousands of festivalgoers singing and dancing to the beat of songs by the Katy Perry, Nick Cave, Mika and many more acts.  You can camp on site if you like.

Delta Festival

Are you looking for a festival that combines electronic beats with culture, art, sport and beach life? The Delta Festival, held at Les Plages du Prado, the beaches to the south of Marseille, is a cracking five-day event full of music and entertainment that could be just what you need.

Three festival stages will host a line-up of big names in disco and electronic music: Benny Benassi, Cerrone, Lilly Palmer and many more; and between one session and the next, you can enjoy some water sports and beach parties. With the sea as your backdrop, the beach vibes and shows by acclaimed artists from the worlds of house, hardstyle, hip-hop and everything that gets your heart racing, Delta is without doubt an event to mark in your calendar of summer dates.

delta festival marsella
Delta Festival © Laurine Bailly

The best 2026 festivals in Italy

Firenze Rocks

Calling rock fans from all over Europe: this event is for you! After the success of past events, 12, 13 and 14 June 2026 sees the return to Florence of one of Italy’s largest music events: Firenze Rocks. Two unmissable evenings at Visarno Arena, with a line-up of international rock acts, such as Lenny Kravitz, Robbie Williams and The Cure.

firenze rocks
© Firenze Rocks

Ypsigrock

A lovely, welcoming Sicilian town, the wonderful sea nearby, Sicilian food and hospitality and the best music of the moment. What more could you want? The most popular indie festival in Italy, Ypsigrock, returns for the 29th time to the amazing location of Piazza del Castello in Castelbuono, close to Palermo, between the Madonie mountains and the coast. 

This year’s final line-up has not yet been announced, but some of the confirmed names are Soulwax, I cani and The Antlers. 

The festival also has camping facilities in the San Focà pine forest. Tickets and passes are available from Dice.

ypsigrock
© Ypsigrock

Red Valley Festival

Following the huge success of the 2025 event, the largest August public holiday (ferragosto) music event in Italy is returning this year: we’re talking about the Red Valley Festival in Olbia, taking place on the large stage of the Olbia Arena for three nights, and featuring some of the best artists on the Italian music scene. So put 13 to 15 August in your calendar for some singing, dancing and all-night fun to the sounds of Kid Yugi, Sfera Ebbasta, Ernia and many more.

red valley olbia
© Red Valley Festival

The best 2026 festivals in Spain

Primavera Sound

A total of 200 acts spread across this three-day festival in Barcelona, at the Parc del Fórum. An amazing and varied line-up, including artists of the calibre of Massive Attack, The Cure and Gorillaz, and always welcoming all genres and new trends in music, full of innovative, bold and surprising acts. The Barcelona venue, just outside the city overlooking the sea, has made Primavera a hugely popular event among European festivalgoers.

primavera sound barcelona
Primavera Sound © Eric Pamies

Bilbao BBK live

For some years now considered one of the top festivals both nationally and internationally, Bilbao BBK Live in 2026 will once again, for three days, be home to the most interesting current trends in music. The line-up for this summer is now complete and features some great artists, including David Byrne, FKA Twigs, Albama Shakes. Besides the quality of the music, the festival is also unique in terms of its exceptional natural setting, Mount Cobetas, in the heart of Bilbao.

The best 2026 festivals in Greece

Rockwave festival

The Rockwave Festival, held at the Terra Vibe Park in Attica, was first staged in 1996, and since then has established itself as one of the top European rock festivals, managing to attract some of the world’s greatest bands. More than 300 acts have appeared at the festival so far, and this year’s line-up includes Kneecap and Einstürzende Neubauten.

The best 2026 festivals in Croatia

Ultra Europe

Ultra Europe is a great gathering of artists from the worlds of house, trance, dubstep, electronic music and many other genres with a common goal: to get the crowds dancing ‘til dawn! DJs from all over the world make sure that they’re in Split from 10 to 12 July to play their most explosive sets at Park Mladezi. Confirmed for this year are Calvin Harris, Fisher, I hate models  and many more. 

ultra europe split
© Ultra Europa

Looking for other ideas for the summer? Get some inspiration from the Volare magazine articles on the top Volotea destinations for your holiday!

Right at the tip of the rugged Breton peninsula, bite-sized Brest is the ideal destination if you want to get off the beaten track whilst absorbing a mega-dose of authentic French lifestyle. An important marine research centre and lively university town, Brest combines nautical jauntiness and savage natural beauty, with a certain avant garde trendiness (this pretty Brittany town was, after all, the backdrop for cult filmmaker Fassbinder’s 80’s art film Querelle). Add to that rugged, granite cliffs and isolated sandy coves; succulent seafood and traditional Celtic customs; charm-packed dining venues and a plethora of fun nightlife and you’re guaranteed that you won’t get bored in this upbeat Breton town.

Amour de Pomme de Terre is a potato-themed restaurant in Brest, with hearty portions and a favourite with locals. A stone’s throw from the lively Place de La Liberté, Amour de Pomme de Terre is a cosy, good-value eatery where the service is friendly, food is


simple and filling, and wine is served by the carafe. Must-not-miss specialities include baked potatoes with a beef and sour cream salad, and the delicious potato gratin dotted with grated Comte cheese.

Translating as ‘Grandma’s Garden’, this eco-conscious eatery and delicatessen shop that serves a mouth-watering range of Brestoise specialities created with locally sourced organic products. A savant mix of cosy and trendy – think checkerboard walls, modern art, warm colours and mood-lighting – Le Potager de Meme is a real local’s address. Order flavoursome végétarien


clafouti, a colourful tart stuffed with caramelised vegetables and topped with tangy sheep’s cheese, then try the brine-fresh harengs (herrings) served on a bed of samphire. Top off your vitamin-packed meal with a fresh fruit salad marinated in an organic tea and pear coulis – and don’t forget to wash it down with one of his locally sourced beers or wines.

In a city where the sea air and wonderful scenery incite al fresco activities, visitors tend to overlook Le Musée de La Marine. The title might sounds dull and dusty, but even if you’re not a fan of museums, Le Musée de La Marine, set inside Brest’s atmospheric mediaeval castle, will win you over with its enchanting collection of model ships, paintings and sculptures that give a fascinating


insight into life in Brest through the centuries. Dedicated to the history of the local navy, the exhibition is accompanied by a lively audio guide that explains the main exhibits on show. Take a leisurely ramble along the castle ramparts afterwards and enjoy panoramic views over Brest town and the city’s colourful commercial port.

If you’re a fan of Charlie and The Chocolate Factory or you’ve always wondered what black bee honey, or seaweed- flavoured chocolate tastes like, L’Histoire de Chocolate is the one-stop shop for you. Artisans of Brest have been making chocolate since the first shipment of cocoa arrived here in 1679, but award-winning chocolate-maker Jean-Yves Kermarrec and his team have taken

the art of fabricating these sophisticated sweets one step further with specialities like the Littoral, a chocolate-covered caramel made with local seasalt, and a crunchy chocolate bar made with spices from the mediaeval town of Guerande, called Delices de Beniguet.

A living legend for locals, this lively bar decorated with images of comic strip characters has just celebrated 22 years of existence. At the heart of the hip-and-happening quartier Saint Martin area, come to Le Comix to read comic books, listen to some of the


region’s best live music, or sip on sumptuous cocktails like champagne and crème de cassis combination, Kir Royale, or local Brestoise speciality chouchen, a fermented, honey-based drink dating back to the middle ages.

Far from the more touristy haunts of Brest’s old town, Quai Malbert’s port where the city’s old seadogs gather to watch the bustle of tatty vessels and gleaming yachts sail in-and-out, is an ideal spot to soak up the real atmosphere of this nautical town. Stroll down the quay to see the shipyards where boats have been built for centuries, catch a glimpse of white-sailed historical schooner La Recouvrance, then wander along to the Jardin de

L’Academie de la Marine, a pine-studded park where you can get some great photos of the city’s port. Finish your stroll along this quay dedicated to French mariner Commandant Malbert, at Vinomania, a trendy wine bar where you can taste some of the best local tipples served with tangy goat’s cheese and olive nibbles.

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