Must-Attend Music Festivals in Romania

Visiting Romania must be on your ‘bucket list’, this country having much to offer not only through its breathtaking sceneries, unspoiled sites, welcoming people, fascinating tales, and good food, but through the multitude of music festivals held each year. Indie, alternative, folk, rock, and electronic are only some of the genres covered by the multiple festivals and events the rather small country hosts, events to which every serious music lover should tend to at least once. Chances are that after you go to one of these events you will come back for more as the crowd always knows how to have fun, artists giving their best performances as they are inspired by the great reception received.

Untold

Electronic music is loved by many, some of whom even practice their skills at home and in small venues before hitting it big. But what does it take to make it as a DJ? While the gear is an important factor, and talent and perseverance are irreplaceable, you also have to observe masters at play, carefully listen to their mixes and analyze the way they turn crowds in their favor with their performances. A perfect place to watch all DJ masters in action is Untold, a festival held each year in the city Cluj-Napoca, one that aspiring DJs have a lot to learn from, and where all electronic music passionate people should come as it gathers the greatest talents in the industry for a few days in the same location.

The inception of Untold was in 2015 and it is held at the beginning of August. The 4-day festival hosted resounding names like the now regretfully passed away Avicii, Armin van Buuren, Fedde le Grand, David Guetta, and ATB. The event was such a success that it became a yearly event, the first rendition even receiving the title of the Best Major Festival in the European Festival Awards 2015 gala. Other important names that have graced this festival since then include Faithless, Marshmello, Tiesto, Lost Frequencies, Axwell & Ingrosso, Martin Garrix, Kygo, Diplo, and hundreds other more.

Electric Castle

With its first edition held in 2013 when the event even became a nominee for the Best Medium Sized Festival category in the European Festival Awards, Electric Castle has since then activated each year, drawing in fans of alternative rock, reggae, electronic music, experimental, indie, and hip hop with the long list of prestigious artists invited, some of the most resounding names including Bastille, Skrillex, Rudimental, The Prodigy, and Fatboy Slim.

 

What separates this event from all others though is the location. It is set at the Bánffy Castle in Bontida, a castle built in the 15th century and once considered the Versailles of the Transylvanian region of the country. The breathtaking beauty of the scene as well as the heart stealing music that unfolds during the four days while the festival is held make it an unparalleled event.

Neversea

Held in July and new to the game as opposed to the festivals we previously talked about, the first edition being held in 2017 when the line-up consisted of names like Dua Lipa, Tiesto, Afrojack, Jason Derulo, and more, Neversea is slowly becoming one of the most important musical events in Europe, not only in the country that hosts it. What makes it so appealing isn’t only the fact that big names are always invited but that it is held beachside by the Black Sea. It’s the middle of summer, the weather is hot and the drinks are cold, so there’s no other place to be than at Neversea.

Summer Well

Another ambitious project that was bound to be successful since the get-go, Summer Well has quite a history as it is the oldest of the festivals listed here, its first edition taking place back in 2011 in Buftea. It is a 3-day event that caters to the tastes of alternative music fans, and as it is held during late summer, the weather is always perfect, letting people enjoy the music and the beautiful surroundings. A lot of important names have been invited over the years, including Kodaline, Justice, Cigarettes After Sex, Bastille, and Sofi Tukker, to name a few.

Other important festivals worth checking out

• Jazz in the Park – It takes place in Cluj-Napoca, and it is a mid-summer festival that is held outdoors, people who come here usually putting up hammocks to sit in, getting in touch with nature, and sitting on the grass while enjoying quality music.
• Sunwaves – It is held at the beginning of May, end of April, and the location is Mamaia. An electronic music festival that fans hold dearly not only due to the superb location and great attending artists, but due to the overwhelming atmosphere as well, you must make it a point to attend at least once.

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A small country in the Balkans, Romania has surprisingly much to offer. As breathtaking as it may be to visit as a tourist due to its unspoiled places and nature sites, sightseeing isn’t the only reason to visit it as there are plenty of music festivals that are worth attending.