Europe is the global capital of hard dance culture, and in 2026 fans of hardcore, uptempo, frenchcore, hardstyle, rawstyle and drum & bass will have no shortage of world-class festivals to choose from. Whether you’re looking for the euphoric melodies of hardstyle, the brutal speed of uptempo, or the rolling basslines of DnB, these are the essential events to mark in your calendar.
Defqon.1 Festival – The Netherlands
The biggest hardstyle and hardcore festival in the world. Organized by Q-dance, Defqon.1 is a three-day pilgrimage for fans of all harder styles. Expect euphoric and raw hardstyle, hardcore, uptempo, frenchcore and even experimental crossovers. Known for its massive mainstage, endshow fireworks and unique community atmosphere.
Dominator Festival – The Netherlands
The world’s largest hardcore-only festival, dedicated entirely to the harder edge: hardcore, uptempo, terror, frenchcore, and beyond. A must-visit for anyone who lives and breathes 200+ BPM.
Let It Roll – Czech Republic
The ultimate destination for drum & bass fans. Let It Roll is the biggest DnB festival globally, featuring dozens of stages, hundreds of artists and an opening show that has become legendary. Every DnB subgenre is represented – from liquid to neurofunk to crossbreed.
Intents Festival – The Netherlands
Known for its spectacular stage designs and diverse lineup, Intents blends euphoric and raw hardstyle with hardcore, uptempo and freestyle. One of the best early-summer options for fans of the harder spectrum.
Decibel Outdoor – The Netherlands
A multi-genre hard dance giant. Decibel offers an enormous variety across its stages, with everything from classic hardstyle to raw, hardcore, uptempo and hard techno. Perfect for fans who want to explore every corner of the hard scene in one weekend.
Masters of Hardcore – The Netherlands
The most iconic indoor hardcore event in Europe, hosted by Art of Dance. Masters of Hardcore has a long history of pushing the hardcore and uptempo scene forward with unmatched energy.
Syndicate Festival – Germany
Germany’s largest indoor festival dedicated to the harder styles. With stages for hardcore,