Sziget, Exit, and Lowlands were among the winners at the European Festival Awards 2025.
The awards were handed out on the opening night of ESNS in Groningen, hosted by IQ journalist Lisa Henderson and A Greener Future CEO Claire O’Neill.
Festivals from more than 30 countries participated and 300,000 votes were cast by the public.
This resulted in 104 shortlisted nominees in 13 distinct categories, not counting the Lifetime Achievement Award.
European Festival Awards 2025 winners
The Take a Stand Award, presented by Take A Stand
Sziget Festival (Hungary)
Line-Up of the Year, presented by IQ Magazine
Lowlands (The Netherlands)
The Event Safety Award, presented by Citymesh & YES Group
Rock for People (Czech Republic)
Agent of the Year
Steve Zapp (ITB)
Best Small Festival
Dynamo Metalfest (The Netherlands)
Newcomer of the Year, presented by ESNS
The awards were handed out on the opening night of ESNS in Groningen, hosted by IQ journalist Lisa Henderson and A Greener Future CEO Claire O’Neill.
Festivals from more than 30 countries participated and 300,000 votes were cast by the public.
This resulted in 104 shortlisted nominees in 13 distinct categories, not counting the Lifetime Achievement Award.
Sziget Festival (Hungary)
Line-Up of the Year, presented by IQ Magazine
Lowlands (The Netherlands)
The Event Safety Award, presented by Citymesh & YES Group
Rock for People (Czech Republic)
Agent of the Year
Steve Zapp (ITB)
Best Small Festival
Dynamo Metalfest (The Netherlands)
Newcomer of the Year, presented by ESNS
Addison Rae (USA)
The Brand Activation Award
Pinkpop with Libresse (The Netherlands)
Best Medium-Sized Festival, presented by Access All Areas
Pohoda Festival (Slovakia)
The Green Operations Award, presented by GO Group
Štěrkovna Open Music (Czech Republic)
Best Major Festival, presented by: Eventim
Paléo Festival Nyon (Switzerland)
The Award for Excellence & Passion
Stephan Thanscheidt, FKP Scorpio (Germany)
Promoter of the Year, presented by Pollstar
Exit Festival (Serbia)
New Kid on the Block
Kristína Mlynárová, Pohoda Festival (Slovakia)
The Lifetime Achievement Award
Ewald Tatar (Austria)
The Brand Activation Award
Pinkpop with Libresse (The Netherlands)
Best Medium-Sized Festival, presented by Access All Areas
Pohoda Festival (Slovakia)
The Green Operations Award, presented by GO Group
Štěrkovna Open Music (Czech Republic)
Best Major Festival, presented by: Eventim
Paléo Festival Nyon (Switzerland)
The Award for Excellence & Passion
Stephan Thanscheidt, FKP Scorpio (Germany)
Promoter of the Year, presented by Pollstar
Exit Festival (Serbia)
New Kid on the Block
Kristína Mlynárová, Pohoda Festival (Slovakia)
The Lifetime Achievement Award
Ewald Tatar (Austria)