Rising U.S. pop star Addison Rae was the hottest newcomer, Switzerland’s Paléo Festival Nyon was the best major festival, Holland’s Lowlands had the greatest lineup, and Serbia’s Exit Festival scooped promoter of the year at the European Festival Awards 2025, recognizing the best fests on the Continent.
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Announced this week, festivals from over 30 countries participated in the awards, now in its 15th year, with 300,000 votes cast by the public.
All told, 104 nominees were shortlisted in 13 distinct categories, not counting the lifetime achievement award, won by Austria’s Ewald Tatar.
The awards ceremony took place on the opening night of the four-day annual ESNS music showcase festival and conference, presented Jan. 14-17 in Groningen, The Netherlands.
Other winners on the night include dHungary’s Sziget Festival (The Take a Stand Award), Czech Republic’s Rock for People (The Event Safety Award) and ITB’s Steve Zapp won for agent of the year.
All the winners of the European Festival Awards 2025:
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 — Addison Rae (U.S.)
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)
