This year, festivals have replaced summer vacations More and more young people prefer music festivals to beach holidays
Does summer now rhyme with festival rather than beach holidays? In recent years, more and more young people are spending their holidays at music festivals that offer a short yet intense and meaningful experience. So much so that some prefer these few days of concentrated festivities instead of lying on fine sand for a week. According to a Ipsos study from June 2025, 1 in 3 French people (30%) plan to attend a festival this summer. Among 18-24 year-olds, this rate rises to 64%. The popularity among young people is partly explained by the transformation of festivals in recent years. Today, going to a festival is more than just a musical experience. Like We Love Green or Cabaret Vert, festivals now offer spaces for political discussions, showcase different forms of art such as comedy or comics, and give participants a true sense of community, sharing the same values.
Millennials and Gen Z are generations known for their constant search for meaning, always on the lookout for enriching new experiences. Classic vacations with beaches, drinks, and outings no longer appeal to everyone. Thus, festivals offer an alternative for those who want to spend their summer holidays differently. While some can afford both a holiday in the south and a Lollapalooza weekend, others choose to spend on a festival pass rather than a plane ticket. Because prices are rising more and more. According to an analysis by Le Monde, entrance fees for major festivals in France have increased by 60% in 10 years. In 2015, a one-day pass for We Love Green cost €35. Today, its price has more than doubled, reaching €74. In addition, there are many other expenses to cover: accommodation (or camping), food, drinks, transport, etc. For example, Belgian daily Le Soir reveals that a festival-goer at Les Ardentes spends an average of €426 for 4 days.
A significant budget that increases every year. In the United States, the situation is even more extreme. This year, 60% of participants at the Coachella festival used a payment plan to afford these 2 days of concerts. As a reminder, entry prices start at $500 and go up to $1300 for VIP tickets. Amounts that raise questions when many influencers are paid to attend Coachella. Despite the criticism the organization receives, particularly about the harmful ecological impact on local populations, the influencers’ favorite festival continues to make Americans dream, many of whom are willing to go into debt to live what they see on social media. Certainly, festivals have not replaced summer holidays for everyone, but a growing number of people prefer to spend on festivals to live a unique experience. Still according to Ipsos, the French enjoy attending these events for the pleasure of spending good times with loved ones (35%), for the festive atmosphere (31%), and finally, the chance to release pressure by escaping from their daily life (26%).
