Defqon.1, Solidays, Other EU Festivals Cancelled Due to Heatwave

Photo Credit: Delaney Van

As parts of Europe undergo a sweltering heatwave, several music festivals in France and the Netherlands have been cancelled following official heat alerts.

Authorities in France and the Netherlands have issued heat warnings as temperatures continue to rise across much of Europe, leading to several music festivals being cancelled over the weekend.

That included Solidays, which was scheduled for June 26-28 at the Hippodrome de Longchamp Racecourse in Paris, while other events have been postponed or altered, such as Paris Pride 2026 and the Fête de la Musique street festival. In the Netherlands, Defqon.1, which kicked off on June 25 at Walibi Holland Grounds in Biddinghuizen, was called off early.

“We are absolutely devastated by this development,” wrote Defqon.1 organizers, who were forced to cancel the remainder of the festival on June 26. “This is a blow on every level. Not only by our visitors but also by the artists, crew, creatives, and everyone else who has worked tirelessly over the past year to bring this edition to life.”

Organizers said that the camping grounds and part of the festival grounds would remain open, sans musical programming, but “with all essential facilities available.” That way, attendees were given time to make arrangements for their journeys home after expecting to be at the festival throughout the weekend.

Meanwhile, the Solidays organization, Solidarité Sida, a non-profit dedicated to the fight against AIDS, released a statement on June 26 about the festival’s cancellation. They noted that the French government left it up to local authorities to decide whether events should be cancelled altogether or take place with extra precautions, but they opted to cancel—even though the festival generates around 70% of the organization’s income each year.

“While this decision by the administrative authorities is costly and affects us, it is necessary in the face of the heatwave, due to the pressure on healthcare workers and the hospital system. We understand and accept this,” the organization wrote. “As you can imagine, this decision plunges Solidarité Sida into a harsh reality. The future of the organization and the numerous programs it supports in 21 countries is at stake.”

Other events affected in France include Paris Pride 2026, which has been moved to September, and the Fête de la Musique, which thus far has only banned alcohol consumption as a precaution. Several sporting events are also affected, according to local reports.