25+ of Europe’s best mind, body, spirits and wellness festivals in 2020

I used to love music festivals. The one place I felt truly at home. Where I could watch my most idolised bands, discover new ones, dance like crazy, sing at the top of my voice (apologies if you ever had the misfortune to be standing next to me!), meet likeminded people, and yes, get wasted.  

Enter the whole new experience with mind, body, spirits, and wellness festivals.

Now that the appeal of getting out of my head has lost its shine I want more from my festival experiences. 

These days I want to try new things – creative workshops, gong baths, perspective-changing talks, alternative therapies, delicious, wholesome food, as well as different styles of yoga and meditation, all with the chance to meet people with fresh outlooks. 

And crucially I want to fully appreciate them in the moment, and be able to remember them afterwards!

I prefer the novel concept of leaving a festival feeling better than when I arrived, rather than needing to book days off work to recover.

So if that sounds like you too, here is a pretty exhaustive list of mind, body, and wellness festivals and events you might want to try in 2019.

Live Well London

28 Feb – 1 March, Old Billingsgate, London, UK

Bringing together the latest in health, fitness and wellbeing, Live Well London is more of an expo where you can trial new fitness classes by celebrity trainers, listen to talks from wellness experts, try yoga and meditation, pick up diet tips in the Live Cooking and Nutrition Theatre, all while tasting, testing and shopping innovative products.
www.livewelllondon.com/welcome

Agape Zoe Hamburg

7 – 8 March, Hamburg, Germany

Agápē means Love, and Zoé Life. The Agape Zoe Healing Arts Festivals are a tribute to life, the art of self-development and holistic healing. Experience two days of yoga, healing, mindfulness, bodywork, conscious breath, music, dance, philosophy, and concerts – with outstanding teachers, healers & visionaries. One of the best wellness festivals in Germany.
agapezoe.com/de/hamburg/

Agape Zoe Berlin

25 – 26 April, Berlin, Germany

The EDEN dance studios & garden in Berlin transform into a colourful kaleidoscope of the good life with yoga, healing arts, mindfulness, bodywork, philosophy, dance and concerts from over 40 outstanding teachers, healers & visionaries.
agapezoe.com/de/berlin-festival/berlin-tickets/

Wellbeing Festival

22 – 25 May, Olympia London
30 October – 1 November, Birmingham NEC

Mind Body Spirit Festival was the first exhibition in the world dedicated to the pursuit of healthier and more fulfilling lifestyles. This year they’re bringing life tips, tools and inspiration to London’s Olympia in May and Birmingham NEC in November. Expect motivational speakers, health food and holistic retreat exhibitors, plus a range of experiences to trial including wellbeing studios, spas and pop-up temples.
www.mindbodyspirit.co.uk

Yogafruhling Gastein

21 May – 1 June, Gastein, Austria

Yoga on top of the world, against the awe-inspiring backdrop of the majestic Hohe Tauern mountain. Twice a year, in Spring and Autumn, you can take part in this, the largest yoga event in Europe. 40+ yoga teachers from Austria and Germany teach more than 300 yoga classes, and not just in yoga rooms – Experience yoga on the yoga platform at the waterfall, or on the summit of the Stubnerkogel with a view of the Hohe Tauern National Park. Stay in cute Alpine guesthouses, and create your own yoga & wellness itinerary. 
yoga-gastein.com

Namaste on the lake

29 – 31 May Wörthersee, Austria

Expect plenty of yoga mixed water-based activities such as Stand-up paddleboarding at this festival situated on the stunning lake Wörthersee.
yoga.woerthersee.com/yogafestival/

Yoga & Sound Festival

18 – 21 June, Steinberger See, Bavaria, Germany

They may not have much coastline, but the Germans really know how to make the most of their lakes. Yoga & Sound Festival is based around the pretty Steinberger See and features 114 workshops, 52 yoga teachers and artists, 4 days of great music and fun for the whole family.
www.yoga-sound-sea-festival.com

Yoga Festival Terschelling

26 – 28 June, Terschelling, Netherlands

Connect is the theme of this the 13th annual Terschelling festival based on the beautiful nature of Terschelling island, featuring 4 days of yoga, meditation, tantra, mindfulness. With plenty to keep both beginners and experienced yogis occupied, and musicians from all around the world.
www.yogafestivalterschelling.nl/

Barcelona Yoga Conference

2 – 6 July, Barcelona, Spain

More of a conference than festival, the BYC welcomes participants of all ages, backgrounds, and levels of experience, and encourages all attendees to communicate, make genuine connections and practice as a community. During the conference visitors have access to many yoga styles, internationally-acclaimed yoga teachers, and free activities. They also get to immerse in music and dancing outdoors in the Escola del Sagrat Cor grounds.
www.barcelonayogaconference.cat/

Feel Festival

9 – 13 July, Bergheider See, Germany

Feel, at Camp Carlowitz, in between Dresden and Berlin is a growing festival with a big reputation. Whilst it should be noted that there is still an electronic music angle to the event for visitors to dance away until the wee hours, there is also a large programme of creativity, yoga, body awareness and meditation workshops, hands-on activities and lectures on sustainability.
feel-festival.de

Twelve Om: Athens Yoga Festival

18 July – 20 July, Athens, Greece

The Athens Yoga Festival will be set in an iconic venue in the footsteps of the Acropolis.

A 3-day yogic celebration, featuring more than 100 offerings including yoga workshops, meditation in high energy places, philosophy sessions in the land where it was born, kirtans, concerts, parties with DJs, walks on historic paths, and a food market with delicious – and one of my favourites – Greek cuisine.

twelveom.com/

European Yoga Festival

25 July – 2 August, Mur de Sologne, France

Set in a beautiful chateau south of Orleans the European Yoga Festival brings together 2,000 people to practice Kundalini Yoga and other activities based on the teachings of Yogi Bhajan for 8 days – including 3 days of White Tantra Yoga. Expect a special Ayurvedic diet, inspirational workshops, music, singing, dancing and fun. Newcomers to yoga are also more than welcome.
www.3ho-kundalini-yoga.eu/de/eventsaktivitaeten/europaeisches-yogafestival/

World Yoga Festival

30 July – 2 August, Reading, UK

An outstanding opportunity to learn from true yoga masters, the World Yoga Festival brings together a most revered collection of yoga, meditation and wisdom teachers. Four rejuvenating days incorporating yoga asana from many different lineages, pranayama, meditation, non-duality, Ayurveda, chanting, kirtan, wisdom talks and music concerts.
www.yogafestival.world/yogafestivaluk

Wilderness Festival

30 July – 2 August, Cornbury Park, Oxfordshire, UK

Primarily a music festival, but Wilderness’ extensive wellness programme and nature-focused setting make it the perfect segue for those wanting to dip their toes in without giving up the big name live music acts completely. This year’s music headliners are Foals, Loyle Carner and Supergrass. Spend the daytime enjoying yoga, meditation, pilates, wellness talks and outdoor activities like wild swimming, archery and wild medicine walks. Then head to the stages or forest clearing dancefloors when the sun goes down.
www.wildernessfestival.com/

Udaya Live

12 – 17 August, Borovets, Bulgaria

An all-inclusive yoga and music retreat set in four-star luxury. From the Main Stage to intimate workshops, celebrate yoga and mindfulness with some of the finest and most diverse yoga teachers & musicians. Drop into an invigorating vinyasa flow set to a live band, or take a more restorative class. Curate your own ideal yoga retreat experience from the diverse programme of activities available.
udayalive.com/

Soul Circus

21 – 23 August, Elmore, Gloucestershire, UK

Held in the picturesque Cotswold hills of Elmore near Gloucester, Soul Circus pitches itself as the ‘definition of balance’. Spend your days trying various yoga types, from aerial to restorative, as well as other exercise classes such as barre and boxing. Then reward yourself with a wide selection of locally sourced, healthy food, live music and DJs, attend a workshop, or simply chill out in a lakeside hot tub. The gardens and woodlands make a beautiful backdrop for the festival’s many light shows and parties, which run late into the night.
www.soulcircus.yoga

Green Man

20 – 23 August, Brecon Beacons, Wales

Ultra-zen hideout-come-retreat, Green Man Festival is a haven for nature lovers, explorers and health enthusiasts alike. Not only does it offer yoga and pilates, they have a dedicated Nature Nurture garden, a quiet corner tucked away in the Welsh countryside complete with gong baths, restorative hot tubs and Indian summer massages.
www.greenman.net

Xperience Festival

19 – 23 August, Bad Weinberg, Germany

Looking for more wellness festivals in Germany? Experience sound & silence, music, mantras, bhakti. Experience heart-opening, connection. Experience lifestyle. Experience yoga, talks, eco-vegan food, cooking shows, workshops, a Fairwear Marketplace and Community. Experience life. Experience Spirit. Experience YOU.
www.xperience-festival.de

Masters of Calm

24 – 2 August, Auksine Giria, Lithuania

Ten days full of dreamy escapades is the way to happiness at Masters of Calm – a conscious holiday summer retreat held every August at Auksine Giria, Lithuania. Here, you get to revitalise your body, mind, and soul amidst like-minded people, taking home an unlocked treasure of life secrets and a transformed self.

http://mastersofcalm.com/

Yoga Festival Lake Constance • Summer Edition

3 – 6 September, Bodensee, Germany

Set on the stunning Lake Constance, enjoy a weekend of yoga, meditation, music, and dancing. With many well-known guest teachers and a diverse program: from Prana Flow to Yoga Dance, Thai Massage, Vinyasa Yoga, Acro Yoga to Kundalini Yoga, Hatha Yoga, Massages, Meditation, Yin Yoga, Fascia Yoga, Ashtanga Yoga, Laughter Yoga, Mantrayoga, Silent Walk at the lake and two big kirtan concerts in the evenings.
yogafestival-bodensee.de 

Mountain Yoga Festival

3 – 6 September, St. Anton, Austria

Yoga and nature lovers looking for a colorful mix of beginner to advanced yoga styles, mountain experiences, forest air bathing, music, and talks should look no further. Set in the stunning Austrian Alps, this charming 4-day festival has everything on paper to leave you feeling refreshed and rejuvenated. If you are going to Austria you can’t miss one of the best wellness festivals in that region.
www.mountainyogafestivalstanton.at

Wanderlust

Various dates and locations

Wanderlust is a global movement of classes and events created to help community members cultivate their best self. They do this by gathering experts, practices and recipes for living a mindful and inspired life, through emphasis on their five pillars of promoting practice, fostering community, acting sustainably, doing good and raising awareness.
https://wanderlust.com/

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Do you know of any great mind, body, spirit and wellness festivals and events that should appear on this list? Let us know by posting in the comments below.