Picture this : it’s summer, you’re by a Portuguese lake, hair blowing in the breeze, feet bare in the grass (yes, go on, get comfy!). Around you, thousands of people from all over the world have gathered to dance to the rhythm of psy-trance but also (and above all) to celebrate a shared commitment : living the festival spirit while respecting the planet. Welcome to Boom Festival !

Why this festival stands out ?

Boom Festival takes place every two years in Idanha-a-Nova (Castelo Branco district), Portugal. But it’s not “just” a music festival, it’s a hybrid experience that blends trance, visual art, personal development workshops, radical ecology, and a truly international community. The full package !

Trance + nature = double experience

On one side, the music: psy-trance, live sets, international DJs, and multiple stages like the “Dance Temple,” “Alchemy Circle,” and “Being Fields.” On the other, the ecology : “zero waste” mode, solar and wind energy, chemical-free toilets, water treatment, permaculture… And no, they’re not pretending. So yes, you can party all night and save a tree the next morning (well, almost! ).

A day at Boom (as if you were there)

You arrive in the late afternoon. The sun slowly sets behind the hills, the beats start to pulse. You drop your bag, kick off your shoes (or keep them for the midnight set). You walk toward the “Dance Temple” : deep basslines, strobing lights, silhouettes floating, dancing, almost levitating. You breathe in : the air smells of earth, plants, and sound, all your senses awaken ! Nearby, a food stand offers organic local dishes. You grab a bowl of something you’d never order back home (but hey, why not try ?), and here, it just feels right. You wander through a visual art installation, stop to take it in, the message is clear: the planet is beautiful, and so is the celebration. When night falls, you’re in the “Chill-Out Gardens,” lying on a blanket, watching the stars, listening to ambient music while others dance farther away. The next morning, instead of waking up with a hangover, you wake up to a fair-trade coffee under the trees (yes, it sounds cliché, but it’s true). You’ve joined a festival and a movement. Not bad, right ?

Eco-commitment & purpose

Boom Festival doesn’t mess around when it comes to sustainability. Their “No waste” motto isn’t for show : there are recycling points, wash stations, renewable energy, and eco-awareness everywhere. And the bonus ? No giant sponsors blasting “Buy this !” ads. Boom is fully independent, no flashy logos and wow, that feels good.

Why it feels so good ?

Because we’re tired of festivals that are all glitter and no conscience. Here, you can truly combine “vacation, music, fun” with “values, nature, meaning.” Because yes, we want to dance, but we don’t want to forget the world around us. Because we’re a generation that wants groove and purpose and for a few days, we can have both. And honestly… dancing in a Portuguese forest, your feet a little damp from the grass, great sound, smiles all around ? Beats a cocktail bar any day.

Practical info

The festival is biennial, with the next edition scheduled for July 2026 (perfect timing, better start booking now !).

Location : Idanha-a-Nova (the setting alone will make you breathe easier).

Book early : tickets sell out fast and plan your stay (on-site camping or local accommodation).

Wear closed or semi-closed shoes (natural terrain = occasional mud).

Bring sunscreen, a reusable bottle (yes, really be responsible !).

And stay curious : by day, there are workshops, talks, and yoga, not just all-night parties.

Boom Festival isn’t just another festival. It’s a moment where trance meets consciousness, where celebration becomes action. Where the planet, even for a few days, isn’t stepped on, it’s respected. So if you’re looking for an event that makes you feel and think, that mixes the dance floor with the meadow and the song of the birds, Boom is your place !

And don’t forget : dance like no one’s watching… because that’s part of the Boom magic (and honestly, who’s going to remember how you danced anyway ?). Peace !