The European festival scene holds no bars in terms of appropriation when it comes to scale, execution and setting. From intimate raves in glaciers, extended weekends in budget holiday parks to pop-up stages in the middle of nowhere, if there was ever a "right way" to do a festival, the Europeans would know.

Setting aside the worldwide household names, we’ve concocted a list of 16 festivals we’ve been to (and loved) and think you will too for 2016. From the megabucks camping trips with up to half a million attendees, to the laid-back affairs where you can actually hear your friends' conversations, to festivals full of glitter, sand or snow, this list will cover any bizarre requirements you and your mates will have in regards to having a dance, a drink and an all-round good time.

1. Bugged Out Weekender, UK

Set in the (ahem) idyllic surroundings of the Butlin’s flagship holiday resort in seaside town Bognor Regis, Bugged Out returns every January for a no-frills adult weekender of dinnertime raving, debauchery and cruelly thin bed sheets. Clubbers from all over Europe descend upon the quaint development to indulge in some of the biggest names in house and techno music with the luxury of a substantial, albeit uncomfortable, camp bed in a four-bedroom chalet not too far away from the club spaces. The club spaces themselves are auditoriums that were once filled with holiday entertainers (called Redcoats at Butlins, due to their uniform) that are then transformed into immense spaces for two stepping and carpet burns, making this a bizarre experience you cannot fail to enjoy.

2. Lollapalooza Berlin, Germany

The fourth international location for the world-renowned Lollapalooza festival in Chicago, Berlin’s Tempelhof Airport transforms into a stomping ground for dance hungry festival-goers. Last year saw the likes of Everything Everything, Fatboy Slim and Tame Impala headlining, which understandably earned the fest the title of Best New Festival at this year’s European Festival Awards.

3. Sziget, Hungary

Winner of Best Lineup at the the European Festival Awards, Sziget has been described as the European version of Burning Man. The prime location on the island of Obdubai-sziget combined with a 24-hour mix of art, culture and dancing results in Sziget leading a festival revolution for Hungary in terms of lineup diversity, production and execution. From Russian fashion shows, interactive art to Martin Garrix’s firework-fueled performance, Sziget really has it all.

4. Tomorrowland, Belgium

It's a bit of an obvious contender when it comes to European festivals, but still nonetheless definitely one to visit before you die. Indeed, Tomorrowland is one of the biggest electronic dance festivals in not only Europe, but the world, with 360,000 attending in 2014. For the tenth anniversary last year, Tomorrowland not only broke all the rules but rewrote their own, including giant disco balls, exploding butterflies and active volcanoes with every flavor of electronica on offer.

5. Secret Garden Party, UK

This UK fest is a crazy party where the more pink wigs, glittery faces and tin foil trousers there are, the better. Set in a 220-acre landscaped garden in Cambridgeshire, the Secret Garden Party resembles a Mad Hatter’s Tea Party mixed with a summer in Narnia, and the side effects of some questionable mushrooms found in your backyard. The 32,000-capacity festival is divided into two sides of the lake, with the ear splitting main stages a safe distance from the chilled out acoustic tents. This year’s theme is "The Gardeners Guide to the Galaxy" so expect people in space-age costumes, acting like robots or enacting utopian or dystopian futures. All ages are able to attend, making this a great family getaway if you have a burning desire to roll yourself and your kids in feathers and glitter.

6. Untold Festival, Romania

The largest annual EDM festival in Romania, Untold is back for its second year to pump Cluj-Napoca with classical renditions from Mozart, David Guetta, Dimitri Vegas & Like Mike (I’m kidding about Mozart). If man vests, white ankle socks and fist pumping is your thing, this is the place for you. Last year’s inaugural event attracted a whopping 240,000 guests over the four days, earning the title of Best Major Festival at this year's European Festival Awards.

7. Gottwood, UK

An incredibly underrated independent festival hidden away in the Anglesey woods, Gottwood is one of the most mystical and intimate underground events the UK has to offer. Now returning for its seventh edition of the electronic music and arts festival, this year’s lineup includes Maribou State, tINI and Ben UFO.

8. Love International, Croatia

Taking place over an impressive eight days in July, Love International separates the men (and women) from the mice in regards to party stamina. Conceived from the people that ran The Garden Festival (which had its tenth and final outing in summer 2015), this certainly isn’t an event to be scoffed at. Tune in and drop out as you please, curling up in a cabana during lunchtime for a much needed disco nap.

9. Melt!, Germany

A staple ingredient in any electronic music fan’s diet, Melt! has remained one of the biggest open air festivals in Germany since 1997. Regularly hailed as one of Resident Advisor’s Top 10 Festivals to visit in July, this year promises a smorgasbord of shoulder rubbing and two stepping in an old industrial quarry to the likes of Jamie XX, DJ Koze and Ben Klock. Techno presented in a truly industrial setting, Melt! is a match made in electronic heaven.

10. Love Saves The Day, UK

2016 sees the return of LSTD to Bristol, a hub for great music on the UK’s west side. The location is Eastville Park and we’re sure it will be another love-fueled glitter binge. Last year saw unicorns, spacemen and drag queens alike congregate for a bumper weekend of sloppy smooches, body paint and Four Tet. Oh, and there’s also an inflatable church if you fancy jumping down the aisle and getting married.

11. Voltt Loves Summer, The Netherlands

Recently celebrating its tenth birthday, Voltt will be back once more for a daytime August rave in Amsterdam’s huge industrial space, NDSM docklands. This ideal 11 am - 11 pm affair allows guests a respectable bedtime, which is what we all look for in a festival, right? But don’t be fooled by the timing as this is no simple festival, instead sporting four tents and two open-air stages to get your jaws around. Following a strict lineup code of absolute techno including Scuba, Adam Beyer and Alan Fitzpatrick, the shipyard-based event is a rite of passage for any diehard tech-head.

12. Secret Solstice, Iceland

Described as one of the most unique events the festival industry has to offer, Secret Solstice takes hedonism to an entirely different level, hosting the 10,000 capacity event during June’s summer solstice resulting in 24-hour sunlight for all 72 hours of the festival. Think geothermal pool parties, beer shaped hot tubs, and Wu-Tang Clan with the spectacular backdrop of the Reykjavík mountains. Last year they hosted the world’s first (and only) rave inside a glacier, now bringing it back in 2016 for two parties hosting 100 guests each.

13. Benicassim, Spain

With a reputation as one of the best international music festivals Europe has to offer, Benicassim continues to live up to its name after a twenty-year span. Dedicated to rock, pop and electronic music, Benicassim has seen the likes of Bob Dylan, Oasis and Boys Noize take to the stage, providing multiple genres of talent for its young, party-oriented crowd. The festival site’s close proximity to multiple beaches is a favorite with festival-goers, allowing some down time between sets.

14. Horizon Festival, Bulgaria

Known for hosting parties in obscure places, Horizon Festival’s agenda for 2016 boasts an impressive 15 different venues this year. Out of sight, but certainly not out of mind (or earshot) in Bulgaria’s Bankso Ski Resort, Horizon is well regarded as Europe’s greatest ski party. If skiing's not really your thing, fear not, as there are plenty of bars and stages to keep you occupied and off the ice – or in my case, wedged between trees. Also for this year, Horizon has exclusively commandeered a derelict (and allegedly haunted) hotel for a one-off labyrinth of unexpected party rooms. Scary.

15. NOS Primavera Sound, Portugal

The child of Barcelona’s world famous indie fest, NOS Primavera is set to celebrate its fifth birthday in 2016, showing its Spanish parents just who’s growing up as an undeniable success. With a lineup focusing on renowned heroes and indie up-and-comers, the extension of the Primavera brand works synonymously with the Portuguese summer. Last year’s lineup included FKA Twigs, Interpol and Jungle; expect more of the same high standard for this year.

16. Creamfields, Ibiza

Usually a haven for crazy cats from Liverpool, dipped in head to toe North Face gear and bucket hats, any festival-goer who has attended Creamfields on British soil will tell you it’s an experience and a half. Now extending the Cream megabrand to Ibiza for a day-long festival in August, luxury hotels/clubs Ushuaia and Hard Rock Hotel are preparing themselves (and the road) for a 20,000 capacity event in the heart of Playa D’en Bossa, with stages hosted by house and techno promoters ANTS and BBC Radio 1. It should be a big one.