Electric Castle 2025: 10 moments not to miss this week at Transylvania’s 24-hour festival
Backdropped by the rolling hills of Transylvania and framed by the gothic ruins of a 17th-century estate, Electric Castle is a round-the-clock playground of sound, light, food, fashion, and culture
Bánffy Castle’s gates are open and the five-day spectacle of Electric Castle 2025 is officially underway.
This year’s edition runs from 16–20 July, with headline sets from Justin Timberlake, Queens of the Stone Age, Yungblud and Justice, plus big-name appearances from Bicep (bringing their new CHROMA AV DJ set), RUDIMΞNTAL, Shaggy, Sofi Tukker, Artemas and many more.
And beyond the stacked lineup lies a world of discovery, from castle corridor raves and forest chillouts to hot air balloons and late-night cinema.
Rolling Stone UK is on the ground in Bonțida all week, but if you’re heading there yourself, here are 10 must-do experiences to catch before the gates close.
1. Queens of the Stone Age make their long-awaited return
Originally booked for last year’s 10th anniversary edition, Josh Homme and co are finally making it to Electric Castle. The Friday night headline set promises heavy riffs and desert swagger in what’s sure to be one of the most anticipated performances of the week.
2. Yungblud headlines with a nine-minute epic
Yungblud will be making his headline debut at Electric Castle on Saturday, off the back of his own BludFest festival in the UK. Expect a legendary live rendition of his epic new nine-minute track ‘Hello, Heaven, Hello!’ to set the tone for the evening’s proceedings.
3. Justice bring their audio-visual spectacle
Saturday also sees Justice take over the main stage with their new Hyperdrama tour, a maximalist masterclass in electronic sound and light. If you want find out why this is one of the greatest shows on tour right now, dive into our 5-star review of their recent show in London.
4. Refused take their final bow
It’s the last chance to see Refused live, as the influential Swedish punk band make Electric Castle one of their final tour stops. Hardcore fans won’t want to miss this emotional farewell on Thursday.
5. Discoveries beyond the main stage
With 10 stages running day and night, there’s room for exploration. Ones to watch this year include alt-pop newcomers Soft Launch and viral sensation Artemas, alongside a constant stream of new and emerging artists.
6. Explore the Castle Markets and lakeside hideaways
The festival grounds stretch far beyond the main arena. By day, wander the Castle Markets for fashion, design and art pop-ups. Around the grounds, discover a shaded forest, a tranquil lake, and even a beach.
7. Take to the skies
Want a break from the madness? Electric Castle offers hot air balloon rides across the site and surrounding countryside, giving you the chance to take in the scale and beauty of it all from above.
8. Dance through the night (and morning)
One of Europe’s only true 24-hour festivals, Electric Castle keeps the music going round the clock. Whether it’s Berlin favourites Brutalismus 3000 or cult online acts like Fish56Octagon, the rave never stops.
9. Feast your way around Taste of Transylvania
For a breather, the Taste of Transylvania experience delivers food demos and fine dining pop-ups. There’s also a BBQ area with a stocked supermarket, so you can pick your own ingredients and grill up a feast of your own.
10. Spend a day in Cluj-Napoca
Before or after the festival, make time for Cluj-Napoca, the unofficial capital of Transylvania. It’s just a short distance from the site and offers art galleries, bars, and a creative urban buzz that makes it well worth the detour.
Electric Castle 2025 takes place at Bánffy Castle, Romania, between 16 and 20 July.