Weathering the Storm: Soundtrack of Survival
Heatwaves, storms, wildfires, and droughts increasingly challenge outdoor festivals — but smart planning can reduce the impact. Here’s how to prepare
Feature By IQ | 5 January 2026
Across Europe, extreme weather events due to the impact of climate change are no longer the rare occurrences they used to be. Yet, while these events are escalating, much of their impact on festivals is still preventable with the right preparation.
Prof. Miguel Almeida of the University of Coimbra in Portugal described the consequences for events at the European Festival Conference in November. “We all know the consequences of climate change,” he said. “More heatwaves, more dryness, more heavy rain, more strong winds. Each of these elements can trigger real hazards for festivals – from wildfires and flying debris to contaminated water sources and serious public-health impacts like heat stroke and dehydration.”
According to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) projections, Europe is heading for…
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