Romania’s Beach, Please! Festival Claims Title of Europe’s Largest, Draws Over 500,000 Attendees in 2025

COSTINEȘTI, Romania – The 2025 edition of the Beach, Please! music festival, held on the Black Sea coast in Costinești, Romania, has officially surpassed its predecessors and peers, asserting its position as the largest music festival in Europe by total estimated footfall. Over a five-day period, the event welcomed more than 500,000 attendees to its sprawling 21-hectare site, a figure that organizers state sets a new benchmark for the continent’s festival circuit.

Scale and Infrastructure Development

The sheer scale of the 2025 festival necessitated significant infrastructure investment and development. The event site, covering 21 hectares, underwent substantial transformation to accommodate the record-breaking crowds and ambitious production elements. This year’s enhancements included the paving of 6 hectares to improve accessibility and flow, alongside environmentally conscious initiatives such as the planting of over 500 trees.

Further bolstering the site’s functionality and safety, 10 kilometers of underground utility networks were installed, providing essential services across the vast area. Forty-five fire hydrants were strategically placed throughout the venue, demonstrating a commitment to robust safety measures for the half-million-strong attendance.

The festival also pushed technical boundaries, featuring what organizers claim is the largest stage structure and the most powerful sound system ever implemented on the European continent. These elements were integral to delivering performances by a diverse lineup of international and national artists, including prominent acts such as A$AP Rocky, ensuring a high-quality experience commensurate with the event’s new status.

A “Real City” and International Draw

The rapid expansion and comprehensive infrastructure have led to organizers describing the festival site as akin to a “real city.” Selly, also known as Andrei Șelaru, a co-founder of the event, remarked on the transformative nature of the site development, highlighting how it supports the massive temporary population it hosts annually. This year’s demographic included a significant international contingent, with over 15,000 tourists traveling from abroad specifically to attend Beach, Please!

This substantial influx of international visitors underscores the festival’s growing appeal beyond national borders and its increasing prominence on the global entertainment calendar. The organizers have actively cultivated this international dimension, viewing it as key to the festival’s long-term sustainability and impact.

Economic Impact and Strategic Investment

From its inception, Beach, Please! has been framed by its organizers as a long-term strategic investment rather than merely a seasonal event. The 2025 edition saw a substantial financial commitment, with €16 million allocated specifically for event production, covering everything from artist fees and stage design to technical setup and operational logistics.

In addition to production costs, €3 million was invested directly into site development, reflecting the permanent infrastructure upgrades implemented for the 2025 event and future editions. These investments are projected to generate a significant return for the local economy.

An estimated economic impact exceeding €70 million for the Costinești region and surrounding areas is attributed to the festival. This impact stems from attendee spending on accommodation, dining, transport, and local services, as well as employment generated directly and indirectly by the event. Over 4,500 people were employed on-site to manage the logistics, production, security, and guest services required for the festival’s operation, making it a major temporary employer in the region.

Conclusion

The 2025 Beach, Please! festival marks a pivotal moment in the European music festival landscape. By achieving the status of Europe’s largest festival by attendance and demonstrating a commitment to significant infrastructure investment and high-quality production, the event solidifies its position as a major cultural and economic force. Its success highlights Romania’s growing capacity to host large-scale international events and its potential as a premier destination on the global festival map. The organizers’ vision of a permanent, self-sustaining festival city appears to be rapidly becoming a reality, promising continued growth and impact in the years to come.