24 Most Epic Festivals From Around the World
Festival season seems a long way from now but we can’t help thinking about them. What’s better than partying with a group of people for the love of music and sharing good food while making new memories? We’ll wait while you think of an answer! Love This City TV is all about the music festivals and we rounded up our favorite twenty-four. So take a travel around the world and remember your favorites or put some new festivals on your list of places to go.
Ever After Festival
Ever After Festival is two nights of nonstop music that goes all out when it comes to the staging and the talent. 2015’s lineup included Diplo, DJ Snake and even Waka Flocka Flame! They pull out all the stops to make sure you have the best two days of your life and it usually pops off the summer and is really cementing itself in the EDM festival circuit. Kitchener has never been the same since Ever After Festival appeared. (Info)
Tomorrowland and Tomorrow World
Tomorrowland and Tomorrow World is another level of festivals. It’s been around for a complete decade and Tomorrowland sets their own bar when it comes to festival standards. The Belgian festival feels like an outer world experience. Headliners like Alesso, Avicii, and David Guetta are a few of the greats that have blessed the stages. This year there were fifteen stages of music, disco balls, butterflies and lots and lots of confetti. Tomorrowland is an outer world experience. Click here to stay up to date about all things Tomorrowland/ Tomorrow World.
Field Day
Field Day is a no frills two day concert in London that involves lots of beer, great foot and partying. Peeps like Run the Jewels, FKA Twigs and Patti Smith have blessed the stage at this carnival. It’s all about the music at London’s Field Day. Festival goers have been transforming Victoria Park into the festival of their dreams for almost a decade. June 11th and 12th 2016 expect the unexpected and feel the music while indulging in some local London cuisine. Click here to stay up on all things Field Day.
South by Southwest
South by Southwest started out as a music festival in Austin Texas and then it turned out to be some kind of media, music, festival where anything can happen. The world stops for a minute and new technology is unveiled and sometimes you even get to check out a new movie before it hits theaters. You never really know what’s going to go down at South By Southwest but you’re okay with that because some of the best performances happen here. Performers like The Weeknd, Snoop Dogg and even Chance the Rapper are just a few entertainers who’ve blessed the people at South by Southwest. If you don’t want to be the person reading the blogs about everything that happened at South by Southwest and you want to actually be there experiencing this greatness, click here.
Lollapalooza
Paul McCartney, Metallica, Sam Smith are just a few of the greats to rock Lollapalooza. The festival that started in 1991 and it gets bigger and bigger every year. Lollapalooza is 300 acres of greatnes. It’s like the grandfather of EDM festivals. There’s local Chicago food stalls and Grant Park is transformed into a movie for a few days.
Ultra Festival
Skrillex, David Guetta, and Hardwell have performed at Ultra Festival. Ultra started in 1999 in Miami and since than has popped up all around the globe from Ibiza to South Africa there is an Ultra. Any EDM junkie has heard of Ultra Festival and either attended one or dreamed of rocking out to their favorites. Hundreds of thousands of attendees show out for Ultra and it shows no signs of slowing down. (Info)
Bestival
Four days of fun chilling on the Isle of Wright in the UK sounds like heaven. Everything from rock to House ends here. You never really know what you’re going to get with Bestival. Sometimes you get carnival rides or sometimes an inflatable church just happens to pop up. There’s even a Camp Bestival for kids so you can condition your kids early on the festival scene. Duran Duran, Underworld and The Chemical Brothers have shown out at Bestival. (Info)
Governors Ball
Randall’s Island in NYC features every type of music you can possibly think of under the sun. Dance to performances from hip-hop to folk artists while chowing down on some food from popular food trucks. Sometimes you also end up in silent disco or participating in lawn games. Governor’s Ball has been around since 2011 and since then festival goers have seen performances from Fiona Apple, Major Lazer, Kanye West, Nas, and even Lana Del Rey. No ever knows who’s going to crash The Governer’s Ball but that’s the fun in it! (Info)
Coachella
Coachella goes down in history as one of the best music festivals in the United States. It takes place in the middle for the dessert and is known for its hippie vibes. It’s the closest thing to Woodstock that this generation will ever get. AC/DC, Drake, The Weekend, and even Tupac (hologram of course) has blessed the Coachella stage. You’re not only going to hear great music and be surprised by surprise guests but you’ll also bump elbows with lots of celebrities in the audience like Beyonce, Kylie Jenner or Rihanna. (Info)
Glastonbury
Arcade Fire, Dolly Parton, Disclosure, MIA, and Skrillex are just a few musicians that have created musical moments on this stage. This UK music festival has been around since the 70s and it sells out every year sometimes in less than 2 hours (ie. 2014). The 5-day festival is like the Coachella of the UK. (Info)
Hideout
If you ever dreamed of partying all day in Croatia to your favorite EDM performers, Hideout is definitely the place you’ll want to hide out in June. It’s one of the biggest EDM festivals in Europe and has cemented itself in the EDM festival market for years. The pool parties at Hideout makes you want to stay forever. Hideout definitely brings a new meaning to “Turn down for what.” (Info)
Sonar
Barcelona should be enough to intrigue you but people stay at Sonar for all the great music. In it’s 22nd year this electronic music festival is one of a kind. FKA Twigs and The Chemical Brothers recently performed at this year’s Sonar Festival. It’s a mix of music and art and kid events for the entire family. You come for Barcelona and stay for the art and the music. (Info)
Rock in Rio
Rio De Janeiro seems to be the headliner here. Since starting in 1985 Rock In Rio has popped up in six different places including this year’s Las Vegas version. It’s one of the largest music festivals with over a million attendees. Metallica, No Doubt, Foster the People, Deftones, all performed at Rock in Rio in Vegas this year and people can’t stop talking about it. (Info)
Bonnaroo
Tennessee is the birthplace of Bonnaroo and since 2002 it has seen headliners from Lionel Richie to Vampire Weekend. Let that soak in. For four days watch multiple performances from all genres. Also pick up some art, listen to some comedy, and enjoy food and vendors from locals. You might even see a cinema tent pop or a Ferris wheel or two. Don’t let Love This City talk you into Bonnaroo, GQ Magazine places it in their top ten festivals. It’s like an amusement park and a music festival got married and had a baby that’s what Bonnaroo would be. (Info)
Riot Fest
Fill your ears with rock, punk, hip-hop and alt rock at Riot Fest. It’s been going around from a decade and what started out in Chicago is now also in Denver and Toronto. Modest Mouse, Damian Jr. Marley and even Snoop Dogg are just a few of the performers that have performed at Riot Fest. Don’t expect glow sticks, inflatable animals or frills for Riot. Riot is all about the music. (Info)
Electric Forest
In 2008, a four-day crazy genre crossing festival known as Electric Forest was born in Rothbury, Michigan. This year’s festival drew over 45,000 people to enjoy the sounds of G-Eazy, Kaskade and even Dubfire. Fans get together in the forest and rock out to music while becoming one with nature. If you’re into roughing it a bit, this is definitely for you. (Info)
OVO Fest
OVO Fest is Drake’s annual festival where everything that’s hot in hip-hop gathers as he shows off his city. Headliners are always a surprise when Drake drops it but he seems to top himself every year. Rappers like Rick Ross, Bun B, Stevie Wonder, J.Cole and even James Blake have blessed the stages of Molson Canadian Amphitheatre. Tickets for OVO Fest sell like hot cakes so it’s best to buy them as soon as Drake drops the link. This year’s OVO Fest was one for the books. He performed the epic “Back to Back” performance that’s now nominated for a Grammy. (Tickets)
iHeartRadio Festival
Every September since 2011 greatness known as iHeartRadio Music Festival happens at MGM Grande in Nevada. They don’t call it Paradise for nothing. The whole thing is broadcasted on television and the two day festival showcases popular music and upcoming singers on the rise. Artists like Trey Songz, Diddy, Meghan Trainor, Zedd, Pitbull and even Brad Paisley have performed at iHeartRadio Festival. Fans describe this as a crazy fun experience.
Way Out West
Way Out West is kind of festival heaven. Every August take in the fantasy of Sweden and enjoy coffee houses and boutiques and local cuisine. This festival stands out for being environmentally and vegan friendly. Ellie Goulding, Tyler the Creator, and Pet Shop Boys all made an appearance at this year’s Way Out West. Going home seems pretty optional and two days isn’t long enough. You just want the party to go on and on. (Info)
Lovebox
Julys in London were made for Lovebox Festival. Dayglo parties and colorful everything is the perfect way to describe Lovebox. Check out the smaller stages and discover new artists before your friends. This year Snoop Dogg, Jessie Ware and Little Dragon performed. If that isn’t enough to entertain you the after parties definitely are. (Info)
Burning Man
There truly is a festival for everyone and Burning Man was made for people who love people who love steampunk, arts and the internet. It’s like a Mad Max film that came to life in the middle of desert during the end of August. There’s music of course and lasers and drones and lots of time to rock out. (Info)
SXMusic Festival
Buy Your Wristbands http://goo.gl/wgQQoT
Coming in March, SX Music Festival takes over Saint Martin. Described as a boutique electronic music festival, this is one of the festivals of all festivals. SXMusic Festival invites DJs to stay all week and play extended sets at different venues. One day you’re watching a show on a secluded farm and the next you’re partying on the beach while the sun goes down. Fans get a taste of the Caribbean most definitely. It feels like a never ending party and the plane ride home will be a sad one. The Caribbean and dance music is a match made in heaven. Early bird tickets are available. Click here to check it out!
Buy Your Wristbands http://goo.gl/wgQQoT
BPM Music Festival
The BPM Festival takes place in January at Playa del Carmen in Mexico. Who doesn’t like partying in Mexico? Party sun up to sun down for ten days straight because why not? DJs, producers, industry professionals and music lovers from all of the globe gather to celebrate dance music. When you can pull yourself away from the music and the awesomeness of Playa Del Carmen, wander around the town and discover the Mayan ruins, aquatic sports and eco tourism. For tickets to the next BPM Music Festival click here.
Electric Daisy Carnival
If you like glow sticks, and Las Vegas in the summer, you’re going to love Electric Daisy Carnival. Imagine everything you could possibly think about dance carnivals and put it in Vegas, that’s Electric Daisy Carnival. There’s also an Electric Daisy Carnival in Mexico, New York and United Kingdom. Enjoy endless buffets, lots of free alcohol and there’s even a giant Ferris Wheel that sometimes makes an appearance. Artists from Kaskade to Steve Aoki have headlined Electric Daisy Carnival. Click here to check out one closest to you for 2016, you’re not going to regret it.
Festivals aren’t just concerts they’re experiences that go on for days and stay with you forever. You don’t make new friends when you bond at a festival, you make new family. What’s your dream festival? Did your favorite festival make the list?
