It’s here! It’s finally here! The summer festivals season is upon is and somewhere there is something for EVERYONE to enjoy. Excited? You bet.
But before you begin picking the perfect outfit (you’ll be wearing it for a few days) planning the journey and loading your iPod with the hugest summer anthems, there is still the biggest decision of all to make – which festival to go to? With an ever-growing choice of music festivals around the world, we’ve put together a guide to summer festivals around the world to help you make your decision.
So grab your comfiest sneakers or pull on those wellies, slap on the sunscreen and work some oversized shades, then hit one of these summer festivals – wherever in the world you may be.
T in the Park
When July 12-14
Where Kinross-shire, Scotland
Line-up Rihanna, The Killers, Chase and Status, Stereophonics, Mumford & Sons, Kraftwerk.
Website tinthepark.com
Kicking things off in the UK, T In The Park is Scotland’s largest outdoor summer festival and it celebrates its 20th anniversary this year! With a formidable line-up covering everything from rock to pop to hip-hop to soul, this is one birthday bash that you won’t want to miss. There’s also a Ferris wheel, amongst other fairground fun, and a Cabaret Club if you want to escape the mud, just for a little bit.
Festival Internacional de Benicàssim
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When July 18 – 21
Where Benicàssim, Valencia, Spain
Line-up : The Killers, the Arctic Monkeys, Queens of the Stone Age, Primal Scream
Website:. fiberfib.com
A little bit on the wild side, Benicassim tends to attract a mainly British crowd creating a real holiday party vibe. Unlike most music festivals around the world, Benicassim bands begin in the evening, playing through until the early hours leaving you hours of lazing on the beach, catching the rays and recovering during the day. Plus there’s always a great beach party to finish off your hedonistic long weekend.
Latitude
When July 18 – 21
Where Southwold, Suffolk, UK
Line-up Kraftwerk, Foals, Bloc Party, Alt-J
Website latitudefestival.com
Whilst most music festivals scrabble to sign up the latest chart acts, Latitude largely sticks to its alternative ideals. With a laid-back, family-friendly atmosphere, this summer festival hosts not only an adventurous music festival line up, but also the cream of British sketch and stand-up comedy.
Splendour in the Grass
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When July 26-28
Where New South Wales, Australia
Line-up Mumford and Sons, Of Monsters and Men, TV on the Radio, Klaxons,
Website splendourinthegrass.com
It’s winter down under, so of our summer festivals line-up this one is a little bit sneaky, but you can guarantee that you will need your gum boots (wellies to those on this side of the hemisphere) for this hotly anticipated 3 day event. This annual music, arts and culture event boasts some of the biggest names from across the globe, as well as serving as a pretty epic platform for some of the most fiercely tipped local bands.
Osheaga
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When August 2-4
Where Montreal, Quebec
Line-up The Cure, Beck, Mumford and Sons, New Order
Website osheaga.com
Boasting a line-up that offers something for everyone and held in the idyllic Parc Jean-Drapeu, Osheaga will satiate the most anomalous of tastes. Traversing goth-pop courtesy of the Cure, folk from Mumford and Sons, post-punk of New Order and an amalgamated genre mash-up from the enigmatic Beck, there’s sure to be something to satisfy at one of the most eclectic summer festivals.
Oyafestivalen
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When August 6-10
Where Middelalderparken, Oslo, Norway
Line-up : Blur, The Knife, Kraftwerk, Kendrick Lamar
Website:. oyafestivalen.com
One of the small summer festivals, this boutique event is situated on the historic site where Oslo was founded (Middelalderparken literally translates as the Medieval Park). This beautiful location sits just a 10 minute walk from Oslo’s main train station, and the music festival is one of the greenest around, offering an array of organic eats and generally minimizing its environmental impact in any way it can. Guilt-free festival frolics, this way.
Outside Lands
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When August 9-11
Where San Francisco
Line-up Paul McCartney, Red Hot Chilli Peppers, Nine Inch Nails, Yeah Yeah Yeahs
Website sfoutsidelands.com
Boasting some of the biggest musical names, although not the most contemporary, this three- day summer festival brings you plenty of options. Hosted in the city’s Golden Gate Park, the Taste of the Bay area offers the ultimate culinary tour of San Francisco, whilst Wine and Beer Lands satiate thirsty palettes. With a stage powered by solar and alternative energy, the ecological angle is covered too.
V Festival
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When August 17-18
Where Hylands Park,Chelmsford and Weston Park, South Staffordshire, UK
Line-up Beyoncé, Kings of Leon, Stereophonics, The Script
Website vfestival.com
Once hosting the paramount of rock music, this dual-located summer festival is now open to a much more pop-themed line-up, though you can expect a taste of just about anything at this lively event. And if you want to escape the raucous crowds for a little bit, you can lounge in luxury at the V Style campsite, or have a laugh a minute at the comedy stage.
End of the Road
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When August 30 – Sept 1
Where Wiltshire, UK
Line-up Sigur Rós, Belle and Sebastian, David Byrne & St. Vincent, Frightened Rabbit
Website endoftheroadfestival.com
One of the best-kept secrets of the summer festivals scene, the End of the Road fest is also one of the most intimate folk music festivals to be held this year. Ploughing a fairly narrow stylistic furrow, this festival is all about the music, with bands tending to play longer sets as a result. Chilled out, relaxing and environmentally friendly, it’s the perfect way to wind-down toward the end of the summer festivals season.
Bestival
When Sept 5-8
Where Isle of Wight, UK
Line-up Elton John, Snoop Dogg, Fatboy Slim, M.I.A
Website bestival.net
If you’re planning on heading to the Isle of Wight’s Bestival, you best be a fan of fancy dress as face paint and fairy wings are practically compulsory. A fun, and diverse way to round off the summer festivals season, it is known for piloting odd and innovative ideas – this year, expect to see a giant inflatable Lionel Richie head.
Are you heading to any summer festivals this year? What are your top tips to survive the festival season? Let us know in the comments below!
Now all that’s left to do is dance, dance, dance!
