The best summer music festivals

Many wish to travel the world to visit some of the most exciting, spiritual, raving festivals out there. In summer, some of the best music festivals of the Northern Hemisphere are taking place. Have a look at this gallery!

In the photo, Janelle Monae at Glastonbury 2024

In some places, summer starts early, and that's why three unmissable festivals should get an honorable mention here:

Coachella in California, US, in April;

World Sacred Music in Fez, Morocco, in May/June;

and Primavera Sound in Barcelona, Spain, in late May/early June.

One of the early summer festivals in the world is New York's Governors Ball Music Festival. It attracts over 60 artists across three stages. The first festival was held 12 years ago on Governors Island. As festivalgoer Brenden Gregory told Long Island Weekly, "It’s been nothing but good energy and welcoming vibes, which is what I love to see in New York."

2024 dates - Jun 7 - Jun 9

In Europe, there's Rock am Ring to begin with. The festival started in 1985 as a one-time event to mark the opening of a new race circuit. It became an annual event due to its success, drawing over 80,000 attendees. The festival has helped launch the careers of artists like INXS and Alanis Morissette. This year? Green Day headline!

2024 dates - June 7 - June 9

Rock in Roma was first held in 2009 and has since become a staple event in Rome's cultural calendar. The festival takes place at the Capannelle Racecourse, an iconic venue on the outskirts of Rome and it is clearly growing in popularity. Past editions of the festival have featured headliners such as The Rolling Stones, Radiohead, Beyoncé, and many more.

2024 dates - June 14 - July 24

This world-renowned festival, with its rich history dating back to the late 1960s, has become a cornerstone of the summer music scene, offering attendees an unforgettable experience filled with music, community, and a touch of magic. Set against the stunning backdrop of the Isle of Wight's picturesque landscapes, attendees are treated to breathtaking views of rolling hills, pristine beaches, and lush forests that serve as the perfect backdrop for a weekend of celebration.

2024 dates - June 20 - June 23

Summerfest is an annual music festival held in downtown Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The festival, first held in 1968, has become an iconic event that draws music lovers from near and far. It won the Guinness World Record for the world's largest music festival and wowed 624,407 people in 2023.

2024 dates - Jun 20 - Jul 6

Donauinselfest, also known as the Danube Island Festival, is a free music festival that takes place on the Danube Island in Vienna and typically attracts around 2.5 million visits. Past events include names such as The Backstreet Boys, Anastacia, Lisa Stansfield, Amy Mcdonald, Michael Bolton, Sean Paul, and even Bob Geldof.

2024 dates - Jun 21 - Jun 23

Paraíso is a boutique festival committed to small venues and avant-garde music. It is held on the Complutense University Campus in Madrid and focuses on the electronic music scene, both nationally and internationally. Last year, however, Paraíso was canceled but they are back again this year and festival goers can head to a less-known but equally fun music festival.

2024 dates - Jun 21 - Jun 22

Image: Paraisofestival.com

Glastonbury Music Festival, held annually in Somerset, England, is one of the most iconic music events in the world. Known for its diverse lineup featuring top-tier artists spanning various genres, the festival offers an unforgettable experience for music lovers. Attendees can immerse themselves in a vibrant atmosphere filled with art installations, workshops, and diverse food vendors, creating a unique and inclusive community that sets Glastonbury apart from other music festivals.

2024 dates - Jun 26 - Jun 30

The North Sea Jazz Festival in The Netherlands takes place on the second weekend of July. From 1976 to 2005, the festival was held at the World Forum Convention Center in The Hague, but since 2006, the festival has been held in Ahoy Rotterdam. Here, the best artists of soul, jazz, and R&B come together.

2024 dates: July 12-14

Another Dutch festival is 'A Campingflight to Lowlands Paradise' or simply 'Lowlands'. The annual three-day music and arts festival takes place 68 kilometers (42 miles) east of Amsterdam and multiple-day guests tend to spend the nights in little tents on a campsite. Although the main emphasis is on music - rock, pop, dance, hip hop, and alternative - Lowlands also offers an indoor and outdoor cinema, (street) theater, cabaret and stand-up, ballet, literature, and comics. 2024 features Queens of the Stone Age, Skrillex, and Nas, among many others.

2024 dates: August 16-18

This year, Andrea Bocelli headlines on July 5. Since 2013, BST Hyde Park has seen headliners such as Celine Dion, Bruce Springsteen, the Rolling Stones, Bon Jovi, Barbra Streisand, Lionel Richie, Kylie Minogue, Black Sabbath, Neil Young, Pearl Jam, Guns N' Roses, The Who, Blur, The Strokes and the list goes on and on... Each year the festival can last up to three weeks so you're bound to catch something good!

2024 dates - Jun 29 - Jul 14

Belgian fest-goers have been attending Rock Werchter for over 40 years. The 4-day festival features rock, pop, and lively performances and, of course, Belgian beer, waffles, and multiple stages. Previous performers include Stormzy, Liam Gallagher, Arctic Monkeys, Lil Nas X, and Red Hot Chili Peppers.

2024 dates - July 4 - July 7

Attendees can expect to experience everything from symphony orchestras to jazz ensembles, ensuring there is something for everyone to enjoy. The venues are equally diverse - from historic churches to open-air stages, each venue offers a unique atmosphere and acoustics, enhancing the overall concert experience.

2024 dates - July 16 - July 20

Image: Veszpremfest-hu

Tomorrowland, one of the largest EDM festivals in the world, is back after a two-year break because of the pandemic. The festival, held in Boom, Belgium, attracts 600,000 attendees from over 200 countries during three weekends. In 2023 they beat the world record for the size of their stage and 2024 marks the 20th anniversary of the Tomorrowland brand.. so who knows what they have up their sleeve...?

2024 dates - Jul 19 - Jul 29

Latitude is hugely popular - especially with the Brits. It is a magical experience in the woods of Suffolk where there's not only music, but also poetry, literature, science, and drama stages, making it a more culturally rich experience. This year goers can expect to see Duran Duran, Keane, and Kasabian.

2024 dates - July 25 - July 28

Lollapalooza is more than a music festival—it's a celebration of creativity, diversity, and community. Lollapalooza was founded by Perry Farrell of Jane's Addiction in 1991 as a farewell tour for the band. After a hiatus in the late '90s, Lollapalooza was revived in 2003 as a weekend event in Chicago.

2024 dates - August 1 - August 4

The Festival du Bout du Monde celebrates world music in a picturesque setting. With its fabulous music performances, welcoming atmosphere, and stunning location in the Parc Naturel Régional d’Armorique, this festival has become a must-visit for music enthusiasts and families alike. As the festival continues to grow in popularity and reputation, it is becoming one of the most successful and beloved world music festivals in France.

2024 dates - Aug 2 - Aug 4

The Sziget Festival, one of Europe's largest music and cultural events, occurs annually every August on Óbudai-sziget, a 108-hectare island on the Danube in northern Budapest, Hungary. The festival features over 1,000 performances and attracted over half a million attendees in 2019. The last edition saw Imagine Dragons, Billie Eilish, David Guetta, Mumford & Sons, Macklemore, Florence & The Machine, and Lorde playing on the Hungarian stage.

2024 dates - Aug 7 - Aug 12

Creamfields continues to set the bar high for electronic dance music events and is held annually in the Cheshire countryside at the Daresbury Estate in the UK. Creamfields is organized by the famous nightclub brand Cream, known for its influence on dance music culture so, as you can imagine, it has some brilliant DJs.

2024 dates - Aug 22 - Aug 25

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