Music festivals are all the rage these days—in fact you may have already gone to a few. But as new festivals pop up every year, it can become difficult to choose which one to attend. And with Lollapalooza still fresh in our minds, we felt inspired to dedicate a post to some of the best festivals around the globe.
Although many festivals have already come to pass, there are still plenty left for you to get your music fix throughout the rest of 2013. And considering how popular these festivals are, it’s never too early to plan ahead and purchase tickets for 2014 before they sell out.
So here you have it, your guide to the top music festivals in the world:
Sonar
(June 12 – 14, 2014)
Barcelona, Spain isn’t just a great tourist attraction—it’s also home to one of the oldest and greatest music festivals. A 20-year old fest that considers itself to always be “on the pulse of the current electronic music landscape,” Sonar’s featured DJs for 2013 included Skrillex and Jurassic 5, as well as emerging artists of the electronic genre. And no need to fret if camping isn’t your thing—unlike most festivals which require a weekend of “roughing it,” you can enjoy a clean stay in a swanky Spanish hotel. While you can already get the dates and book vacation to attend next year’s festival, Sonar will also be hosting mini-fests in Iceland, Tokyo, Cape Town, and Mexico City.
Roskilde
(June 28-July 6, 2014)
Another oldie-but-goodie, Roskilde is a weeklong festival that occurs during the beginning of the summer out in Denmark—and it’s a big one. Featuring music from all over the spectrum—performers from this year’s fest included Animal Collective, Rihanna, Slipknot, and Kendrick Lamar—Roskilde has something for everyone. And since you’ll be spending a week in a tent by a campfire, you’ll be getting the true music festival experience.
Splendour in the Grass
(July 29-31, 2014)
This three-day festival out in the land down under is a favorite among Aussies and visitors from all over the world. While you’ll find mostly indie/alternative rock bands in the lineup, this year’s bands included Mumford & Sons and Of Monsters and Men, electronic music lovers can also expect to get their dance on as well. And even though you’ll be camping, you’ll have plenty of activities to keep you entertained, including art galleries, theatrical performances, arts & crafts, and even a day spa. Perfect for those grungy, showerless days.
Oshega
(July 25 - 27, 2014, to be confirmed)
After its first year in 2006, this young Canadian festival has become the biggest in the country. The three-day fest includes mainstream performers, such as Phoenix, Tegan and Sara, Macklemore & Ryan Lewis, and Vampire Weekend, and a variety of visual art exhibits. Like Sonar in Spain, you can expect to spend your downtime in a cozy hotel in Montreal—note that reservations fill up fast, so be sure to book in advance!
Tomorrowland
(TBD, estimated late July 2014)
Last year, over 400 DJs played at the big daddy of festivals in Belgium. With over 180,000 people in attendance, Tomorrowland has become one of the biggest festivals in the world for electronic dance music. They’ve featured performances by names such as Tiesto, Lumberjack, Sebastian Ingrosso, Avicci, Armin Van Buuren, Zedd, and Steve Aoki. If you’ve never heard of it, here’s a video that may or may not make you want to book a ticket to Belgium next year.
