A great festival is a holiday and a once-in-a-lifetime night rolled into one. These ten span genres and continents — from muddy British fields to Belgian fantasylands — and we’ve flagged when each takes place so you can plan the trip around it.
1. Glastonbury, England
The legendary one: five days of music across dozens of stages, plus theatre, circus and late-night fields, on a farm in Somerset. It’s far more than headliners. Held in late June; tickets sell out in minutes, so register early and try in the autumn pre-sale.
2. Tomorrowland, Belgium
The world’s most spectacular electronic-music festival, famous for jaw-dropping stage design and a fairytale atmosphere. Held over two July weekends near Antwerp. Travel packages (“Global Journey”) bundle transport and camping — worth it for first-timers.
3. Coachella, USA
The desert tastemaker in California, blending huge pop and indie headliners with art installations and unmistakable style. Two April weekends. Days are scorching and nights cold — plan for both, and book accommodation the moment the line-up drops.
4. Fuji Rock, Japan
Set among forested mountains at the Naeba ski resort, Fuji Rock is as known for its stunning, civilised setting as its eclectic line-up. Late July. It can rain hard, so bring boots; the natural amphitheatres make for magical sets.
5. Primavera Sound, Spain
Barcelona’s cool, alternative-leaning festival by the sea, strong on indie, electronic and forward-thinking pop. Held in late May/early June. Sets run late into the night, in keeping with the city’s rhythm; pace yourself.
6. Roskilde, Denmark
One of Europe’s oldest and most beloved festivals, non-profit and famously communal, near Copenhagen. Eight days including the build-up camping. Held late June to early July. The atmosphere — equal parts music and community — is the real draw.
7. Sziget, Hungary
The “Island of Freedom” on a Danube island in Budapest: a week-long, hugely diverse line-up with a joyful, international crowd. Held in August. Combine it with a few days exploring one of Europe’s most beautiful and affordable capitals.
8. Montreux Jazz Festival, Switzerland
Far broader than jazz, this storied festival unfolds on the shores of Lake Geneva each July, with a mix of free lakeside stages and ticketed concerts. The setting — mountains, lake, sunset — is unforgettable. Pair it with a Swiss rail trip.
9. Rock in Rio, Brazil
One of the largest music festivals on earth, a periodic mega-event in Rio de Janeiro spanning rock, pop and beyond across several days. Check whether an edition falls in your travel year, and build in time for the city’s beaches and views.
10. New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, USA
A celebration of the music and food that define New Orleans — jazz, blues, gospel, Cajun and more — across two spring weekends. The food stalls are as legendary as the stages. Book accommodation very early; the city fills up.
Plan like a pro
Buy tickets the day they go on sale, sort accommodation immediately after (it vanishes faster than tickets), and check whether official travel packages simplify camping and transport. Then pack light, hydrate, and pace yourself for the long days.
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Written by
John Morrison is the founder and lead travel writer at Packzup. Over the past decade he has explored destinations across Africa, the Americas, Asia, Europe, the Middle East, and Oceania — always self-funded, never on a press trip.