Oktoberfest, Lollapalooza, Coachella, and Sunflower festivals. The world has no shortage of incredible summer events to check off on your bucket list. But what about those summer festivals that you don’t hear about every year? The world is full of vibrant cultural, music, and art celebrations. There are immersive experiences just waiting for you, whether you’re looking for a family getaway, a girls’ weekend, a couple’s vacation, or a solo experience. These five summer festivals from around the world are must-see experiences!
Edinburg Festival Fringe
The Edinburg Festival Fringe dates back to 1947, and this year, it’ll be fun from August 1st until August 25th. This Scotland-based festival is commonly referred to as a creative hotspot! Its open-access format, meaning that anyone with a venue and a show can participate, makes it one of the most diverse festivals. In 2018, this festival brought in over 59,000 performers, performing over 3,800 shows in over 300 venues!
These big numbers are no surprise as this festival has a little bit for everyone! With stages placed all over the city, the festival features theater, comedy, dancing, exhibitions, music, and even children’s shows. Shows like “Whiskey and Witches,” “Murder at the Speakeasy II,” “Tales from your Queer Elder,” and “Truth about Trees” are only a few unique programs you can enjoy this summer! Whether you’re looking to take a solo trip, a family adventure, or a couples getaway, the Edinburg Festival Fringe in Scotland is a must-see.
Glastonbury Festival
In the UK, the Glastonbury Festival runs for five days this year, from June 25th to June 29th. This festival, founded in 1970, takes place at Worthy Farm in Somerset and is known for its incredibly diverse lineup of artists. Any genre from rock, pop, and folk to art installations and iconic performances. Artists of the past include David Bowie and Adele, with this year’s lineup including stars like The 1975, Olivia Rodrigo, Snow Patrol, and Busta Rhymes.
Some packages for this festival include five nights of camping, full entry, and a first-come, first-served adventure through the thousands of performers across hundreds of stages, including Kidzfield, the acoustic stage, green fields, and Glasto Latino. To get started on your next trip, you can get a full pricing breakdown and more details here!
Montreux Jazz Festival
Started in 1967 and heading into its 59th season, the Montreux Jazz Festival in Switzerland runs from July 4th until July 19th. This festival has two stages; one is the casino stage, and the other is called the lake stage. The lake stage overlooks Lake Geneva and provides a stunning background for the events with its incredible mountains and sunsets! It’s essential to catch this festival this year to bask in the astonishing backdrop because next year, for its 60th anniversary, it’ll be headed back to the Convention Center.
This event is considered a must-add festival to anyone’s bucket list, and it’s easy to see why. Lineups over the years have included Prince, Aretha Franklin, and David Bowie. This year, Lionel Richie and Diana Ross will grace the stage for what are assumed to be some once-in-a-lifetime performances. While rooted in Jazz, the festival has expanded to many other music genres, making it more diverse and bringing in people with various musical tastes to further develop their musical pallets.
Galway International Art Festival
Between July 14th and July 27th, Ireland puts on the Galway International Art Festival for two weeks. Founded in 1978, this festival provides a space for artists from all over the world, from Africa to Australia to America, to showcase their talents. You’ll find talent from various disciplines, such as theater, music, comedy, literature, visual arts, and dance. This festival had over 400,000 attendees in 2024, and tickets are selling fast this year!
The Galway International Art Festival, which focuses on music, also has spaces for their “First Thought Program, ” a place to discuss, talk, and be a part of workshops on an extensive range of topics, from creativity to current affairs. You can find it all in Ireland this summer!
ESSENCE Festival of Culture
Starting as a one-night event, the ESSENCE Festival of Culture in New Orleans quickly became much more than that. Running from July 3rd through July 6th, one major piece of the festival is the music. You’ll be able to explore diverse lineups with artists like Mickey Guyton, Boys II Men, Janet Jackson, and Method Man. However, you’ll be able to be a part of Jermain Dupri’s tribute to Quincy Jones, listen to engaging and powerful speakers, experience special cultural moments, and more.
Throughout various areas in New Orleans, you will continue to find events, shops, and giveaways that will allow you to support Black-owned businesses and local organizations while having the experience of a lifetime. Considered to be a “party with a purpose,” the ESSENCE Festival of Culture brings you some of the best R&B, hip-hop, soul, funk, and gospel music while providing space to discuss important topics, wellness, and spiritual expo and immerse yourself into every piece of incredible culture a festival could possible offer you.
Final Thoughts
Overall, whether you find yourselves leaning towards a week in Edinburgh or a few days in New Orleans, you’ll see there is no shortage of unique, rich cultural experiences to dive into. There is art, there’s music, there’s comedy, there are stages for you, and there are stages for kids. These festivals allow you to make long-lasting memories and help you discover your next big hobby or fiery passion! Tickets to most of these events are selling fast, so don’t miss your chance to be a part of some incredible experiences this summer!
