Summer is here, and that means it's festival season! There's no better way to enjoy the summer vibes than by heading to the coolest festivals. Whether it's epic music concerts or art festivals, our Ultimate Summer Festival Guide will help you make memories that'll stick with you. Let's get into the groove of summer and find out what makes each festival a must-see.
Grab your sun-glasses, hats and sunscreen to get going!
1. Edinburgh International Festival
When: August 2-25, 2024
Where: Edinburgh
When someone mentions Edinburgh, the first thing that usually comes to your mind is the iconic castle or cobblestone streets, right? But, the city is also well-known for the Edinburgh International Festival! It’s been held annually every year since 1947. And artists from all over the globe come together to showcase their talent. You’ll find the festival featuring a diverse range of performances, including classical music, theater, dance, opera, and more. It's a chance for both established and emerging artists to shine on an international stage.
2. San Diego Comic-Con
When: July 25-28, 2024
Where: San Diego
Comic-Con is the ultimate fandom convention for all movies, comics, TV shows and more. Fans go all out cosplaying as their favorite characters! It’s also the ultimate place to get your hands on merchandise! Now let's talk about the main event: the panels. You get to sit in a room with hundreds of other fans, eagerly awaiting the cast and creators of your favorite show or movie to take the stage. They drop exclusive trailers, spill behind-the-scenes secrets, and answer questions from the audience. This year, get ready for special guests like Rick Parker, Linda Sunshine and Rick Law to take the stage!
3. La Tomatina Festival
When: August 28, 2024
Where: Buñol
Looking for an epic food fight? La Tomatina is your answer. The messiest, most epic food fight you'll ever get to participate in! Chucking tomatoes in the streets packed with people all over the world is wild but super fun at the same time! How did it start, though? Legend has it that La Tomatina started back in the 1940s when a group of friends got into a heated argument during a parade and decided to start a food fight. So, get ready to have a blast in the vibrant atmosphere of Buñol, enjoying live music and entertainment, and maybe even indulging in some delicious Spanish cuisine (after you've washed off all the tomato juice, of course).
4. NYC Pride
When: June 30, 2024
Where: New York City
Back in 1969, Stonewall Inn, a Greenwhich Bar was raided because it served as an underground hub for the Queer community! Every year since then, the pride march is held to commemorate the struggle faced by the Queer community and how far they’ve come! Love knows no bounds and the streets are painted in the colors of the rainbow. It's a celebration of diversity, equality, and all things celebratory. From colorful parades to performances, grab your glitter, and show your pride.
Read more about LGBTQ friendly destinations here to celebrate Pride in the best way possible!
5. Lollapalooza
When: August 1-4, 2024
Where: Chicago
It’s summer, which means it’s time for Lollapalooza! It’s not just any music festival – it's a summer event that's been rocking Chicago since the '90s. Started by Jane's Addiction frontman Perry Farrell, Lolla began as a touring festival before finding its permanent home in Grant Park. Now, it's one of the largest and most iconic music festivals in the world, drawing hundreds of thousands of fans each year. Plus, spanning genres like rock, pop, hip-hop, electronic, and more. Past performers have included the likes of Foo Fighters, Chance the Rapper, The Weeknd, and Ariana Grande, just to name a few.
6. Sziget Festival
When: Date: August 7-12, 2024
Where: Óbuda Island
The Sziget Festival is one of the biggest musical festivals in Europe. From being just a student event to now becoming one of the most prominent rock festivals, it’s come a long way! What’s even better is that the festival takes place on an island, just north of Budapest. A week-long extravaganza where music lovers from all over the globe come together to soak up the vibes. And if you want to chill between sets, the beach is your getaway!
7. Gracia Festival
When: August 15-21, 2024
Where: Barcelona
Last but certainly not least–the Gracia Festival in Barcelona. Dating back 200 years, the Gracia Festival originated to celebrate the Catalan culture & Saint Isidro day. This lively event transforms the streets into a vibrant celebration of color, culture, and community spirit! The streets are decked up and the air is filled with the lively melodies of traditional music. Not to forget, the aromas of delicious food from the bustling stalls tempt passersby at every corner. The best part of this festival is when different streets participate in a theme competition to win the coveted ‘Best decorated street’!
8. Tomorrowland
When: July 19-21 & July 26-28, 2024
Where: De Schorre in Boom
This one’s for all electronic dance music lovers. Buckle up because Tomorrowland 2024 is coming this summer! We're talking about the biggest names in the EDM game – DJs like David Guetta and Hardwell will be throwing down beats that make your feet move like there's no tomorrow (pun intended). But it's not just about the music – although let's be real, that's a huge part of it. Tomorrowland is all about the experience!
