Toes in the sand, soaking up the rays, and listening to the best international headliners seems like a perfect recipe for your next holiday. Dance to some killer tunes, lip-sync along with your favourite artists, enjoy seaside yoga, and crashing the rave, after-parties, these Beach festivals are restorative, exhilarating, and intoxicating.
Ditch the regulars and plan your next holiday around these legendary festivals. Here is the list of some of the best beach festivals from around the globe.
1. Rio Music Carnival, Rio De Janeiro, Brazil
Image Source: Flickr.com
After successfully hosting the summer Olympics, Rio is ready to host its very own electronic carnival. And when it comes to partying, Rio steals the show. Artists performing include the likes of Afrojack and Dimitri Vegas.
Where: Marina da Glória, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
When: End of February
What’s on? The best of thumping electronic music
Check Out: Best Beaches in Rio De Janeiro
2. St Kitts Music Festival, Caribbean
Dance to the tunes of many international headliners as well as talented up-and-coming artists at one of the best beaches in the Caribbean. Many artists have taken a centre stage here, mixing together exciting music and exhilarating performances.
Where: St. Kitts & Nevis, Caribbean
When: June
What’s on? Beach parties and boat rides are an added bonus
3. The Hangout Festival, Alabama
Image Source: Wikipedia.org
Music's ultimate beach vacation, the Hangout Festival is one of the biggest music festivals in the Unites States. Produced by Sean O'Connell, this festival has two main stages: The Hangout Stage and The Surf Stage. Hangout Fest was nominated and won the prestigious "Festival of the Year" in 2012.
Where: Gulf Shores, Alabama
When: Mid-May
What’s on? The best of Rock, Alternate and Electronic Dance Music.
Check Out: Best Beaches in the USA
4. Broadmasters, Cornwall, United Kingdom
Image Source: Wikimedia Commons
Broadmasters mixes music with the sun-drenched Cornish coastlines to create one of the best music festivals in the United Kingdom. With more than 50,000 attendees, this is one of the best beach festivals in the world. Featuring the genres of Rock, Indie Rock, Alternative Rock, and Dance, the music here is passionate and invigorating.
Where: Newquay, United Kingdom
When: Mid-August
What’s on? Live music with surfing/skateboarding competitions
5. Sziget Festival, Hungary
Image Source: Wikimedia Commons
Often regarded as one of the biggest multicultural events of Europe, the Sziget Festival transforms Budapest into one big party destination. This multi-genre island festival features the best of EDM, House and Techno to Rock, Pop and Indie. Apart from the electrifying music scenes, this festival also features an amusement park, numerous surreal installations, and workshops.
Where: Óbuda-island, Budapest
When: First Week of August
What’s on? Artists performing include Muse, Rihanna and David Guetta.
6. Ultra Miami, Florida, USA
Image Source: Wikimedia Commons
Enchanting, memorable, and unforgettable, the Ultra Miami is one of the hippest music festivals on the planet. Ultra Miami also brings to you one of the biggest beach music festivals in the United States. With seven stages that include the Main Stage, the Live stage, the MegaStructure, the Worldwide stage, the UMF Radio stage, the Resistance stage, and the Oasis stage, the picturesque Bayfront Park looks something like an alternate world.
Where: Bayfront Park, Miami, Florida
When: March
What’s on? Scintillating electronic dance music.
Check Out: Best Beaches in Miami
7. Les Eurockéennes, Belfort, France
Image Source: Wikimedia Commons
Combining the words rock and européennes (Europeans), the Les Eurockéennes is one of France’s largest rock festivals. With a number of stages including the la Grande Scène, le Chapiteau, la Loggia and la Plage, this one humongous party is hosted beside Lac de Malsaucy near Belfort.
Where: Lac de Malsaucy, Belfort, France
When: First week July
What’s on? Line-up includes the likes of Arcade Fire, Phoenix, DJ Snake, Iggy Pop, Editors, Dropkick Murphys, Solange, Moderat, and more.
8. Washington State International Kite Festival, Long Beach, Washington
Image Source: Wikipedia.org
As the name suggests, the Washington State International Kite Festival is a kite festival and one of the most celebrated kite festivals in the world. With choreographed kite displays, illuminated kites that fly at night, and many kites making workshops, the skies over the Long Beach boardwalk look absolutely iridescent and rich!
Where: Long Beach, Washington State’s Olympic Peninsula
When: Third week of August
What’s on? Kites painting workshops, art & craft workshops
9. Fisherman’s Village Pirate Fest, Florida
Image Source: Flickr.com
Voted America’s No. 1 Beach Festival by a media house in 2014, the Fisherman’s Village Pirate Fest is all fun, games and more. As the pirate flotilla sails through the waters, get your weapons ready to attack the bad guys. Dress your best, engage in mock battles, and click selfies with lots of pirates and mermaids too. Aye Aye!
Where: Punta Gorda, Florida
When: Late July
What’s on? Pirate costume contest for adults, kids and even the pets (Aww!)
Check Out: Best Beaches in Florida for Families
10. It’s the Ship, Singapore
One of Asia’s Largest Festival on a cruise, It’s the Ship lets you step onboard a luxury cruise liner and sail across the seas listening to the very best of world music. Days here are spent relaxing at the spas while the nights are spent dancing to the globally renowned EDM.
Where: Singapore – Langkawi – Singapore
When: Mid - November
What’s on? Plenty of pool parties on the open-air deck
11. Splendour in The Grass, Australia
Image Source: Wikimedia Commons
One of the best beach parties down under, the Splendour in The Grass is an award-wining, three-day Australian music festival. With attended like such as Elon Musk and Amber Heard, this music festival has also won the FasterLouder Festival Award for 'Favourite Line Up' in 2009.
Where: Byron Bay, New South Wales
When: Late July - Early August
What’s on? Best tracks featuring the indie rock, hip hop, electronic, alternative music!
12. California Wine Festival, Santa Barbara, California
One of the life’s most underrated pleasures would be sipping on wine and sighing at the sea. The California Wine Festival is a one of a kind beachside wine festival that would let you do just that. With live music and the hot and cold gourmet snacks to accompany you, this three-day celebration is not to be missed!
Where: Chase Palm Park, Santa Barbara, California
When: Mid-July
What’s on? Best of the vintage red and white wines
Check Out: Best Beaches in California
13. Hideout Festival, Croatia
Taking control of the Zrce Beach on Pag one of the best islands of Croatia, the Hideout Festival features more than 150 DJs churning out the latest and the best of EDM for you to match steps to. With the many beach rave parties, private boat parties and after-parites, Hideout Festival is easily one of the best beach festivals in Europe.
Where: Pag, Croatia
When: End of June
What’s on? Best of Major Lazer, Diplo, Jamie Jones, The Martinez Brothers and Hannah Wants
14. Essaouira Gnaoua and World Music Festival, Morocco
Image Source: Wikimedia Commons
Featuring both local and international music artists performing the best of jazz, pop, rock, soul and contemporary world music festival, the Essaouira Gnaoua and World Music Festival. Combining the Arabic, African and Berber rhythms, this music festival has raised curiosity in the music world due to its subtle undertone.
Where: Essaouira, Morocco
When: Third week June
What’s on? Traditional and ethnic African music along with the best of rock, jazz, blues, contemporary
15. Ultra Europe, Croatia
Image Source: Flickr.com
Global brand Ultra is also known to host one of the biggest beach festivals in Europe, the Ultra Europe in Croatia. Calling the beaches of Croatia its home, the Ultra Europe spins out for you the best of EDM, house and techno music. With the majestic Adriatic Sea serving as a perfect background, this music festival features high-energy shows, spectacular performance and day boat parties.
Where: Stadion Poljud, Split, Croatia
When: First week of July
What’s on? Headliners to looks out for include Deadmau5, Above and Beyond, Martin Garrix and David Guetta
16. Wonderfruit, Thailand
Held on the outskirts of Pattaya, the Wonderfruit is an eco-friendly music and arts festival that combines Asian and western cultures to create a three-days of celebration that go on from sunrise to sunrise. With massive installations, the spectacular looking stages are an attraction in themselves.
Where: Siam Country Club, Pattaya, Thailand
When: Mid – December
What’s on?Curated music playing the best of hip-hop, Alternate-R&B, Thai folk, and EDM
Check Out: All Inclusive resorts in Thailand
17. Neverland, Philippines
Image Source: Wikimedia Commons
With the gorgeous Malina Bay on one side and pulsating EDM on the other, Neverland Manila is one party you don’t wanna miss. One of the most anticipated music festivals in Asia, Neverland attracts close to 15000 festival-goers.
Where: Manila, Philippines
When: Early October
What’s on? Watch out for Martin Garrix, Bastlerjaxx, DJ Snake, Yellow Claw, Dyro, W&W, Laidback Luke and many more to take stage.
18. Konark Sand Art Festival, India
Held on the coasts of Puri, overlooking the Bay of Bengal, the International Sand Art Festival at Konark gives talented sand sculptures and opportunity to showcase their talents to the world. The festival is held annually and is theme based.
Where: Chandrabhaga Beach, Odisha, India
When: First week of December
What’s on? National and international sand artists
19. Ostend Beach Festival, Belgium
Image Source: Wikimedia Commons
Bringing along with it a festive summer vibe, the Ostend Beach Festival is one of the most visited electronic beach festivals in Europe. Belgium’s largest coastal city, Ostend parties like there is no tomorrow. Hardcore music and dance follows.
Where: Ostend Beach, Ostend, Belgium
When: First week July
What’s on? Performances by Sven Väth, Joris Voorn and Amine Edge & Dance
As the party season draws close, we suggest you grab the tickets to your favourite beach festival today!
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*Few images for representational purposes only
