As the warmer months begin to roll in, festival season is upon us. From music to food to art to culture, there’s something for everyone to enjoy at these incredible outdoor festivals. Whether you’re a seasoned festival-goer or looking to attend your first one, there are plenty of options to choose from all around the world. Here are some of the top outdoor festivals to add to your bucket list:
1. Coachella (Indio, California)
Arguably the most famous music festival in the world, Coachella takes place over two weekends in April at the Empire Polo Club in Indio, California. Known for its star-studded lineup of artists from various genres, as well as its art installations and celebrity sightings, Coachella is a must-attend event for music lovers.
2. Glastonbury Festival (Somerset, England)
One of the largest and most iconic music festivals in the world, Glastonbury takes place on a dairy farm in Somerset, England. With a lineup that spans all genres of music, as well as a diverse selection of performers, art installations, and activities, Glastonbury is an experience like no other.
3. Burning Man (Black Rock City, Nevada)
Burning Man is more than just a music festival – it’s a week-long experiment in community, self-expression, and art. Held in the Black Rock Desert of Nevada, Burning Man features incredible art installations, themed camps, and the iconic burning of a giant wooden man at the end of the event. It’s a truly unique experience that everyone should attend at least once.
4. Oktoberfest (Munich, Germany)
Oktoberfest is the world’s largest Volksfest (beer festival and travelling funfair) held annually in Munich, Bavaria, Germany. It is a 16- to 18-day folk festival running from mid or late September to the first Sunday in October, with more than six million people from around the world attending the event every year. Locally, it is often simply called Wiesn, after the colloquial name of the fairgrounds (Theresienwiese) themselves.
5. La Tomatina (Buñol, Spain)
La Tomatina is a festival held in the Valencian town of Buñol, in which participants throw tomatoes and get involved in a tomato fight purely for entertainment purposes. Since 1945, it has been held on the last Wednesday of August. The event has become one of the highlights of Spain’s summer festival calendar, attracting thousands of people from all over the world.
6. Diwali (India)
Diwali, also known as Deepavali, is the Hindu festival of lights celebrated every year in autumn in the northern hemisphere. One of the most popular festivals of Hinduism, Diwali symbolizes the spiritual “victory of light over darkness, good over evil, and knowledge over ignorance”. During the celebration, temples, homes, shops and office buildings are brightly illuminated. The preparations, and rituals, for the festival typically last five days, with the climax occurring on the third day coinciding with the darkest night of the Hindu Lunisolar month Kartika.
7. Rio Carnival (Rio de Janeiro, Brazil)
Rio Carnival is the world’s biggest and most famous carnival held every year in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. It is the biggest carnival in the world with approximately two million people per day on the streets. The first festivals of Rio date back to 1723. The typical Rio carnival parade is filled with revelers, floats, and adornments from numerous samba schools which are located in Rio (more than 200 approximately, divided into five leagues/divisions).
8. Holi (India)
Holi is a popular ancient Hindu festival, originating from the Indian subcontinent. It is celebrated predominantly in India and Nepal but has also spread to other areas of Asia and parts of the Western world through the diaspora from the Indian subcontinent. Holi is popularly known as the Indian “festival of spring”, and the “festival of colours” or the “festival of love”. The festival signifies the victory of good over evil, the arrival of spring, end of winter, and for many a festive day to meet others, play and laugh, forget and forgive, and repair broken relationships.
Regardless of which festival you choose to attend, one thing is for certain – you’re in for an unforgettable experience. From the music to the food to the culture, outdoor festivals offer a glimpse into the heart and soul of a community. So pack your bags, grab your friends, and get ready to make some amazing memories at one of these top outdoor festivals around the world.
