This #festivalfriday is all about #cityfestivals. Check out our guide to the best city festivals this summer!
Love music and festivals? Love travel and exploring new places? Why not get the best of both worlds and combine a festival experience with a city break. Take an extended trip and get your fix of culture, gastronomy, sightseeing, art and music. Forget camping and opt for a few creature comforts. Check in to a hotel or make like a local with airbnb. Showers, real beds, somewhere warm and cosy to rest weary dancing feet…that’s more like it! Here’s our guide to 5 of the best city festivals this summer…
Bilbao BBK Live
7-9 July 2016
Bilbao, Spain
bilbaobbklive.com
Set against the breath-taking backdrop of the Kobetamendi Hill in culture-rich Bilbao, Bilbao BBK Live welcomes 40,000 revellers to enjoy an unparalleled musical lineup combining the biggest names with fresh talent. This year’s festival line-up boasts Arcade Fire, Pixies, Tame Impala, Foals, M83, Hot Chip, Years & Years, Chvrches, Grimes, Slaves, Father John Misty, Courtney Barnett and Wolf Alice. When you’re not enjoying one of Europe’s best loved festivals there’s plenty of opportunity to soak up the sun, check out one of the many museums and art galleries (including the Guggenheim), wander around the narrow winding pathways of the historic old town or take advantage of the incredible cuisine in what is the gastronomy capital of Spain!
OFF Festival
5-7 August 2016
Three Lake Valley, Katowice, Poland
off-festival.pl
Fresh from the success of its 10th anniversary edition in 2015, OFF Festival returns to Katowice in Poland with another bold and eclectic lineup. With everything from the vital hip hop of Flatbush Zombies and grindcore legends Napalm Death through to much lauded producer Machinedrum and Philadelphia punks Beach Slang, OFF is truly a festival for the discerning music fan and the place to discover the best alternative acts from around the world. Steeped in history, with a plethora of museums, monuments and castles, not to mention a thriving street art scene, Poland is the ideal choice for the inquisitive traveller to combine with a festival break.
Sziget
10-17 August 2016
Budapest, Hungary
szigetfestival.com
Having just landed themselves the award for ‘Best European Lineup’ at this year’s European festival awards as well as picking up the ‘Best European Festival’ award in 2015, this is certain to be another standout year for Sziget festival. Situated on the picturesque Óbuda Island, in Budapest, this is the go-to cultural event for arts and music lovers. For their 24th edition the festival will see the likes of Bastille, Bloc Party, Chvrches, Bring Me The Horizon, MØ and Sum 41 take to the stage. Also known as ‘The Paris of the East’, Hungary is famed for its architecture and romantic scenery. Take in the views and explore the city’s nightlife, ‘ruin pubs’ and lively cultural scene. Then after a week’s adventures at Sziget, relax and unwind at the Palatinus Baths, praised by The Guardian as ‘One of the most beautiful outdoor baths in the world’.
Oasis
16-18 September 2016
Morocco, Marrakesh
theoasisfest.com
Following a successful debut in 2015, Oasis Festival returns to the Fellah hotel in Marrakech this September! Soundtracked by the ultimate blend of house, techno, disco and electronica, the sizzling Moroccan sun ensures a laid-back festival vibe by day as guests cool off in the pool, unwind with daily yoga and massage, enjoy authentic local street food, and revel in the spectacular views of the nearby Atlas Mountains. As night falls, the dancefloor brings the heat, as the finest DJs and live acts perform under captivating star-lit skies. Acts for 2016 include Dixon, Tale of Us, Derrick May, The Black Madonna, Bicep and Hunee. With the centre of Marrakech just 10 minutes from the festival it’s also the perfect opportunity to explore the city’s rich Berber, Arabic and Moorish culture, historic sights, desert landscapes, souks, spas and aromatic cuisine.
Amsterdam Dance Event
19-23 October 2016
Amsterdam, The Netherlands
amsterdam-dance-event.nl
Amsterdam’s thriving club and nightlife scene is well documented and for 5 days a year the city becomes the centre of the electronic music world as over 375,000 visitors flock to the city for the Amsterdam Dance Event – the ultimate music event for fans of electronic music. Taking place from 19-23 October, the festival features more than 2,200 international artists performing in more than 100 of Amsterdam’s most celebrated venues including Melkweg, Closure, Gashouder, the NDSM Docklands and De School.
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