Want to try a festival somewhere different and discover somewhere new? Try one of these festivals in less obvious locations from the Baltics to the Balkans, Poland and Montenegro there’s a festival waiting to be discovered.

EXIT Festival | Novi Sad | Serbia
This friendly, warm and welcoming country is a hell of a lot of fun. Capital city Belgrade has become one of the most happening cities in Europe rivalling Berlin as the go-to party destination but the best place to get your music fix is Novi Sad’s Exit Festival which sees music fans from all over the world descend on this cultural hotspot. Visitors can take in the beautiful, scenic views across the River Danube, wander through pretty parks, outdoor cafes and its bustling bars. Nicknamed the ‘Athens of Serbia’, this vibrant, creative city oozes history and it’s laid-back liberal vibe makes for the perfect festival spot.

Just a short ride away from the Serbian capital Belgrade, the magical Petrovaradin Fortress set high on the banks of the river Danube in Novi Sad provides the perfect setting for the EXIT Festival.  Started as a student protest in 2000 fighting for political change and freedom, EXIT continues to spread positive vibes, promoting change and positive education, supporting many community and humanitarian missions, while throwing a damn good party. The award winning festival has something for music lovers of all genres with a diverse mix of artists performing on numerous stages connected by cobbled streets, ramparts and tunnels.  Also renowned for it’s amazing atmosphere and energy the Dance Arena champions the who’s who in the electronic music world  set in the awe inspiring moat of the fortress, it’s that special moment when the sun’s rays shine over the fortress walls and your favourite tune is belting through the soundsystem and into your soul! EXIT continues to deliver the most adventurous and value for money festival experiences in Europe so keep your eyes peeled for the first acts to be announced soon. EXIT. Where hedonism meets activism.

Line Up: The Killers, Years & Years, Alan Walker, Hardwell, Jason Derulo, Jeff Mills, Liam Gallagher, Nina Kraviz, Paul Kalkbrenner, Rag’n’Bone Man, Roisin Murphy, Solomun b2b Dixon,
Jesus And Mary Chain, Black Coffee, Duke Dumont, Ellen Allien, Faithless Dj Set, Hot Since 82, Jake Bugg, Jamie Jones, Lost Frequencies, Nicole Moudaber, Noisia “OUTER EDGES”, Paula Tample B2B Rebekah, Recondite, Robin Schulz, RÜFÜS, Rodhad, Antigone B2B Francois X, Arkona, Bjarki, Charlotte de Witte, Dax J, Dejan Milicevic B@B Marko Milosavijevic, Destruction, Discharge, Egypt, Elemental, Foreign Beggars, Function, Godsleep, Kungs, Lag B@B UVB, Massimo Savic, Princess Nokia, Samuel, The Damned, Tijana T, Van Gogh, Vatican Shadow + many more!

Be like a local…
Drink: Rakija
Eat: Sarma
Say Cheers: živeli

Exit Festival takes place from 6-9 July 2017. 4-day tickets from £79 available at exitfest.org.


Positivus |Salacgriva | Latvia
Best described as a quaint unspoilt parkland with its cosmopolitan city of Riga, Latvia has retained its charm whilst also offering the best in nightlife. Riga is the perfect pre-festival pit stop, take in the stunning art-nouveau architecture, wander the winding cobbled streets of the old town and dip into the city’s burgeoning nightlife scene before you escape to one of the country’s biggest summer party destinations – Positivus Festival.

Taking place in the picturesque coastal town of Salacgriva in Latvia, Positivus is the largest music and arts festival in the Baltic States, transporting chart-topping headliners, underground emerging talent and exciting art and dance stages to their unspoiled atmospheric coastal setting amid stunning woodland. Festival goers can dip their toes in the baltic sea or take in the atmosphere in a hammock beneath the trees while enjoying a rich diversity of international chart toppers and underground emerging talent in this idyllic holiday location. Positivus also offers art and dance stages giving festival goers a variety of activities and stalls selling locally made designer clothing and accessories, giving festival goers plenty to see and do during the 3 day event. Positivus was also recognised in the 2013, 2015 and 2016 European Festival Awards being a finalist in the ‘Best Medium Sized Festival’ category and also for ‘Best Festival Line Up’ in 2013.

Line up: Pixies, Ellie Goulding, Alt-J, The Lumineers, Rae Sremmurd, Maxïmo Park, Mew, José González, Grandmaster Flash, Jp Cooper, Kamasi Washington, Cigarettes After Sex, Nothing But Thieves, Austra, Rhye, Aeroplane, Crookers, Ray Blk, L.A. Salami, Margaret Glaspy, Julia Jacklin, Trad.Attack!, Araabmuzik, Kingdom, Raimons Tiguls & Moonlight Sound Design, Dzelzs Vilks, Dagamba, Pienvedēja, Piedzīvojumi, Satellites Lv, Bandmaster, Mesa, Fakts, Singapūras Satīns, Makree, Edavārdi, Chris Noah, Daddy Was A Milkman, Get Your Gun, Bucharest, Teachers, Eska + many more!

Be like a local…
Drink: Riga Black Balsam
Eat: karbonāde
Say Cheers: Priekā

Positivus takes place from 14th to 16th July. 3 day festival passes from £67  positivusfestival.com


Sea Dance | Budva | Montenegro
Recently listed by Skyscanner as the number 1 cheapest holiday destination for 2017 this country is well worth checking out.  Montenegro has towering mountains perfect for hiking and mountain biking as well as some of the world’s best unspoiled beaches on the Adriatic Sea.  And if that wasn’t enough Montenegro featured in the James Bond Film Casino Royale and if it’s good enough for Bond, it’s good enough for us!

Award winning Sea Dance festival gathers each year fans from over 50 countries from all over the world, and impressive line up of more than 100 hottest international music stars. This year, fourth edition of the festival, will be held in Budva  from 13th to 15th July, in Budva, Montenegro with acts including John Newman and Sean Paul. Voted best European medium-sized festival, Sea Dance has proven much within just three short years. Stunning location, world renowned artists and outstanding productions make this festival a must see. Save the date and experience Sea Dance festival on Europe’s hottest summer destination, city of Budva, Montenegro.

Line Up: Sean Paul, Fatboy Slim, John Newman, Amelie Lewis, Denis Horvat, South London Ordnance, Space Dimension Controller, Bad Copy, Filip Xavi, Insolate, Tkno, Who See, Ana RS, Bodzie, Darko Milosevic, Dino R, Iks_Oks, Jan de R, Fahrudin Krcic, Mtech, Millok, P.S, Proximus, Rayo, Soft 85, Tanya Moss, Techno Klinika + many more!

Be Like a Local…
Drink: Prvijenac
Eat: Punjene paprike
Say Cheers: Zivjeli

Sea Dance Festival  takes place from 13-15th July 2017. To book tickets visit seadancefestival.me


OFF Festival | Katowice | Poland
Poland offers the perfect getaway for party people wanting to get their culture fix. Steeped in history, travellers can explore museums, monuments, castles and the country’s well known club culture. Made famous in the 90’s, the underground techno scene was compared to that of Berlins with a pioneering outlook on electronic music. This has been culminated today through the curation of some of the most interesting and unique festivals on the scene including Katowice’s OFF Festival.

OFF is a festival for the discerning music fan and the place to discover the best alternative acts from around the world.  A truly unique boutique music festival, OFF Festival takes place in ‘Three Lake Valley’, Katowice  – a beautiful green oasis in the heart of industrial Silesia.  OFF is a way of life, one that flies in the face of current trends and stays true to itself, and the ethos of organiser Artur Rojek is firmly aimed at supporting art and music with the festival bringing many acts to Poland for the first time. OFF Festival’s reputation is growing year on year driven by the festivals forward–thinking, eclectic music policy and  it’s bold and eclectic lineups.  From the greatest alternative music stars from around the world to the increasingly strong Polish scene, OFF festival has inspiring music in abundance and the organisers and crowd have one serious finger on the pulse when it comes to music.

Line Up:  Anna Meredith, Anna Von Hausswolff, Arab Strap, Batushka, BEAK>, Boris Graja “Pink”, Carla Bozulich, Circuit des Yeux, Conor Oberst with Band, Daniel Johnston, Duzy Jack, Feist, Group A, Helando Negro, Jessy Lanza, Kikagaku Moyo, Kwadrofonik I Artur Rojek, Lvl Up, Made in Poland “Martwy Kabaret”, Michael Gira, Moor Mother, PJ Harvey, Preoccupations, PRO8L3M, Royal Trux, Shame, Sheer Mag, Shellac, SIKSA, Silver Apples, Spoiwo, Swans, Taleb Kweli Live, The Black Madonna, The Oh Sees, Ulrika Spacek, Wolves in the Throne Room, Wrekmeister Harmonies + many more!

Be like a local…
Drink: Balsam Pomorski
Eat: Bigos
Say Cheers: Na zdrowie

OFF Festival takes place from 4-6 August 2017. 3-day tickets from £52 available at off-festival.pl.

Contact
Nikki McNeill | Global Publicity
nikki@globalpubl;icity.co.uk