Our resident Santa Monica roving reporter and party lover extraordinaire Zoe Macfarlane gives us her top 8 lowdown on what’s hot on the global festival scene.
Tickets for Coachella sold out in record time once again and if you were not lucky enough to score yours then you’ll need to read on for our new favourite global festivals.
These boutique festivals offer just as much bragging rights, as you’ll likely be one of the first Aussie’s to get there.
1. Envision Festival
This Costa Rica fave has been running for eight years at a breathtaking location where the rainforest meets the ocean – true paradise!
The event is founded on eight principles, including music, spirituality, art and movement, and sustainability practices throughout the long weekend protect the Uvita community.
Explore nearby waterfalls, practice your downward dog on the beach at sunset and enjoy delicious meals, all to the backdrop of tribal beats. It’s a festival and a holiday all in one!
When: 23-26th February 2017
Fly into: San Jose
Info/Tickets
2. Snowbombing
Snowbombing, Mayerhofen, Austria
For something a little different, head almost 9,000 ft. up a mountain for Snowbombing this April.
Located in one of Europe’s premier ski resorts, this is an unrivalled event on the global festival calendar. Combine your daredevil diamond run with igloo parties, an enchanted forest, world-class musicians and many, many hot tubs. What are you waiting for?
When: 3-8 April 2017
Fly into: Innsbruck, Munich or Salzburg
Info/Tickets
3. Lighting in a Bottle
This is one of California’s most transformative festivals, where the emphasis is not just on the music (with Richie Hawtin on the line up this year, it’s still not to be sniffed at).
The Do Lab crowd provides a stellar line up of music, fascinating talks, yoga sessions, dance and meditation to revel in. It’s midway between Los Angeles and San Francisco and held in May. It can be a scorcher so pack a fan and parasol to ward off the heat.
When: 24-29th May 2017
Fly into: Los Angeles or San Francisco
Info/Tickets
4. Summer Solstice
Summer Solstice is in Iceland and we all know how hot Iceland is right now.
Party all night with Iceland’s stunning landscape as your backdrop with no excuses for sleep when the sun doesn’t. Definitely check out the Into the Glacier side event where 125 partygoers get to live it up inside a glacier!
When: 16-18th June 2017
Fly into: Reykjavik
Info/Tickets
5. Southern Soul Festival
Croatia is so last year – in 2017 it’s all about the tiny neighbouring country of Montenegro.
Back for its fourth run, take in Southern Soul’s three stages against a backdrop of the Adriatic Coast’s sandy beaches. The event organisers bring together underground and up-and-coming artists and it has a mellower overall vibe than many of the bigger festivals nearby.
When: 29th June to 2nd July 2017
Fly into: Tivat or Podgorica
Info/Tickets
6. Shambhala
This is a Canadian favorite despite being in the middle of nowhere.
It pulls in an alternative crowd, attracted to the incredible PK Sound system; it’s on-point line-up and friendly Canuck vibes. 2017 marks the 20th anniversary of the festival so if you’ve been thinking about it, seek out a ticket and just do it (tickets are currently sold out but check here closer to August).
Don’t be surprised if you see a few naked bodies here and there – the old hippy vibes continue on. Shambhala is best reached from Calgary where it’s a 5-hour drive, or from Vancouver at 8.
When: 11-14th August 2017
Fly into: Vancouver or Calgary
Info/Tickets
7. Oregon Eclipse
This year the solar eclipse is going to be visible in parts of America for the first time in nearly four decades and a medley of festival organisers have pulled together to collaborate and create Oregon Eclipse.
This is not one to be missed as the planets truly are aligning for the perfect event. The festival is located at Big Prairie Summit in Oregon, a prime location to view the total solar eclipse and, of course, the non-stop party shenanigans.
It’s a camping festival so consider picking up a campervan in San Francisco and heading north.
When: 17-23rd August 2017
Fly into: San Francisco, Seattle or Portland
Info/Tickets
8. Dirtybird Campout
Introduced to the festival scene in October 2015, this has already become a US festival favourite, offering a winning combination an American summer camp and house music tunes from the Dirtybird record label.
By day you’ll be face painting, tie-dying and playing archery for your team (go the red team); by night you’ll be enjoying friendly vibes with 5999 of your new best friends in front of Claude Von Stroke.
Crazy times at Dirtybird Campout
It’s only 1.5 hours out of LA so it’s one of the easier ones to reach.
When: Dates TBC
Fly into: Los Angeles
Info/Tickets