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23rd Mar 2018

Eight European festivals worth taking a flight for this summer

Didn't get your hands on an EP ticket?

Anna O'Rourke

Eight European festivals worth taking a flight for this summer

If you haven’t booked your holidays or bought any festival tickets yet, there’s still time to do both.

Electric Picnic and the rest will always be there but why not do something different and experience a festival abroad?

Many foreign festivals offer the same craic for cheaper or with some sun – you’d be mad not to try it.

Here are eight to look into for summer 2018.

 

Sea Star, Croatia

Sea Star is set to return to Stella Maris laguna in the Mediterranean town of Umag from 24 May too 27 May.

Nominated for ‘Best European New Festival’, it boasts a stunning location, six stages and more than 70 acts including Dimitri Vegas & Like Mike, Hurts, Robin Schulz, Paul Van Dyk, Disciples, Offenbach and Tram 11.

Check it out here.

 

Secret Solstice, Iceland

It’s the fifth year of this festival, which takes place in Reykjavik from 21-24 June during the surreal summer solstice, meaning the sun never sets on it. Expect main stage sets, glacier raves, midnight sun boat parties and secret lagoon blowouts.

The lineup includes Slayer, Gucci Mane, Stormzy and Steve Aoki.

More here.

 

EXIT, Serbia

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Just a short ride away from the Serbian capital Belgrade, the Petrovaradin Fortress will host EXIT Festival from 12-15 July. Think hippy meets raver – started as a student protest in 2000 for political change and freedom, EXIT is big on positive vibes.

Acts include Migos, David Guetta, Fever Ray, LP, Ziggy Marley and Jax Jones.

Book here.

 

Positivus, Latvia

Positives brings chart-topping headliners and underground emerging talent to a coastal setting amid stunning woodland between 20 and 22 July.

Among those performing are Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds.

More info here.

 

OFF Festival, Poland

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On between 3 and 5 August, this is one for those who love alternative sounds. As well as discovering new music, festival goers can also discover the city of Katowice with plenty of art and culture to soak up and a huge choice of bars and restaurants to delve into.

The lineup features Grizzly Bear, AURORA, Clap Your Hands Say Yeah, Afrojax and more.

Check it out here.

 

Lowlands, The Netherlands

The lineup for this is one of the best we’ve seen for any European festival, plus its location an hour’s drive outside of Amsterdam so you can combine your trip with a city break. It’s on from 17 – 19 August.

Playing Lowlands are Gorillaz, Kendrick Lamar, The War On Drugs, Dua Lipa
Bonobo, Dropkick Murphys, Gavin James, Grizzly Bear, Rag‘n’Bone Man and Stormzy.

Book here.

 

Amsterdam Dance Event

If you’d rather stay in the city, this electronic festival might be for you.

Over 2,500 international artists will descend on the city between 17 and 21 October for events across Amsterdam. There’s been no lineup reveal yet but you can get some info here.

 

Sea Dance, Montenegro

Dance on the beach in Budva, Montenegro. The country was named among the cheapest  holiday destinations in Europe by Skyscanner so while there’s no lineup announced yet, you might want to check it out here.