You’re in the right place if your vision of travel starts with a lineup poster and concludes with a sunrise set. No longer just a weekend escape, a full festival season has become a global phenomenon. Whole cities and landscapes become temporary worlds based around sound, style, and shared anarchy. And when you’re organizing your flights, budget, and downtime between performances, it’s common to become lost in a rabbit hole of web evaluations, whether they’re for hotels, gear, or something like this MyStake review while you’re bored on the road.

These are the festival picks that really seem like “worth the trip” – the ones people talk about for years, not just weeks.

Big “you had to be there” weekends in Europe

Tomorrowland (Boom, Belgium)

Tomorrowland is one of the few events that goes all out on pure spectacle. The fantasy stages are huge, the staging is perfect, and the electronic music is nonstop. It’s the kind of location where you can make friends with strangers in just 48 hours, and every drop makes you want to say “no way.” Tomorrowland Belgium is again for two weekends in July 2026. 

Sziget (Budapest, Hungary)

Sziget sits on Óbuda Island and is more of a “festival city” than a “festival grounds.” For a week, music, art, and late-night discoveries all happen at the same time. The roster is widely wide, including music from pop, rock, indie, and electronic genres, as well as a lot of non-music programming to keep you busy long after your must-see show concludes. 

Primavera Sound (Barcelona, Spain)

If you want a world-class roster but don’t want to camp out, Primavera is the place to go. Barcelona is part of the experience: beach breaks, late meals, and then right back into a busy program that usually includes famous performers and “next up” artists that define the scene. People who want to plan their own perfect day can go to this festival without wearing a costume.

Montreux Jazz Festival (Montreux, Switzerland)

Don’t be fooled by the name. Montreux started as a jazz festival, but it has expanded into an event that covers many genres in one of Europe’s most beautiful places: Lake Geneva, mountain air, and an atmosphere that feels more like a “music pilgrimage” than a party marathon. This is the move if you want style and edge.

Afrobeats and other celebrations of African cultures

Afro Nation (Portimão, Portugal)

Afro Nation has become one of the most popular summer events for fans of afrobeats and R&B. It boasts a beach, sunshine, and people who come to dance instead of merely watch movies. It feels like a vacation and a cultural event at the same time. 

MOGA (Essaouira, Morocco)

If you want a festival with small stages, ocean air, and a more thought-out mix of “music and lifestyle,” MOGA is a terrific choice. At this kind of event, you can flip between shows, the city mood, and daytime resets without feeling like you’re missing anything. 

Things you need to have on your bucket list in Asia-Pacific

Fuji Rock (Niigata Prefecture, Japan)

Fuji Rock is a real Japanese setting, with mountains, well-organized logistics, and a natural atmosphere that makes the whole weekend feel refreshing instead of busy. It features well-known international musicians. If you’ve ever wanted to go to an event that seems both huge and well-planned, this is it. 

The Electric Daisy Carnival (Phuket, Thailand)

EDC’s bright lights, high power, and constant movement are made for those who are out at night. The festival originated in Las Vegas, USA, but its sister event in Thailand adds a new perspective to the festival that makes it much more fun. The beaches, food, and days off that seem like part of the schedule make it a better adventure.