Beach Festivals and Events to Visit This Summer
When you think of music festivals, do you think of dirty, gross displays of overcrowding like the legendary Woodstock festivals? Or do you have not-so-pleasant memories of getting your boots wet and shuddering at the tinny sound of distant bands as you struggled to find your will to live? You may have turned down festivals the last time you experienced the real horror of a sweltering pot of port or being about six miles from the main stage.
Well, it doesn’t have to be like that. Like everything else in this world, your festival experience will almost always come down to one decisive factor: location, location, location. If you want to get together with other people for a few days for music, food or other hobbies, why not find a festival that takes place on the beach?
All over the world people organize beach festivals. It is sun, sea and sand. This means you won’t be cold inside out and get all the joys of a day at the beach with the best soundtrack, menu or list of events. If we convinced you of the benefits of having fun by the ocean, here are ten beach festivals you should definitely plan your trip to.
Hangouts Music Festival
Where and when: Gulf Shores, Alabama, May 20-22.
With a roster of artists including Post Malone, Fall Out Boy and Halsey, this would be a classic festival based on musical offerings alone. But Hangout Music Fest , sponsored by the legendary Hangout restaurant in Alabama, is meant to be an adult version of the county fair. In addition to music, there are arcade games, beach volleyball tournaments, puppies (yes, puppies) and plenty of local food vendors. Tickets start at $339 (plus fees) for the three-day festival, and there’s free shuttle service to and from local beach hotels so you don’t have to sweat.
Les Plages Electronics
Where and when: Cannes, France, August 5-7
No wonder Cannes hosts the most glamorous film festival in the world. If you love house and electronic music and are looking for an excuse to empty your retirement accounts and spend some epic days on a Mediterranean beach, Les Plages Électroniques is the perfect choice. Performers include David Guetta, Martin Garrix and Charlotte De Witte, but if you don’t recognize any of the names, just remind yourself you’ll be in Cannes – and you might be broke too, but that’s a problem for Future You, who might be a bit noisy.
Carolina Beach Music Festival
Where and when: Carolina Beach, NC, June 4th.
In fact, all you need to know about the Carolina Beach Music Festival is that it takes place on the northern tip of the island, literally called Pleasure Island. Pleasure Island , people! This music festival has few world famous music artists but lots of casual fun. If you’re looking for a low-key holiday that lets you bring your own refreshing drink to gorgeous beaches, the longest-running beach festival of all time is your best bet. The best part? Tickets are only $35 ($40 on festival day).
North Sea Jazz Festival Curacao
Where and when: Curacao, July 8-10.
Curaçao is a magnificent blend of Dutch, African and Caribbean cultures, and its pristine beaches host one of the region’s largest music festivals,the Curaçao North Sea Jazz Festival . With John Legend opening the festival and the likes of Herbie Hancock, Erica Badu and damn Diana Ross, you can’t lose. Don’t like jazz? Get over it. The festival has a wide range of musical styles and did we forget to mention that it takes place in Curaçao? Tickets for all three days will set you back around $1,200 (excluding airfare and hotels), but you can also buy just a single day pass.
Hawaiian Food and Wine Festival
Where and when: Kaanapali, Maui, October 21-23; island of Hawaii, October 28-29; Oahu, November 3-6.
Hawaii you say? Wine, you say? Food too? Why aren’t we all going to this wonderful event? The Hawaii Food and Wine Festival is so popular that it has to be held three times a month. It is dedicated to the pleasures at the table. Stroll along some of the most beautiful beaches in Hawaii while enjoying food prepared by some of the world’s best chefs. Tickets will cost you about $300 per person (plus fare, of course), but if you’re looking for a reason to spend a few weeks in Hawaii living it, you’ve found it.
Primavera Sound
Where and when: Barcelona, Spain, June 2-12.
There are actually a series of Primavera Sound festivals around the world, but Barcelona’s lineup is pretty killer if you’re into rock music (and the beaches are pretty good too). Featuring bands like Massive Attack, The Strokes, Lorde, Dua Lipa and Pavement, the festival is also hard at work to showcase up-and-coming bands and lesser-known indie favorites to round out the count. You can not only enjoy the city famous for its nightlife, but also increase your knowledge of what is popular in the music world by dipping your feet in the Mediterranean. Tickets will cost you about $500 for both weekends, but you can only choose one stage of the festival.
Duke’s Oceanfest
Where and when: Honolulu, Hawaii, August 20-28.
If you love water sports like surfing, swimming or kayaking (as well as beach activities like volleyball), then Duke’s Oceanfest is for you. For nine days, this festival in honor of the legendary Olympic champion Duke Paoa Kahanamoku is one of the most fun on Waikiki Beach. In addition to all the incredible water sports that you can see, there is also a full list of music, food and other activities for the whole family. Did we mention it’s held on Waikiki Beach? In Hawaii? In addition, you can come and see everything for free, although some events may be paid.
Sonus Festival
Where and when: Novalja, Croatia, August 21-25.
You may not immediately think of beaches when you think of Croatia, but it is a beautiful country with a long coastline along the Adriatic Sea. The festival is held on the island of Pag and is a combination of relaxation and music festival. The tunes lean heavily towards underground electronic music, so if that phrase confuses you, it might not be perfect, although when you’re dancing on a beach in a great location, it might not matter much. The best way to think of the Sonus Festival is basically a five-day party on the beach with an amazing DJ. Tickets start at around $250, while VIP packages start closer to $325.
Concerts on the Santa Cruz Boardwalk
Where and when: Santa Cruz, California on Fridays from June to August.
Not so much an organized festival as a series of free public concerts, the Santa Cruz Promenade offers a free, laid-back festival atmosphere without a strict schedule or ticket prices. Whether you’re in the area and looking for a cheap and easy gig, or you’re looking for a new beach to explore, the Santa Cruz Boardwalk offers food, entertainment, and plenty of beach activities every single day. But on Fridays in the summer, it suddenly turns into a mini-music festival – and it’s all free.
Island Hopper Songwriters Festival
Where and when: Fort Myers and Captiva Island, Florida, September 16-25.
Along the beautiful beaches in Fort Myers and Captiva Island, various locations offer an extensive roster of fresh, up-and-coming singers and songwriters. Not only is this an absolutely beautiful place by the Gulf of Mexico, but it’s also an amazing opportunity to discover the cool new thing about music before they hit it – and have fun at the same time. The festival moves between Fort Myers and Captiva Island, ending with a big bang on the beach at Fort Myers, and best of all, most of the shows are free to attend with just a few VIP events with tickets.