The best festivals in the world bring people together, whether in a celebration of film, music or food. Spanning countries, cultures and themes, we’re taking a look at 15 of the very best festivals coming up this year. Make your best travel year yet, with our festival planning guide.
1. Sónar, Barcelona
Why is it one of the best festivals in the world? Sónar is a celebration of all things creative in terms of electronic music and technology. By day you can listen to talks at the Sónar+D tech conference, and by night head to the massive venue for DJ sets. 2023 marks 30 years since the electronic music institution started, with Peggy Gou, Honey Dijon and The Blessed Madonna all bringing their A game. Buy tickets on the official Sónar website.
How to get there: Sónar by Day is held at the Fira Montjuïc conference centre. The nearest metro station is Espanya. Sónar by Night is held at Fira Gran Via L’Hospitalet. The nearest metro station is Fira, or you can transfer between venues using the SonarBus.
Where to stay:
- Budget: Hostal Elkano (rooms from £50 per night). This basic hotel offers straightforward accommodation, with private or shared bathrooms
- Splurge: Ofelias Hotel (rooms from £164 per night). This modern hotel is just a few minutes walk from Espanya metro station, and has a swimming pool and spa.
2. Bonnaroo, Tennessee
Why is it one of the best festivals in the world? Bonnaroo brings together all music genres, with hundreds of acts ranging from indie and rock to hip-hop and country. There are even stand-up comedians and visual artists. It’s a bit like a modern-day Woodstock, complete with hippy vibes and muddy campgrounds. Buy tickets on the official Bonnaroo website.
How to get there: Bonnaroo takes place on a 700-acre farm in Manchester, Tennessee. It’s around an hour’s drive from Nashville Airport. The best option is to hire a car at Nashville Airport and drive.
Where to stay:
Budget: pack your tent and join other revellers in Bonnaroo’s campgrounds (camping tickets from $50)
Splurge: book into the only nearby hotel, the Baymont by Wyndham Tullahoma (rooms from £94 a night)
3. Taste of Buffalo, New York
4. Paris Jazz Festival, Paris
Why is it one of the best festivals in the world? Summer in Paris means return of the city’s wonderful jazz festival. Throughout the summer, local and international jazz musicians play their music on outdoor stages in the Parc Floral de Paris botanic gardens. See the full line-up on the Paris Jazz Festival website. Entry to the park and its concerts is free.
How to get there: The nearest metro station is Château de Vincennes, which you can reach using line 1. Buses 46 and 112 also stop nearby.
Where to stay:
Budget: Ibis Budget Saint-Maurice (rooms from £52 per night) offers no-frills accommodation to the south of the park
Splurge: The People – Paris Nation (private rooms from £185) is a hip hostel with cool communal areas, including a rooftop restaurant
5. Bangkok Theatre Festival, Bangkok
Why is it one of the best festivals in the world? Having just celebrated its 20th anniversary, the Bangkok Theatre Festival is one of the highlights of the Thai capital’s cultural calendar. Many of the plays are ‘foreigner friendly’, so you don’t need to be fluent in Thai to enjoy them. Catch fresh new plays written and performed by emerging theatre groups. Or, stick around for enlightening talks and workshops with actors, writers and directors.
How to get there: The Bangkok Art and Culture Centre is easy to reach by public transport or tuk-tuk. Take the Metro to Siam, which is served by both the Silom and Sukhumvit lines.
Where to stay:
Budget: Haven’t Met Bangkok Silom by Cross Collection (rooms from £36 per night) offers simple, chic accommodation with a rooftop pool terrace and bar
Splurge: Pullman Bangkok Hotel G (rooms from £79 per night) has wall-to-ceiling windows with city views, three stylish restaurants and an outdoor swimming pool
Ready to go to one of the world’s best festivals?
Each year there are new and exciting festivals to attend. With FareArena, it’s easy to reach the best festivals in the world. Simply use our flight search to find the cheapest, fastest flights to your chosen destination.