1- Sonus Festival
Festival lineup: Amelie Lens, Rødhåd, Chris Liebing, Richie Hawtin, Ricardo Villalobos, Seth Troxler, Len Faki, Tale of Us
With a passion for underground electronic music, Sonus is tucked away on a little slice of paradise: Croatia’s Island of Pag. Once the suitcases hit the hotel floor, it’s five days and four nights of partying, which means beachside sets, boat fiestas and plenty of pool action – whether that’s relaxing or raving.
When & where: 18-22 August 2019; Novalja, Croatia
2- Boardmasters
Festival lineup: Florence + the Machine, Dizzee Rascal, Jorja Smith, Franz Ferdinand, DJ EZ, Wilkinson B2B Sub Focus, Giggs, IDLES
Spanning the UK's Cornish coastline, Boardmasters is a festival dedicated to surfing, skating and live music, even hosting its own pro competitions. Held on Fistral Beach and Watergate Bay in Newquay, Boardmasters attracts thousands of extreme sports and music fans every August, keen to pair up their passions.
When & where: 7-11 August 2019; Newquay, UK
Boardmasters Guide & Mailing List
3- Hangout Festival
Festival lineup: Travis Scott, The Lumineers, Diplo, Khalid, The 1975, Vampire Weekend, Cardi B, Kygo
Boasting a status as the only music festival located literally on a beach in the US, Hangout brings all the elements of a grand-scale music festival to the sandy shores of Alabama, meaning you can stroll out of your beachfront condo and catch sets from great artists.
When & where: 16-19 May 2019; Gulf Shores, USA
4- Annie Mac Presents: Lost & Found Festival
Festival lineup: Annie Mac, Patrick Topping, Skream, The Martinez Brothers, Peggy Gou, AJ Tracey, The Black Madonna, Shy FX
Now in its fifth year, Annie Mac's Maltese adventure has become Europe's most explosive start to the summer. Lost & Found Festival takes a distinctly UK-flavoured lineup to the middle of the Mediterranean Sea, with pool-parties, boat-parties and even a castle rave making it a unique and high energy festival.
When & where: 2-5 May 2019; St Paul's Bay, Malta
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5- Gnaoua Festival
Festival lineup (2018): Snarky Puppy, Maâlem Hamid El Kasri, Asma Hamzaoui, Ismael Rahil, Omar Barkaoui, Fatoumata Diawara, Said Boulhimas, Khalid Sansi
This magical world music festival on the north-eastern coast of Morocco has built its reputation on a laid-back, bohemian atmosphere blessed with wonderful Riad guesthouses and meandering bronze beaches.
Focusing on the traditional Gnaoua (pronounced "Now-ah") music which originated from sub-Saharan Africa, the festival takes in ritual poetry, soulful African beats, jazz, reggae, rhythmic drum sets and acrobatic dancing, alongside more contemporary world music by musicians from all over the globe.
When & where: 20-23 June 2019; Essaouira, Morocco
6- EMF: Electrobeach Music Festival
Festival lineup (2018): Martin Garrix, Armin van Buuren, Oliver Heldens, Afrojack, DJ Snake, Angerfist, Yellow Claw, NERVO
Right down near France's border with Spain, EMF brings the very biggest names in dance music to the coast at Le Barcarès. Last year saw three days of full-throttle partying to the likes of David Guetta, Martin Garrix, Afrojack and NERVO – it's any EDM fan's dream, and one of the best beach spots around.
When & where: 12-14 July 2019; Le Barcarès, France
7- BBF: Barcelona Beach Festival
Festival lineup (2018): Axwell^Ingrosso, David Guetta, Oliver Heldens, The Chainsmokers, Armin van Buuren, Robin Schulz, Don Diablo, JP Candela
Immersed within the coastal city of Barcelona, BBF is a mecca for all electronic and dance music lovers. Barcelona's Platja del Forùm sets the scene, with the Mediterranean as a beautiful backdrop to some of the biggest DJs and producers in the world.
When & where: 13 July 2019, Barcelona, Spain
8- MEO Sudoeste
Festival lineup (2018): Marshmello, Lil Pump, Hardwell, Shawn Mendes, Jason Derulo, J Balvin, Desiigner, Karetus & Friends
MEO Sudoeste is a Portuguese institution that goes way beyond the music, having grown into a staple of the Portuguese summer calendar. Drawn primarily to its eclectic musical mix, festival fans know that parties take over the campsite just as much as the stages.
MEO Sudoeste may only be officially scheduled for five nights, but revellers often end up staying for more like nine in what is essentially an extended summer camp.
When & where: 6-10 August 2019; Zambujeira do Mar, Portugal
9- Beyond the Valley
Festival lineup: The Kooks, Joey Bada$$, Bonobo, Tash Sultana, Duke Dumont, Richy Ahmed, Kölsch, Peggy Gou
Ever been stuck for New Year’s Eve plans and wished you could be at a music festival? Beyond the Valley, a boutique camping festival in Victoria lays on an unrivalled lineup of Aussie and international music, complete with food trucks, boutique beer and cocktail bars. Oh, and a hangover spa named the Luxury Pop-Up Hotel.
When & where: 28 December 2018 - 1 January 2019; Larder, Australia
10- Cavendish Beach Music Festival
Festival lineup: Carrie Underwood, Russell Dickerson, Eric Church, Cam
If country music is more your kind of thing, then Cavendish Festival will suit you like a dream. The 3-day long bash is held each year on Prince Edward Island, Canada, turning what was once a cow pasture into a 70,000-strong music and dining festival. Artists such as Carrie Underwood and Russell Dickerson compliment the warmest waters north of the Carolinas.
When & where: 5-7 July 2019; Cavendish, Canada
