10 Tempting International Festival Destinations for 2016

With festival season just around the corner and such an excitingly diverse array of festivals to choose from, audiences are after more than just a fantastic musical line up. More than ever, many are choosing to venture overseas, combining their favourite holiday destinations with some of the most exciting events, providing the ultimate music and cultural fix. From mountain top snow resorts, sun-kissed Croatian festivals and exotic Moroccan locations, to wallet friendly Eastern European hotspots, there is something for everyone to enjoy, the choice is yours!

Caprices
7-10 April 2016
Crans Montana, Switzerland
caprices.ch

Launched in 2003, the concept of Caprices Festival was to bring people and artists together in a dreamlike location in the Swiss Alps: Crans-Montana ski station. Now in it’s 13th year, the festival has gained a reputation for outstanding electronic lineups, an operational excellence, a creative mindset and one of the finest mountain line of the Alps. With a line up of the biggest names in techno including Ricardo Villalobos, Nina Kraviz, Maceo Plex and Jamie Jones, Caprices is set to be an unmissable party.

 
 
Bilbao BBK Live
7-9 July 2016
Bilbao, Spain
bilbaobbklive.com

Set against the breath-taking backdrop of the Kobetamendi Hill in culture-rich Bilbao, Bilbao BBK Live welcomes 40,000 revellers to enjoy an unparalleled musical lineup combining the biggest names with fresh talent. Joining the lineup for 1 of only 2 European shows are Canada’s Arcade Fire as well as alt-rock legends Pixies, Tame Impala, Foals, M83, Hot Chip, Years & Years, Father John Misty, Courtney Barnett and Wolf Alice for a festival that promises to be one of their best and biggest yet.

 
 
 
Electric Elephant
7-11 July 2016
Tisno, Croatia
electricelephant.co.uk

Set in a magnificent natural amphitheatre with gently rolling hills leading down to a private bay, a shimmering sandy beach and crystal clear waters, Electric Elephant offers the perfect fusion of holiday and festival. For five days, the picturesque Garden Tisno site is taken over by many of the the leading names in House, Disco and Electronica, playing across three stages, daily boat parties and the much-loved open-air club Barbarella’s. Acts taking to the decks for EE16 include Âme, Andrew Weatherall, Bicep, Boo Williams, Greg Wilson, Kerri Chandler, Laura Jones, Jacques Renault, Psychemagik, Steffi and Todd Terry.

 
 
Exit Festival
7-10 July 2016
Petrovaradin Fortress , Novi Sad, Serbia
exitfest.org

Started as a student protest fighting for political change and freedom, EXIT continues to spread positive vibes in the Petrovaradin Fortress in Novi Sad. With a host of different stages connected by cobbled streets, ramparts and tunnels, EXIT welcomes you to enjoy artists from a diverse mix of musical genres. Just a short ride away from the Serbian capital Belgrade, this beautiful medieval fortress provides the perfect backdrop to enjoy the likes of hip hop hero Wiz Khalifa, pop superstar Ellie Goulding, much loved indie rockers Bastille as well as some of the biggest names in the electronic music such as Dimitri Vegas & Like Mike, Solomun, Nicky Romero & James Zabeila. EXIT. Where hedonism meets activism.

 
 
Positivus
15-17 July 2016
Salacgriva, Latvia
positivusfestival.com/en/

Taking place in the picturesque coastal town of Salacgriva in Latvia, Positivus is gearing up to celebrate it’s 10th anniversary in 2016. Positivus transports chart-topping headliners, underground emerging talent and exciting art and dance stages to their unspoiled atmospheric coastal setting amid stunning woodland. Festival goers can dip their toes in the baltic sea or take in the atmosphere in a hammock beneath the trees as well as enjoying artists such as Ellie Goulding Wolf Alice, Seinabo Sey, Richard Hawley, John Newman, C Duncan, Mercury Rev and San Fermin.

 
 
Off Festival
5-7 August 2016
Three Lake Valley, Katowice, Poland
off-festival.pl

Fresh from the success of its 10th anniversary edition in 2015, OFF Festival returns with another bold and eclectic lineup. With everything from the vital hip hop of Flatbush Zombies and grindcore legends Napalm Death through to much lauded producer Machinedrum and Philadelphia punks Beach Slang, OFF is truly a festival for the discerning music fan and the place to discover the best alternative acts from around the world. Staying true to itself and flying in the face of current trends the organisers and crowd have one serious finger on the pulse when it comes to music.

 
 
Sziget
10-17 August 2016
Budapest, Hungary
szigetfestival.com

Having just landed themselves the award for ‘Best European Lineup’ at this year’s European festival awards and having picked up the ‘Best European Festival’ award in 2015, this is certain to be another standout year for Sziget festival. Situated on the picturesque Óbuda Island, in Budapest, this is the go-to cultural event for arts and music lovers for the the ultimate festival-holiday experience. For their 24th edition the festival will see the likes of Bastille, Bloc Party, Chvrches, Bring Me The Horizon, MØ and Sum 41 take to the stage. The festival invites everyone to express themselves on their self-proclaimed Island of Freedom.

 
 
Mysteryland
27-28 August 2016
Haarlemmermeer, Netherlands
mysteryland.nl

Just a short distance from the city of Amsterdam, the world’s longest running dance music festival takes visitors on a creative journey, combining the finest electronic music with an extensive arts and culture line-up. With over 346 acts, criss-crossing house, techno, disco, African beats, vinyl-only, hardstyle, hip hop and feel-good bands, there’s something for every electronic music fan. The extensive lifestyle and culture programme also features theatre, movies, live art, interactive installation art, street performers, hidden raves in the forests and spectacular shows.

 
 
Oasis
16-18 September 2016
Morocco, Marrakesh
theoasisfest.com

Oasis brought a unique new festival experience to Morocco in 2015 with its debut event at the Fellah hotel in Marrakech. Soundtracked by the ultimate blend of house, techno, disco and electronica, the sizzling Moroccan sun ensures a laid-back festival vibe by day as guests cool off in the pool, unwind with daily yoga and massage, enjoy authentic local street food, and revel in the spectacular views of the nearby Atlas Mountains. As night falls, the dancefloor brings the heat, as the finest DJs and live acts perform under captivating star-lit skies.

 
 
Amsterdam Dance Event
19-23 October 2016
Amsterdam, The Netherlands
amsterdam-dance-event.nl

Amsterdam’s thriving club and nightlife scene is well documented and for 5 days a year the city becomes the centre of the electronic music world as over 375,000 visitors flock to the city for the Amsterdam Dance Event – the ultimate music event for fans of electronic music. Taking place from 19-23 October, the festival features more than 2,200 international artists performing in more than 100 of Amsterdam’s most celebrated venues including Melkweg, Closure, Gashouder, the NDSM Docklands and De School.