Must See World Summer Festivals

Ok, if we have tons of summer festivals in the U.S. that we looked at last week, it must mean that other countries have a lot of festivals as well. Well, I?m here to tell you that it?s true and it?s a great way to give you a reason to go and explore another country. Plus, if you miss one of your favorite bands stateside, there?s a good chance you can see them abroad.

PinkPop Festival

Landgraaf, Netherlands hosts the PinkPop Festival from June 11th to June 13th. To me, the night of the 13th sounds to be the best night as the Foo Fighters, The Gaslight Anthem and Band of Horses are all scheduled to perform. It?s only about 130 miles away from Amsterdam, so you could fly in for a long weekend, check out the Van Gogh Museum and its exhibits on reusing canvases and Van Gogh?s time in Antwerp and Paris, maybe check out a coffeeshop and the Red Light District and then hit the festival and before you know it, you?ll be flying back to the U.S.

Norwegian Wood Festival

If you want to go a bit more old school, you could head over to Oslo, Norway for the Norwegian Wood Festival on June 9th through the 13th. How old school is it? On the 9th, Eric Clapton headlines, on the 11th, it?s Ringo Starr & His All Starr Band and on the 13th, it?s the Eagles. If you remember the 60s and 70s, this concert will take you back in time. If you don?t remember those times, this music could make all the memories rush back into your head.

Hellfest

Hellfest!

For something on the harder side of music, on June 17th to the 19th you can go to Clisson, France for Hellfest. Ozzy Osbourne, Judas Priest and the Scorpions headline this event that only costs 139 euros to attend for all three days. Since it is on the west side of France, after a weekend of head banging, it?s only about 200 miles to drive to unwind and enjoy the chateaux of Bordeaux for a week.

Wireless Festival

If you don?t feel like celebrating Independence Day in the states, you could fly to London, England for the Wireless Festival on July 1st through the 3rd. The Black Eyed Peas headline Friday, followed by The Chemical Brothers on Saturday and Pulp on Sunday. Sunday also has a personal favorite band of mine, Devotchka.

Oxegen Festival

If you want to stay in Europe until the following weekend, you could make your way west over the Irish Sea to Naas, Ireland, just 18 miles south west of Dublin, for the Oxegen Festival. You can catch the Foo Fighters, The National, Coldplay, The Strokes or Weezer from July 8th to the 10th. All I have to say is that while you are there, be sure to drink lots of Guinness.

Montreux Jazz Festival

For something a bit mellower, you could head to the foot of the Alps in Switzerland for the Montreux Jazz Festival that runs from the 1st to the 16th of July. The headline act is Sting, but if you want tickets to see him on the 11th, you?re going to have to turn to scalpers as it is already sold out. However, it all could be sold out, you?re still on the shore of Lake Geneva and with the Alps towering to the east, just sitting on your duff in a park is reason enough to travel here.

Darwin Beer Can Regatta

Lastly, since Europe has the same seasonal schedule as the U.S., it?s easy to find events over there. Not to forget the land down under, however, I did find one winter event that looks promising: the Darwin Beer Can Regatta to be held on July 10th. If there isn?t drinking involved in watching people try to travel in boats made of cans, I don?t know my Australia.

Unfortunately, that was the only ?festival? I found that looks fun. Come back in October and I?ll try to find some good southern hemisphere music festivals to give you an excuse to travel and escape our winter.