Festival season is here, but with so many options, it’s hard to know which one to choose. From Coachella to Glastonbury, every festival is unique, so you want to make sure to do your research. Take a look at our guide to the top festivals this summer, happening in the UK and abroad.
1. EXIT Festival
- When: 4th – 7th July
- Where: Novi Sad, Serbia
- Who’s Headlining: The Cure, Carl Cox, Sofi Tukker, Dimitri Vegas & Like Mike
- Where to Stay: Camping is available on site.
Responsible for putting Serbia on the map as a can’t-miss destination for music lovers, the EXIT Festival is our pick for the best festival of 2019. Located inside the Petrovaradin Fortress, this incredible event showcases the very best in electronic music (as well as everything else) in a mass of tunnels and boat moats that have been converted to stages. EXIT has over 40 stages, so there’s something for everyone. We recommend planning ahead and mapping out a must-see for each day.
Insider Tip: Serbia is HOT, normally 30 degrees at sunset. Most of the partying happens as the sun goes down, so be ready to stay up all night.
LIV Student is GIVING AWAY passes to EXIT Fest for a limited time! If you want to enter to win this exclusive experience, get more info here!
2. Glastonbury
- When: 26th-30th June
- Where: Glastonbury, UK
- Who’s Headlining: Stormzy, The Killers, The Cure, Vampire Weekend, Tame Impala
- Where to Stay: Most Glastonbury attendees camp in the camping fields, which is included in the price of your ticket.
An oldie but a goodie, you can’t go wrong with Glastonbury. Located in the south west of England, the largest greenfield festival in the world is just a few hours away from most unis. Glastonbury is divided into a number of areas. If you’re looking for the buzz, check out the Pyramid, Other, and Silver Hayes. For something calmer, West Holts is ideal; and for an alternative scene, try Field of Avalon, the Tipi Field, and Green Fields. You’ll be able to mould the experience into exactly what you want, which is ideal for first-timers.
Insider Tip: Experienced festival-goers recommend the ‘tapas approach’ when it comes to Glastonbury: try a little bit of everything and be open to heading off the beaten track.
3. Tomorrowland
- When: 19th-21st July, 26th-28th July
- Where: Boom, Belgium
- Who’s Headlining: The Chainsmokers, DJ Snake, Afrojack, Armin van Buuren
- Where to Stay: The Dreamville campsite is the most popular option.
Tomorrowland is the world’s biggest dance festival, attracting all the A-list DJs from around the world. It’s a dance enthusiast’s dream, so whether you’re into EDM, techno, house, or hardstyle, you’ll be with the very best in DJs. Tomorrowland has incredible staging, and the surprises get bigger every year. Like Glastonbury, this festival is best-experienced tapas-style. Don’t be afraid to wander away from the main stage to the smaller stages or the 50-person ‘rave cave’.
Insider Tip: Make sure you head up early for ‘The Gathering’, a party on Thursday afternoon in Dreamville. It’ll get you in the right mindset for the weekend.
4. Creamfields
- When: 22nd-25th August
- Where: Daresbury, Cheshire
- Who’s Headlining: Calvin Harris, BICEP, deadmau5, Fat Boy Slim
- Where to Stay: The Dreamfields campsite is best for your budget and for meeting new people.
Another one that’s closer to home, Creamfields is the world’s best electronic music festival, drawing almost 70,000 people to the Cheshire countryside every year. The lineup and stage production is always top notch. Like the other festivals on the list, Creamfields has loads of arenas and stages, so it’s best to come with a few ideas about who you want to see, but let the festival take you where it may.
Insider Tip: Dreamfields is a party area all on its own, so be ready for an epic night out.
5. Rock Werchter
- When: 27th-30th June
- Where: Werchter, Belgium
- Who’s Headlining: P!NK, Bastille, Mumford & Sons, Florence & the Machine
- Where to Stay: Pitch your own tent, or pay a little extra to stay in a pre-pitched tent in the centre of the action at The Hive Resort.
Rock Werchter has been on the festival scene for almost 40 years, and it shows: this is one of the best-organised festivals you’ll ever attend. It’s a four-day festival in the heart of Belgium that attracts some of the biggest names in music. It’s nicknamed the ‘Four Days, Four Stages’ festival, which is great if you’re looking for variety. The Main Stage will show you the biggest names in music, while The Barn is for more established acts, KluB C is for the up and comers, and The Slope is for small-time acts.
Insider Tip: stages fill up quickly, and if you see a red X on the door, you won’t be able to go in. Plan ahead to make sure you don’t miss your favourite act.
LIV Student’s Got The Hook Up to Festivals This Summer
LIV Student has you covered for legendary festivals this summer. We’re partnered with Beats Travel to offer you an exclusive 30 per cent discount to all of their curated experiences—available to all LIV Student residents. But that’s not all, we’re also giving away passes to EXIT Fest — book today or recommend a friend, and you’ll be entered to win tickets to this four-day cultural immersive festival experience in Serbia, like no other. Are you ready??