FestPop's International Summer Music Festival Guide

International Summer Dance Music Festival Guide

Simplifying music festival discovery and travel is FestPop’s mission. Each music festival has unique attributes whether its the atmosphere, lineup, or the community. We recognize everyone’s preferences and welcome music festival fans from across the globe to discover new festivals. This summer offers some of the biggest international festivals of the summer. These festivals include new and returning adventures for festivalgoers to add to their long lists of festivals they need to attend. You may want to add some of these international festival’s to your summer bucket list.

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MARCH

Air Festival

March 31 – April 2
Bali, Indonesia

‘A festival set in paradise creating unforgettable memories with world class DJs and performers’

Now in its fourth year, The Air Festival has established itself as one of the foremost gatherings of visionaries, musicians, artists and dancers in the region. Its two stages merge underground dance music culture with ceremony and sacredness, creating an unforgettable three-day experience. Friendships will be forged, hearts will be opened and life will be affirmed. Musically, many tasteful bases are covered including every shade of house from deep to afro, plus techno and plenty in between.

Line Up:
Makam, Fred P, Rampa, Boris Werner, Ata, Art Alfie, Mimi Love, Bas Ibellini, KMLN, Peak & Swift, Jonathan Kusuma, Esther Silex, Dave Dinger, Walker Barnard, Tiago Oudman, Sylvie Forêt, Dr. Kessler, Ricardo Who, Archie, Trigan Young, Dr. Yez, Kai, Kusasi

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APRIL

Caprices Festival 15th Anniversary

April 12 – 15
Crans-Montana, Switzerland

“Day and night electronic music festival in the stunning mountaintop location of Crans-Montana, Switzerland”

Taking place in the Swiss resort of Crans-Montana from April 12th-15th, Caprices is home to one of the most visually stunning music venues in the world. MDRNTY, a greenhouse-like structure that sits 2,200m above sea level offers panoramic views of the crystalline skies. This year will be Caprices 15^th anniversary.

The resort itself boasts a broad selection of eateries ranging from mountain huts to award-winning restaurants. In addition, there is numerous boutiques and shops, a wellness centre and a variety of entertainment including 140km of pistes, illuminated ice skating rink, ecomuseum, 100,000m² snowpark, 3D cinema + more.

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MAY

Sandbox Festival

May 3 – 5
El Gouna, Egypt

“Sandbox returns for its 6th edition to the beautiful Red Sea Riviera, El Gouna”

Sandbox Festival returns on May 3-5 to see the sixth edition go down on the breath-taking Red Sea Riviera in El Gouna, Egypt. It is all about community. About pushing musical and about mixing up big names with talented local artists. Artists will perform in intimate places, with longer set times and live acts that complement the organic vibe of being at the beach.

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Annie Mac Presents Lost & Found

May 3rd – 6th
Malta

Annie Mac Presents Lost & Found will take place during the first UK bank holiday weekend of 2018 across May 3rd-6th. It’ll be returning to the stunning Mediterranean island of Malta for its fourth edition. Kicking things off as the first festival of the summer season, Lost & Found will offer 4 days and 4 nights of unique parties held across a one of a kind castle and beach rave, plus pool, boats and an incredible outdoor nighttime festival site. Headliners include Jamie XX, Diplo, Four Tet, J Hus and event curator Annie Mac. The varied bill will also bring together an eclectic mix of AMP’s close friends and family as well as a slew of exciting breakthrough artists, spanning across a wealth of genres from house and techno through to grime and bass.

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Music On

May 5 – 6
Amsterdam, Havenpark

“Taking the techno festival to the next level, Music On Festival represents everything the team have achieved since its inception”

Marco Carola’s game-changing Music On Festival is to return bigger and better for its second year. After a highly successful debut last year, next year’s Festival will expand to two days in the weekend of May 5th and 6th. The expansion will allow for even more international heavyweights to line-up in Amsterdam. The same sense of techno spectacle that has made Music On famous around the world will be brought to Amsterdam, as will the special spirit and endless enthusiasm that makes the crowd one of the best anywhere. Amsterdam itself is a city that thrives on proper raves. This coming together is sure to lead to fireworks come May.

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Forbidden Forest

May 6^th
Donington Park Forest, Derbyshire

Forbidden Forest is the very first festival of the season and will take place on Sunday 6th May with a 12-hour party. It was born as a response to the “stagnation of the dance music festival and clubbing circuit in the UK” and created by a group of rave enthusiasts. The 2018 line-up sees the likes of Solardo, Wilkinson and Hannah Wants headline – plus an impressive selection of acts across house, techno, garage and UK bass – for a hedonistic experience in the heart of the Derbyshire woods.

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DIYnamic Festival

May 25
Amsterdam, Amsterdamse Bos Park

“World renowned artist Solomun brings family and friends for this ground breaking Amsterdam based 2-day event”

The one day, twelve-hour Diynamic festival is returning to Amsterdam Bos once again in 2018. The sixth edition will be headlined by the big boss Solomun, with core label artists HOSH, Adriatique, and Kollektiv Turmstrasse with many more names to be added. This festival is the best way to experience the full force of the Diynamic label, its sound and artists. Famed for pushing house and tech into ever more exciting new directions, the label’s releases are never far from the top of the underground charts and always in the record bags of those DJs who know.

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Alfresco Festival

May 25 – 28
Hop Farm, Kent

Alfresco is a festival designed for all the family. Plenty of tasteful activities will be offered to keep young ones busy, as well as wonderful stage designs and exotic arenas all splendidly decorated to provide safe spaces to dance the days and nights away. Taking place from May 25th to 28th 2018 at the beautiful Hop Farm in Kent’s rolling green countryside, the likes of Call Super, Derrick Carter, Hercules & Love Affair, Terry Farley, Man Power, Mr Scruff, Psychemagik and many more will all be providing the cosmic curveballs and house delights.

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We Are FSTVL

May 25th – 27th
Damyns Hall Aerodrome, Upminster

The 5 time award winning dance music show, We Are FSTVL has grown year upon year. It has been proving itself as one of the biggest players on the dance festival circuit since its inception in 2013. The We Are FSTVL’s sixth edition continues to grow, combining innovative stage designs and mind-blowing production with a varied mix of genres from across the dance music spectrum.

Bringing together some of the most exciting names in dance music, underground and grime, alongside some of the world’s leading dance music brands and labels, We are FSTVL 2018 will play host to over 300 acts across 30 arenas between May 25th-27th.

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JUNE

UVA Festival

June 7 – 10
Ronda, Anadalucia, Spain

“A super-intimate party with the most discerning selectors, taking place in a 12th century monastery in the south of Spain”

UVA festival is a celebration of music and visual art. It is taking place near Ronda (Andalucia) during the second weekend of June 2017. The concept is to use an extraordinarily unique location, with breathtaking views and unparalleled surroundings, and convert it into a playground for eclectic music and visual art.

The venue dates back to the 12th century and was originally used as a monastery. Since then ‘descalzos viejos’ has been converted into a vineyard facing Ronda’s iconic cliffs. Sunken into the flourishing greenery of the area, this plot of land is a labyrinth of ancient walls and secret hideaways. AKA the perfect environment to get lost in.

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Free Your Mind Festival

June 2
Arnhem, Holland

“Landmark episode of Free your Mind to launch June 2nd marking its 15th anniversary”

Free Your Mind festival is one of the first and most established dance festivals in The Netherlands. This year on June 2nd we come together to create a magical experience celebrating its 15th year anniversary!

This next edition will feature an extra quality DJ line-up. There will be 6 stages with 39+ DJs bringing the house in 2018. The Festival has been famous for the best in underground/techno/house, making it one of the most renowned festivals in The Netherlands. Free Your Mind Festival invites everyone to check out the vibes and enjoy this new edition and our “15th year anniversary” with the 15,000 other festivalgoers. Celebrate Freedom. We hope to see you all in Arnhem on the first weekend of June 2018!

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Southport Weekender Festival

June 9th
Finsbury Park, London

Southport Weekender will return to the capital for its sophomore edition on Saturday June 9th. After hosting their very first London festival last year, one of the UK’s most loved parties is taking over Finsbury Park once again. It will be a celebration of house, soul, R&B, garage and disco. The one-day extravaganza will welcome a wealth of respected artist’s for the occasion featuring performances from Sister Sledge featuring Kathy Sledge, DJ Jazzy Jeff, Jazzie B, David Morales and many more.

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Parklife

June 9th – 10th
Heaton Park, Manchester

Parklife will celebrate its ninth edition in 2018 on Saturday June 9th and Sunday June 10th at Heaton Park. Manchester’s leading music festival truly embodies the impassioned spirit of Manchester. Each edition has sold out year on year and boasts an impressive total of 16 arenas spread across two days of music. A VIP arena will offer exclusive attractions and special guest DJs.

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MDRNTY Cruise

June 10 – 13
Route: Genoa > Mallorca > Ibiza > Barcelona > Genoa

“Luxury all-inclusive experience in the Med featuring some of the finest electronic artists on the planet”

Setting off from Genoa, this wild four-night all-inclusive Mediterranean voyage makes stopovers at Palma de Mallorca, Ibiza and Barcelona. It is a truly exclusive setting for an unforgettable party experience.

The MSC Magnifica is not only equipped with three swimming pools, 11 bars and five restaurants, but also boasts a spa centre and numerous leisure opportunities: tennis, bowling, sports club and 4D cinema, ideal for a relaxing break, or enjoying the cruise, that is, when you are not on one of the five dance floors—including the main one which is located above deck, next to the pool. This summer is the time to join the electronic music festival of the sea.

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Mystic Garden

June 16
Sloterpark, Amsterdam

“The boutique fairytale getaway will be back for its 7th edition this June at Slotepark, Amsterdam”

Mystic Garden Festival is a boutique hidden gem on the musical calendar; a special world where friendships are formed, memories are made and life is celebrated in all its glory. Once again it will be back for a sixth sensational instalment on June 16^th, 2018 that will leave you refreshed and revitalized.

Taking place in the wonderful Sloterpark, Amsterdam, this one-day fairytale getaway is a magical place where time has no meaning and where you leave the world behind and dive in head first to some world class musical offerings.

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Paradise City

June 29 – July 1
Brussels, Belgium

“15 minutes away from the city center of Brussels, lose yourself at Paradise city, Europe’s premier green festival”

At Paradise City we promote diversity, change and a believe in a bright future. They believe that each is Master of his destiny, in which he can make things better, by innovating and taking care of our environment and his fellow citizen. Paradise City is about being positive about the future, be enthusiastic about change and be united in that goal!

This is why sustainable innovations are so important and why Paradise City is making sure that the festival has the lowest environmental footprint possible. The purpose is to create a genuine experience with fine underground electronic music & cuisine in a stunning environment with plenty of space to dance. Visitors of Paradise City don’t just buy a ticket, they become a citizen of the City of the future. Every visitor will get a Green Card which will always give priority for the following editions. The first settlers (visitors of our first edition in 2015) can testify, as they already received their Green Card which gave them an early bird advantage.

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Southern Soul Festival

June 28 – July 1
Ulcinj, Montenegró

“Southern Soul Festival offers the ultimate blend of music festival and holiday in the stunning location of Montenegro”

Southern Soul Festival brings in extraordinary acts for its 6^th edition, taking place from June 28 through July 1 on the Velika Plaza beach in Ulcin. Curated by the same team for 5 years, Southern Soul Festival is famous for its carefully selected world’s finest sounds of jazz, funk, soul, house and Afrobeat mixed with the cosmopolitan warm-hearted atmosphere.

Southern Soul Festival turns a music festival into a holiday. It offers you an overpowering feeling of hedonism on the most infinite, sandy beach in the Mediterranean. Your days will be filled with new experiences and mesmerizing sceneries of sunrise and sunsets surrounded by wild nature. On top of that, all three stages are on the beach, with sandy floors allowing you to dance barefoot and carefree all day long. It is an amazing feeling that makes Southern Sour Festival truly special and distinctive!

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JULY

Kappa Futur Festival

July 7-8
Turin, Italy

“Europe’s Premier techno festival with one of the most unique main stages in the world”

The world famous Kappa FuturFestival is to return for sizzling seventh edition on July 7th and 8th, right in the heart of Turin, Italy. Already recognized as one of the finest techno gatherings in all of Europe, 2017 will once again see big names DJs and live acts will play across three special stages, all outdoors, in the sun kissed setting of Parco Dora, Italy’s most futuristic public park.

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Electric Love

July 4 – 8
Plainfeld, Austria

“EDM fanatics unite for 6th edition of the global phenomenon Electric Love”

Electric Love is an electronic dance music festival held annually since 2013. It takes place on the second weekend in July at the Salzburgring in Plainfeld, Austria. Headliners have included Hardwell, Dimitri Vegas & Like Mike, David Guetta, Armin van Buuren, and Tiësto. According to Technoton Magazin, the 2014 festival attracted over 100,000 attendees. Whether Dubstep, Electro, Hardstyle or Drum and Bass, both young and old and from all over Europe – Electric Love welcomes you.

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Balaton Sound

July 4th – 8th
Zamárdi, Lake Balaton, Hungary

Balaton Sound is a 5-day non-stop beach themed music festival situated on the stunning Lake Balaton and sister of Sziget festival in Hungary. It is set to be the beach party destination for dance music lovers with a stellar billing set confirmed from the likes of Martin Garrix, The Chainsmokers, Alesso and Craig David Presents TS5 for Balaton Sound 2018.

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NASS Festival

July 5th – 8th
Royal Bath & West Showground, Shepton Mallet

NASS Festival will bring its’ unique concept to the Bath and West Showground on July 5th-8th. It is the UK’s only action sports and music festival. Fans will experience a showcase of acts across 7 stages, as well as international skate & BMX competitions within park, vert and dirt disciplines. 20,000 music and action sports fans will gather together for one jam-packed weekend which is set to be unmissable.

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Back of Beyond Festival

July 7
Frogmore Hill, Hertfordshire

Back of Beyond Festival new festival lineup Faithless as Headliner

Back of Beyond is a brand new and exciting one-day dance music festival coming to the Hertfordshire countryside on July 7th 2018 from an experienced events company and respected selection of promoters. Headlined by a DJ set from dance royalty Faithless, the likes of Josh Butler, Nick Curly, Sandy Rivera, Audiojack, Altern8, Latmun, Bontan, 2 Bad Mice and many more will all be playing in a lush green location.

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Ostend Beach Festival

July 7-8
Oostende, Belgium

“A festival, on a beach, in Belgium presenting a lineup of 80 top EDM, house and techno DJs”

Ostend Beach Festival is an electronic dance music festival in Ostend, Belgium. It’s the nation’s biggest beach party of the year. The festival is about letting loose and celebrating warm weather. Presenting a lineup of 80 top EDM, house and techno DJs across four stages, Ostend Beach brings the summer vibes and scenic North Sea views to Belgium’s largest coastal city. Heading into its eighth edition, the festival is firmly established on the summer festival circuit.

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Airbeat-One Festival

July 11 – 15
Germany

“EDM extravaganza announces initial lineup of its 17th soiree”

Airbeat-One Festival is back and plans to be big and better than ever in 2018. 45,000 people from 45 countries are all set to descend upon the airfield outside Neustadt-Glewe from July 11th – 15^th. Over 150 acts will play five stages at the 17th edition of the festival. These include the likes of superstars Steve Aoki, Tiesto, Hardwell, Dimitri Vegas & Like Mike, Armin van Buuren and many more including at least seven DJs from the top ten of the celebrated DJ Mag Top 100 poll.

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Hospitality On The Beach

July 12th – 16th
The Garden Tisno, Croatia

Drum & Bass powerhouse, Hospitality, debut their acclaimed festival brand overseas at the picturesque location of The Garden Resort, Tisno in Croatia. The launch of Hospitality On The Beach will be held on July 12-16^th 2018. Last year they achieved great lengths with the second edition of Hospitality In The Park and scooping ‘Best Club Night’ award at the 2017 Drum&BassArena Awards. The team looks ahead to 2018 for the ultimate Drum & Bass holiday where they will welcome a variety of artists to the sun soaked Adriatic beaches for a five-day celebration of the genre.

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Cocoon in the Park

July 14
Temple Newsam, Leeds

Cocoon in the Park returns for its 10th anniversary. To celebrate we are going to be pushing the boat out even further. From 10am on Saturday July 14th 2018 we will be taking things to yet another level. Fans will get back to their techno roots as they dance all day and all night. It’s one day, one night and one stage situated in the gorgeous grounds of Temple Newsam House just minutes from Leeds but in the heart of the Yorkshire countryside.

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SuncéBeat Festival

July 18th – 25th
The Garden Tisno, Croatia

SuncéBeat Festival is one of the most diverse and friendliest festivals in the European calendar. It will return to the beautiful setting of The Garden, Tisno in Croatia on July 18th-25th. Festivalgoers can expect an all encompassing week long gathering of house, disco, techno, soul, R&B and funk. Confirmed artists include Kerri Chandler, Mr Scruff, Motor City Drum Ensemble, Jayda G and Osunlade. SuncéBeat is curated by the same team behind the much loved Southport Weekender event series and is built on a huge wealth of musical knowledge – creating an unrivalled sense of family amongst its partygoers as well as its DJ offering.

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RPMM Festival

July 28 – 29
Porto, Portugal

‘New 2-day inner city festival launching in Porto in 12th century UNESCO site showcasing underground music’

RPMM is a brand new festival that will offer a surrealist underground experience in magical inner city Porto on Saturday July 28^th & Sunday July 29^th 2018. Porto is one of the oldest European cities and its historical core has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1996. For RPMM, it will become an adult playground with many venues around the city hosting day and night parties. You can also expect to party on the Douro River, which snakes through the city.

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AUGUST

Cirque Magique

August 3 – 5
Ledegem, Belgium

‘A surrealist electronic music festival in a magical setting offering a journey from past to future’

A wonderful setting in which everyone is invited. Explore your inner artist, Become the Magic! Music, sound, light, decoration, animation, food & drinks, camping and more. Cirque Magique offers top quality at all levels. A fine selection of the best underground electronic music: from floaty house to pounding techno. It is a surreal journey from the past to the future. However, Cirque Magique isn’t about DJ’s & performers only. Together, as one, we hold the potential to create something exceptionally wonderful, magical & unique.

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51st State Festival

London, UK
August 4th

51st State Festival celebrates the roots of House music. It pulls together the threads of this hugely influential sound, exploring classic house, garage, disco, soul, dub, dancehall and more. Led by pioneers from Chicago, New York and beyond, the 51st State Festival program is truly transatlantic, joining the dots between the US, the UK and the Caribbean. This year the party takes place on Saturday August 4th at the beautiful and sprawling Trent Country Park with the likes of Masters at Work, Body & Soul, Soul Clap, Dimitri From Paris, Derrick May, Derrick Carter, Todd Terry, Todd Edwards, Trevor Nelson, Mr Vegas, Norman Jay, John Morales and many more all set to headline.

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Loveland

August 11
Sloterpark, Amsterdam

“Utilising seven stages of world class DJs from house to techno, this is a one day festival worth getting out of bed for”

Loveland Festival is a wide ranging house and techno festival in Amsterdam. Putting on parties since 1995, Loveland is one of the original Dutch dance promoters. This festival has been bringing a lineup of fresh and influential talent to Amsterdam’s Sloterpark for 14 years straight. With six stages varying in size from intimate forested ones to big open fields, Loveland Festival is an immersive experience, set in the scenic Sloterpark.

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Mysteryland

August 24th – 26th
Haarlemmermeer, near Amsterdam

Mysteryland is celebrating its 25th anniversary in 2018. It is Amsterdam’s biggest music festival and is renowned for its creativity and jaw dropping production. Taking place across the bank holiday weekend on August 24th – 27th, festival goers can expect an unrivalled bill of superstar acts and forward-thinking DJs from across the globe. Fans can expect the likes of Hardwell, Dimitri Vegas & Like Mike and Paul van Dyk. With a range of camping packages available, pre and after parties, as well as a diverse food and entertainment program, Mysteryland promises a 3 day spectacle of music, revelry and mystery rooted between the beautiful fields, forests and lakes of the Floriade Terrain in Haarlemmermeer!

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South West Four Festival

August 25th – 26th
Clapham Common, London

Set to return to London’s Clapham Common this Saturday August 25th and Sunday August 26th, South West Four will celebrate their 15th anniversary this summer. There will be a huge selection of the biggest names in the industry including Chase & Status, Marshmello, Armand Van Helden and Example. Standing tall as the capital’s longest running electronic music festival, the weekender will pull out all the stops for this special milestone with a series of exclusive performances, chart topping artists, forward thinking DJs and brand showcases in tow.

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SEPTEMBER

The Ark Cruise

September 3 – 7
Route: Barcelona > Sète > Ibiza > Palma > Barcelona

Picture the scene: you are laying back in the sun, on board one of the world’s most luxurious cruise liners with 4,000 passengers, all being soundtracked by over 50 DJs from a variety of electronic music genres and first-class entertainments. The Ark is truly a floating palace on the seas. There’s no shortage of incredible activities to indulge in aboard the cruise. Whether it’s relaxing mind, body and soul with some yoga, a deep-tissue massage, or simply chilling in the on-board jacuzzi, or maybe raising your adrenaline levels on the outdoor rock climbing wall, excitement on The Ark Cruises 2018 is guaranteed.

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Nova Batida

September 14 – 16
Lisbon, Portugal

“Nova Batida is a brand new city festival for Europe blending together the freshest music, art, culture and lifestyle from all corners of the world in one of the most exciting creative hubs”

Nova Batida is a brand new festival for Lisbon and Europe blending together the freshest music, art, culture and lifestyle from all corners of the world. Soundcrash, the promoters of some of the finest London events plus creators of Soundwave, Paradise Island and Funk & Soul Weekender festivals have gone out to create something really unique and special. Set in possibly the most exciting city in Europe right now Nova Batida encompasses all that this great and beautiful city has to offer as well being 15 mins from some of the best surf beaches in the world! Nova Batida will be bringing more than just music to Lisbon. There will be surfing lessons, yoga, tours, and all kinds of parties from pre-parties, to boat parties, to after-parties.

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Mint Festival

September 22
Leeds

One of the nation’s best-loved dance music events, Mint Festival, has announced details of the next event, which will return on Saturday 22nd September 2018. From noon till night, festival-goers dance their way through house, techno, garage, grime and more. With arenas from system, Knee Deep in Sound, Bitch and others, this year the Mint Festival line up boasted Loco Dice, Seth Troxler, Eats Everything and Hannah Wants, with every year collaring together a brilliant ensemble of the leading names in house, techno, bass music and much more.

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FestPop Staff Writer, Katherine Bennett

International Summer Dance Music Festival Guide

MARCH

APRIL

MAY

JUNE

JULY

AUGUST

SEPTEMBER

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