5 Vibrant Cities to Explore for Music Festival Goers
While the usual images of festivalgoers are splattered all over social media—from the muddy camping grounds of Glastonbury in rainy England to the electric and vibrant colours of Tomorrowland in Belgium, and who can miss the photogenic, sun-soaked Coachella with its palm trees in California—there are many more destinations around the world that might not be on everyone’s radar but are equally as exciting.
These destinations are not just known for their picturesque landmarks and cultural experiences but also for their music festivals and overall vibes that are definitely worth exploring. Here’s a look at five vibrant cities where music lovers can discover their next favourite festival:
Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Amsterdam is world-famous for its canals and historic Dutch Baroque houses by the water; however, it is more than just a postcard-perfect city as it happens to also be a playground for music lovers. The Amsterdam Dance Event, which takes place every October, transforms Johan Cruijff Arena into a hub of electronic dance party, featuring some of the world's biggest names such as Martin Garrix, David Guetta, and Tiesto, making it one of the city’s most highly anticipated events of the year.
Just a short ride away, Loveland Festival in Amsterdam’s largest park, Sloterpark, offers a different vibe. Merging techno and house music with Amsterdam’s lush green spaces, this festival, one of the original organisers of dance and lifestyle events since 1995, allows festivalgoers to dance under the open sky, surrounded by nature in Amsterdam's most beloved parks.
Where to stay: For a comfortable and conveniently located stay, the Avani Museum Quarter Amsterdam Hotel offers modern amenities and easy access to these exciting festivals, so you don’t miss any action.
Dubai, United Arab Emirates
We all know and are familiar with Dubai’s futuristic skyline, where architecture is a manmade masterpiece and luxury is a way of life. It is only an indicator that the music festival scene here will be yet another extravagant affair.
From the Dubai International Jazz Festival, held at the stunning waterfront location of Dubai Media City Amphitheatre, to Rewind, the world’s biggest 80’s and 90’s festival, which brings a wave of retro nostalgia to the massive beach entertainment site Bla Bla, Dubai’s music scene is nothing short of spectacular.
UNTOLD Dubai is also another event that needs to be mentioned, the mega festival turns the city into a high-tech wonderland, with electronic beats and innovative stage designs, featuring global stars like Ellie Goulding and Bebe Rexha.
Where to stay: The Avani Ibn Battuta Dubai Hotel provides a well-appointed base with easy access to these exciting festival grounds, whether by the water or towards inland stadiums.
Another choice is the Avani Deira Dubai Hotel, which is closer to the airport for international travellers needing a quick rest before heading into the city.
Frankfurt, Germany
The Grand Jam, Germany’s largest live band event, features hundreds of musicians performing radio hits for crowds to sing along to. Meanwhile, the World Club Dome transforms the city’s Deutsche Bank Park arena into the largest club in the world, featuring top electronic music acts such as Steve Aoki and Robin Schulz.
Pattaya, Thailand
Pattaya is sometimes considered the younger and more rebellious little sister of Thailand’s other famous beach destination of Phuket. Only two hours from Bangkok, Pattaya is increasingly becoming the place to go for fun night outs and neon-lit streets filled with bars and restaurants, a perfect location for music festivals.
The Pattaya Music Festival at Central Pattaya Beach brings together the city’s beautiful coastal views with a lineup of local artists, offering an energetic festival experience by the sea. Rolling Loud at Legend Siam Pattaya blends world hip hop music with traditional Thai cultural experiences, attracting top names like Cardi B, Chris Brown, and Travis Scott. Wonderfruit, another popular annual gathering just outside the city, is dubbed as Thailand’s version of Coachella.Bogotá, Colombia
Although not as well-known as its Latin counterpart for music festival scenes like in Rio, Bogotá’s zesty Colombian beats and dramatic backdrop of the Andes Mountains do bring flavors to its music festival scene.
Festival Estéreo Picnic, held at Parque Metropolitano Simón Bolívar, is Colombia's biggest alternative music festival and one of South America’s most important music events. With a diverse lineup of international and local artists like The Killers, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Lana Del Rey, and Kendrick Lamar, the festival draws major crowds during its four-day run. Similarly, Rock al Parque, one of Latin America’s largest free rock festivals, captures the city’s energetic vibe with performances from local and international artists, mainly from Spanish-speaking countries.
Where to stay: The Avani Royal Zona T Bogotá Hotel is only 15 minutes by car from Parque Metropolitano Simón Bolívar, while being close to Zona Rosa, the city’s best shopping centres, restaurants, and bars.
No matter where your musical tastes lie, these five cities offer an array of festivals that are sure to provide different kinds of experiences. From the vibrant Southeast Asian nightlife of Pattaya to the historical charm of canal life in Amsterdam, the futuristic skyline of Dubai, the vibrant Latin American city of Bogotá, and the cosmopolitan vibe of Frankfurt, there’s a festival destination waiting to be explored.