Best small music festivals: Lesser-known events worth travelling for

The Killbilly’s perform on the slopes with dramatic Dolomite peaks behind them at Rock the Dolomites. Photo / Rock the Dolomites

Cuba Dupa, Wellington, New Zealand

When: March

Think of this free Wellington festival (its 2026 dates are March 28 and 29) as an explosion of family-friendly fun, with everything from circus performers to delicious street food. The musical offerings are spectacularly diverse – don’t be surprised to watch a punk rocker strutting his stuff moments before an acoustic indie band takes to the stage. The art installations are brilliant, too – last year’s standout was an interactive abacus designed by artist Sarah Bookman.

cubadupa.co.nz

Cuba Dupa’s street parade brings Wellington alive with colorful performers and musicians. Photo / Cuba Dupa

Manchester Folk Festival, UK

When: March

Acts who’ve performed at this northern England extravaganza (in 2026 it takes place between March 19 and 21) include The Longest Johns, Billy Bragg, Stornoway and Eliza Carthy. Don’t know all these names? That’s the beauty of this festival, which champions emerging artists while offering beloved folk heroes the chance to perform in intimate settings. Don’t forget to toast the festival at Band on the Wall, the event’s main hub. “You can’t lift a glass here without it clinking merrily against that of a fellow folk fan,” says folk musician Ollie Steadman.

manchesterfolk.com

Bernard Butler performs at Manchester Folk Festival 2025. Photo / Mike Ainscoe

Electric Mountain Festival, Solden, Austria

When: March/April

Europe’s highest-altitude music event takes place later in the year than most ski resort festivals – in 2026 it kicks off on April 13. And we think that’s an advantage, because of the warmer weather – slipping on ice while dancing to your favourite DJ is never a good look, after all. The event has remained relatively small, despite its ability to attract stellar acts such as Martin Garrix. If you can, book a room at Hotel Das Central, which overlooks the slopes and has several saunas perfect for easing post-dancefloor aches. Tickets start from around $118 for the festival, to be clear, although it’s probably worth booking your spot in the sauna in advance, too.

soelden.com

Festival-goers ride the chairlift high above Sölden’s slopes at Electric Mountain Festival. Photo / Electric Mountain Festival

Spot Festival, Aarhus, Denmark

When: May

Spot Festival’s performances take place at more than 30 venues in and around the city of Aarhus, and the event is famous for championing Scandinavian talent spanning multiple genres. Haven’t heard of AKA Lisa, Berg, Pumpegris, Roya or Bilma? You’re not alone, but that’s the beauty of this festival – the chance to embark on a marvellous, musical voyage of discovery. Rikke Andersen, Spot’s chief executive, urges visitors to avoid cramming too much in. “Allow time to explore the music you never knew you needed,” she says.

spotfestival.dk

Java Jazz, Jakarta, Indonesia

When: May

Jazz is huge in Jakarta, where the best bars are speakeasy-style affairs with a soundtrack of live jazz. The focus is firmly on the music at this festival, and performers (such as Grammy-winning American singer PJ Morton and Japanese soul singer Nao Yoshioka) come from around the world. It’s also great value – tickets for the 2026 event, from May 29 to 31, start from just $50. This year, the venue will be Jakarta’s Nice conference centre. No, it’s not a tent-dotted meadow (which we see as a positive), but a larger, more accessible venue chosen to allow for even more performances.

javajazzfestival.com

We Love Green, Paris, France

When: June

Take a brilliant mix of performers (Gorillaz, Theodora, Charlotte Cardin and Hayley Williams, to name a few), stand-up comedy, art exhibitions and talks about everything from biodiversity to biophilic architecture, and you’ve got the fabulously sustainable We Love Green festival. Festival-goers are encouraged to travel using public transport or bike, and bio-fuel generators reduce energy consumption, plus all the food is vegetarian. And if you’ve ever paid for a rubbery, cold, overpriced beef burger at a festival, you’ll know you don’t need to be a vegetarian to appreciate this approach.

welovegreen.fr

A performer commands the stage at sustainable We Love Green festival in Paris. Photo / Maxime Chermat

Green Man Festival, Brecon Beacons, Wales

When: August

Yes, this is one of the more expensive small festivals (expect to pay around $672 for a weekend ticket), but it’s worth it. This four-day music and arts festival in the beautiful Brecon Beacons hills caters to all tastes, with areas dedicated to everything from wellness to contemporary dance. But that doesn’t mean the music’s lacking – its alumni Wet Leg, Underworld and Beth Gibbons have all appeared here. Visitors can sip beers from dozens of Welsh breweries, and there’s a huge focus on local food. It’s also incredibly family-friendly, with free workshops for festival-goers in training aged 11 and under.

greenman.net

Green Man Festival’s iconic wicker effigy towers over crowds in the Brecon Beacons. Photo / Patrick Gunning

Queenscliff Music Festival, Queenscliff, Australia

When: November

There’s a real emphasis on Australian talent at this three-day Queensland festival. In 2026, headliners include Arnhem Land rockers King Stingray, Brisbane blues singer Alex Kosenko and Melbourne DJ Miss Goldie. According to festival director Claire Stickland, this is another event requiring a relaxed approach. “Leave time for discovery,” says Claire. “The magic is the unexpected sets, the shared experiences and the community you meet along the way.” Expect to pay from around $100 for a one-day ticket.

qmf.net.au

Festival-goers mingle among food vendors at Queenscliff Music Festival in Queensland. Photo / Queenscliff Music Festival

Midhurst Jazz, Food & Blues Festival, West Sussex, UK

When: February

Every year (in 2026, it’s on February 14), the town of Midhurst becomes a venue for this eclectic festival. For many, the highlights are the musical workshops. Ever fancied mastering the harmonica? Now’s your chance. “Midhurst isn’t just a series of concerts – it’s a whole town opening itself up to music, culture and shared experience,” says Pablo Murgier, an Argentine pianist who’s performed at the festival. “As an artist, that’s incredibly inspiring.” The best bit? Ten per cent of the proceeds (tickets start from $111) fund scholarships for music students.

midhurstjazzandblues.com

A saxophone player performs at Midhurst Jazz, Food & Blues Festival. Photo / Midhurst Jazz, Food & Blues Festival 2025