The Killbilly’s perform on the slopes with dramatic Dolomite peaks behind them at Rock the Dolomites. Photo \/ Rock the Dolomites<\/p>\n
Cuba Dupa, Wellington, New Zealand <\/p>\n
When: March <\/p>\n
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 \u2013 don\u2019t 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 \u2013 last year\u2019s standout was an interactive abacus designed by artist Sarah Bookman.<\/p>\n
cubadupa.co.nz<\/a> <\/p>\n Manchester Folk Festival, UK<\/p>\n When: March <\/p>\n Acts who\u2019ve 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\u2019t know all these names? That\u2019s the beauty of this festival, which champions emerging artists while offering beloved folk heroes the chance to perform in intimate settings. Don\u2019t forget to toast the festival at Band on the Wall, the event\u2019s main hub. \u201cYou can\u2019t lift a glass here without it clinking merrily against that of a fellow\u202ffolk fan,\u201d says folk musician Ollie Steadman.<\/p>\n manchesterfolk.com<\/a><\/p>\n Electric\u202fMountain\u202fFestival, Solden, Austria<\/p>\n When: March\/April<\/p>\n Europe\u2019s highest-altitude music event takes place later in the year than most ski resort festivals \u2013 in 2026 it kicks off on April 13. And we think that\u2019s an advantage, because of the warmer weather \u2013 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<\/a>, 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\u2019s probably worth booking your spot in the sauna in advance, too.<\/p>\n soelden.com<\/a> <\/p>\n Spot Festival, Aarhus, Denmark<\/p>\n When: May<\/p>\n Spot Festival\u2019s 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\u2019t heard of AKA Lisa, Berg, Pumpegris, Roya or Bilma? You\u2019re not alone, but that\u2019s the beauty of this festival \u2013 the chance to embark on a marvellous, musical voyage of discovery. Rikke Andersen, Spot\u2019s chief executive, urges visitors to avoid cramming too much in. \u201cAllow time to explore the\u202fmusic you never knew you needed,\u201d she says.<\/p>\n spotfestival.dk<\/a><\/p>\n Java Jazz, Jakarta, Indonesia<\/p>\n When: May <\/p>\n 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\u2019s also great value \u2013 tickets for the 2026 event, from May 29 to 31, start from just $50. This year, the venue will be Jakarta\u2019s Nice conference centre. No, it\u2019s not a tent-dotted meadow (which we see as a positive), but a larger, more accessible venue chosen to allow for even more performances.<\/p>\n javajazzfestival.com<\/a><\/p>\n We Love Green, Paris, France<\/p>\n When: June<\/p>\n 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\u2019ve 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\u2019ve ever paid for a rubbery, cold, overpriced beef burger at a festival, you\u2019ll know you don\u2019t need to be a vegetarian to appreciate this approach.<\/p>\n welovegreen.fr<\/a><\/p>\n Green Man Festival, Brecon Beacons, Wales<\/p>\n When: August<\/p>\n Yes, this is one of the more expensive small festivals (expect to pay around $672 for a weekend ticket), but it\u2019s 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\u2019t mean the music\u2019s lacking \u2013 its alumni Wet Leg, Underworld and Beth Gibbons have all appeared here. Visitors can sip beers from dozens of Welsh breweries, and there\u2019s a huge focus on local food. It\u2019s also incredibly family-friendly, with free workshops for festival-goers in training aged 11 and under.<\/p>\n greenman.net<\/a><\/p>\n Queenscliff Music Festival, Queenscliff, Australia<\/p>\n When: November<\/p>\n There\u2019s 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. \u201cLeave time for discovery,\u201d says Claire. \u201cThe magic is the unexpected sets, the shared experiences and the community you meet along the way.\u201d Expect to pay from around $100 for a one-day ticket.<\/p>\n Cuba Dupa’s street parade brings Wellington alive with colorful performers and musicians. Photo \/ Cuba Dupa<\/p>\n
Bernard Butler performs at Manchester Folk Festival 2025. Photo \/ Mike Ainscoe<\/p>\n
Festival-goers ride the chairlift high above S\u00f6lden’s slopes at Electric Mountain Festival. Photo \/ Electric Mountain Festival<\/p>\n
A performer commands the stage at sustainable We Love Green festival in Paris. Photo \/ Maxime Chermat<\/p>\n
Green Man Festival’s iconic wicker effigy towers over crowds in the Brecon Beacons. Photo \/ Patrick Gunning<\/p>\n