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50 Best Festivals Worth Traveling for in 2020

Scott Hartbeck
by Scott Hartbeck
Last updated:: 11:00 PM ET, Thu January 23, 2020

The Finest Fests on the Planet

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There are a lot of reasons why we travel. Some of us travel to get away from it all and relax, others travel to challenge themselves while experiencing exhilaration and education along the way. No matter what sort of trip you are taking, timing it to coincide with a major festival or concert will only serve to enhance your experience.

The following are 50 of the world's best festivals set to take place this year.

Lunar New Year

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Where: Various Locations

When: January 25th

Why go: The Year of the Rat will be rung in with a bang all over the world during the year's first major event. The festival may be known colloquially as "Chinese New Year", but you don't have to go all the way to Asia to get in on the fun. Cities like San Francisco, Vancouver and Seattle will once again be hotspots for parades and other traditional happenings while Disneyland and hotels across the country will also be celebrating.

Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta

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Where: Albuquerque, New Mexico

When: October 3 - 11

Why go: Hot air balloons always capture the imagination and there's no better time and place to appreciate their beauty than Albuquerque in autumn. For nine days each October, visitors are given a front-row seat to a show of kaleidoscopic balloons set against a backdrop of desert Southwest scenery.

Haro Wine Festival

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Where: Haro, Spain

When: June 28 - 30

Why go: This festival begins with street parties and concerts but famously comes to a crescendo with a "wine battle" in the nearby woods where revelers soak each other with local red wine. You'll arrive wearing white, leave wearing purple, but be tickled pink by the experience.

Hot 97 Summer Jam

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Where: East Rutherford, New Jersey

When: TBA (typically June)

Why go: The lineup may still be a mystery, but one thing we know for certain is that the Summer Jam will once again feature some of the biggest names in hip hop. Last year's headliners included Cardi B, Meek Mill and Migos.

Glastonbury

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Where: Somerset, England

When: June 24 - 28

Why go: The creme de la creme of concert festivals, "Glasto" is an absolute institution in Britain. Attendance has long become a rite of passage/bucket list stuff for music lovers from all over the world and this universal reverence is part of what makes the experience so special. Headliners this year include Paul McCartney, Taylor Swift and Diana Ross, with hundreds of other acts to be announced.

Boryeong Mud Festival

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Where: Boryeong, South Korea

When: July

Why go: They say that the mud in Boryeong can have a multitude of benefits for your skin. But if not, you will still have a blast running and jumping in pools of mud while partying with people from across the globe at this sloppy annual soiree.

Jazz Fest

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Where: New Orleans, Louisiana

When: April 23 - May 3

Why go: Like you needed another reason to visit New Orleans. Fresh off celebrating their 50th birthday in 2019, Jazz Fest is showing no signs of slowing down. A sampling of artists confirmed for this year's festival includes The Who, Lizzo, Dead & Company, Stevie Nicks, Lionel Richie, Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue and the Foo Fighters. Like always, you can expect lots of local talent to be showcased alongside national and international acts.

King's Day

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Where: Amsterdam, Netherlands

When: April 27

Why go: King's Day may be the only calendar square when Amsterdam fully lives up to its "party city" reputation as each year the city paints itself orange (the national color) and throws one big outdoor party. Expect wild times on the waterways and plenty of pours of Dutch beer and jenever.

The Lantern Festival

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Where: Hoi An, Vietnam

When: Approximately once a month

Why go: Hoi An's faded colonial architecture and peaceful canals have made it one of the most romantic towns in all of Southeast Asia, but during the near-monthly lantern festival, the ambiance is elevated.

Austin City Limits

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Where: Austin, Texas

When: October 2-4 & 9-11

Why go: Austin City Limits has grown to encompass two weekends and over 125 performances. The roster for 2020 has yet to be released, but last year's festival included the likes of Guns N' Roses, Childish Gambino, Mumford & Sons, The Cure and Billie Eilish.

South by Southwest

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Where: South by Southwest

When: March 13 - 22

Why go: Head to Austin in March to see the future face of music, comedy and film and have a whole lot of fun in the process. In addition to hundreds of performances, there will be speeches from the likes of Laurene Powell Jobs, Stephen Colbert, Samantha Bee, Jen Wong and Jack Dorsey.

ULTRA Music Festival

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Where: Miami, Florida

When: March 20 - 22

Why go: Each March, Miami is jolted by the beats from some of the world's best electronic dance music at ULTRA. This year's headliners include Zedd, Major Lazer, Flume and Gesaffelstein while other acts attending include Martin Garrix, Afrojack, David Guetta, Armin van Buren and David Guetta.

The Governors Ball

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Where: New York City

When: June 5 - 7

Why go: The tenth edition of the "GovBall" is destined to be it's best yet as this annual rendezvous on Randall's Island is continually upping its game. The big names set to perform this year include Missy Elliot, Vampire Weekend, Solange, Miley Cyrus, Ellie Goulding and Tame Impala.

Montreux Jazz Festival

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Where: Montreux, Switzerland

When: July 3 - 18

Why go: Summer is a spectacular time to visit Switzerland, as the high altitudes open up for alpine walking and the lakes come alive with swimmers and boaters. Montreux sits on Lake Geneva, and each summer the sounds of jazz and other excellent music echoes off the mountains surrounding the town. While the full roster hasn't been announced yet, it has been confirmed that Lionel Richie and Lenny Kravitz will be appearing.

Songkran

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Where: Thailand

When: April 13 - 16

Why go: They do New Year's a little differently in Thailand. For starters, the new year begins in April and additionally-and perhaps most importantly- the occasion is marked by massive water fights in the street. Super Soakers are more than encouraged.

Mardi Gras

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Where: New Orleans

When: February 22 - 25

Why go: If you're going to spend the forty days leading up to Easter living clean and fasting, then you're gonna want to go out with a bang-and that's where Mardi Gras comes in. The Big Easy is home to the biggest Mardi Gras in America, and a trip here is destined to be the travel highlight of your year.

Cannstatter Volksfest

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Where: Stuttgart, Germany

When: September 25 - October 11

Why go: Like its counterpart in Munich, Stuttgart's Canstatter Volksfest is a German folk festival home to beer tents full of music, exciting rides and assorted amusements. It just happens that it's not as well known outside of Germany yet, so get there now before the word gets out.

Sapporo Snow Festival

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Where: Sapporo, Japan

When: February 4 - 11

Why go: The northernmost of Japan's main islands, Hokkaido transforms into a snowy wonderland each winter so it was only natural that a snow festival developed in its biggest city. The streets of Sapporo come alive each year with snow sculptures, skating rinks and slides while steaming local food and frothy beer is on hand to help keep you warm.

Calgary Stampede

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Where: Calgary Stampede

When: July 3 - 12

Why go: Don't let the word "stampede" fool you, it's not all rodeo at this legendary annual party. No, those are just the tip of the iceberg, which also includes concerts, rides and shows. When it comes to the Western events, the Stampede is home to the world's richest tournament-style rodeo and an evening program that features chuckwagon racing and a stage show.

Rio Carnival

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Where: Rio de Janeiro

When: February 21 - 26

Why go: Simply put, nowhere can hold a candle to Carnival in Rio. The neighborhoods of this city are always colorful and full of life, but during this festival, they practically bubble over with block parties, while the organized samba schools put on parades at the purpose-built Sambodromo that will leave you speechless.

Splendour in the Grass

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Where: Byron Bay, Australia

When: July 24 - 26

Why go: This year will mark the 20th anniversary of this Australian music festival, and it's bound to be the most impressive edition yet. The lineup hasn't been released yet, but last year's roster included heavy hitters like Childish Gambino, Hilltop Hoods and The Lumineers.

Fuji Rock

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Where: Niigata Prefecture, Japan

When: August 21 - 23

Why go: This is the biggest music festival in Japan and one that has gained a remarkable reputation for embracing the natural environment in which it is located. Fuji Rock is located at a ski resort, affording attendees sweeping views of nature and an unparalleled concertgoing experience.

Harbin Ice Festival

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Where: Harbin, China

When: January 5 - February 5

Why go: This is the world's largest ice and snow festival and some of the sculptures here have to be seen to be believed. Some are so immense that visitors are actually allowed to walk through them. Another popular attraction is the Ice Lantern Art Fair.

Crop Over

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Where: Barbados

When: Late June - August 3

Why go: Crop Over began as a local celebration of the end of the sugar cane harvest, but now people come from all over the world to simply throw a party. Things begin in June but finish with a bang in August with a raucous street procession complete with moving bars.

Tenerife Carnival

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Where: Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain

When: February 19 - March 1

Why go: The Canary Islands are getting more and more popular among North Americans, and a visit during Carnival might be the best introduction of all. The parties and flamboyant parades are the closest you will get to Rio on this side of the Atlantic Ocean.

Monaco Grand Prix

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Where: Monaco

When: May 21 - 24

Why go: As if this seaside principality needed a reason to squeeze more beautiful people within its boundaries, the Grand Prix attracts both the glamourous and the gearheads each year. Despite what you may think, it can be visited on a budget if you base yourself in a nearby town and commute into Monaco for the day.

La Tomatina

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Where: Bunol, Spain

When: August 26

Why go: Had a stressful year? Want to release some steam? Then head to Spain in August to pelt complete strangers with ripe, juicy tomatoes. You'd be amazed at how much fun you'll have-just remember to pack your goggles.

The Palio of Siena

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Where: Siena, Italy

When: July 2 & August 16

Why go: Thundering hooves circling clapping crowds might not be the first thing that comes to mind when you think of Tuscany, but this twice-a-summer race offers a real insight into the region. Pride is on the line as the different neighborhoods of the town are each represented by a rider, with seemingly everyone turning the race into an occasion to celebrate.

Junkanoo

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Where: Nassau,Bahamas

When: December 26 & January 1

Why go: You'll have to get up early the day after Christmas or on New Year's Day to experience the riot of color and music that is Junkanoo, but you won't be complaining one bit after the parade passes you by and sweeps you up in its energy.

Hogmanay

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Where: Edinburgh, Scotland

When: December 30 - January 1

Why go: Scotland is to New Year's as New Orleans is to Mardi Gras and the grand city of Edinburgh puts on one of the best year-end shows. Expect torchlight processions, street parties, concerts and a rousing performance of "Auld Lange Syne" at midnight-after all, it was written by legendary Scottish poet Robert Burns. You can keep celebrating through New Year's Day as well, because January 2nd is a national holiday in Scotland, too.

The San Fermin Festival

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Where: Pamplona, Spain

When: July 6 - 14

Why go: The Running of the Bulls is not without its detractors, but there's no doubt that it provides an unmatched mix of adrenaline rushes and all-night revelry. Should you run? Probably not. Should you attend once to observe the proceedings and judge its merits for yourself? Absolutely.

Festival of St. John

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Where: Porto, Portugal

When: June 23

Why go: Each year on the feast of St. John, the residents of Porto let loose and celebrate throughout the night and you are more than invited to join them. Expect to be surrounded by the intoxicating smell of grilled sardines and locals lovingly bopping each other on the head with plastic toy hammers (don't ask, just join them).

April Fair

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Where: Seville, Spain

When: April 26 - May 2

Why go: Nowhere in Europe salutes the arrival of Spring quite like Spain and nowhere in Spain celebrates quite like Seville. This fair lasts a week, and the locals go all out by wearing traditional dress, sipping sherry-based cocktails and singing & dancing until the wee hours. Join them for an April you'll never forget.

Coachella

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Where: Indio, California

When: April 10 - 19

Why go: Coachella has become "America's Glastonbury", with the scenic valley surrounds providing a moving backdrop for nearly every genre of music. This year's headliners are Rage Against the Machine, Travis Scott and Frank Ocean, with other notable acts being Lana Del Ray, Flume, Calvin Harris and 21 Savage. There will also be several large-scale art installations.

Bonnaroo

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Where: Manchester, Tennessee

When: June 11 - 14

Why go: You never know what to expect at Bonnaroo, and that's part of what makes this festival so special. Take for example the headliner on Thursday night this year: The Grand Ole Opry. Other big names to watch for this year are Leon Bridges, Lizzo, Tool, Miley Cyrus, The 1975, Tame Impala and Oysterhead.

Venice Carnival

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Where: Venice, Italy

When: February 8 - 25

Why go: Masked balls, costume contests and colorful parades are just a few of the fun events that mark the annual pre-Lenten celebrations in Venice. Go on, you can admit it, you've always wanted to see what you'd look like wearing one of those mysterious Venetian Carnival masks.

EXIT Festival

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Where: Novi Sad, Serbia

When: July 9 - 13

Why go: If you are looking to lose some of the crowds currently swamping sections of Europe, then Serbia is the perfect destination to discover. Novi Sad is its second-biggest city and each year it hosts this remarkable festival inside its enchanting Petrovaradin Fortress. Artists confirmed for 2020 include James Arthur, Tyga, Fatboy Slim and David Guetta.

Lucca Summer Festival

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Where: Lucca, Italy

When: June 13 - July 25

Why go: Once you've seen a festival inside a fortress, then head to Italy to watch a series of world-class al fresco performances inside the enchanting town center of Lucca. Paul McCartney and Celine Dion are the biggest names on the roster this year, a lineup that also includes Liam Gallagher, Ben Harper & The Innocent Criminals, Lynyrd Skynyrd, and Cat Stevens.

Tomorrowland

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Where: Boom, Belgium

When: July 17-19 & July 24-26

Why go: While the specifics of the 2020 edition haven't been confirmed yet, you can be assured that the stage design will transport you to a mystical place and the performances will feature some of the biggest names in the world of electronic dance music. Last year's festival was headlined by The Chainsmokers, Armin van Buren and Above & Beyond.

Lollapalooza

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Where: Chicago, Illinois

When: July 30 - August 2

Why go: What started as a traveling alternative rock concert in the 90s has found a home in Chicago, attracting revelers by the tens of thousands each summer. This year's lineup hasn't been announced yet (last year's headliners included Ariana Grande, The Strokes, Childish Gambino and Twenty One Pilots), but it will once again feature 170-plus bands performing on 8 stages over 4 days.

Oktoberfest

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Where: Munich, Germany

When: September 19 - October 4

Why go: Oktoberfest is the big one and its perhaps the most iconic festival in all of Europe. The good news is that it is just as much fun as you imagine it will be. Join the local Bavarians and crowds from across the globe to sink steins of local beer brewed specially for the festival, sing, dance and devour wonderful food like roast chickens and pretzels the size of your head. And in case you are wondering, it's totally cool if you want to wear a dirndl or sport some lederhosen.

Cape Town International Jazz Festival

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Where: Cape Town, South Africa

When: March 27 - 28

Why go: They don't call it "Africa's Grandest Gathering" for nothing as this jazz festival has become an icon in Cape Town. This year will mark the 21st edition of the event and will feature a roster of international stars and musicians from all over the continent.

Notting Hill Carnival

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Where: London, England

When: August 30-31

Why go: Each summer, Notting Hill is transformed into the Caribbean for a celebration unlike any other in Britain. Booming sound systems create the soundtrack while vibrant, colorful parades provide the backdrop to a one-of-a-kind weekend in London.

Galway International Oyster Festival

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Where: Galway, Ireland

When: September 25 - 27

Why go: 2020 is set to be a huge year in Galway as it was recently named a European Capital of Culture and if you are a seafood lover, then you will be in heaven at this annual festival. Expect shucking contests and seafood tasting trails for sure, but there are also always plenty of activities for non-seafood lovers as well.

Rolling Loud

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Where: Miami, Florida

When: May 8 - 10

Why go: Rolling Loud may only be five years old, but in that time it has risen meteorically to become the largest hip hop festival in the world. If you miss the Miami edition, this year will also see an addition arrive in Europe.

Outside Lands

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Where: San Francisco, California

When: August 7-9

Why go: Outside Lands is so much more than just a festival, it's a love letter to the beauty of the Bay Area. Taking place inside Golden Gate Park, the festival has evolved into a feast for all of your senses, mixing fantastic sounds with mouthwatering food & wine and stimulating displays of art.

Mawazine

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Where: Rabat, Morocco

When: June 19 - 27

Why go: Mawazine Festival is held in Morocco's capital and it offers a true blend of rhythms and sounds from all over the world. Last year's big names included Lartiste, David Guetta and J Balvin and while this year's roster has yet to be released, it promises to offer more of the same.

CMA Fest

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Where: Nashville, Tennessee

When:June 4 - 7

Why go: Country music fans don't usually need another reason to visit Nashville, but just in case they do, that's where the CMA Fest comes in. Hundreds of acts descend upon the city for this annual get together, with everything from household names to up-and-comers entertaining the crowds.

Danube Island Fest

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Where: Vienna, Austria

When: June 26 - 28

Why go: This is the largest free outdoor concert festival in all of Europe and it just happens to take place on an island in the Danube River. You'll find a largely local flavor to the entertainment, but they have been known to bring in international A-listers from time to time.

St. Patrick's Day in Dublin

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Where: Dublin, Ireland

When: March 17

Why go: You haven't properly raised a glass to St. Patrick until you've done it in the Emerald Isle. Expect plenty of parades full of street performers and troupes of traditional musicians and for the snugs of the pubs to be full with locals painting the town green.

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Scott Hartbeck

Scott Hartbeck

Editor true scotthartbeck 9309 14744 Born and raised in the USA but now based in the UK, Scott is a Europe travel expert who has been exploring the continent for over 20 years. He specializes in European rail and discovering underrated destinations & experiences

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