Summer
In the UK, it is characterized by three elements: beer garden culture,
holidays
abroad, and
music festivals
.
Regarding the latter,
Glastonbury
stands as our proudest achievement, attracting more than 200,000 individuals to its transient metropolis annually.
However, for individuals like ourselves
didn’t manage to get tickets for June’s major event
Don’t lose heart; many fantastic festivals await your discovery just beyond your immediate vicinity.
At
Sazua.com
, we’re all about exploring uncharted territories, aiming to encourage
sustainable
travel and expand our perspectives.
We’re constantly searching for lesser-known ‘secret treasures’, so let’s dive right into the top five international music festivals you might not have heard about yet.
KALA Festival – Dhermi, Albania
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.
Best for:
Ibiza-lovers
Headliners:
The Ezra Collective, Kelly Lee Owens, Horse Meat Disco
Ticket prices:
Tickets and 3-star hotels begin at £391 per person for a week-long stay.
Largely thanks to
TikTok
,
Albania
has seen a surge in popularity over the past few years. The bustling coastal resort of Sarandë in the southwestern region has attracted numerous visitors.
‘world’s bluest waters’
title last year.
Each summer, one of the major attractions is the KALA Festival, a seven-day event taking place in the seaside town of Dhërmi, close to Vlorë. It offers yoga sessions during the day and dancing at night, catering to those looking for an affordable slice of paradise.
The event runs from June 4 to 11, featuring a blend of disco, house, soul, and jazz music set against the stunning coastal view.
Attendees at the festival might wish to prolong their visit to discover this beautiful region. Following an exhilarating weekend, unwind on the pristine beaches or meander through the numerous villages scattered along the shoreline.
This area provides numerous chances for hiking, such as exploring Llogara National Park, traversing the Southern Coastal Trail, and wandering through the Karaburun Peninsula.
However, it’s important to do your homework.
Sazua.com’s
Alice Murphy
recently found out that sections of the Albanian Riviera are
Not exactly the utopia they seem to be online.
.
She pointed out that an unparalleled surge in tourism has led to “a burst of building activities that risk detracting from the stunning landscapes this Balkan treasure provides.”
Alice suggests exploring less-traveled destinations like Rana e Hedhun beach, an impressive sandy expanse up north, instead of opting for popular places such as Ksamil or Sarandë. She also mentions Lin, which claims to be Europe’s oldest continuously inhabited settlement.
Other lesser-known destinations feature Gjirokastër: a historic stone city from the Ottoman era that has since been recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
UNESCO world heritage site
, and the Cape of Rodon, a rugged promontory less than an hour’s drive from Tirana, offering views of the ocean and showcasing Albania’s pristine natural beauty.
Sazua.com’s joruney to KALA…
Our Lifestyle Editor Rachel Moss visited KALA in 2023 and shared some cautionary notes regarding the trip.
She mentioned that you have two routing choices: either fly into Albania’s Tirana airport followed by a four-hour drive with scenic mountains but also challenging roads and potential motion sickness; alternatively, opt for flying into Corfu then rush through several connections including a brief taxi ride to reach the ferry station, board a thirty-minute boat journey to Albania, and finally take another two-hour cab ride towards Dhërmi. After experiencing both routes herself, Rachel stated that the second option proved slightly more favorable.
You can read Rachel’s complete review of the festival here.
Playtime – Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia
Best for:
Individuals who appreciate a wide array of categories
Headliners:
Alcest, Jambinai, Ellen Allien
Ticket prices:
$75.71 for a 4-day general admission pass
Mongolia features stunning vistas, ranging from expansive grasslands to undulating tablelands and majestic mountain ranges.
This inland nation located in East Asia is ideal for visitors seeking genuine and offbeat adventures.
The cities of Mongolia, such as the capital Ulaanbaatar, merge contemporary growth with historic structures, enveloped by natural surroundings. It is here that the Playtime Festival takes place.
Featuring an extensive array of musical styles, including rock, indie, metal, electronic, and jazz, there truly is something for every taste.
The festival takes place from July 3-6, featuring performers ranging from local talents to international acts.
Outside the realm of music, Ulaanbaatar provides numerous activities, such as visiting the Natural History Museum or exploring Gorkhi-Terelj National Park, which lies just beyond the urban limits.
For those seeking adventure, head to the Gobi Desert. Encircled by surreal landscapes, you can take a camel ride or trek the sandstone cliffs of Tsagaan Suvraga.
For an authentic experience akin to living as the locals do, consider joining a culinary tour in Ulaanbaatar. This typically involves exploring local markets and enjoying dinner at a Mongolian household. Additionally, you can opt for a nomadic version of this tour hosted among rural communities in the Middle Gobi region. Another possibility is staying with yak herders in the scenic Khangai Mountain range.
Mongolian food heavily emphasizes meats and dairy products, mirroring the nation’s historical nomadic lifestyle and dependence on herds. Preparation methods typically involve boiling and roasting, along with utilizing heated rocks to cook both meat and vegetables.
Fuji Rock Festival – Niigata, Japan
Best for:
Sustainable travellers
Headliners:
Fred Again, Vulfpeck, Vampire Weekend, Haim, Confidence Man, The English Teacher, Barry Can’t Swim
Ticket prices:
$306 for a three-day general admission pass
From
78p corner store eats in Osaka
to the
charming coastal town of Kamakura
, team
Sazua.com
will sing
Japan
sings their praises endlessly.
Picture our strong desire to attend the Fuji Rock Festival in Niigada City on Honshu Island, which is one of Japan’s biggest outdoor musical events.
Despite being somewhat under-the-radar internationally, the festival continues to gain traction. This annual event occurs each summer at the Naeba Ski Resort in Yuzawa. For this year, the scheduled dates are from July 25th through July 27th. Attendees can look forward to an eclectic lineup featuring rock, electronic, pop, and indie music genres.
The festival is dedicated to sustainability with various eco-initiatives implemented, and participants are strongly urged to help keep the venue clean.
Commonly known as one of the planet’s most picturesque festivals, Fuji Rock Festival unfolds amidst woodlands, peaks, and waterways.
Aside from the performances, there’s lots more to enjoy locally, such as trekking up Mount Naeba, going rafting on the Tone River near Minakami, or unwinding at the Naeba hot springs. Niigata caters perfectly to those seeking thrilling adventures.
In 2023,
Sazua.com
voted
‘immersing yourself in sake’
one of the most exciting activities to try in Japan.
This necessitates a trip to Niigata, where the terrain featuring gentle streams and plentiful rice fields has turned this place into Japan’s premier district for sake production.
Dimensions Festival – Tisno, Croatia
Best for:
Visitors fond of a relaxed ambiance
Headliners:
Georgia, Evan Baggs, Margaret Dygas
Ticket prices:
Final release tickets, £235
Ranging from vibrant azure seas to quaint historic villages,
Croatia
is beauty personified.
Heading north along the Adriatic Sea, you’ll discover Dimensions Festival, a cozy electronic music feast offering a variety of sounds including house, techno, electro, and bass.
Held at The Garden Resort, the event runs from August 28 to September 1.
Look forward to intimate boat gatherings, coastal hangouts, and engaging evening shows. Thanks to its picturesque setting, attendees can unwind during daylight hours before losing themselves in nocturnal dance festivities.
Whether before or after the festival, be sure to explore the charming Old Town of Tisno, or head up the coast to visit elsewhere.
ancient city of Zadar
.
Last year,
Sazua.com’s
Lillie Rohan
explored Dubrovnik, Croatia’s most recognizable vacation spot, and
unearthed the city’s most hidden gem
., this place ranks as the finest bar she has ever visited.
Lillie writes: ‘A 15-minute drive away from the UNESCO-protected Old Town, where many scenes of HBO’s Game Of Thrones were filmed, lies Love Bar nestled in the hills.’
‘It is hidden so skillfully that many stumble upon it unintentionally; a sign atop a neighboring rooftop and an arrow painted on the road edge are the sole hints suggesting something remarkable lies at the top of a challenging set of steps. While the ascent can be demanding, your effort is compensated with a panoramic view that makes for an ideal setting to capture a share-worthy sunset.’
The Hangout Music Festival – Alabama, U.S.
Best for:
Pool party vibes
Headliners:
Morgan Wallen, Post Malone, Brooks & Dunn, Hardy
Ticket prices:
$449 plus service charges for a general admission ticket
If the phrase ‘beach festival’ makes your heart race, consider visiting The Hangout Music Festival in Gulf Shores, Alabama.
Providing the ideal blend of tunes, relaxed atmospheres, and sunny weather, this gathering showcases a variety of musical styles including pop, rock, hip-hop, indie, and EDM.
Previous headline acts have featured big-name artists, including
Billie Eilish
, Red Hot Chili Peppers and
Kendrick Lamar
The festival occurs from May 16th to May 18th.
Searching for activities post-event? The seaside town of Gulf Shores offers abundant diversions suitable for every kind of visitor.
Thrill-seeker at heart? Dive into water sports along the 32-mile stretch of pristine white-sand beaches, explore nature via hiking and biking trails on the Hugh S. Branyon Backcountry Path, or soar above the dunes with zipline adventures.
Looking for something more laid-back? The city offers numerous spas where you can relax and de-stress.
Why might travelers opt for lesser-known festivals instead of major musical events in 2025?
Famous festivals such as
Coachella
In California and Tomorrowland in Belgium are
becoming a casualty of excessive tourism.
Clare Tobin, CEO at
Wild Frontiers
, the certified B Corp specialists in adventure travel, shares
Sazua.com
‘Many of these big festivals reportedly focus more on capturing moments as they happen, leading some visitors to feel that genuine enjoyment of the music and local culture has diminished.’
Although nothing beats the experience of enjoying live music on a sweltering summer day, Clare cautions that this pleasure comes with a price.
‘Traveling abroad for live music events typically involves arriving and departing from a place quickly, which means visitors might miss out on truly experiencing the genuine character of the area, engaging with locals, or supporting the nearby businesses,’ she explains.
She suggests that less-famous events allow music enthusiasts who crave excitement to enjoy the perfect blend of experiences.
Clare notes: “These occasions provide a chance to prolong your stay and immerse yourself further in the surrounding region, thereby fostering a richer cultural understanding, uncovering local talent, and relishing in additional fulfilling activities. Additionally, this ensures that your trip contributes positively to the economic well-being of the nearby community.”
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