Top 20 Beach Festivals in the World 2020

Did you know that festivals don’t have to mean getting washed out and traipsing through mud to see your favourite artists? It can also mean chilling on pristine sands, swimming or surfing in clear blue waters, and soaking up rays while listening to top, top music.

Here's our selection of the best beach festivals.

Sonus Festival

Festival lineup: Amelie Lens, Rødhåd, Chris Liebing, Richie Hawtin, Ricardo Villalobos, Seth Troxler, Len Faki, Tale of Us

With a passion for underground electronic music, Sonus is tucked away on a little slice of paradise: Croatia’s Island of Pag. Once the suitcases hit the hotel floor, it’s five days and four nights of partying, which means beachside sets, boat fiestas and plenty of pool action – whether that’s relaxing or raving.

When & where: August 2020; Novalja, Croatia

Sonus Festival 2020 Guide and Waiting List

Boardmasters Festival

Festival lineup (2019): Florence + the Machine, Foals, Dizzee Rascal, Wu-Tang Clan, Jorja Smith, Franz Ferdinand, DJ EZ, Wilkinson B2B Sub Focus

Spanning the UK's Cornish coastline, Boardmasters is a festival dedicated to surfing, skating and live music, even hosting its own pro competitions. Held on Fistral Beach and Watergate Bay in Newquay, Boardmasters attracts thousands of extreme sports and music fans every August, keen to pair up their passions. 

When & where: 5-9 August 2020; Newquay, UK

Boardmasters Festival 2020 Guide & Waiting List

Ultra Europe

Festival lineup (2019): Swedish House Mafia, David Guetta, DJ Snake, Carl Cox, Above & Beyond, Armin van Buuren, The Chainsmokers

Born in Miami, Ultra Music Festival has since taken its huge L.E.D. screens and colossal sound systems around the world, with its European edition in Croatia fast becoming one of its most famous.

The festival is spread across Split's historical Stadion Poljud, as well as a selection of other parties in what is known as Destination Ultra, including Ultra Beach on the island of Hvar, a Regatta beach party on Brač and a number of parties hosted by Resistance inside beach clubs and fortresses. 

When & where: 10-12 July 2020; Split, Croatia

Ultra Europe 2020 Guide // Book Ultra Europe 2020

Hangout Festival

Festival lineup (2019): Travis Scott, The Lumineers, Diplo, Khalid, The 1975, Vampire Weekend, Cardi B, Kygo

Boasting a status as the only music festival located literally on a beach in the US, Hangout brings all the elements of a grand-scale music festival to the sandy shores of Alabama, meaning you can stroll out of your beachfront condo and catch sets from great artists.

When & where: 15-17 May 2020; Gulf Shores, USA

Hangout Music Festival 2020 Guide and Waiting List

Annie Mac Presents: Lost & Found Festival

Festival lineup: Annie Mac, Patrick Topping, Skream, The Martinez Brothers, Peggy Gou, AJ Tracey, The Black Madonna, Shy FX

Now in its fifth year, Annie Mac's Maltese adventure has become Europe's most explosive start to the summer. Lost & Found Festival takes a distinctly UK-flavoured lineup to the middle of the Mediterranean Sea, with pool-parties, boat-parties and even a castle rave making it a unique and high energy festival.

When & where: 30 April - 3 May 2020; St Paul's Bay, Malta

AMP Lost & Found 2020 Guide // Book AMP Lost & Found 2020

EMF: Electrobeach Music Festival

Festival lineup (2018): Martin Garrix, Armin van Buuren, Oliver Heldens, Afrojack, DJ Snake, Angerfist, Yellow Claw, NERVO

Right down near France's border with Spain, EMF brings the very biggest names in dance music to the coast at Le Barcarès. Last year saw three days of full-throttle partying to the likes of David Guetta, Martin Garrix, Afrojack and NERVO – it's any EDM fan's dream, and one of the best beach spots around.

When & where: 12-14 July 2020; Le Barcarès, France

EMF: Electrobeach Music Festival 2020 Guide & Mailing List

Neversea Festival

Festival lineup (2019): Afrojack, Jessie J, Sean Paul, Steve Aoki, Lost Frequencies, Jamie Jones, Tale of Us, DJ Snake, Alesso

This magical electronic and pop festival takes place on a beautiful coast in Romania for four days of partying and sun. The festival is only in its fourth year and yet it attracts many famous artists and and music fans looking for the perfect early July vacation spot. 

When & where: 2-5 July 2020; Constanta, Romania

Gnaoua Festival 2020 Guide & Waiting List

Dimensions & Outlook

Festival lineup (2019): Dimensions: Jeff Mills, Blawan, Anderson .Paak, Helena Hauff | Outlook: Andy C, Chase & Status, Loyle Carner, Shy FX

Sibling festivals Dimensions and Outlook bring their distinctive sounds to Pula in Croatia. While house, disco and soulful selectors are more at home at Dimensions, the bass-heavy DJs and MCs shine at Outlook.

Venues range from an idyllic Roman Amphitheatre to an old fort, where both the underground elite and firm favourites play out against the stunning backdrop of the Adriatic coast.

When & where: Dimensions: 13 August - 18 September 2020; Tisno | Outlook: 30th July - 4th August 2020; Tisno

Dimensions Festival 2020 Guide and Mailing List

Outlook Festival 2020 Guide and Mailing List 

BBF: Barcelona Beach Festival

Festival lineup (2019): David Guetta, Armin van Buuren, Alesso, W&W, Don Diablo, Steve Aoki, Dimitri Vegas & Like Mike, DJ Snake

Immersed within the coastal city of Barcelona, BBF is a mecca for all electronic and dance music lovers. Barcelona's Platja del Forùm sets the scene, with the Mediterranean as a beautiful backdrop to some of the biggest DJs and producers in the world.

When & where: July 2020, Barcelona, Spain

BBF: Barcelona Beach Festival 2020 Guide and Waiting List

Soul Beach Music Festival

Festival lineup (2019): Ella Mai, H.E.R., Deon Cole, Charlie Wilson, John Legend 

A cornerstone of Caribbean musical culture, Soul Beach is a full five-day long groove on the sexy, smouldering beaches of Aruba that swings between day and night, only pausing for a touch of some delicious food.

When & where: 22–25 May 2020; Aruba, Aruba 

Soul Beach Music Festival 2020 Guide & Mailing List

Primavera Sound

Festival lineup (2020): Pavement + more TBA 

Primavera Sound keeps its roots under the wide canopy of rock, with 2019's lineup featuring Erykah Badu, Tame Impala, Interpol and Solange, who top a bill that is 50/50 gender split. However, Barcelona's indie giant does also dip its toes into electronic and dance waters while priding itself on also giving rising artists an international platform.

And once the festival is over, you’re perfectly placed to explore one of Europe's most beautiful cities.

When & where: 6-4 June 2020; Barcelona, Spain

Primavera Sound 2020 Guide and Waiting List

Sziget

Festival lineup (2019): Ed Sheeran, Foo Fighters, Florence + the Machine, Twenty One Pilots, Martin Garrix, The 1975, Richard Ashcroft, Catfish and The Bottlemen

Not strictly at the beach, but definitely close to water, Sziget Festival takes over Obudai Island in the River Danube just off Budapest each August. Alongside high-profile lineups, sky-bars, heated spring baths and theatre sideshows have turned this into one heck of a carnival. With so much colourful non-music activity taking place, Sziget has been described as Europe's alternative to Burning Man.

When & where: 5-11 August 2020, Budapest, Hungary

Sziget Festival 2020 Guide and Waiting List

Hideout Festival

Festival lineup (2019): Jamie Jones, Hannah Wants, Bicep, Richy Ahmed, MK, Eats Everything, Claptone, Charlotte de Witte

Another festival taking advantage of the breathtaking scenery on Pag Island is Hideout, continuing to roll out the house and techno in a country hardly spoilt for choice. But Hideout shows year after year that it's ahead of the rest, remaining a popular choice for travellers from far and wide looking to get away for an incredible summer party.

When & where: 21-25 June 2020; Novalja, Croatia

Hideout Festival 2020 Guide // Book Hideout Festival 2020

MEO Sudoeste

Festival lineup (2019): Post Malone, Timmy Trumpet, Steve Aoki, Russ, 6LACK, Anitta, Jimmy P, Vitor Kley

MEO Sudoeste is a Portuguese institution that goes way beyond the music, having grown into a staple of the Portuguese summer calendar. Drawn primarily to its eclectic musical mix, festival fans know that parties take over the campsite just as much as the stages.

MEO Sudoeste may only be officially scheduled for five nights, but revellers often end up staying for more like nine in what is essentially an extended summer camp.

When & where: 4-8 August 2020; Zambujeira do Mar, Portugal

MEO Sudoeste 2020 Guide and Waiting List

Cavendish Beach Music Festival

Festival lineup (2019): Carrie Underwood, Russell Dickerson, Eric Church, Cam

If country music is more your kind of thing, then Cavendish Festival will suit you like a dream. The 3-day long bash is held each year on Prince Edward Island, Canada, turning what was once a cow pasture into a 70,000-strong music and dining festival. Artists such as Carrie Underwood and Russell Dickerson compliment the warmest waters north of the Carolinas.

When & where: 10-12 July 2020; Cavendish, Canada

Cavendish Beach Guide

Spring Break Island

Festival lineup (2019): Felix Jaehn, Salvatore Ganacci, Cuebrick, Jey aux Platines, Maxtreme, Basskiller, Dropixx, Clubbusters

As you’ve probably guessed, the Island of Pag has a fair claim to being Europe's number one dance festival destination. Spring Break Island takes over this hotspot, cranking things up alongside a selection of top international DJs and local favourites to really kick off the Croatian summer.

When & where: 29 May – 1 June 2020; Novalja, Croatia

Spring Break Island 2020 Guide & Waiting List

Les Plages Électroniques

Festival lineup (2019): DJ Snake, Solomun, Orelsan, Adriatique, Tchami x Malaa, Meute, Mercer, Polo & Pan

France's stylish southern city of Cannes welcomes superstars of house and techno to the beautiful golden sands, which saw performances from the likes of Jamie Jones, Amelie Lens and Sven Väth across three days in the Mediterranean sun at the festival's last edition.

When & where: August 2020; Cannes, France

Les Plages Électroniques 2020 Guide and Waiting List

Fresh Island Festival

Festival lineup: Wizkid, DaBaby, D-Block Europe, Tim Westwood, DJ Semtex

With three beach-side stages, plenty of poolside action and bungee jumping for the more adventurous, Fresh Island has it all. Add stunning sands, 24-hour parties and some of the biggest names in hip-hop into the mix and you’re probably already booking your festival trip. The likes of Snoop Dogg, Wiz Khalifa, and A$AP Rocky have all hit it in the past.

When & where: 4-9 July 2020; Novalja, Croatia

Fresh Island Festival 2020 Guide // Book Fresh Island 2020

Beyond the Valley

Festival lineup (2019/2020): Tyler, the Creator, Matt Corby, Claptone, Floating Points, Green Velvet, Honey Dijon, Skepta, RUFUS DU SOL

Ever been stuck for New Year’s Eve plans and wished you could be at a music festival? Beyond the Valley, a boutique camping festival in Victoria lays on an unrivalled lineup of Aussie and international music, complete with food trucks, boutique beer and cocktail bars. Oh, and a hangover spa named the Luxury Pop-Up Hotel.

When & where: 28 December 2019 - 1 January 2020; Larder, Australia 

Beyond the Valley 2019/2020 Guide // Book Beyond the Valley 2019/2020

Zrće Spring Break Europe

Festival lineup (2019): Headhunterz, Bausa, DJs From Mars

Zrće Beach’s very own Spring Break spin-off takes place on what was named the most beautiful and best-kept beach on the Adriatic in 2002. Secluded from neighbours by a pine wood, it’s the perfect place to let loose to some of the finest dance, techno and house. Spring Break shows no signs of letting up and continues to ride the crest of public imagination and demand.

When & where: 29 May - 1 June 2020; Novalja, Croatia

Zrće Spring Break Europe 2020 Guide // Book Zrcé Beach Spring Break Europe

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