When pondering the long list of music festivals to hit, there’s no shortage of electronic dance music events close to home. The thing is, EDM has no borders. Dance music is a global language of rhythm that’s felt throughout the far reaches of our big blue planet, and each country injects their own unique spin on the scene.
Instead of searching within our own homeland, why don’t we dare to peek a bit further to see what else is out there?
In order to push both literal and figurative boundaries, we’ve compiled a list of 10 of the most spectacular, breathtaking, and awe-inspiring music festivals from around the world to help shift ethnocentric thinking to a more global reach. We’re already getting goosebumps just writing about them…
Check out these 10 international music festivals for your first time abroad.
The Groove Cruise – Miami & Los Angeles
Setting sail from Los Angeles, California and Miami, Florida every year – The Groove Cruise is the world’s largest floating music festival. Sailing to exotic locations like Jamaica (from Miami) and Mexico (from Los Angeles), things can’t get any crazier than The Groove Cruise’s epic-level shenanigans.
To give an idea of the size and scope of The Groove Cruise, this year’s Miami-to-Jamaica departure features 96 hours of nonstop ridiculousness with 2,700 dance music lovers, 40 artists, and a 14 story cruise ship complete with 12 restaurants, a casino, gym and spa.
Don’t forget about the additional 9 stages, private beach, and waterfall parties in Ocho Rios, Jamaica. Need we say more?
Now is the time to book your cabin for The Groove Cruise Miami 2016. Use promo code ‘thatdrop’ to get up to $200 off per cabin.
Groove Cruise Miami 2016 Official Teaser from Groove Cruise on Vimeo.
Outlook Festival
Outlook Festival is the stuff of myth and legend. It’s a destination that’s consistently sought and rarely attained for much of the world’s populous – but it’s worth the journey. In short, Outlook Festival is pure magic.
Taking place on the Mediterranean coast near Pula, Croatia – Outlook Festival is the largest Soundsystem Culture music festival in Europe. Held in an abandoned Roman fort with the glimmering Mediterranean in the near distance, Outlook brings everything together to create one of the world’s best festivals year-after-year.
Click here to grab your tickets to Outlook Festival.
The BPM Festival
The BPM Festival will be returning to Playa del Carmen, Mexico in early 2016 for the ninth edition of the beloved festival. With 375+ world class artists performing over 10 days (and nights), this gathering is absolutely incredible. Resting near the top of the global festival list for both fans and artists, BPM is a once-in-a-lifetime experience that you simply can’t miss.
Purchase your tickets to The BPM Festival 2016 today.
Shambhala Music Festival
Shambhala is more than a festival, it’s a movement. Born from grassroots ideals, Shambhala Music Festival is held every year at the Salmo River Ranch in Salmo, British Columbia, Canada.
Keeping in line with its humble roots, Shambhala stands out from the pack in that it does not accept any corporate sponsorships – a praise-worthy commitment that allows the festival to reflect dance music culture in its purest unadulterated form. Feel the Shambhalove and make sure that you make it out to Shambhala at least once in your life.
Head to Shambhala Music Festival’s official website and check it out today!
Electrobeach Festival
Nestled along the picturesque Mediterranean coast not far from the French-Spanish border, Electrobeach Festival is the the biggest electronic music festival in all of France. Held in the beach resort town of Port-Barcarès, France – Electrobeach consistently features the biggest international names in dance music.
Hardwell, Armin van Buuren, Tiësto, Afrojack, and Sebastian Ingrosso, and more have all played the famed festival in years past. If you’re looking to catch the top names in electronic music in one of the most beautiful regions of the world – it’s time to find your Electrobeach.
Start planning your trip to Electrobeach Festival 2016 today.
Tomorrowland
For many, Tomorrowland is the premier dance music festival in the world. Boom, Belgium’s famous Tomorrowland Festival has been merging music and art since its inception in 2005. By fusing world class EDM with state-of-the-art stage production, pyrotechnics, and lighting – Tomorrowland creates a truly unforgettable experience each and every year that it’s thrown.
Check out Tomorrowland Belgium’s official website and start planning your trip today.
Electric Daisy Carnival International
Electric Daisy Carnival is on the cutting edge of dance music events with its ever-expanding reach of global electronic music festivals. Branching out from it’s flagship festival held annually in Las Vegas, Nevada – EDC has expanded (or is scheduled to expand) to other locales including Mexico, Brazil, Puerto Rico, and Japan. If you’re looking for a globetrotting festival for your traveling self – EDC’s long list of events might just be the thing for you.
Click here to check out EDC’s list of international festivals today.
Creamfields
Creamfields is the world renowned multi-day dance music festival that’s expanded from its initial UK roots to multiple cities and continents around the globe. With 10 stages and a liberal dose of a who’s who in today’s dance music scene – Creamfields is nothing short of an EDM lover’s dream.
For a short preview of this year’s Saturday lineup: Avicii, Armin van Buuren, Martin Garrix, The Chemical Brothers, Above & Beyond, Kygo, Thomas Jack, Annie Mac, and more.
Oh, and by the way, that’s just from 2 of Creamfields’ 10 stages.
Snag your tickets to Creamfields 2015 today.
Amsterdam Dance Event
Amsterdam Dance Event is unmatched in its sheer size and scope. Featuring 300 events and 2,000 DJs spanning 80 venues and 5 days in the global city – ADE Festival is a mammoth conglomeration of dance music in all of its beautiful forms.
Attracting over 350,000 visitors from around the world, Amsterdam Dance Event is a festival for the record books each and every year.
Join the party by grabbing your tickets to ADE Festival 2015.
Ultra International
With events in South Africa, Argentina, South Korea, Croatia, Singapore, Japan, Indonesia, Spain, Brazil, Thailand, and more – Ultra Music Festival might be the furthest reaching international music festival out there today. A top contender for the biggest propagator of international dance music culture, Ultra takes each and every event to the next level with their world renowned festivals.
Click here to find your perfect Ultra destination today.
Are there any other festivals that deserve to make the list? Make sure to leave a comment below and let us know!
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