Top 20 Beach Festivals in the World 2021 & 2022

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 (2022): Amelie Lens, Chris Liebing, Richie Hawtin, Jamie Jones, Sven Väth, Monika Kruse, Dixon, ANNA

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: 21-25 August 2022; Novalja, Croatia

Sonus Festival 2022 Guide / Book Sonus Festival 2022

Boardmasters Festival

Festival lineup (2021): Gorillaz, Foals, Jorja Smith, Jamie xx, The Kooks, Loyle Carner, Lianne La Havas, Blossoms, Sam Fender

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: 11-15 August 2021; Newquay, UK

Boardmasters Festival 2021 Guide / Book Boardmasters Festival 2021

Rolling Loud Portugal

Festival lineup (2021): A$AP Rocky, Travis Scott, Future, Cardi B, Stormzy, Wiz Khalifa, Playboi Carti, Meek Mill, Young Thug, Lil Uzi Vert, AJ Tracey

The world's biggest hip-hop festival finally touches down in Europe, having established a devoted fanbase across the globe with lineups of the biggest names in modern rap. Portugal plays host to this new chapter in the festival's ongoing story of dominance, with the sands of Praia da Rocha playing host to a wealth of international superstars.

When & where: 6-8 July 2022; Portimão, Portugal

Rolling Loud Portugal 2022 Guide / Book Rolling Loud Portugal 2022

Ultra Europe

Festival lineup (2020): David Guetta, DJ Snake, Armin van Buuren, Richie Hawtin, Steve Aoki, Afrojack, Marshmello, Pendulum, Galantis

Born in Miami, Ultra Music Festival has since taken its huge LED 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: 8-10 July 2022; Split, Croatia

Ultra Europe 2022 Guide / Book Ultra Europe 2022

Hangout Festival

Festival lineup (2020): Red Hot Chili Peppers, Post Malone, Billie Eilish, Marshmello, Lana Del Rey, Cage the Elephant, Kane Brown, Illenium

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: 20-22nd May 2022; Gulf Shores, USA

Hangout Music Festival 2022 & Waiting List

Annie Mac Presents: Lost & Found Festival

Festival lineup (2020): Annie Mac, Helena Hauff, slowthai, Eats Everything, Seth Troxler, Honey Dijon, Charlotte de Witte, Patrick Topping

Now in its sixth year, Annie Mac's Maltese adventure has become one of Europe's most explosive festivals. 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: 1-4 June 2022; St Paul's Bay, Malta

AMP Lost & Found Festival 2022 Guide & Waiting List

Afro Nation

Festival lineup (2021): Chris Brown, Megan Thee Stallion, Burna Boy, Davido, French Montana, Skepta, Wizkid, Tory Lanez

Already one of the most hotly anticipated events of the summer, despiter only being held for the first time in 2019, the European instalment of Afro Nation promises a peerless lineup of Afrobeats, dancehall, rap, R&B and bashment on the sands of Praia da Rocha. Such was the success of the debut, it spawned other global events Afro Nation Ghana and Afro Nation Puerto Rico.

When & where: 1-3 July 2022; Portimão, Portugal

Afro Nation Portugal 2022 Guide & Waiting List

Neversea Festival

Festival lineup (2020): Black Eyed Peas, Dimitri Vegas & Like Mike, Passenger, Nina Kraviz, Tyga, Timmy Trumpet, Jamie Jones, Paul Kalkbrenner

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 fifth year and yet it attracts many famous artists and and music fans looking for the perfect early July vacation spot. 

When & where: Dates for 2022 TBA; Constanta, Romania

Neversea Festival 2022 Guide & Waiting List

Dimensions & Outlook Origins

Festival lineup (2021): Dimensions: Helena Hauff, DJ Stingray, Margaret Dyas, DVS1 | Outlook Origins: Chase & Status [DJ set], Shy FX, Children of Zeus, Hybrid Minds, Goldie

After many fruitful years in Pula, sibling festivals Dimensions and Outlook (now known as Outlook Origins) have upped sticks and moved to a new Croatian home in Tisno. While house, disco and soulful selectors are more in their element at Dimensions, the bass-heavy DJs and MCs shine at Outlook; both festivals offering the underground elite and new favourites the chance to play out against the stunning backdrop of the Adriatic coast.

When & where: Dimensions: 2-6 September 2021; Tisno | Outlook Origins: 9-13th September 2021; Tisno

Dimensions Festival 2021 Guide / Book Dimensions Festival 2021

Outlook Origins Festival 2021 Guide / Book Outlook Origins Festival 2021

BBF: Barcelona Beach Festival

Festival lineup (2020): Armin van Buuren, Steve Aoki, Dimitri Vegas & Like Mike, Alan Walker, Marshmello

Held on the northern reaches of the famous coastal city, 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: 2nd July 2022; Barcelona, Spain

BBF: Barcelona Beach Festival 2022 Guide / Book BBF 2022

Primavera Sound

Festival lineup (2022): Massive Attack, Tame Impala, The Strokes, Tyler, the Creator, Jorja Smith, Gorillaz, Beck, Lorde, Dua Lipa, Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds, Megan Thee Stallion

Primavera Sound keeps its roots under the wide canopy of rock, but dips its toes into electronic and dance waters whilst priding itself on a progressive bill that is 50/50 gender split. Barcelona's indie giant manages to curate the finest lineups of major headliners and up-and-comers, with the next edition being split over two weekends given it's so gargantuan.

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

When & where: 2-4 June 2022 & 9-12 June 2022; Barcelona, Spain

Primavera Sound 2022 Guide / Book Primavera Sound 2022

Sziget

Festival lineup (2020): Calvin Harris, Dua Lipa, Kings Of Leon, The Strokes, FKA Twigs, Major Lazer, A$AP Rocky, Stormzy, Diplo, Foals

Not strictly at the beach, but definitely close to water, Sziget Festival takes over Obuda 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: 10-15 August 2022, Budapest, Hungary

Sziget Festival 2022 Guide / Book Sziget Festival 2022

Dreambeach Festival

Festival lineup (2020): Dimitri Vegas & Like Mike, Richie Hawtin, Noisia, DJ Snake, Deep Dish, Alesso, Amelie Lens

Another dance music giant, Dreambeach Villaricos spans a variety of genres as it strikes a balance between the mainstream and the underground, with established favourites from the worlds of EDM, techno, house, hardstyle, drum & bass, hip-hop and more. And as you'd expect from a party on this scale, the staging, production, sound and lighting are built to match.

When & where: Dates for 2022 TBA; Villaricos, Spain

Dreambeach Villaricos 2022 Guide & Waiting List

Hideout Festival

Festival lineup (2021): Andy C, CamelPhat, FISHER, Gorgon City, Hybrid Minds, MK, Jamie Jones, Patrick Topping

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: 3-7 July 2022; Novalja, Croatia

Hideout Festival 2022 Guide & Waiting List

MEO Sudoeste

Festival lineup (2021): Bad Bunny, Major Lazer, Ozuna, Timmy Trumpet

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: 2-6 August 2022; Zambujeira do Mar, Portugal

MEO Sudoeste 2022 Guide & Waiting List

Balaton Sound

Festival lineup (2020): Martin Garrix, Dimitri Vegas & Like Mike, DJ Snake, Steve Aoki, Don Diablo

Part-circus, part-rave: all party. Balaton Sound sits on the cusp of Hungary's Lake Balaton, overlooking the scenic view whilst 150,000 festival-goers dance, swim, and party to the best names spanning EDM, hip-hop, pop, and techno.

The likes of Marshmello, David Guetta, Dua Lipa, Rita Ora, Jason Derulo, The Chainsmokers, Hardwell, Macklemore and plenty of show-stoppers have graced its main stage in recent years. It's the ultimate summer location.

When & where: Dates for 2022 TBA; Zamárdi, Hungary

Balaton Sound 2022 Guide & Waiting List

Les Plages Électroniques

Festival lineup (2020): The Chainsmokers, Paul Kalkbrenner, Guy Gerber, KAYTRANADA, Sam Paganini, Stephan Bodzin

France's stylish southern city of Cannes welcomes superstars of house, techno and beyond to the beautiful seaside site for three days in the Mediterranean sun, which has seen performances from all manner of dance music royalty across recent years.

When & where: 5-7th August 2022; Cannes, France

Les Plages Électroniques 2022 Guide & Waiting List

Fresh Island Festival

Festival lineup (2020): Burna Boy, Wizkid, D-Block Europe, 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: Dates for 2022 TBA; Novalja, Croatia

Fresh Island Festival 2020 Guide & Waiting List

RFM Somnii

Festival lineup (2022): Alan Walker, Sean Paul, Dimitri Vegas & Like Mike, Alok, Vini Vici, Mandragora

One of Portugal's biggest dance music festivals, RFM Somnii invites a selection of party-starters from a variety of genres for a huge-scale three-day party on the sands of Praia Do Relógio in Figiuera da Foz, complete with imposing staging and spectacular production.

When & where: 8-11th July 2022; Figueira da Foz, Portugal

RFM SOMNII 2022 Guide / Book RFM SOMNII 2022

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