Not going to Glastonbury Festival? Here are some adventurous alternatives

If you’re not going to this year’s Glastonbury festival don’t despair as there are a wealth of top notch alternatives on the European festival scene. Swap British weather and muddy fields for sunny beach festival or combine your festival holiday with a city break to one of Europe’s cultural hotspots. Here are some of the best alternatives for the ultimate festival getaway!

The global festival scene is thriving, with a diverse array of unique festival escapes in exciting new destinations. There’s wallet friendly Eastern European hotspots on the River Danube, being at one with nature with festivals set in beautiful woodland and amazing city festivals to combine with long weekends of culture, gastronomic delights and sightseeing. There’s something for every festival adventurer.

Need some inspiration? Here’s some unforgettable festival escapes for 2017…

EXIT FESTIVAL – PARTY IN A FORTRESS OVERLOOKING THE RIVER DANUBE IN SERBIA

Just a short ride away from the Serbian capital Belgrade, the magical Petrovaradin Fortress set high on the banks of the river Danube in Novi Sad provides the perfect setting for the EXIT Festival. Started as a student protest in 2000 fighting for political change and freedom, EXIT continues to spread positive vibes, promoting change and positive education, supporting many community and humanitarian missions, while throwing a damn good party. The award winning festival has something for music lovers of all genres with a diverse mix of artists performing on numerous stages connected by cobbled streets, ramparts and tunnels. Also renowned for it’s amazing atmosphere and energy the Dance Arena champions the who’s who in the electronic music world set in the awe-inspiring moat of the fortress, it’s that special moment when the sun’s rays shine over the fortress walls and your favourite tune is belting through the soundsystem and into your soul! EXIT continues to deliver the most adventurous and value for money festival experiences in Europe so keep your eyes peeled for the first acts to be announced soon. EXIT. Where hedonism meets activism.

Line Up: The Killers, Liam Gallagher, Years & Years, Hardwell, Rag’n’Bone Man, Jake Bugg, Paul Kalkbrenner, Solomun b2b Dixon, Alan Walker, Black Coffee, Duke Dumont, Faithless Dj Set, Hot Since 82, Jamie Jones, Lost Frequencies, Noisia “OUTER EDGES”, Recondite, Robin Schulz, RÜFÜS, RÜFÜS DU SOL, Antigone B2B Francois X, Charlotte de Witte, Dax J, Function, Princess Nokia, Voiski, Foreign Beggars, Kungs, The Damned, Behzad & Amarou, Ben Vedren, Forest People b2b kLaus, Leo pol, Pierre, Sweely, Arkona, Destruction, Discharge, Samael, Angelic Upstarts, The Black Dahlia Murder + many more.

Exit Festival takes place from 6-9 July 2017. 4-day tickets from 79 GBP available at exitfest.org

POSITIVUS FESTIVAL – ENJOY THE PICTURESQUE WOODLAND SETTING IN LATVIA

Taking place in the picturesque coastal town of Salacgriva in Latvia, Positivus is the largest music and arts festival in the Baltic States, transporting chart-topping headliners, underground emerging talent and exciting art and dance stages to their unspoilt atmospheric coastal setting amid stunning woodland. Festival goers can dip their toes in the baltic sea or take in the atmosphere in a hammock beneath the trees while enjoying a rich diversity of international chart toppers and underground emerging talent in this idyllic holiday location. Positivus also offers art and dance stages giving festival-goers a variety of activities and stalls selling locally made designer clothing and accessories, giving festival goers plenty to see and do during the 3 day event. Positivus was also recognised in the 2013, 2015 and 2016 European Festival Awards being a finalist in the ‘Best Medium Sized Festival’ category and also for ‘Best Festival Line Up’ in 2013.

Line up: Maximo Park, The Lumineers, The Pixies, Ellie Goulding, Alt-J, Rae Sremmurd, Kamasi Washington, L.A. Salami, José González, Mew, Austra, JP Cooper, Cigarettes After Sex, Dagamba, Dzelzs Vilks, Pienvedēja Piedzīvojumi. Ray Blk, Eska, Nothing but Thieves, Julia Jacklin, Margaret Glaspy, Bandmaster + many more.

Positivus takes place from 14-16 July 2017. 3 day festival passes from 67 GBP at positivusfestival.com

SEA DANCE – PARTY ON THE BEACH AT THIS AWARD WINNING FESTIVAL IN MONTENEGRO

Recently listed by Skyscanner as the number 1 cheapest holiday destination for 2017 this country is well worth checking out. Montenegro has towering mountains perfect for hiking and mountain biking as well as some of the world’s best unspoiled beaches on the Adriatic Sea. And if that wasn’t enough Montenegro featured in the James Bond Film Casino Royale and if it’s good enough for Bond, it’s good enough for us! Award winning Sea Dance festival gathers each year fans from over 50 countries from all over the world, and impressive line up of more than 100 hottest international music stars. This year, the fourth edition of the festival, will be held in Budva from 13th to 15th July, in Budva, Montenegro with acts including John Newman and Sean Paul. Voted best European medium-sized festival, Sea Dance has proven much within just three short years. Stunning location, world renowned artists and outstanding productions make this festival a must see. Save the date and experience Sea Dance festival on Europe’s hottest summer destination, city of Budva, Montenegro.

Line Up: Sean Paul, Fatboy Slim, john Newman, Amelie Lewis, Denis Horvat, South London Ordnance, Space Dimension Controller, Bad Copy, Filip Xavi, Insolate, Tkno, Who See and many more

Sea Dance Festival takes place from 13-15th July 2017. To book tickets visit seadancefestival.me