From Vivid Sydney, the largest arts festival in the Southern Hemisphere, which recently unveiled its highly anticipated 2024 programme, to Tahiti’s most significant cultural event, or Seattle’s leading music showcase, there’s something for everyone when it comes to arts and culture this year. Explore 13 must-visit arts and culture festivals around the world to book now.
Watch Sydney come to life at Vivid Sydney 2024 (24 May – 15 June)
Celebrating its 14th year in 2024, Vivid Sydney returns to the city, fusing art, innovation, and technology in collaboration with some of the most boundary-pushing artists, thinkers, and musicians of our time. Vivid Sydney is an annual festival of light, music, and ideas, including outdoor immersive light installations and projections across iconic buildings and attractions, performances by local and international musicians, and an ideas exchange forum featuring public talks and debates with leading creative thinkers. sydney.com
Get thrifty at Three Rivers Art Festival, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania (31 May – 09 June)
Taking place across 10 days, Three Rivers Arts Festival is a free, outdoor music and arts festival held each June in the Downtown district of Pittsburgh. Featuring live music and performance art, as well as visual art, the authentic gastronomy and beer scene is presented across vendors throughout the park. Teaming world class beer with over 400 independent artists and musicians – this inexpensive festival isn’t one to be missed. visitpittsburgh.com/
Tune in to the art of classical music at the Aspen Music Festival and School, Colorado (19 June – 18 August)
Founded back in 1949, The Aspen Music Festival and School is viewed as one of the most prestigious classical music festivals in North America, famous for its concert programming, musical training programmes and over 400 classical music events, opera performances. With a ticketed event every Sunday featuring the programme’s symphony orchestra, visitors can head down to the lawn outside the Benedict Music tent and relax in one of the free outdoor listening areas surrounded by shimmering Aspen trees. aspenchamber.org
Discover the charms of Heiva i Tahiti, The Islands of Tahiti, French Polynesia (4 – 20 July)
The Heiva i Tahiti is one of the most significant and important cultural events on The Islands of Tahiti. Established in 1881, it is known as one of the oldest festivals in the world. A celebration bursting with emotion and pride, Heiva i Tahiti renews Tahitian traditions and culture year on year. From 4-20 July this year, the capital city of Papeete will host the festival, with a schedule largely consisting of dance and song, with young male and female dancers performing through colourful demonstrations and costumes. The audience will experience first hand the rhythm of the pahu and to-ere drums as they accompany the dancers and voices of the choristers to bring the Polynesian spirit to life. tahititourisme.uk
National Basque Festival, Elko, Nevada (6-7 July)
Celebrated since 1964, the National Basque Festival is hosted by the Elko Basque Club, or Elko Euzkaldunak Club, and typically held on the Fourth of July weekend each year partly to celebrate the United States of America, but also to thank the community for accepting Basques and their heritage so freely. At the Elko Basque Clubhouse for the festival’s opening kickoff, visitors and Bascos alike can grab a plate of fresh chorizo and paella and of course endlessly flowing table wine, and the (in)famous Picon Punch—Nevada’s unofficial state drink. Throughout the weekend, enjoy an array of live dance performances, traditional Basque music, traditional Basque rural sports competitions like wood chopping, and beyond. Other competitions are ongoing throughout the weekend-long festival, like Sheepherders Bread-Making Contest, and more. travelnevada.com
Celebrate Hungary’s biggest music festival in the heart of Budapest (7-12 August)
With headliners this year like Fred Again, Liam Gallagher, and Stormzy, Sziget Festival is truly a world-class music event. Sziget is the biggest festival in Hungary and routinely draws the biggest names in the music world. In addition to this year’s line-up, past years have seen the August event play host to acts ranging from Rihanna to Iron Maiden to the Sex Pistols. Located on an island in the Danube River (hence the name; ‘Sziget’ means ‘Island’ in Hungarian), the festival is quite close to downtown Budapest. For one week in August each year, the otherwise quiet patch of land in the middle of the Danube transforms into an island that is, for that brief period of time, the music capital of the world. szigetfestival.com/en/
Explore rural revitalisation through art at the Echigo-Tsumari Art Triennale, Japan (13 July – 10 November)
Taking place from 13 July to 10 November 2024, the Echigo-Tsumari Art Triennale seeks to provide visitors with an alternative way to explore satoyama – the concept of society being one with nature. Featuring over 300 artworks scattered throughout the rural Echigo-Tsumari region in Niigata, the Triennale aims to revitalise the region and pass on memories and wisdoms of the community by using abandoned houses and closed down schools as exhibition spaces. Visitors are encouraged to follow the artworks as guiding lights to understanding the rural and rustic way of life in Echigo-Tsumari. japan.travel/en/uk
Be part of history at Bumbershoot Arts & Music Festival, Seattle, Washington (31 August – 01 September)
Bumbershoot was named after an umbrella to describe the wide variety of arts and performances that the festival encompasses. Returning to Seattle in 2024, attendees can expect an abundance of culture, including comedy, film, dance, theatre, literature and visual arts events. The line-up is heavy on music and has previously featured icons such as Bob Dylan and Mary J Blige. Part of the primary focus of the line-up is regional Pacific Northwest talent. Bumbershoot will be held over the Labor Day weekend – seeing out a very busy season of summer festivals. visitseattle.org/
Experience Native American culture at Moompetam Festival, Long Beach, California (14-15 September)
Appreciating Native American culture isn’t just about learning its history, but also about embracing its present. As well as experiencing traditional Powwows, visitors can experience the culture through many of the state’s festivals that celebrate art, crafts and contemporary films made by Native American artists. Taking place at the Aquarium of the Pacific in Long Beach, enjoy a celebration of several local Native cultures at the annual Moompetam Festival. Check out craft demonstrations, storytelling sessions, plus music and dance performances from a variety of coastal indigenous tribes, including Tongva, Chumash, Luiseño, and Kumeyaay. Festival admission is included with a ticket to the aquarium. visitcalifornia.com
Take in Chile’s charm at Fiestas Patrias (18-19 September)
This annual celebration, held in September, offers a unique glimpse into Chile’s rich heritage through lively music, traditional dances like the cueca, and mouth-watering cuisine such as empanadas and asado. The festival serves as a testament to Chilean pride and unity, with colourful parades and dazzling fireworks honouring the nation’s independence. By participating in the festivities, visitors can connect with the warmth and hospitality of the Chilean people while witnessing first-hand the passion that defines this historic event. chile.travel/en
Golden Sky Country Music Festival, Sacramento (18-20 October)
Visitors can immerse themselves in cowboy culture at Golden Sky Festival taking place in Sacramento’s Discovery Park in October. The three-day festival celebrates all things country with line dancing, small business markets, beer and wine tastings, and farm to fork cuisine, alongside an epic line-up of country music stars. This year’s headliners include, Luke Bryan, Kieth Urban, the Turnpike Troubadours, and Riley Green. visitsacramento.com
Absorb Denver’s art scene at Denver Arts Week, Denver, Colorado (3-11 November)
Explore the vibrant art districts, impressive museum exhibitions and outdoor sculptures at Denver Arts Week. Be inspired by performing arts, film and literature and even take away some art for safe keeping. Denver Arts Week will kick off with expanded First Friday Art Walks across the city’s creative neighbourhoods, followed by Free Night at the Museums on Saturday. denver.org
Don’t miss ¡ARTE VIVA! as it returns for second year, Florida’s Paradise Coast, Naples, Marco Island and the Everglades (ongoing in 2024)
¡ARTE VIVA! is a year-long celebration of Hispanic art and culture through exhibitions, performances, music and more. This year’s line-up of events and attractions includes Arts Alive! gatherings every Thursday at Naples Art District, a medley of outdoor art festivals and other activities. Visitors are spoilt for choice as various locations play a part in the celebrations, an unforgettable tribute to the rich cultural tapestry of the Hispanic community, which constitutes nearly 30% of the region’s population. Season 2 of ¡ARTE VIVA! takes place at locations such as The Naples Zoo, the Gulfshore Playhouse and Naples Botanical Garden amongst many others. paradisecoast.com
