As festival season continues to go global, 2026 is ushering in a new wave of music events that blend world-class line-ups with unforgettable destinations. From open-air techno parties on the shores of Lake Zurich to beachside country concerts in Los Cabos and indie performances beneath the mountains of Japan, these eleven standout festivals combine feel-good live music with immersive travel experiences for fans ready to follow the soundtrack around the world.
Escape to the Outback for Mundi Mundi Bash, New South Wales (20-22 August 2026)
Set on the spectacular plains 35km outside Broken Hill, the Mundi Mundi Bash is Australia’s ultimate outback music festival, combining live music with camping under the stars. Bringing together thousands of music lovers for three days of performances, campfires, and sunsets, this year’s line-up features Australian favourites The Teskey Brothers, John Butler, Jessica Mauboy, Baby Animals and Jon Stevens.
JADE Headlines OUTLOUD Pride Music Festival, West Hollywood (5-7 June 2026)
West Hollywood’s annual OUTLOUD Music Festival at WeHo Pride returns next month, bringing three days of live music, LGBTQ+ celebration, and performances to West Hollywood Park. This year’s festival spotlights UK artists including JADE and FLO, as well as Spice Girls icon Mel C and Ava Max, alongside an exciting lineup of queer artists and allies. Produced as part of the City of West Hollywood’s WeHo Pride Celebration, the award-winning festival has become one of the country’s most anticipated Pride events.
Mountainside Music Festival Launches in Snowmass Village, Colorado (11-13 June 2026)
New to Snowmass Village for 2026, the summer season opens on a high note with the debut of the Mountainside Music Festival, a free three-day celebration set on the iconic Fanny Hill Stage. Headliners include American Authors, Richy Mitch & The Coal Miners and Pecos & The Rooftops with special guest The Talbott Brothers, alongside local vendors and panoramic sunset views.
Music at the Intersection Brings the Beat to St Louis, Missouri (July 17-19 2026)
Music at the Intersection returns to St. Louis’ Grand Center Arts District in July, featuring more than 100 performances celebrating the city’s musical roots in jazz, blues, soul, R&B, hip-hop and funk. This year’s headliners include Wyclef Jean, Killer Mike, PJ Morton, Andra Day and Big Freedia, plus a special kickoff concert featuring Jon Batiste at The Fabulous Fox Theatre.
Fuji Rock Festival, Niigata Prefecture (24-26 July 2026)
Featuring a spectacular line-up of international musicians, including English indie rock band The xx and singer-songwriter Arlo Parks, the 2026 Fuji Rock Festival is set to rival many UK favourites. Despite the name, the three-day event offers partygoers an experience across all genres.
Street Parade Returns for the World’s Largest Techno Party, – Zurich, Switzerland (8 August 2026)
Street Parade started in the 1990s and has since exploded into the world’s largest techno party. Set on the picturesque shores of Lake Zurich, the event is free to attend, with over 200 artists set to perform and an array of afterparties taking place throughout the city. Leading up to Street Parade is Zurich Music Week which celebrates electronic music with conferences, lectures and workshops about the topic all leading up to the main event.
Enjoy sustainable beats at Pickathon – Portland Oregon (30 July – 2 August)
Tucked away on the lush, eighty-acre Pendarvis Farm just outside Portland, Pickathon is widely hailed as the gold standard of sustainable and discovery-led music festivals. For three days, the forest is transformed into a series of hand-built, architectural neighbourhoods where attendees carry reusable steel cups and wander between towering Douglas firs. Every artist performs twice so the typical frantic festival rush is replaced by a relaxed, community-driven atmosphere.
Country Splash Festival Brings Beach Vibes and Country Music to Los Cabos, Mexico (4-6 September 2026)
Set within the luxury beachfront Paradisus Los Cabos resort, the inaugural Country Splash Festival is bringing a fresh country music experience to Los Cabos this September. Blending live performances, oceanfront luxury and nonstop entertainment over three days, this beachfront festival brings headliners Riley Green, Jon Pardi, Tucker Wetmore and Diplo to perform alongside rising country stars and DJs.
Hit the jazz-lined streets of Pittsburgh, PA (17-20 September)
Transforming downtown into a vibrant, walkable “jazz neighbourhood” each September, the Pittsburgh International Jazz Festival is a soulful celebration that honours the city’s deep musical heritage by blending high-energy outdoor street fests with intimate, world-class theatre performances.
Mempho Music Festival, Memphis USA – (9-11 October)
Returning to the Radians Amphitheater at Memphis Botanic Garden, Mempho will blend national headliners with local legends in a lush, 96-acre garden setting, complete with immersive festival spaces such as the city’s iconic Incendia Dome. Mempho features some of music’s biggest names as well as a variety of local Memphis favourites. Past lineups have included acts such as Post Malone, Wu-Tang Clan, Widespread Panic, The Raconteurs, Father John Misty, Tyler Childers, The Flaming Lips and blues legend Bobby Rush.
Music in the Mountains All Summer Long, Mammoth, California, USA
Visitors can get out and enjoy Mammoth’s scenic landscape and outdoor activities during the day and free music events at night. Going into its eighth year in 2026, Mammoth JazzFest brings many talented musicians to play in Mammoth Lakes. Visitors can experience 2 days from July 10-11 of free live jazz performances, a Friday Night Wine Walk, food trucks, and local vendors. From July 17-19 Mammoth Reggae Festival brings live reggae music to the mountains, three days of live bands and DJ sets all for free.
Photo Credit: Isaac Russel
