From Ultra Europe and Sziget Festival to Parklife and Bestival, we picked out our 10 favourite festivals for students travelling in a group.
There is not much that beats getting all your mates together and heading off to camp and dance away the summer months. Across the UK and Europe, a huge variety of artists and settings lay out something for absolutely everyone.
Ultra Europe
Headliners (2016): Armin van Buuren, deadmau5, David Guetta
Brother of Miami's Ultra Music Festival, Ultra Europe is one of the biggest EDM and house festivals in the world. Complete with boat parties, beach parties and pretty much endless music right from the start, this festival is the week in Croatia that never disappoints.
When & where: 14-16 July 2017; Split, Croatia
Reading & Leeds
Headliners: Muse, Kasabian (+ more TBA)
These two UK festival giants are a yearly highlight at the end of August. Alternating acts between the north and south of the UK, Reading and Leeds have developed throughout the years into hosts of rock legends, hip-hop icons and mainstream greats. You’ll love the weekend, whatever end of England is your preferred destination.
When & where: 25-27 August 2017; Reading & Leeds, UK
Hideout
Headliners: Major Lazer Soundsystem, Stormzy, Jamie Jones
Croatia welcomes yet another epic electronic festival in the form of Hideout. Set on Zrće beach, it is five days and nights of the biggest names in house, techno and more. Spread across boat parties, beach parties and world famous clubs – Papaya, Aquarius and Kalypso – it is the ideal mix of summer holiday and music festival.
When & where: 26 June - 1 July 2017; Novalja, Croatia
Isle of Wight Festival
Headliners: Run DMC, David Guetta, Arcade Fire, Rod Stewart
Isle of Wight Festival never ceases to amaze. Year after year the stages are filled with a star-studded lineups of rock, pop, indie and electronic music. Add in some of the best glamping options around, plus discounted student price tickets, and IOW is an easy choice.
When & where: June 2017, Isle of Wight, UK
AMP: Lost & Found Festival
Headliners: Jamie Jones, Armand van Helden, J.E.S.u.S
Dance music’s leading lady Annie Mac presents some of her favourite artists at venues across Malta with Lost & Found Festival. New talent and international names make the trip to the middle of the Mediterranean, taking the party onto the ocean and right up to the door of a castle.
When & where: 13-16 April; Malta
Download
Headliners: System Of A Down, Biffy Clyro, Aerosmith
If you're in search of something a little heavier, Download Festival in Donington Park could well be for you. Taking over from the legendary Monsters of Rock in 2003, Download has been graced some of the best bands on the planet, of all generations. Caked in mud, beer and metal – it is not for the faint-hearted.
When & where: 9-11 June 2017; Derby, UK
DGTL Amsterdam
Headliners: Jamie Jones, Dixon, Maceo Plex
DGTL is as big as it gets when it comes to Amsterdam's electronic summer season. A banquet of underground house and techno is laid out inside the city's thriving arts hub, full of striking art installations and a super inclusive atmosphere. DGTL focuses on futurism within the classic warehouse-rave style, making for a weekend of pure and dedicated underground partying.
When & where: 15-16 April 2017; Amsterdam, Netherlands
Bestival
Headliners: The xx, A Tribe Called Quest, Pet Shop Boys
Finishing off the UK summer festival season in unparalleled creative freedom, Bestival brings together superstar artists spread across 7 stages, close-up performers and the legendary fancy dress Saturday. Students tickets help make it more accessible, with great glamping options also on hand to provide the ultimate festival experience.
When & where: 7-10 September; Dorset, UK
Sziget Festival
Headliners (2016): Muse, Rihanna, David Guetta
For those of you looking for variety, Sziget Festival is unbeatable. Everything from hard rock to EDM is at home on Budapest's island of Óbudai, providing something for all tastes. The fact that tickets sell fast so – usually before the lineup is even announced – says it all about the atmosphere and aura that surrounds one of the world's truly iconic music festivals.
When & where: 9-16 August 2017; Budapest, Hungary
Parklife
Headliners: Frank Ocean, The 1975, BBK, A Tribe Called Quest
Brought to you by the people behind Manchester's world-famous The Warehouse Project, Parklife is an annual student favourite. Two days of urban, electro, indie and pop sets up a great weekend in one of the UK's greatest cities.
When & where: 10-11 June; Manchester, UK
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