If the local music scene is a big factor for you when choosing a location for your language course, check out these festivals in or near our popular destinations.
You will need to get tickets in advance for some of them, so get on it!
Future Music Festival Australia – Adelaide, Brisbane, Melbourne, Perth, Sydney
28th Feb – 9th Mar 2015
Aussies are famous for their hard-partying ways and this is the biggest electronic music festival in Australia. The soundtrack includes jacked-up EDM courtesy of Knife Party, Avicii, Martin Garrix and Afrojack, some deeper stuff from Sven Väth and the old-school rave sounds of the Prodigy, alongside festival-friendly hip hop from Die Antwoord and Drake.
More about our English courses in Australia
AfrikaBurn – Cape Town, South Africa
27th April – 3rd May 2015
A journey approximately 300km northwards from Cape Town leads you into an arid desert… and another world. A sister festival of Burning Man, AfrikaBurn brings plenty of weirdness to the Northern Cape. The only thing for sale is ice, so you need to come prepared, but this is an experience like no other.*
*it’s a bit like Burning Man.
More about an English course in Cape Town
Great Escape – Brighton, UK
14th – 16th May 2015
Featuring loads of bands you haven’t heard of… yet. The Great Escape takes place in loads of venues across the city and is one of the best showcase events for new musical talent in Britain. Some big artists have joined the party in recent years, including Kelis in 2014.
More about an English course in Brighton
Mysteryland – New York, USA
22nd – 25th May 2015
Since the USA rediscovered electronic music towards the end of the last decade, EDM festivals have become a huge thing there. Unsurprisingly in a culture that demands no half measures, festivals like Mysteryland take the traditional music festival experience to a whole new level, with special effects that Hollywood would be proud of.
More about an English course in New York
NXNE – Toronto, Canada
12th – 21st June 2015
Inspired by the South by Southwest festival in Texas, NXNE (North by Northeast) is your chance to catch up and coming bands before they make it big. Events take place at venues across Toronto, including film and comedy sessions as well as music.
More about an English course in Toronto
Sonar – Barcelona, Spain
18th – 20th June 2015
Sónar offers cutting-edge electronic music and arts in and around one of Europe’s most attractive cities. With a 2015 line-up featuring The Chemical Brothers, Daniel Avery, Tourist and more TBC, this is music to dance to.
More about a Spanish course in Barcelona
Montreux Jazz Festival – Montreux, Switzerland
3rd – 18th July 2015
Don’t believe the name – there is much more than jazz at the Montreux Jazz Festival. The sound quality at the Stravinsky Auditorium is incredible (Stevie Wonder and Pharrell played there in 2014), and the music spills out onto the shores of Lake Geneva until the early hours.
More about a French course in Montreux
Notting Hill Carnival – London, UK
30th – 31st August 2015
What started out as a celebration for London’s West Indian community has now become one of the world’s biggest street parties. The traditional steel drums have been joined by floats booming out the latest bass-heavy music from London’s underground clubs. This is also your chance to try authentic spicy Caribbean cuisine.
More about an English course in London
Bestival – Bournemouth/ Portsmouth, UK
10th – 13th September 2015
Right at the end of the UK festival season, Bestival is a massive fancy-dress party with an excellent soundtrack. The festival takes place on the Isle of Wight, which can be easily reached from Bournemouth or Portsmouth. A different theme each year ensures that people make an effort to look great.
More about an English course in Bournemouth
Lollapalooza – Berlin, Germany
12th – 13th September 2015
The giant of the American rock festival scene will take over the Tempelhof airfield in Berlin for a weekend in September. This is the first time the festival has come to Europe, so expect something a bit special.
More about a German course in Berlin
Image credit: Catrin Austin (CC BY 2.0)
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