So I’m sitting here last Thursday thinking about summer plans, right? Been itching to travel after that long winter, but I hate just showing up somewhere with zero clue. Decided to dive into finding the absolute best summer festivals worldwide. Figured other folks might wanna know too.
Started with the Messy Brainstorm
Grabbed my laptop and just went wild on the search. Typed stuff like “coolest summer festivals 2023”, “big travel events June July August”, you know the drill. Got totally overwhelmed fast. Tons of lists popped up, some felt super touristy, some seemed kinda niche. Bookmarked maybe 30 tabs. Big mistake.
Got Stuck, Switched Tactics
Okay, feeling stuck. Need focus. I remembered reading about Japan’s firework festivals ages ago. Searched specifically “major Japanese summer festivals” and BOOM. Found the Gion Matsuri in Kyoto. Massive parade, giant floats, whole month of July. Then saw Tenjin Matsuri in Osaka end of July – boats on the river, fireworks! Bookmarked those immediately. Way better.
Then circled back to Europe. Knew about Spain’s tomato fight, but La Tomatina (late August) seemed too messy for me personally. Kept digging for music stuff. Stumbled onto Glastonbury in the UK (late June). Iconic, right? Looks incredible, huge lineup, but holy moly the tickets and logistics! Saved it as a “dream maybe”.
Searched “smaller European music festivals”. Found Sziget Festival in Budapest, Hungary, early August. Week-long on an island! Vibe seemed awesome, mix of music, art, way more affordable than Glasto. Definitely a contender.
Remembered the Food Angle
Love food, so why not? Looked for food-specific festivals. Found the Gilroy Garlic Festival in California, late July. Garlic ice cream?! Wild. Then remembered Quebec’s winter carnivals, but found Montreal’s Jazz Festival end of June/early July. Massive free concerts downtown? That sounds perfect for travelers on a budget! Added both.
The Reality Check
Okay, got my list. Time to get real. Cross-checked dates. Glastonbury clashes with my friend’s wedding. Out. Looked at flights & accommodation for Kyoto/Gion Matsuri in peak season. Winces. Probably saving Japan for later. Montreal Jazz Fest though? Flights looked decent, city has hostels, tons happening. Sziget dates worked too, Budapest is generally cheaper. Gilroy is kinda a weekend trip vibe.
My Final Must-Visit Picks (For This Year Anyway)
Based on vibe, accessibility for travelers, and sheer cool factor, here’s what stuck out from my digging:
- Montreal International Jazz Festival (Canada, late June/early July): Free huge outdoor concerts! Amazing city to explore.
- Sziget Festival (Budapest, Hungary, early August): Epic island week of music and art, feels adventurous.
- Gion Matsuri (Kyoto, Japan, July): Pure cultural spectacle, bucket list stuff (even if I wait, you shouldn’t!).
- Tenjin Matsuri (Osaka, Japan, late July): Less famous than Gion, the river procession & fireworks look mind-blowing.
- Gilroy Garlic Festival (California, USA, late July): Quirky, unique, deliciously weird American fun.
Honestly, Sziget and Montreal feel like the best bang-for-buck for travelers looking for a big summer trip this year. Japan is incredible but needs more planning/cash. Gilroy’s a fun add-on if you’re already in California. Glasto… maybe someday! Research paid off – got options now!
