The10 best festivals
THERE isn’t a Glastonbury this year but don’t despair – there are plenty of alternative festivals, covering everything from opera to tomato-flinging…
1 BEST FOR BOOKWORMS
Launched in 1987, the Hay Festival brings together readers and writers, with more than 800 conversations, lectures, workshops and performances on offer. Top names signed up so far include Margaret Atwood, Dara O Briain, Philip Pullman and Marina Warner. Hay Festival runs from May 24 to June 3 (hayfestival.org)
2 BEST FOR THINKERS
The organisers say that HowTheLightGetsIn is the world’s largest philosophy and music festival, with more than 500 events and artists across 12 stages. Headliners this year include Noam Chomsky, Dr Rowan Williams and Diane Abbott, while the music programme features Badly Drawn Boy and Hot Chip. HowTheLightGetsIn runs from May 25 to 28 at Hay (hay.htlgi.iai.tv)
3 BEST FOR MUSIC LOVERS
With no Glastonbury, the Isle of Wight Festival hogs the limelight this year, especially as it is celebrating its 50th anniversary. The impressive line-up so far includes Depeche Mode, The Killers, Kasabian, Liam Gallagher, The Script, Rita Ora, Van Morrison, James Bay and Jessie J. Isle of Wight Festival runs from June 21 to 24 (isleofwightfestival.com)
4 BEST FOR OPERA BUFFS
Performances at this summer’s Arena di Verona opera festival include Carmen, Aida and Turandot. Kirker Holidays (020 7593 1899, kirkerholidays.com) offers a three-night holiday, staying at the four-star Palazzo Victoria, from £997pp. The Kirker concierge will arrange your opera tickets – prices range from £25 for unnumbered steps to £178 for the best seats in the stalls (plus a £10 per ticket reservation fee). Arena di Verona Festival runs from June 22 until September 1 (arena.it/arena/en)
5 BEST FOR THE ARTS
The Edinburgh Festival actually comprises 11 different festivals taking place throughout the year but it peaks in August when five events run simultaneously, including the world’s largest arts festival and the Edinburgh Festival Fringe. The full programme will be announced in June. For details about all the different events, visit edinburghfestivalcity.com
6 BEST FOR ECCENTRICS
More than 20,000 people spend an hour pelting each other with squashed tomatoes – 120 tons of them – all in the name of fun. It takes place in Bunol, near Valencia, and pre-booked tickets are essential. Associated events include before and after parties. La Tomatina Festival takes place on August 29 (latomatinatours.com)
7 BEST FOR ROMANTICS
More than 60,000 singletons from around the world head for County Clare in the west of Ireland every September hoping to find The One and/or dance along to songs by some of the top names in country music. Lisdoonvarna Matchmaking Festival runs from August 31 to September 30 (matchmakerireland.com)
8 BEST FOR FOODIES
Founded in 1999, the Abergavenny Food Festival in Wales offers its 30,000 visitors tasting workshops, cookery lessons and demos, foraging tours, kids’ activities, street food, producer markets and appearances by big-name chefs such as Jamie Oliver. The full line-up is set to be announced in June. Abergavenny Food Festival runs from September 15 to 16 (abergavennyfoodfestival.com)
9 BEST FOR BEER DRINKERS
According to the Oktoberfest organisers, a staggering 6.2 million guests from all over the world descended on Munich last year, drinking 7.5million litres of beer. This year’s event – the 185th Oktoberfest – will again feature food, music, dancing, parades, fairground rides and, of course, lots of beer. The Munich Oktoberfest runs from September 22 to October 7 (oktoberfest.de/en/)
10 BEST FOR CULTURE VULTURES
Established in 1949, the annual Times and the Sunday Times Cheltenham Literature Festival features talks, workshops and performances from the finest writers, thinkers and opinion formers – last year’s guests included Hillary Clinton. This year’s theme is East Meets West. The full programme will be announced in August.
Cheltenham Literature Festival runs from October 5 to 14 (cheltenhamfestivals.com/ literature)