13 Summer Festivals Around the World You’ll Want to Experience at Least Once

ByRachna Chandira

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A group of young people sitting on dry grass at an outdoor festival, smiling and enjoying the sunny day.
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Summer 2026 is shaping up to be a season of global celebration, with festivals in every corner of the world offering once-in-a-lifetime experiences. Whether you’re into massive music events, ancient cultural traditions, or colorful street parades, there’s something happening that’s worth traveling for. From Europe to Asia to the Americas, these 13 summer festivals will bring people together with dancing, food, fireworks, and unforgettable memories. Get ready to plan your next adventure now.

Glastonbury Festival, England

A large outdoor music stage under construction, with lighting rigs and speaker towers set up on a grassy field.
Annie Spratt/Unsplash

Returning in full swing for 2026, Glastonbury is the UK’s legendary music and arts festival. Set in Somerset, this five-day event draws some of the biggest global artists and thousands of fans. Expect massive stages, immersive art installations, and surprises around every corner. Beyond the music, Glastonbury is also known for its environmental activism, healing fields, and quirky performances that make it a cultural phenomenon, not just a concert.

Fuji Rock Festival, Japan

A large crowd gathered on a grassy field at an outdoor music festival, facing a stage set against a scenic backdrop of forested mountains.
Jmills74, CC BY-SA 3.0/Wikimedia Commons

Held at the base of Mount Naeba, Fuji Rock Festival is Japan’s largest outdoor music event. In 2026, it’s expected to host a diverse lineup of global rock, indie, and electronic acts. What makes it stand out is the lush forest setting, clean facilities, and organized crowd. Festivalgoers enjoy mountain air, nature trails, and surprisingly gourmet food options while dancing to top-tier performances, truly a unique cultural crossover of nature and music.

Inti Raymi, Peru

A person in traditional costume and face paint participates in a cultural festival, with historic church towers visible in the background under a partly cloudy sky.
Christian Cavero Pacco/Pexels

Experience ancient Incan heritage at Inti Raymi, the Festival of the Sun, in Cusco, Peru. Celebrated during the June solstice, it honors Inti, the sun god, with vibrant parades, rituals, and elaborate costumes. In 2026, the event promises to be more immersive, blending historical reenactments with modern pageantry. Visitors can witness traditional music and dance near ancient ruins, connecting deeply with Andean culture under the clear Peruvian sky.

Montreal Jazz Festival, Canada

A large crowd gathers outside a colorful performing arts venue during a jazz festival, with people walking, talking, and enjoying the lively atmosphere.
CC BY 2.0/Wikimedia Commons

The world’s largest jazz fest returns to Montreal in summer 2026 with over 500 concerts, many of them free. More than just jazz, it features blues, soul, and world music from all over the globe. The city’s vibrant downtown transforms into a musical playground, with outdoor stages, food trucks, and late-night shows. Whether you’re a jazz lover or just enjoy good vibes, this event offers a warm Canadian welcome with global flair.

Tomorrowland, Belgium

A massive crowd enjoys an outdoor electronic music festival in front of an elaborate, fantasy-themed stage adorned with lights, greenery, and giant props under a clear blue sky.
Adkoby, CC BY-SA 4.0/Wikimedia Commons

Tomorrowland 2026 is expected to be more magical than ever. This iconic electronic dance music festival in Boom, Belgium, is known for its fantasy stages, laser shows, and global community. Tens of thousands attend each year, and 2026 will likely bring immersive technology, expanded campsites, and unforgettable DJ sets. It’s not just a festival, it’s a full-sensory experience that feels like stepping into another universe powered by music and unity.

San Fermín, Spain

A black bull runs through a cobblestone street surrounded by people during the Running of the Bulls event.
San Fermin Pamplona/Pexels

The world-famous Running of the Bulls returns to Pamplona in July 2026. San Fermín blends adrenaline with tradition, where locals and tourists run ahead of bulls through narrow cobbled streets. The eight-day event includes fireworks, dancing, and parades, making it more than just the run. While controversial, the festival’s historical roots and lively atmosphere draw thousands each year. Travelers should plan early and respect the cultural significance behind the chaos.

Calgary Stampede, Canada

A rodeo rider holds on tightly while riding a bucking horse during a bronc riding event, with spectators and cowboys watching from behind the fence.
ArtTower/Pixabay

Known as “The Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth,” the Calgary Stampede mixes rodeo, music, and Western culture. In July 2026, it will once again take over Alberta’s largest city with chuckwagon races, carnival rides, and pancake breakfasts. Visitors can watch world-class rodeo competitions and enjoy nightly concerts by top country and pop acts. It’s a family-friendly event full of cowboy spirit, with something for everyone to enjoy.

Edinburgh Festival Fringe, Scotland

Street performers dressed and painted to resemble vintage black-and-white film characters pose dramatically during a public festival, surrounded by a crowd.
luxstorm/Pixabay

The Edinburgh Fringe is the world’s largest arts festival, returning strong in August 2026 with thousands of performances. From stand-up comedy to experimental theater, the streets of Scotland’s capital become one big stage. Visitors can expect world premieres, street buskers, and surprising pop-ups in pubs, parks, and alleyways. Whether you’re looking for big laughs or emotional storytelling, the Fringe offers endless discovery over three unforgettable weeks.

Gion Matsuri, Japan

Traditional Japanese float decorated with ornaments and musicians is paraded through city streets during a cultural festival, with crowds watching.
Guohua Song/Pexels

Kyoto’s Gion Matsuri is a month-long celebration of tradition and community. Taking place every July, this UNESCO-listed festival is best known for its elaborate floats called “yamaboko.” In 2026, expect dazzling night parades, locals in yukata, and centuries-old rituals unfolding on the streets. Gion Matsuri beautifully blends spirituality and spectacle, offering an authentic glimpse into Japanese culture in one of the country’s most historic cities.

Copenhagen Jazz Festival, Denmark

A crowd gathers in a park for a live outdoor performance during the Copenhagen Jazz Festival, with musicians playing on a small covered stage.
René C. Nielsen, CC BY-SA 2.0/Wikimedia Commons

One of Europe’s most beloved music events, Copenhagen Jazz Festival returns in 2026 with over 1,000 concerts. It’s spread across the city in parks, cafés, and concert halls. The relaxed vibe of Copenhagen makes it easy to stumble upon unexpected performances. From classic jazz to experimental sounds, this festival draws top international talent while maintaining a laid-back, intimate atmosphere that reflects the Danish way of life.

Notting Hill Carnival, England

Dancers in vibrant, feathered costumes perform in a lively street parade celebrating Brazilian culture, with crowds watching from the sidewalks.
vcaramazza/123rf

London’s Notting Hill Carnival is Europe’s biggest street party, set to explode with color, sound, and energy in August 2026. Celebrating Caribbean culture, the event features steel drums, elaborate costumes, and endless dancing. Expect parade floats, jerk chicken, and soca music echoing through the streets. Originally rooted in community pride, today it’s a celebration of multiculturalism that welcomes over a million attendees in a joyful, unifying experience.

La Tomatina, Spain

People covered in smashed tomatoes participate in La Tomatina, a messy and vibrant tomato-throwing festival on a narrow, crowded street.
matielles0/Pixabay

Get ready to be drenched in red at La Tomatina in Buñol, Spain. This tomato-throwing festival is held annually in August, and 2026 is expected to draw record crowds. Participants hurl overripe tomatoes in a friendly food fight that turns the streets into a saucy battlefield. It’s messy, chaotic fun with a backdrop of live music, dancing, and paella. Just don’t forget your goggles, it’s one of the world’s most unique summer events.

Naadam Festival, Mongolia

ChatGPT said: Performers in traditional Mongolian attire take part in a colorful cultural ceremony during the Naadam Festival, as a large crowd watches from the stands with umbrellas for shade.
fredab/123rf

In July 2026, Mongolia’s Naadam Festival will once again showcase the “Three Manly Games”: wrestling, archery, and horse racing. Held in Ulaanbaatar and rural towns, it celebrates national pride and nomadic traditions. The opening ceremony is a colorful spectacle with dance, music, and parades. Visitors can also explore the surrounding steppes for a truly immersive cultural journey. Naadam is the best way to experience Mongolia’s spirit and rugged beauty.

Rachna Chandira is a travel writer and communications professional known for her culturally rich and emotionally resonant storytelling.
With a background in development journalism, she brings a nuanced perspective to her writing, focusing on people, place, and purpose. Her work spans India, Southeast Asia, and Europe, often exploring slow travel, solo adventures, and underrepresented local narratives.
From crafting immersive city guides to curating thoughtful itineraries, Rachna combines journalistic depth with a storyteller’s heart. She views travel as a way to connect cultures, inspire empathy, and leave a meaningful impression on readers seeking more than just destinations.