There are some weird and wonderful things that happen around the globe, and here are some of the rarer music festivals that are unknown in the western world, but are the sort of things you are going to want to try at least once. Here they are in no particular order.
The BoomTown Fair
The idea is that the abnormal becomes normal and the impossible becomes possible. It is all just a bit of fun, but is fun and full of make-believe. They have over four hundred artists perform and have nine districts that are dedicated to their own themes and fancy dress. There are characterful and colorful districts that are lots of fun for adults. For the kids there is Kidztown, and here the children may have fun, have a mini-festival, take part in lots of activities and get dressed up in fancy dress. Due to the fact the parents do not want their child getting lost in a sea of iron man masks, the kids are encouraged to dress up by wearing an animal themed shirt. All entrants are encouraged to wear comfy shoes because there is a lot of standing up and dancing around. There is often a lot of sun too, so lighter fabrics are often a little easier to wear.
Green Man
This is a family festival adventure that has a place for kids and teens as well as adults. They have a place called Little Folk that allows kids up to twelve years old to play a take part in fantasy storytelling and adventure. The festival itself is barrels of fun for adults, and it is located within the Brecon Beacons so the Welsh countryside is rather nice. There are folk and indie bands galore within the event and they come from all over Europe and America to join in and take part. It’s fun watching the indie bands get their hopes up when someone says they want to book them, and see their hopes dashed when they are told it is for a wedding. It is a hip place to be and the fact kids are so well catered for makes it easier for parents that still want to rock out.
Bangkok’s International Festival of Dance & Music
This is a festival that happens in Bangkok, Thailand and it sounds like a rave or a dance club type of event, but it is actually a very big mix of all sorts of music. You are going to see club music on the same day as classical and ballet music. You will see opera and East meets West events. It is a festival all about music, dancing and fun. The best thing about it all is that the celebrations span over two months, which is really quite spectacular.
Rainforest World Music Festival
This is located in Kuching in Malaysia. Over a million people visit to join in with the music festival. It is rather adult themed and not the sort of place to take children. It is not adult themed in a sexual way, more that it is full of Tanzanian bongo, Maori folk pop and American bluejazz. Plus, there are people that have overdosed there in the past. They are people in a minority, as nobody forced them to take drugs, but as a result it may not be a place you want to take the kids.
Nozstock
This is a music festival that is all about blended sounds. You will hear folk music, electronic music and a little rock here and there. The festival is all about music, contribution, participation and eccentricity. It has a nice warm feeling about it and the fact it is located within a hidden valley helps to seal the deal on its cuteness.
Java Jazz Festival
Jakarta is one of Indonesia’s biggest cities and it has a very robust tourist draw. That is why the Java Jazz festival is so successful when it plays during the beginning of the year, around February and March. There are plenty of indie bands in the mix, and there are a few famous names you may recognize such as James Brown, Earth Wind & Fire, Jamie Cullum and David Sanborn. The good thing is that flights there are very cheap and it is very easy to have a good time.
Wilderness
This is actually a festival that won the and Best Extra Activity 2013 award, Best New Festival 2011 award, and the Best Small Festival 2012 award in Britain. So, as you can imagine, this is a pretty good festival. They have music events that run through the day and it is very child friendly. In fact, there are events and activities there that relate to Charles Dickens and the Roald Dahl Museum. The Charles Dickens museum is also quite a draw, as is the dress sense of some of the people that go there.
This is a guest post by Kiara Halligan, a professional essay writer and occasional guest blogger, who coaches individuals in writing skills on a great variety of topics. Kiara is always ready to share her knowledge with her students and readers.