The Best Beach Festivals

There are few things that go together quite as well as sun, sea, and live music; there's a reason there are festivals all over the globe that are crafted to deliver all three at once. The only problem for some is that there are very few that actually deliver on this in the UK. but for us, that isn't a problem, in fact, it's a solution, as you get to box off a sun-soaked holiday, and your annual festival in one.

Croatia and Portugal dominate this festival landscape, and with their crystal clear waters, white beaches, and guaranteed weather, it's easy to see why. However, the UK does provide some on its Cornish coats, and the like of Greece, Hungary, the USA, and France all chime in with their fair too. So your options are pretty widespread. 

So, scroll down and start planning your next trip away with these festivals in mind, they'll make memories for a lifetime, and you'll get a killer tan whilst you're at it as well. 

 

(Click on the headers or images for FAQs and more information about each festival)

 

 

Boardmasters

Image: Boardmasters on Facebook

2023 lineup: Liam Gallagher, Florence + The Machine, Little Simz, Four Tet, Example, Bob Vylan, Jockstrap

When: Wednesday 9th - Sunday 13th August 2023

Where: Newquay Fistral Beach And Watergate Bay in Cornwall

Boardmasters is the UK's ultimate party by the beach. Taking place on Fistral beach in Newquay, the festival has a strong ethos of sustainability and surfing. Offering you a place throughout the day to pick up a board yourself, a space where you can watch the pros, or one to just take in the various entertainments on offer.

The festival boasts 11 different stages, ranging from smaller local folk acts to huge headliners, with the likes of George Ezra, Disclosure and Kings Of Leon performing Last year, you just know that this year's lineup will be delivering, even if it hasn't been announced yet. This one is always a vibe, and arguably has the best campsite in all of the UK festival scene. Get your tickets and you’ll see exactly what we mean.  

 

Find more information on Boardmasters - here

 

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Rolling Loud Portugal

Image: Rolling Loud Portugal on Facebook

2023 Lineup: Travis Scott, Meek Mill, Playboi Carti, Aitch, D-Block Europe, Gucci Mane, Kodak Black, JID, Joey Bada$$, Lil Uzi Vert, Nines

When: Wednesday 5th - Friday 9th July 2023

Where: Praia da Rocha beach, Portimão, Portugal 

The world's biggest hip-hop festival is returning to the stunning Praia da Rocha beach in Portugal once again and, this one is set to be even better than the 2022 return. Last year's edition saw three huge headliners and other rising stars such as Jack Harlow, Rico Nasty, AJ Tracey, Flo Milli, and Central Cee.

However, 2023 looks absolutely stacked already, with some of the biggest names in the rap game coming down to Portugal and making a scene. The likes of Travis Scott, Meek Mill, Playboi Carti, Aitch, D-Block Europe, Gucci Mane, Kodak Black, JID, Joes Badass, Lil Uzi Vert, and Nines will be playing and there is even still more to come. 

The crowd for this are always hardcore and the beachfront vibes are truly magical. So, if you are a huge hip-hop fan, and you and your pals are feeling a cheeky trip abroad for your summer festival this year, then it's hard to look past Rolling Loud.

 

Find more information on Rolling Loud Portugal 2023 - here

 

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Sonus Festival

Image: Sonus Festival on Facebook

2023 Lineup: Diplo, Kolsch, Loco Dice, Marco Carola, Maceo Plex, Pan-Pot, Pawsa, Seth Troxler, and more to be announced...

When: Sunday 20th - Thursday 24th August 2023

Where: Zrce Beach, Pag Island, Croatia

Held at Croatia's famous Zrce Beach, Sonus Festival is one of Europe’s very best coastal electronic music festivals. The festival is a sun-soaked marathon of raving, stretching across five glorious days and five epic nights in a stunning Adriatic setting. Ticketholders can enjoy plenty of boat and beach parties as well as club nights and unreal live music. We mean, not much sounds better than partying, taking a dip in the Adriatic Sea to cool off, and then heading over to check out your favourite artists smash-out banger after banger on a stage that has an absolutely stunning beach backdrop. 

Plus, this year the festival hits a special landmark, as it is celebrating its 10th Birthday; So you just know that things are about to go down. Don't miss out and get it booked!

 

Find more information on Sonus Festival 2023 - here

 

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Suncébeat

Image: Sucebeat on Facebook

2023 Lineup: TBA

When: Thursday 20th - Thursday 27th July 2023 

Where: The Garden Resort, Tisno, Croatia

It's no surprise that we've got yet another festival coming out of Croatia for this list. The country has abundant beaches with white sands and blue seas and Suncébeat, a festival found at The Garden Resort in Tisno, is an insanely popular option, and after a quick browse through Google images, it becomes immediately obvious why. The Garden Resort is absolutely stunning with crystal clear waters, lots of greenery and the golden sun beating down on it all.

 

Find more information on Suncébeat 2023 - here

 

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Afro Nation

Image: Afro Nation on Facebook

2023 Lineup: Burna Boy, 50 Cent, Booba, Asake, Aya Nakamura, Fireboy DML, Tayc, BNXN

When: Wednesday 28th - Friday 30th June 2023

Where: Praia da Rocha Beach, Portimão, Portugal

What music do you think best suits the beach? Because we're pretty sure Afro Nation has nailed it with hip hop, reggae, afrobeats, amapiano, afro house, dancehall, RnB, DJ sets and similar sunny genres. With an average temperature of 25 degrees and red-rock cliffs towering over the golden sand and warm sea, Afro Nation Portugal is a fantastic choice. 

Plus, just look at some of the names in the lineup. Burna Boy, 50 Cent, Booba, Asake, Aya Nakamura, and Fireboy DML to name a few. That's consistent rap royalty, and if it's your scene, you will truly be hard-struck to find anywhere better.

 

Find more information on Afro Nation Portugal 2022 - here

 

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Hideout Festival

Image: Hideout Festival on Facebook

2023 Lineup: Bad Boy Chiller Crew, Alan Fitzpatrick, Darius Syrossian, Girls Don't Sync, Honey Dijon, Sonny Fodera, Chase & Status, Loco Dice, Patrick Topping, Gorgon City

When: Sunday 3rd - Thursday 7th July

Where: Zrce Beach, Pag Island, Croatia

Fancy five days on a beach with house, drum and bass, garage, and techno blasting from the speakers as your favourite artists mash up the decks? Of course you do. Set on the iconic grounds of Zrce Beach, the water is crystal clear, the sands are white, and the vibes are top-class; It has pretty much everything you could want from a beach. And we haven’t even looked at the massive lineup which is packed with some of the most in-demand artists right now.

Hideout is internationally known and attracts people from all over the world, and there's a reason, its quite simply one of the best parties about.

 

Find more information on Hideout Festival 2022 - here

 

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Hangout Festival

Image: Hangout Festival on Facebook

2023 Lineup: Lil Nas X, Paramore, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Skrillex, SZA, Thundercat, Tove Lo

When: Friday 19th - Sunday 21st May 2023 

Where: Gulf Shores, Alabama, USA 

As magical as European beaches are, insane beach fests are going down across the pond, too. Over in America, Hangout Fest has a star-studded lineup taking over the beaches of Gulf Shores with a wide range of genres, including hip hop, pop, rock, indie, reggae, EDM, and more. In between catching some of the world's biggest artists today, you can have a spin on the Ferris wheel, check out art installations, play beach volleyball, and swing by the puppy kissing booth that raises money for The Haven Animal Shelter. 

 

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Les Plages Électroniques

Image: Les Plages Électroniques on Facebook

2023 Lineup: DJ Snake, Armin Van Buuren, Hamzaa, Lomepal, The Blessed Madonna

When: Friday 4th - Sunday 6th August 2023 

Where: Palais des Festivals, Cannes, France

Sand, sea and big fat electronic tunes from the likes of DJ Snake, Armen Van Buuren, The Blessed Madonna and more. It’s what dreams are made of. With an average temp of 22 degrees and eleven hours of fun in August, Les Plages Électroniques offers the perfect climate for a music festival - warm but not so hot you can’t handle the crowds. As well as being a few steps away from the sea, LPE is also only a short walk away from the streets of the vibrant, bustling city. 

Plus, it's in France, not your typical spot for a beachside festival, but, we all know how beautiful the south coast of France is. Plus, your flights are a lot shorter, and you won't get knackered out from them, meaning there's a lot more energy to get your groove on.

 

Find more information on Les Plages Électroniques - here

 

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Balaton Sound

Image: Balaton Sound on Facebook

2023 Lineup: Armin Van Buuren, Dimension, Joel Corry, Don Diablo, Dimitri Vegas & Like Mike, Hardwell

When: Wednesday 29th June - Saturday 2nd July 

Where: Lake Balaton, Zamárdi, Hungary

Whilst not technically a beachside festival, Balaton Sound is very hard to ignore, and with the size of Lake Balaton, you'll struggle to find the difference. It's one of the biggest open-air electronic music festivals in Europe and invites around 140,000 music lovers to enjoy great tunes beside the deep blue Lake. Can you guess where the fest got its name from? 

The 2023 edition looks to be one of its best too, with the likes of Armin Van Buuren, Dimension, Joel Corry, Don Diablo, Dimitri Vegas & Like Mike, Hardwell, and many more already announced, it's an easy option. 

 

Find more information on Balaton Sound - here

 

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Neversea Festival

Image: Neversea Festival on Facebook

2023 Lineup: TBA

When: Thursday 6th - Sunday 9th July 2023

Where: Neversea Beach, Constan?a, Romania

There has never been a soul who has been to the Neversea Festival who hasn’t fall madly in love with this enchanted place!

Whilst the lineup is not yet out for 2023, last year's edition saw the likes of The Black Eyed Peas, Don Diablo, Dimitri Vegas & Like Mike, Amelie Lens, Jamie Jones, Nin Kravitz, and so much more, so you just know it's going to deliver once again.

If you are in search of love, and thirsty to explore the world while discovering yourself, then Neversea is your destination. It’s the well-deserved holiday you’ve been waiting for the whole year. And once you’ve experienced it, you already know you must come back to the Island.

 

 

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Sun, sand, and slapping tunes. Can’t go wrong with such a combination, can you? That’s why beach festivals will always trump cold, cloudy gatherings in a massive field in the middle of nowhere. Go on, treat yourself this festival season. You’ve been through enough. You deserve it. 

 

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Check out our What's On Guide to discover even more rowdy raves and sweaty gigs taking place over the coming weeks and months. For festivals, lifestyle events and more, head on over to our Things To Do page or be inspired by the event selections on our Inspire Me page.

 

 

  

 

 

 

Header image: Hideout Festival on Facebook