Since I’m not a fan of big crowds, queuing for the toilet or drinking warm pinot grigio from a plastic cup, I had thought that my festival days were well and truly over. However, when I read travel writer Chris Moss’s account of the Festival of Making that took place in Blackburn last month, celebrating Lancashire’s industrial past, I realised that it might be time to broaden my horizons. Across the globe there are now so many types of festivals that combine travel with your passion – whether that’s music and film, history and culture, or even trail running and rock climbing.
In fact, Independent Travel has run a number of articles about festivals where the focus isn’t chugging beer and dancing in muddy fields until 4am. We’ve heard about feasting on pickles in Pittsburgh, embracing Seto culture in southeastern Estonia, and celebrating ancient Celtic traditions at the Beltane Fire Festival – to name just a few.
And if you do love a music festival, why not look to the Danish city of Roskilde, which hosts an annual non-profit party focused on youth wellbeing, creativity and sustainability? Or the We Love Green festival in Paris where you can enjoy vegetarian food crafted by local chefs, dance at small gigs, and browse artisan stalls.
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Every year, outdoor clothing brand Arc'teryx runs an academy event in Chamonix in the French Alps. I attended a couple of years ago and spent a very happy few days trail running, learning about mountaineering and listening to talks from alpine experts – followed by watching adventure documentaries and drinking local beers in the evening.
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Last weekend, I found myself at Loxwood Joust, a West Sussex-based medieval-themed festival that runs over three weekends in August. Donning our thrifted corsets and with mead wine in hand, we watched jousters armed with lances charge at each other on horseback as we hollered encouragement from the crowd. We explored crafts tables with bookbinding and leatherwork activities, and also tried our hand at axe-throwing and archery. While camping was available, we left as Loxwood closed at 6pm and within the hour were refreshed and in our pyjamas. No wet wipe washes or surviving solely on overpriced Yorkshire pudding wraps and warm cans of cider, as is often the case for some at mega music festivals (Glastonbury, I’m looking at you).
There’s something to be said about going to quirkier, smaller festivals. Fewer crowds, shorter queues, independent businesses and often a whole lot cheaper. Those heading to the acclaimed Edinburgh Fringe Festival this August are missing out on a more intimate affair at Camden Fringe, one that’s more accessible to up-and-coming performers. Meanwhile, Magaluf (yes, that Spanish party town) has also given Hay on Wye a run for its money with the launch of the FLEM literary festival.
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Loxwood Joust in West Sussex (Andrew Whitton)
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Travel writer Laura Miller recently visited Europe’s Capital of Culture, Oulo in Finland, and discovered the locals’ love for Frozen People Festival, which is “an electronic dance music festival staged on Baltic Sea ice, essentially the Arctic opposite of Burning Man”. Last year, Noopur Jambhekar experienced the world-famous La Tomatina festival in Valencia for the biggest food fight on earth using only tomatoes. “There was an eruption of excited shouting and the sound of squishing, laughing and yelling. I was no longer an individual, but part of a single, pulsating, tomato-covered being,” she recalled.
As we enter the month that holds some of the biggest music festivals in the UK, from Boardmasters to Reading and Leeds, Boomtown to Victorious, turn your attention to some of the smaller upcoming events in September to attend before the 2026 festival season is over. For folk music, head to the West Midlands for Moseley Folk & Arts Festival. Hampstead Heath in London is hosting a philosophical festival called How The Light Gets In with debates, big-thinking panels and solo talks. There's even a festival for mushroom cultivators in Sussex at All Things Funghi.
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Escape to Barbados from £3,385pp with Kenwood Travel. Stay at Fairmont Royal Pavilion with Premium Economy Virgin Atlantic flights and experience crystal-clear waters, white sand beaches and effortless luxury. Find out more.
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Fred Olsen last-minute cruise deals
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If you’re keen to lace up your hiking boots and hit the trails this summer, you'll want to pack the essentials. Whether you’re tackling rollercoaster-esque routes along the sandy shores and towering sea cliffs of Cornwall’s coast paths; following Madeira’s meandering network of levadas, or enjoying dramatic scenery in the Dolomites, there are some key items to take along for the ride.
A good pair of walking poles can help to reduce strain, improve balance across uneven ground and make progress feel a little easier overall. Our reviewer raved about the Craghoppers Treklite carbon walking poles, describing them as “lightweight and well suited to a range of hikes”.
Depending on where you’re walking, tick and mosquito repellents should be a priority, to keep bug bites at bay, while an effective SPF is also a must-have for summer treks in the great outdoors.
When buying a daysack or a larger backpack for multi-day trips, look for designs that make it easy to access a reusable hydration bladder or water bottles, to help ensure you don’t become dehydrated.
If your hiking boots have seen better days, we’ve rounded up our pick of the best tried-and-tested pairs for men and women. Fitness writer Harry Bullmore rates the Inov-8 roclite mid GTX men’s boots, thanks to their robust, waterproof and grippy design. For women, the Altberg Fremington walking boot was top of the pile for our reviewer, who praised the boots’ durable sole and reliable ankle support. Wherever you may wander, the right kit will help you make the most of the routes ahead this summer and beyond.
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