BST Hyde Park
London, England
Until 12 July 2026
Some festivals are all about discovering the next big thing. Others are just content to parade the biggest names on the planet. British Summer Time Hyde Park unapologetically does the latter.
For a handful of weekends each summer, London’s most famous green space transforms into one of the world’s most sought-after concert venues, welcoming music legends and contemporary chart-toppers for a series of blockbuster shows. Think: Pitbull, Maroon 5, Garth Brooks and Duran Duran. Between sets, festival-goers can wander through an impressive selection of street food stalls, cocktail bars and pop-up experiences before settling onto the Great Oak Stage lawn for the main act, with their supporting bill of rising stars alongside established favourites. While the weekend performances draw most of the attention, a sidebar of free weekday Open House activities – from alfresco film screenings to tennis sessions, orchestral performances and yoga in the park – offer even more excuses to get out and enjoy July in the UK capital.
Heiva i Tahiti
Papeete, Tahiti
2-18 July 2026
Chock full of spirited singing, drum-beating and hip-quivering, this traditional Polynesian festival was effectively banned for nearly a century after the region came under Christian rule. But it’s back with a vengeance.
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Heiva is Tahiti’s answer to Rio’s Carnival, revolving around a heated competition in which traditional dance teams battle it out to see whose costume designs, original choreography and vivacious execution will win the day. With professional teams up to 200 dancers strong shaking their stuff to the tunes of live orchestras on traditional instruments – like vivo flutes, pu marine shells and ukuleles – these performances are not to be missed. Amateur dance troupes also step into the spotlight, as do traditional singers belting out a cappella pieces in Tahitian and other Reo Mā’ohi languages, while athletes have their time to shine in sporting contests that date back centuries, like canoe races, javelin tosses and palm-tree-climbing competitions. Add to that delicious Tahitian food, island tours, live music and handicrafts, and you’ve got yourself one heck of a display of cultural identity.
Taste of Chicago
Chicago, Illinois, USA
8-12 July 2026
Go beyond the deep-dish pizzas and iconic hot dogs to get to the heart of Chicago’s thriving food scene, all in one convenient place.
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Gathering at Grant Park to soak in the summer sun on Chicago’s lakefront, locals and out-of-towners can try everything from street eats to high-brow cuisine with a generous side of live music and people-watching. Guest chefs and city celebrities host cooking demonstrations and share their secret tips, while kids keep busy with activities in the Family Village. Be sure to stay after sundown for the hugely popular – and entirely free – evening concerts. Can’t get enough aestival events in the Windy City? Stick around to catch the Renegade Craft Fair, which sees artisans and creatives from all across the region set up shop in Logan Square from 18 to 19 July.
Quebec Summer Festival
Quebec City, Canada
9-19 July 2026
Montreal who? Quebec City is the place to be in July, when the Québécois capital is seized by the spirit of summer and transforms into one big open-air party.
Music tends to hog the limelight here, which is to be expected when the line-up includes 175 shows across six stages and spanning multiple genres, with names like Gwen Stefani, Michael Bublé, Kesha, Martin Garrix, Jelly Roll, Limp Bizkit …the list goes on. But even if you’re coming for the headliners, you’re likely staying for the lively feeling of a city at its most vibrant. Grab a cold one at the Biergarten D’Youville, catch the latest footie match at Le Pub, or take in some tunes and savour local street food at Le Cœur. You’ll need the fuel if you plan to attend one of the all-night dance parties at pop-up nightclub Armoury, where back-to-back DJs spin EDM tunes for an energetic crowd. If family-friendly festivities are more your style, then head to the Petit FEQ on both weekends for free performances, games, food trucks and a delicious ice cream bar. There really is something here for everyone.
Colours of Ostrava
Ostrava, Czech Republic
15-18 July 2026
Music, film, art, intellectual discussion, dance parties, a beautiful industrial setting and democratic pricing – this Czech event is a rare gem in the crown of the European festival circuit.
At Colours of Ostrava, the musical genres are eclectic (everything from indie to jazz, pop, R&B and flamenco), the entertainment is endless (tightrope walkers, thinkers, dancers, poets), and festival-goers of all ages will find plenty to captivate and engage them; this is, after all, one of the best family-friendly music festivals on the planet. However, it’s the location that nearly steals the show: towering ironworks, abandoned factory buildings, wide-open meadows, and barely a corner or courtyard where there’s not something going on. The spectacular line-up may be what draws such a hip, diverse crowd (2026 headliners include Twenty One Pilots, Lorde, Moby, Teddy Swims, LP and The Libertines), but the one-of-a-kind setting and incredible atmosphere are what keep them coming back year after year.
