Avoid FOMO this summer by attending one or more of the best EDM festivals of the season, as selected by Slutty Raver Costumes.
Summer is the height of music festival season after spring. This is especially true in places like the UK where it is constantly raining for most of the year. Whether you plan to be backpacking through Europe or hiking around North America, these are the top EDM festivals you simply must attend this summer. Don’t forget to plan your slutty raver costumes and festival makeup for each day.
June 26-30
Glastonbury Festival 2019
- Dates: June 26-30, 2019
- Location: Pilton, Somerset, England
- Headliners: The Cure, Janet Jackson, Miley Cyrus, The Chemical Brothers and more.
- Website: https://www.glastonburyfestivals.co.uk/
Glastonbury is a five-day music festival that takes place on Worthy Farm in the United Kingdom. In addition to EDM there will be other styles of contemporary music. This is your chance to see the Chemical Brothers and Lauryn Hill at the same event, and then watch Janelle Monae followed by Interpol. Female fans have been known to go all out in glitter tits, as they call them.
Electric Forest 2019
- Dates: June 27-30, 2019
- Location: Rothbury, Michigan
- Headliners: Odesza, Kygo, Bassnectar, Zed’s Dead and more.
- Website: https://electricforestfestival.com/
Electric Forest is a three-day festival celebrating the dance music and jam bands. It is held in the forests of Michigan at the Double JJ Resort. This year they are changing to a one weekend format. In addition to the music there is a chance to participate in the Plug In & Do More programs such as art installation sponsorships, instructor workshops, a remix contest and coloring books.
July 12-14
Ultra Europe 2019
- Dates: July 12-14, 2019
- Location: Split, Croatia
- Headliners: Alesso, The Chainsmokers, David Guetta, DJ Snake and more.
- Website: https://ultraeurope.com/
Most of the progressive house DJ’s at Ultra music festivals are from Europe. So it makes sense that Ultra Europe is the best Ultra other than Ultra Miami. The event is held in Croatia, a southeastern European country located on the Mediterranean Sea across from Italy. Travel packages are available at a beach camp, hostels, hotels and apartment. Or rent a beach house on AirBnB.
July 19-28
Tomorrowland 2019
- Dates: July 19-21 and July 26-28, 2019
- Location: Boom, Belgium
- Headliners: Martin Garrix, Tiesto, Steve Aoki, Nicky Romero and more.
- Website: https://www.tomorrowland.com/
Every year at Tomorrowland the biggest DJ/producers in the world make the bass go “Boom” in Belgium. The event is notorious for the elaborate stage designs that make it seem like you are raving in a fairy tale world. Europeans are not as into raver costumes, yet. They usually wear crop tops or t-shirts and shorts to EDM festivals. This is your chance to show them how to do it.
August 1-4
Lollapalooza Chicago 2019
- Dates: August 1-4, 2019
- Location: Chicago, Illinois
- Headliners: Ariana Grande, Flume, J Balvin, Lil Wayne and more.
- Website: https://www.lollapalooza.com/
Lollapalooza Chicago 2019 goes down in the birthplace of house music. The festival was founded in 1991 by Perry Farrell of Jane’s Addiction. It started out as an alternative rock and hip hop concert, but has evolved to include pop and electronic music. There are going to be a lot of “photographic spots and interactive areas” and some of the best food the Windy City has to offer.
HARD Summer 2019
- Dates: August 3-4, 2019
- Location: San Bernardino, California
- Headliners: Major Lazer, Dillon Francis, Zhu B2B Tchami, Duke Dumont and more.
- Website: https://www.hardsummer.com/
LA ravers’ home-away-from-home is the Auto Club Speedway, where several HARD festivals are held each year. Attendees like to incorporate elements of racing into their outfits, such as checkerboard prints. It’s going to be hot in southern California during late summer. Be sure to stay hydrated and wear sunscreen. Ground Control will be on hand to keep fans happy and healthy.
August 9-12
Outside Lands 2019
- Dates: August 9-11, 2019
- Location: San Francisco, California
- Headliners: Flume, Kygo, RL Grime, Flying Lotus and more.
- Website: https://www.sfoutsidelands.com/
Outside Lands happens every year in the Golden Gate Park. In addition to dance music there will be a lot of performances by famous rappers and rockstars to enjoy. The experience includes some of the best food and alcohol in northern California. There will be comedians and speakers. And the whole event is dedicated to sustainability including waste diversion and refillable water.
Shambala Canada 2019
- Dates: August 9-12, 2019
- Location: Nelson, British Columbia, Canada
- Headliners: Chase & Status, Nero, Kaskade, Silk City and more.
- Website: https://shambhalamusicfestival.com/
Shambala Music Festival Canada takes place in the beautiful forests of British Columbia on the banks of the Salmo River. There will be swimming in addition to EDM. This year promoters invite you to choose your own adventure. This includes optional art and yoga workshops, a wedding chapel, a spirit animal wheel, a parade, a wishing tree, and a food and artisan marketplace.
August 22-25
Creamfields 2019
- Dates: August 22-25, 2019
- Location: Daresbury, England
- Headliners: Deadmau5, Fatboy Slim, Calvin Harris, Jauz and more.
- Website: https://www.creamfields.com/
Creamfields was founded in 1998 by British dance promoters Cream (not the band). The four-day event attracts over 70,000 music fans each day. You can bring your own tent, or opt for a pre-pitched tent at the Pre-Pitch and Party Campsite. This includes phone chargers and concessions. Gold and Silver level ticket holders have access to luxury bathrooms with hot showers.
August 25-September 2
Burning Man 2019
- Dates: August 25-September 2, 2019
- Location: Black Rock Desert, Nevada
- Headliners: Diplo, Paris Hilton, and a lot of naked celebrities.
- Website: https://burningman.org/
Burning Man is not technically a music festival, but rather an experiment in community and art. But every year a ton of EDM producers show up and do DJ sets at the various camps. Burners erect a temporary settlement called Black Rock City including epic art installations. The event culminates with the burning of a giant man made of sticks. This year’s theme is Metamorphoses.
Electric Zoo 2019
- Dates: August 30-September 1, 2019
- Location: Randall’s Island, New York
- Headliners: Afrojack, Benny Benassi, Armin Van Buuren, Dog Blood and more.
- Website: https://electriczoo.com/
Labor Day weekend marks the end of summer and the annual Electric Zoo festival in New York City. (Don’t leave your phone out.) This is your last chance to wear a white raver costume and not look like a jackass — until the winter wonderland raves of the holidays. The theme is Evolved. This represents the transformative journey Electric Zoo has undergone over the past ten years.
Cover image by Tomorrowland.