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You are here: Backpacker Resources > Travel Tips > Top Ten July Festivals in Europe

Top Ten July Festivals in Europe

When we were looking at the events forecast for the St Christopher’s cities in July, something hit us in the face in the fashion of a slapstick frozen fish. There are huge festivals coming up – absolutely everywhere. We agreed that this needed extra emphasis and so, together in the same place for the first time, you have the crème de la crème of the St Christopher’s events. All you have to do now is pick your festival and book your ticket! Joy.

1. Berlin - Comic Opera Festival – July 13 to 18, 2010
   

   While it’s true that Berlin is known for its awesome nightlife, this modern metropolis has an entirely different side to it - one of high art and culture. The Comic Opera Festival is a great way to get in touch with this side in the month of July. Operas take place at the Komiche Opera located at Behren 55-57, and the operas on tap in 2010 include Handel’s Orlando and Beethoven’s Fidelio. Tickets can be purchased starting at just 8 euros, but if that’s still too pricey and you still want to check the Opera, you can go behind the scenes of the opera house on Saturday July 3 for a mere 2.5 euros!

2. Brighton - Soundwaves Festival – July 16 to 18, 2010
   

   Brighton will step away from mainstream with Soundwaves, its annual new music festival on the third weekend of July. The show’s line up includes more than 100 UK artists from the world of contemporary music, sound art, electronica, dance and visual art. The festival also includes collective exploratory installations created by the public. Tickets are available online, but the festival offers plenty of free events too.

3. Bruges - Cactus Festival - July to July 11, 2010
   

   The annual Cactus Festival once again graces Bruges and it certainly promises to live up to the expectations of festival-going, summer revellers. With a star studded line up, this is the biggest musical event of the year in Bruges and it’s likely to attract record breaking numbers. This year’s musical bonanza is fronted by Macy Gray, Jamie Lidell and David Gray, and also boasts big names like Elvis Costello, K’s Choice, Regina Spektor, Tori Amos and I Am Kloot. True to form Cactus Festival will also have its quota of inflatable beach balls (despite the absence of a beach anywhere nearby), ridiculous costumes, even more ridiculous sombreros and lots of warm beer! Tickets can be purchased online at presale prices of €36, €64 and €85 for one, two and three day passes respectively. The festival is held at Minnewaterpark, close to the Bruges railway station.

4. Near Edinburgh - T in the Park – July 9 to July 11, 2010
   

   While this festival doesn’t take place in Edinburgh, it is close enough to be worth checking out. T in the Park is a cool three day concert at Balado Airfield in Perth and Kinross Scotland. Expect to see big name acts such as Muse, Eminem, The Black Eyed Peas and Kasabian, as well as a large number of smaller acts, all performing on nine stages. Campgrounds are available here too so you don’t have to worry about getting home or back to your city hostel straight away. The easiest way to get to T in the Park is on a CityLink bus from Edinburgh. This will take you straight there.

5. Amsterdam - Julidans – July 1 to July 14, 2010
   

   This international contemporary dance festival is basically a snapshot of what’s being developed on the world’s dancefloors and theatrical stages. The festival focuses on choreographers who want to break boundaries and conjure up mind blowing routines. In the organiser’s words, the performances are daring, unusual and much-talked-about! Better yet you can also expect elements of what’s being develeoped on the African and Asian dance scenes. Since 2007 the leading acts have been invited to bring along young and unknown choreographers, who they think have something worth seeing. These guys – representing the next generation - form a parallel programme called Julidans Next. Look out for Julidans performances at Stadsschouwburg (the City Theatre), Paradiso, Theater Bellevue, Melkweg, Bijlmer Parktheater and the Vondelpark Open Air Theatre.

6. Near Newquay - Port Eliot Festival - July 23 to July 25, 2010
   

   Due east from Newquay is Port Eliot and on the grounds of the Port Eliot Estate near Saint Germans, one of the UK’s most eclectic and bohemian festivals is all set to go ahead. This humorous festival attracts a wide variety of people and this year’s festival will include performances from Harper Simon (Paul Simon’s son), Alabama 3, Jarvis Cocker, and Chris Watson. Since this event is a three-day festival, tickets can be purchased for the whole duration of the event, or for single days.

7. Paris Jazz Festival – Every Weekend in July
   

   The Paris Jazz festival is an annual summer concert series held in the beautiful Parc Floral located in the Bois de Vincennes. Festivities begin at 13.00, the concerts start at 15.00 and they take place every Saturday and Sunday in July. The shows are free to everyone who pays the 5 euro park entry fee. To get here take métro line 1 to Château de Vincennes.

8. London - The iTunes Festival 2010 - July 1 to July 31, 2010
   

   Apple is back at the Roundhouse in Camden with free gigs every night in July! The line up so far includes the Scissor Sisters, Tony Bennett, Faithless and Ozzy Osbourne, and there are rumours that Ellie Goulding will be joining in the fun too. The only way to get tickets is via the official website or the Facebook page so get online guys! Your nearest tube station for this one is Chalk Farm.

9. Prague - Teatrotoc – July 11 to July 13, 2010
   

   Once again the Teatrotoc street theatre festival brings the best street artists, pantomime, jugglers, acrobats, clowns and more to town. Performers this year hail from the Czech Republic, Germany, the USA and even Australia, so head down to Kampa Park just across the river from the National Theatre and confront your fear of clowns. It’s about time!

10. London - Wireless Festival – July 2 to July 4, 2010, Hyde Park
    

    Headlined by Pink, the Wireless Festival in Hyde Park is a force of music to be reckoned with. Lined up we have the Ting Tings, The Gossip, the inflatable-pleather loving Missy Elliot, LCD Soundsystem, Jay-Z and Lily Allen, among others. The atmosphere at this 20,000 person event is always electric, tickets start at £47.50 (which is rather good for any London gig) and your nearest tube station is Hyde Park Corner.