Since 1967, music lovers have been gathering by the shores of Lake Geneva in Montreux, Switzerland, for two weeks of world-class music offerings in early July. The festival has been loyal to its jazz roots over the years, but has expanded the roster to feature blues, funk, soul and rock artists as well. Past festivals have seen performers as diverse as Miles Davis, David Bowie and Prince land on the main stage, while nearly 300 free acts descend on the city in venues from intimate wine bars to city parks.
Montreux Jazz Festival
Sentier de Collonge 3
CP 126
CH-1820 Montreux
Switzerland
41-21-966-44-44
montreuxjazz.com
Founded in 1971, Denmark's Roskilde has grown into the largest music and culture festival in northern Europe. The weeklong festival held in July each year has seen the likes of Bob Marley, Metallica, U2, and the Talking Heads perform under the famous Orange Canopy stage. Camping is free with paid entry to the festival. Shuttles and train service also run to the festival. Roskilde is held approximately 22 miles from Copenhagen and has its own train station.
Roskilde Festival
Havsteensvej 11
DK-4000 Roskilde
Denmark
45-46-32-14-99
roskilde-festival.dk
Known as the largest rural music festival in the world, the Glastonbury Festival of Contemporary Performing Arts takes place for three days near the end of each June. During the festival, a sprawling tent city pops up on the green farmland pastures of southwest England. Attendance can reach as high as 200,000, and music offerings are diverse over the nearly 100 stages. High-energy dance venues and small acoustic New Age stages mix with the giant pyramid main stage to provide an array of listening options.
Glastonbury Festival
28 Northland Street
Glastonbury
Somerset
BA6 9JJ
United Kingdom
01458-834-596
glastonburyfestivals.co.uk
Provinssirock has been rocking the riverbanks in Seinajoki, Finland, since 1979. Located 225 miles northwest of Helsinki, Provinssirock celebrates Finland's summer weather with a laid-back vibe over three days each June. Promoting Finnish music to the world -- as well as the world's music to Finland -- Provinssirock attracts music lovers, artisans and weather worshipers from across Europe. The river that runs through the festival grounds is a popular bathing and social area.
Provinssirock
Vaasontie 11
60100 Seinajoki
Finland
358-6-4212700
provinssirock.fi
European summer music festivals originated with classical music, and Salzburg, Austria, provides a five-week dose of classical, opera and dramatic performances for five weeks each year beginning in late July. Since 1920, the festival has been presenting classic interpretations and avant-garde experimental renditions of works by native son Mozart and talented contemporary composers. Set amid the backdrop of the Hoftstallgasse and the Baroque old city, Salzburg has become one of the most famous and longest-running festivals in Europe.
Salzburg Festival
Herbert von Karajan Platz 11
Postfach140
A-5010 Salzburg
Austria
43-0-662-8045-500
salzburgerfestspiele.at
From mid-May through the end of August, Londoners and opera fans from around the globe travel to the English countryside for operatic performances at the Glyndebourne country house. Since 1934, Glyndebourne has been presenting distinguished performances by composers from Mozart to Gershwin. A formal affair, black tie and dress are the norm. Festival attendees enjoy picnic lunches on the sprawling lawns surrounding the country house. Tickets for Glyndebourne sell fast and are in high demand.
Glyndebourne Productions Ltd.
Glyndebourne
Lewes
East Sussex
BN8 5UU
United Kingdom
0-1273-812321
glyndebourne.com