Nothing screams summer like an outdoor music festival with your friends. But for some of us, the sunshine and blue skies have little effect on our bank account. If you’ve been left in a penniless predicament, follow our guide to the best free music festivals of 2014 where a complete lack of funds won’t ruin your fun.
Make Music Pasadena, Pasadena, California, June 7, 2014
The largest free music event in Southern California looks set to get even bigger this year. Spanning about 20 blocks in downtown Pasadena, it features more than 150 free concerts. The annual event welcomes all ages, celebrates all kinds of music and showcases platinum and Grammy-award winning artists such as Autolux and Grimes alongside local, emerging talent.
Danube Island Festival, Wien, Austria, June 27-29, 2014
Claiming the top spot as Europe’s biggest free party for young people, Danube Island is a weekend-long event that attracts more than 3 million revelers. Needless to say, you’ll be spoiled when it comes to choices across the multiple stages – with rock, Latin, jazz and hip hop shows – to name a few.
Parkpop, The Hague, Netherlands, June 29, 2014, 1 p.m.-9:30 p.m.
If you’re looking for something a little pop centric on the scale of Danube Island, then Parkpop is the festival for you. Now entering its 34th year, Parkpop has earned itself a reputation for showcasing big-name acts, including Robbie Williams, The Bangles and Kelis. This year promises the second Global Battle of the Bands in the Hague, from which the emerging winner will perform.
Seaport Music Festival, New York, N.Y., July and August, 2014 (Friday nights)
This legendary indie-rock music festival takes place down on Pier 17 of South Street Seaport, where thousands gather amid crowded skyscrapers and the Hudson River. The festival has a star-studded reputation – with past appearances from Hot Chip and The xx – but organizers are also known for taking risks on lesser-known, emerging artists, and including all sorts of acts in the mix.
Monmouth Festival, Wales, July 25-Aug. 2, 2014
Located across five different venues in the historic market town of Monmouth, you might expect the Monmouth Festival to be a rather low-key affair. But with more than 40 acts and attendance numbers reaching about 40,000, it’s actually one of the biggest and best free music festivals in the U.K. Diverse musical offerings include rock, classical, ska and world music, with previous performances from Hells Bells, The Secret Police and Goldie Looking Chain.
(Main image: © olaf herschbach/iStock/Thinkstock)
Written by insider city guide series Hg2 | A Hedonist’s guide to… whose guides cover all the best hotels, restaurants, bars, clubs, sights, shops and spas.
