The Best Music Festivals This December, From Around The Globe

Winter or not, there are always music festivals to look out for. Here’s The Sherp’s definitive list of festivals that will be the highlights of this month!

1. Sunburn

When: December 27 to 29
Where: Vagator, Goa, India
Line-up attractions: Knife Party, Baauer, Krewella, Jamie Jones, Dannic, Dimitri Vegas & Like Mike

Ever since 2007, the beach festival has built a major fan base with its latest and seventh edition racking up a whopping 1.5 lakh attendees in a mere three days, covering 5,00,000 sq metres of Vagator Beach, Goa. To say the line-up was massive would be an understatement as it boasted of 120 artistes including the biggest in the dance music industry today – Axwell, Markus Schulz, Afrojack, Pete Tong, Mark Knight to name a few. Over the years, Sunburn has become a well established EDM festival and has single-handedly impacted how India’s festival culture is viewed around the world.

(Image Courtesy : Sunburn Facebook)

2. Enchanted Valley Carnival (EVC)

When: December 19 to 21
Where: Ambay Valley City, Maharashtra, India
Line-up attractions: David Guetta, New World Punx

As an excellent debut effort The Enchanted Valley Carnival in Ambay Valley last December bravely took on its already established contenders. Set on the scenic airstrip of Ambay Valley and against the backdrop of a massive air balloon, the festival delivered a diverse line-up from big room to deep house to indie Indian music.

(Image courtesy : EVC Facebook)

3. Vh1 Supersonic

When: December 27 to 30
Where: Candolim, Goa
Line-up attractions: Above & Beyond, Dillon Francis, Paul Van Dyk, Mark Knight, Dash Berlin, Funkagenda

Just a year old, this festival really kicked things off in Goa last December. Vh1 Supersonic is another fantastic dance music festival that concentrates more on the quality of artistes than anything else. Think of five days of non-stop groovin’ one of of Goa’s most famous and iconic beaches. What a great way to bring in the new year, right?

(Image courtesy : VH1 Supersonic Facebook)

4. The Falls Music Festival

When : December 28 to January 3
Where: Victoria, Tasmania, New South Wales, Australia
Line-up attractions: Alt-J, Cold War Kids

This three-city touring festival has a lot to offer for those interested in discovering new acts from Australia and around the world. It’s the perfect festival to unwind at and makes some new buddies or even catch up with your old ones. Apart from a line-up that boasts of the best indie talent, there is also an interesting bevy of comedy acts to look out for.

(Image courtesy : The Falls Music Festival Facebook)

5. Beyond The Valley

When: December 30 to January 1
Where: Victoria, Australia
Line-up attractions: Bakermat, Dillon Francis,

With luxurious camping being its USP, this new festival has caught our eye with its fantastic options and of course, the line-up. Ever wanted a jacuzzi, a mini bar, and a massage parlour to go with your boutique music festival camping experience? Well then Beyond The Valley, the new festival that’s launching this New Year’s Eve at Phillip Island, is the event for you.

6. Time Warp Netherlands

When: December
Where: Utrecht, Netherlands
Line-up attractions: Sven Vath, Maceo Plex, Chris Liebing, Maya Jane Coles, Ricardo Villalobos, Adriatique

Time Warp is easily one of Europe’s biggest and badass electronic music events. Having spread to various countries like Argentina and USA, Time Warp will be returning this December to the motherland – Netherlands. Expect to be blown away by a beast of a line-up, light shows, mapping floors, sweating bodies, a venue to beat and, of course, an unforgettable vibe.

(Image courtesy : Time Warp Facebook)

7. Awakenings, Amsterdam ( December)

When: December
Where: Amsterdam, Netherlands
Line-up attractions: Seth Troxler, Richie Hawtin

Presenting the biggest New Year’s Eve dance music event in Netherlands! If you’re there this December, make sure to be a part of the 3, 500 people at this three-day event which will feature Richie Hawtin and Seth Troxler and some insane visuals. Seeing is believing right? Watch the video below.

(Image courtesy : Awakenings Facebook)

8. Wonderfruit

When: December
Where: Thailand
Line-up attractions: Chet Faker, Seth Troxler

Wonderfruit Festival, a new three-day event held in Chon Buri, Thailand, will debut this December. The festival is being organised by Scratch and Secret Productions—the promoters behind Wilderness Festival—and will feature music that ranges from house, techno and disco to dub, blues and folk. The festival is situated in the Chon Buri region, which is situated just outside of Bangkok.

(Image courtesy : Wonderfruit Facebook)

9. The Journey

When: December 13
Where: Mumbai, India
Line-up attractions: Bonobo (Live), Snarky Puppy

Having had a superb first edition last year, Johnnie Walker presents The Journey is back this year with some great acts and performances. Held at Mehboob Studios, Mumbai The Journey is a unique festival which celebrates people, ideas and their journey to greatness. If you’re in Mumbai this December, do not miss this.

10. Magnetic Fields Festival

When:December 12-14
Where: Alsisar Mahal, Rajasthan
Line-up attractions: Nicholson, MALA, Justus Kohncke, Big City Harmonics, Terranova, Neval

Boutique festivals are an awesome new alternative for people disenchanted by the bigger ones, although getting a boutique festival right without exactly ‘selling out’ is undoubtedly a bit tricky. Set in a gorgeous Mahal in Rajasthan, this small (first time) & yet undeniably eclectic music festival captured the hearts of all who attended and were part of it, last year. The lineup and production were delightfully unique, attendees were literally treated like Kings and Queens and the sense of community was strong. This cozy festival has set quite the bar when it comes to executing intimate boutique festivals in India.