THE BEST FESTIVALS IN APRIL
There’s still time…
Get away and immerse yourself in another world for a couple of days. We know you want to.
April is a phenomenal month to do that, and if you can get through the airport lines and potential shutdowns — and avoid the wars — and actually arrive at your destination without being turned back, you’re already winning.
You can chase nature and springtime flowers in the Netherlands or Washington State, dance on a snow-covered mountain in Austria, or get down in the Indio desert heat at Coachella. This month offers a festival for every taste. Grab some comedy in Australia, see seven million tulips in Holland, go to a canal boat party in Amsterdam, or enjoy world-class jazz, Rod Stewart and a Mardi Gras hangover in New Orleans. Pack your bags and prepare for an unforgettable start to spring! If it’s not already.
Keukenhof Gardens “The Garden of Europe”
Lisse, The Netherlands
March 19 – May 10
This year marks Keukenhof’s 77th anniversary, and is best seen in mid-April when there are seven million flowers in bloom! Fields of vibrant colors and pathways of 800 varieties of tulips, orchids and roses, on 79 acres of 15th-century hunting grounds.
Various music events also take place, from Dutch Sounds on March 21 – 22, and The Holland Heritage Weekend with traditional folk dancing March 27 – 29. The famed flower parade, the Bloemencorso Bollenstreek, happens on April 18.
Book online for a specific time slot as tickets sell out fast. Fly into Schiphol, Amsterdam.
The Melbourne International Comedy Festival
Melbourne, South Australia
March 25 – April 19
Every year we highlight this one — it’s a fave — and this year marks its 40th anniversary, with a massive televised opening event on March 25.
We need some laughs and there are plenty of jokes to be had in southern Australia with hundreds of International artists performing their shows stretched over three weeks.
When you’re done with comedy, rent a convertible and drive an hour or so west to The Great Ocean Road for breathtaking views for over a hundred miles drive. The monolithic Twelve Apostles, which are limestone pinnacles formed by erosion of the cliffs over time, are around four hours’ drive from Melbourne. Helicopter tours are also available. (And if you’re in Geelong, about 45 miles from Melbourne, check out the new restaurant, Songbird, from genius chef Aaron Turner, of IGNI legend).
Skagit Valley Tulip Festival
Mount Vernon, WA
April 1 – 30
The entire month…
These are the largest tulip fields outside of Holland, in case you can’t make it to Europe.
Galas, BBQ’s, bike tours, art shows and wine tastings happen all month long. Weekdays are the least crowded. That’s all you need to know.
Snowbombing
Mayrhofen, Austria
April 6 – 11
Do this! Woodstock up a mountain! The good Woodstock, not the crappy re-enactment! The world’s greatest show on snow.
It’s all about EDM. DJ’s mix in a completely surreal landscape with psychedelic visuals projected on the Tyrolean mountains. This year is headlined by De La Soul and Orbital. There are forest parties — forest parties! — mountain stages, alpine yoga and you can rave in an igloo.
Fly into Innsbruck and drive there, or helicopter into Mayrhofen, then take the chair lift up the mountain to the party.
Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival
Empire Polo Fields, Indio, Palm Springs
April 10 -12
April 17 -19
Over two weekends. Dancing on a polo field in the desert. Can be madly hot during the day and madly cold once the sun goes down. Justin Bieber, Sabrina Carpenter and Karol G are headlining this year. David Byrne, Young Thug, Iggy Pop, Armin van Buuren, The Strokes, Moby, Groove Armada, Major Lazer are also on the list.
Official VIP passes and general admission tickets are sold out, but there is an official waitlist. Otherwise, I hope you know someone.
If you want to just be on the periphery and soak up the vibes, here’s what we suggest for places to stay and see…
SandFest
Port Aransas, Texas
April 17 – 19
An internationally recognized three-day event featuring the largest sand sculpture competition in the US — and, before you laugh, there are actually many sand sculpturing contests in the US annually — plus there’s a musical line up of blues, rock and folk bands, all helping to raise money for the local community and its charities. Sand! Plus music, and charities!
Admission is $30 for a three-day adult wristband, youth tickets (age 6-12) are $5, children under 5 are free.
International Earth Day
Mother Earth
April 22
More needed than ever! Earth Day is celebrated annually on April 22 with events worldwide and in major US cities in support of the environment, and to raise awareness of the need for the better care of our planet! Earth Day began in 1970, 56 years ago. Sadly, many still don’t get the message.
However we live in hope. There are events — festivities, benefit concerts, clean up campaigns and earth eco fairs — all close to wherever you are.
Washington DC hosts several events, ironically, however the largest in the US happens in Dallas, Texas (perhaps double ironically) with their EarthX Festival on April 20 – 22, which features a high profile line up of environmentalists and industry pioneers.
Sant Jordi Festival
Barcelona, Spai
Thursday, April 23
A popular festival combining culture and romanticism in honor of Sant Jordi, the patron saint of lovers, in Catalonia. On this day it’s customary for couples to exchange gifts. Men receive a book and women receive a rose, although over time it’s evolved so both men and women can receive books and roses.
Book and flower stalls are set up along the streets of Barcelona, where, for a glorious day, you can browse the latest publications and attend book signings, with the heady scent of roses everywhere.
New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival
New Orleans, Louisiana
April 23 – May 3
After just getting warmed up with Mardi Gras, New Orleans cannot stop boogying. Jazz Fest is their annual cultural pilgrimage celebrating the music and culture of New Orleans and Louisiana, and beyond. Through a magical blend of music, jazz and folk art and now in its 54th year, 5000 musicians play across 15 stages performing everything from gospel and blues to rock and hip hop. This year the lineup of artists include The Eagles, Rod Stewart (yeah, rock on Rod!) to Stevie Nicks, David Byrne and Lorde. It’s like a time warp…
It’s one of the big daddies of US music festivals, and unparalleled in its intimacy between audience and artists. It’s a day time event, ending by 7pm each evening.
Stagecoach Festival
Empire Polo Fields, Indio, Palm Springs
April 24 – 26
The same place as, but more laid back than, Coachella, with a different crowd, Stagecoach is California’s country music festival, and not everything is country so don’t be fooled.
Headlining this year is Cody Johnson, Lainey Wilson and Post Malone with a side of Wynonna Judd, also featuring Third Eye Blind, Diplo, Pitbull and Ludacris to prove my point. Hootie and the Blowfish, Counting Crows and the still standing after all these years, Lyle Lovett.
Official three day passes are sold out, but you can join the official waitlist, or purchase through verified resale sites such as StubHub or AXS. Resale ranges from $562 for a three-day pass, up to $2,500 for the Corral Standing Pit. You pay that much and you get no chair! Insane.
Koningsdag (King’s Day)
The Netherlands
Monday, April 27
It’s King Willem-Alexander’s birthday. A day to honor the monarch of Holland. All hail the King! The event attracts over a million visitors to Amsterdam, and the color to wear is orange, quite ironically. There are parades on barges on the myriad of canals, sauntering by the old cobbled streets, with people spilling out of bars and cafes celebrating, or hanging out of windows. There are flea markets selling vintage clothing, antiques, toys and pastries. And lots of street parties. And it starts the night before. It’s a lot of fun.
AfrikaBurn
Tankwa, South Africa
April 27 to May 3
Maybe a good place to go right now, far far away, and definitely a diversion from the norm. It’s Africa’s Burning Man… Just like the Black Rock Desert, far fewer people, and you’re in Africa.
For the hardy and adventurous, it’s special. Set in a remote desert landscape location on South Africa’s Northern Cape, it’s been happening since 2007, and is very similar to Nevada’s Burning Man Festival. A temporary art city is created from wood with stand-alone structures and sculptures and then burnt down on the final day. There are art cars, music, theatrical performances, no exchange of money, nothing can be bought, only, oddly, ice.
We recommend flying into the small Tankwa airstrip from Cape Town and taking lots of food, water and baby wipes. You can also drive the 186 miles from Cape Town.
Cheltenham Jazz Festival
Montpellier Gardens
The Cotswolds, UK
April 29 – May 4
To round out the month we have British singer songwriter and Grammy winner Corinne Bailey Rae as this year’s guest curator of the Cheltenham Jazz Festival. Marking the 30th anniversary there’s a fantastic line up including Van Morrison, Joss Stone, Jessie J, 10cc, ABC, Earth, Wind and Fire, and more.
This 30th anniversary special will also feature the music of Miles Davis played by the BBC Concert Orchestra.
Tickets are still available for some events and there are numerous free events happening around town.
