Worldwide

Sète, France
July 1 - July 7

The home of Worldwide Festival, the iconic Théâtre de la Mer, is an open-air amphitheatre in Sète, France, that looks directly out across the Mediterranean Sea. Now into its 17th year, the beloved festival boasts a broad programme born from the kaleidoscopic musical mind of Gilles Peterson. The 2024 edition includes Eglo Records founder Alexander Nut, new-school London jazz talent Emma-Jean Thackray (who will DJ), Belgian scene veteran Lefto Early Bird and an extended set from 4Hero legend Dego. The programme is spread out across a full week, so there's more than enough time to explore the idyllic coastal surroundings.

RA Pick: The hazy, experimental dub stylings of Holy Tongue, AKA the trio of Al Wootton, Valentina Magaletti and Zongamin.

Kelburn Garden Party

Largs, Scotland
July 4 - July 8

Kelburn Garden Party is an unashamedly bohemian weekender with a diverse music programme spanning everything from techno, disco, funk, jazz, dub and jungle. Held on the grounds of a colourfully painted 13th-century castle on the west coast of Scotland, the four-day event will welcome notable headliners like James Holden (who will play live), Erol Alkan, Tama Sumo & Lakuti and DJ Storm this year, with the wider programme featuring comedy shows, graffiti classes and soft play areas–something for the whole family.

RA Pick: Be it bossa nova, soca or zouk, Coco Maria's selections are always sunkissed.

Butik

Tolmin, Slovenia
July 10 - July 14

Around two hours south-west of Lake Bled's famous turquoise waters, attendees at Butik Festival can wade into the similarly crystal-clear Soça river as they dance. In just five editions, the Slovenian festival has become one for festivalgoers in the know, thanks to its astute programming, intimate capacity and stunning natural beauty. From dancing in the river to daytime boat parties (Resident Advisor will host CCL and Roza Terenzi on Saturday, July 13th) and stages that bring ravers together under glorious weeping willows, Butik is a barely touched festival paradise that, in 2024, will be soundtracked by the likes of Mama Snake, Kia, DJ Koolt and rRoxymore.

RA Pick: CCL back-to-back Objekt is guaranteed to rearrange your brain.

Musique Électronique

Madison, United States
July 12 - July 13

Remain in Night's annual summer festival, La Fête de Marquette, returns to McPike Park in the city of Madison, Wisconsin, in July. Happening alongside is Musique Électronique, a free, community-focused and family-friendly event specialising in house and techno. This year, the afternoon-to-evening programme will feature sets from artists like Waajeed, JADALAREIGN and Rene Wise. The headliners—Chicago house legend Derrick Carter and UK techno don Luke Slater—will close out the festival before both playing the official afterparties at High Noon Saloon.

RA Pick: Ayesha flits between dubby, ultra-rhythmic sounds with finesse.

rural

Fukushima, Japan
July 12 - July 15

rural is one of the shining lights in Japan's electronic music scene. Since its first edition in 2011, the annual three-day gathering has cemented a reputation for delivering unique musical experiences and subverting conventional booking trends. Previous editions have hosted international artists like Terrence Dixon and Basic Channel's Mark Ernestus, as well as championing domestic talent like Wata Igarashi and Sapphire Slows. This year continues in the same vein, welcoming the likes of mad miran, Forest Drive West and Atsushi Maeda. The location is new for 2024, as the festival moves 175 miles north of Tokyo to Nowhere Camp, in the leafy mountains of Fukushima Prefecture.

RA Pick: Don't miss rising star SAMO's high-energy selections.

Outlook Origins

Tisno, Croatia
July 25 - July 29

Tisno is a familiar destination for ravers in Europe. But while the Croatian beach town plays host to many festivals throughout the summer, arguably none have the singular appeal of Outlook Origins. Deviating from house and techno, the five-day event's programme is oriented toward sound system music, spotlighting dancehall, drum & bass, dubstep, jungle, roots reggae and dub. The 2024 lineup features Flowdan, Channel One and Mantra alongside contemporary club experimentalists like Nick León, Bitter Babe, Introspekt and RA Breaking Through star Toumba. Whether you're a fan of the dub siren or half-time rhythms, Outlook Origins has something for you.

RA Pick: Plenty of wub, wobble and bass from Digital Mystikz, AKA Mala & Coki.

Polifonic

Puglia, Italy
July 25 - July 29

The southern Italian region of Puglia is famous for its exquisite coastlines and charming white stone houses. It's also home to Polifonic Festival, which takes place in Valle d'Itria across four days in July. The festival has its own sustainability manifesto, seeking to protect the Mediterranean landscapes and work closely with local businesses wherever possible. On a site peppered with olive trees, attendees in 2024 will be able to dance to the likes of Mr. Ho's retro house and the hypnotic techno of Z.I.P.P.O, as well as System Olympia, CC:DISCO!, upsammy and Egyptian Lover, who will play live.

RA Pick: Amsterdam-based artist GAYANCE describes her music as "jazzy house with Brazilian spices so you can make out with your crush." We're sold.

The Great Beyond

Minnesota, United States
July 26 - July 28

The Great Beyond is proof that not only is the US rave scene alive and well, it's got more room to grow. Run by veteran Minneapolis promoter Intellephunk and Enemy Records, the label founded by Midwest techno legend Dustin Zahn, the weekend-long gathering champions club culture's DIY roots. Set on a rural farm with three outdoor stages only a short walk from one another, the festival encourages communal experiences. The lineup reads like a who's who of North American techno champions and this year's bookings—from DJ Hyperactive and Detroit Techno Militia 2x4 to Clarisa Kimskii, Overland and Shaun J. Wright—reflect the region's diverse communities of heads. You're bound to leave with new friends and musical discoveries.

RA Pick: Polygonia's mystical deep techno is a perfect fit for The Great Beyond's natural surroundings.

Junction 2

London, United Kingdom
July 26 - July 28

London's Junction 2 festival gets its name from the M4 motorway at the Brentford interchange (AKA junction 2) in West London. Listening to slamming house and techno beneath an actual motorway, the main dance floor lined with concrete pillars, makes for a spectacular festival setting. The rest of Boston Manor Park, Junction 2's longtime home, is more leafy, meaning you can venture from imposing concrete to grassy expanses in no time. Spread across three days, the programme caters to many kinds of dance music fans, this year hosting the likes of Layla Benitez and Paul Kalkbrenner on the Friday, Jeff Mills and VTSS on the Saturday, and Dee Diggs and Eliza Rose on the Sunday.

RA Pick: FJAAK's bolshy techno is a perfect fit for the Junction 2 site.

SOJOURN

Toronto, Canada
July 26 - July 28

Toronto's festival landscape has been in need of an adrenaline shot and SOJOURN, the new kid on the block, looks set to administer just the right dose. Debuting this year at a TBA location, the three-day event aims to be a meeting ground for hybrid club music, with a lineup of genre-blurring artists like Ayesha, INTROSPKT and Breaka. The brainchild of beloved local parties Pep Rally, Last Planet and Format, the festival should be exactly what the city requires for peak summer fun.

RA Pick: Pep Rally's Karim Olen Ash packs joy, power and hedonism into his sets.

Find our full festival listings for July here