Festivals You Can Still Book in 2026 – Pyramids, Castles, Deserts & more

From late August through to November, you have got everything from underground electronic music in the UK to multi-day destination festivals in Egypt, Slovenia, Portugal, Cyprus and Crete – for anyone not ready to call time on festival season yet. Here is a selection of curated festivals for any festival-lovers that want to experience something new and exciting away from the big mainstream festivals.

EXIT to Montenegro
Best for: An affordable European festival getaway
Bečići Beach, Budva
28th – 31st August
22,000 daily capacity
Techno, house, afro house

About: Launched as part of EXIT Festival’s World Tour following its departure from Serbia, EXIT Festival is perfect for dance music enthusiasts or music tourists looking to stray from the beaten track. Budva is chapter two of the festival’s two free-to-attend festivals in Montenegro, along the stunning Adriatic coastline. 

Artists: Charlotte de Witte, Peggy Gou, HUGEL, Enrico Sangiuliano, John Newman (debuting a new live show), and RPR Soundsystem (Rhadoo x Petre Inspirescu x Raresh).

Appetite On The Farm
Best for: One final UK summer rave.
Kelvedon Hall, Essex
29-30 August 2026
10,000 daily capacity
House, minimal house, UKG

About: Located just an hour from London, Appetite on the Farm is the perfect end-of-summer party for those who missed their chance in the height of summer. An independent electronic music festival in Essex, Appetite on the Farm blends high-energy underground line-ups, a lively crowd and stylish stage design that holds its own with the festivals of the capital. This year marks the festival’s fifth edition.

Artists: Jamie Jones, SG Lewis, Skream, Eliza Rose, MJ Cole, Shanti Celeste, Traumer, Saoirse, Sidney Charles, Todd Edwards & more

Fort X Festival (Debut Edition)
Best for: An intimate experience off the beaten track.
Mokrice Castle, Slovenia (30 mins from Zagreb Airport)
5 September 2026
2,000 daily capacity
Melodic house, techno, house

About: Fort X is a brand-new destination festival brought to life by the teams behind Kala, Albania, and Snowboxx. Focusing on creating an atmospheric and intimate experience, the festival is set to take over a medieval castle in Slovenia, with multiple stages throughout the 15th-century fortress and surrounding woodland. The site is easily accessible, just 30 minutes from Zagreb airport with shuttles running to and from the venue.

Artists: Âme (DJ), Aney F., Butch, Dixon, Elena Mikac, Fiona Kraft, Jimi Jules, Joe Quinn, Maceo Plex, Mimi x FY, Nic Fanciulli, Pablo Panda.

One Last Summer Dance (in collaboration with The Moment)
Best for: A Chic end-of-summer escape
White Sands Mountains, Lisbon
11–13 September 2026
10,000 daily capacity
Melodic house, indie-dance

About: Known for their intimate, artistic, stylish and striking events, Yard Portugal celebrates the end of summer with its final festival in Lisbon. Returning to the desert-esque landscape of the White Sands Mountains, this open-air party is a fun-loving, experiential event. This year, it marks the end of the season in collaboration with WhoMadeWho’s celebrated festival brand, The Moment, bringing a new dynamic element to their events. Easily accessible from London, it’s just 45 mins from Lisbon airport.

Artists: WhoMadeWho (Live), Damian Lazarus, DJ Tennis, Jimi Jules & more.

BEONIX Festival, Cyprus
Best for: A big festival blow-out and beautiful beaches
Limassol, Cyprus
25-27 September 2026
10,000 daily capacity
Techno, house, melodic

About: Set within a restored industrial winery, BEONIX blends large-scale production with huge electronic music acts from around the world. Set within the stunning island of Cyprus, it’s a perfect end-of-summer destination for dance music lovers.

Artists: Adam Beyer, Camelphat, Bedouin, Benassi, Jan Blomqvist (live), Monolink (ive), Patrick Mason & more

EXIT’s Starlight Festival [Debut Edition]
Best for: A Once-in-a-lifetime festival experience
Pyramids of Giza, Egypt
8th – 11th October
15,000 Daily Capacity
Techno, house, melodic

About: Three-time European Best Major Festival winner EXIT hosts the first-ever multi-stage, multi-day festival at the Great Pyramids of Giza in Egypt. Bringing together the top names from across electronic music, this is perfect for partiers looking for an experience like no other.

Artists: Adriatique, Michael Bibi, Charlotte de Witte, Indira Paganotto, Pete Tong, Vintage Culture & more

Bateleur Festival 
Best for: A luxury experience where everything is covered 
Elounda, Crete, Greece
22 – 25th October
500 daily capacity
House, deep house, afro house

About: Bateleur is a full 360 festival experience which blends a luxury hotel stay with wellness and music. With a 500-capacity, taking over the entirety of a 5-star resort on the stunning coast of Elounda, Crete, the five-day festival is an intimate experience like no other, including workshops such as Pilates, Buddhism, Sound Healing, and Inner Child Healing alongside a house music line-up including New York house pioneer Dennis Ferrer and more.

Artists: Dennis Ferrer, Rafael, OMRI., more names to be announced

Zamna Festival – Sharm El Sheikh
Best for: Immersive production in a natural setting
Khoroum Valley, Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt
20-22nd November
20,000 daily capacity
Melodic Techno, Afro- House

About: Known for their international destination events which bring together the best in melodic and afro house, Zamna Festival returns to Sharm El Sheikh for its second edition with expanded capacity. Khoroum Valley is a natural sandstone amphitheatre in the Sinai mountain range popular for desert trails, sunsets and stargazing.

Artists: Korolova, Mëstiza, Mind Against, MRAK, Sasha & John Digweed, SHIMZA.