1. SummerJam – Germany
Germany’s SummerJam Festival has been going strong since 1985. The festival takes place every July at Fühlinger See, a series of lakes in a suburb of Cologne. SummerJam attracts about 25,000 to 30,000 people per year. You can camp in different areas around the lake, and the festivities happen on an island with 2 tents and 2 stages. Some notable Reggae performers at SummerJam Festival include: Dennis Brown, Jimmy Cliff, Chronixx, Bunny Wailer, and Burning Spear. This is a festival worth experiencing yourself.
2. One Love Festival UK – UK
One Love Festival hosted in the UK will turn 15 in the first week of August 2023. The Festival began on the 30th anniversary of the 1978 One Love Peace Concert that featured Bob Marley and the Wailers’ performance in Kingston, Jamaica. It’s said to be a Reggae and Dub camping event you don’t want to miss. You can join yoga sessions, spend time in the Field of Love-for relaxation and spiritual well being, and check out craft markets. If you get a VIP ticket, you have a chance to dine with the artists. Julian Marley, Black Uhuru, and Zion Train are just some of the artists who have performed there.
3. Rototom Sunsplash – Spain
Taking a trip to Benicàssim, Spain in mid to late August may find you at the Rototam Sunsplash Festival. Thousands upon thousands of Reggae fans from all over the world have been attending the festival since 1994, and finally moved to Benicàssim in 2010 to accommodate the growing number of patrons. This festival has boasted performances by Damian Marley, Soom T, Aza Lineage, Hempress Sativa, and the Skatalites. And that was just the lineup for 2022! Want to have the ultimate week-long Reggae and camping experience? Then you should definitely go to Rototom Sunsplash.
4. Bomboclat Festival – Belgium
Along the Belgian coast in Zeebrugge, you can spend 2 days enjoying live Reggae and Afrobeat tunes at the Bomboclat Festival. It takes place in the last week of August and it’s full of fun and good vibes. Bomboclat Festival is relatively new and there are a ton of performers of various genres who attend. If you’re a fan of Dub, Reggae, Dancehall, and Afrobeat, then this is the festival you should check out! Acts like Konshens, Soulshakers, Abena, Tarrus Riley, Black Mamba, and Saidou have performed there. Click the links below for more info on the festival. You can also see previous lineups, and find out when tickets are available for next year:
5. Uprising Festival – Slovakia
The Uprising Festival in Slovakia is said to be a “festival connecting people of various cultures, ethnicities, and races”. Since its 2008 debut, it has become one of the Top 40 European festivals in the region. Uprising may be a Reggae festival, but it’s far from being monothematic. You can be sure to hear Dancehall, Ska, Dub, and even Dnb at the festival. If you want to try yoga, you can. If you want to be a part of a plethora of creative workshops, you can. There are even activities for kids available. Gleb, Dizzee Rascal, and Barrington Levy are just some of the artists featured for next year’s Uprising. They also have a winter edition, so be sure to check that out too.
6. HIM Dub Festival – Portugal
The HIM Dub Festival in Portugal is the youngest festival on this list. The first one took place in 2022 in Rapoula do Côa, Portugal and lasted 5 days. Dub Judah, Jah Version, Roots Daughters, and Agobun were just a part of the first great lineup. The festival is right beside a pristine river, for the ultimate experience of oneness and love in nature. Even though it’s new, there’s no doubt that the HIM Dub Festival will attract a bigger following as the years go by. Tickets for 2023 are already available. You should get yours asap.
7. Dub Camp Festival – France
France’s Dub Camp Festival is a four-day long epic celebration of Reggae, Dub, and Sound System culture. It’s held on the banks of a man-made lake in the northwest of France. Dub Camp is eco-friendly, becoming a part of the UNESCO heritage for its environmental efforts. There is also information on their website about accessibility for those you may be differently abled. The festival started in 2014, and was France’s second Dub festival. The lineups have included the likes of Queen Omega, Sista Habesha, Essaïa, Omar Perry, and more. Tickets for 2023 are already available. More details below.
8. Hill Vibes Reggae Festival – Austria
