Glastonbury named top Northern Hemisphere festival

An AAP report says that The Glastonbury Festival of Contemporary Performing Arts in England heads a list of the top 10 northern hemisphere summer festivals.

Festival-goers must register to purchase a ticket to the world’s most environmentally and socially conscious event.

Supermodel Kate Moss has been seen stomping the ground in her wellies at Glastonburies gone by. They’re a staple for the notoriously muddy, three-day camping event.

According to online travel website expedia.com.au other European celebrations making the cut on its survey include famous food fight La Tomatina in Spain, the comedy feast of the Edinburgh Fringe Festival in Scotland and the opera traditions of The Festival d’Aix-en-Provence in France.

Palio di Siena, Italy’s medieval celebrations and the Gyor Summer International Cultural Festival in Hungry are also included in the online survey.

Marketing Manager for Expedia.com.au, Kristi Barrow, says as the winter chill begins to take its hold down under, it’s the perfect time to fly north. Plus, many of us probably can’t handle the European cold any other time of year.

“It’s summer over there and it’s winter over here … it’s also the time when there are really fantastic festivals on,” Barrow says.

Asia hosts two festivals in the top 10 – the month-long Gion Matsri in Japan and Hong Kong’s colourful Dragon Boat Festival.

The world’s largest food festival, Taste of Chicago, makes the US’s only appearance at number nine, while Canada contributes the Festival International de Jazz de Montreal.

Barrow says that when it comes to ticketed events like Glastonbury and the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, get in early.

“My number one tip is book as early as you can,” she says.

“Some of them do have tickets, Glastonbury always sells out for example, and ultimately the accommodation and the flights will sell out at some point too.”

She also suggests the duel benefits of a comfy set of ear plugs.

“I always give people advice to take ear plugs. It doesn’t matter where they’re going.”

“They are just invaluable on an aeroplane because they cut out that horrible noise that you get … they’re also very very useful if you’re going to a music festival.”

In terms of festival safety, less is always more. The benefits of keeping belongings to a minimum is threefold. You can keep your hands free, lessen the chance of being a victim of sticky fingers and you are less likely to end up searching through the lost property bin at the end of the day.

“The less you have with you the less you have to lose,” warns Barrow.

She says to read up before you head off and learn a bit of local lingo.

“Make sure know where you’re going.”

“(And) always try and learn a couple of words … I think they do appreciate the effort.”

Top 10 Northern Hemisphere Summer Festivals according to expedia.com.au.

1. Glastonbury Festival of Contemporary Performing Arts (June 27 to 29) Glastonbury, UK.

2. Gion Matsuri (July 1 to 31), Kyoto, Japan.

3. La Tomantina (August 27 to September 3), Valencia, Spain.

4. Palio di Siena (July 2 to August 16), Siena, Italy.

5. Dragon Boat Festival (June 19), Hong Kong, China.

6. Festival International de Jazz de Montreal (June 28 to July 6), Montreal, Canada.

7. Edinburgh Fringe Festival (August 3 to 25) Edinburgh, Scotland.

8. The Festival d’Aix-en-Provence (June 27 to July 23), Aix-en-Provence, France.

9. Taste of Chicago (June 27 to July 6), Chicago, US.

10. Gyor Summer International Cultural Festival (June 8 to July 6), Gyor, Hungary.

A Report by The Mole