The term festival means different things to many different people. To some it is a local event, where members of the community around them stage a show that highlights talents within that community. However to others the word represents an important part of the musical calendar in the summer when bands and performing artists from around the world hit the giant stages in outdoor settings and entertain crowds of thousands.
Almost every year (bar the odd year when they let the land settle), the Glastonbury Festival takes place in the UK, perhaps one of the best known music festivals in the world with its famous Pyramid Stage showcasing the best artists of the moment. Across other stages, more obscure acts appear and there it is without doubt one of the most diverse festivals to experience. Later in the summer, the Reading and Leeds Festivals take place in their respective locations, as well the V Festivals, T in the Park, Oxegen (Ireland) and the metal Download Festival.
If camping is not your style then festivals within cities are great sources of entertainment too, from the Manchester Jazz Festival to the Edinburgh Fringe Festival there is something for everyone.
© 2009 Festivals