Here at BarWhiz we’ve covered the Top 21 Bars From Around The World, but we are more than just about the bar scene. As our slogan says, we are Your Guide to a Great Night Out… – and you can’t get a greater night out than you would when attending a music festival.

After covering the 32 Best Party Cities in the World, and after researching countless music festivals from all over the world, easily over 450 by my count, we’ve narrowed the selection down to just one music festival a month.

So without further adieu, here are the Top 12 ‘Must Attend’ Music Festivals Of 2012:

#1 Mayday in Dortmund, Germany

April 30th, 2012

Mayday is one of the oldest and most reputed electronic music festivals in Germany. Each Mayday has a theme, and this year it is… well you’ll just have to go to find out.

#2 Temple Bar TradFest in Dublin, Ireland

January 25th – 29th, 2012

This is Dublin’s biggest and best festival of Irish Music, and this year will celebrate their 7th annual festival. Highlights include over 200 free events, two outdoor stages, the international Celtic Irish dance show, a rural Irish village and much more.

#3 Finnish Metal Expo in Helsinki, Finland

February 17th – 18th, 2012

Held in the dead of winter, this annual indoor heavy metal music festival and exhibition is really just a big party for metalheads. If you like your music hard and loud, and you should, then make sure you get your head-banging self to Helsinki this winter.

#4 South by Southwest in Austin, Texas

March 13th – 18th, 2012

SXSW is one of the largest music festivals in the United States, with more than 2,000 performers playing in more than 90 venues around downtown Austin. This is definitely a ‘Must Attend’ event.

#5 Sasquatch! Music Festival in George, Washington

May 25th – 28th, 2012

Held each year at the Gorge Amphitheatre, this four-day, four-stage music festival consists of indie rock bands, singer-songwriters, alternative rock and hip hop artists. The view alone is worth the trip.

#6 Hop Farm Festival in Paddock Wood, UK

June 29th – July 1st, 2012

Although they’ve had a bit of a rough start, this ‘best new festival’ will be entering its 4th year. Centered on folk and independent music, Hop Farm Festival is a “back to basics” event, with a no sponsorship, no branding, and no VIP attitude.

#7 Kazantip in Crimea, Ukraine

July 20th – August 26th, 2012

In order to get into the Republic of Kazantip you first need to get yourself a “viZa”, and with over 150,000 travellers joining the Republic for a 6 week party in the summer each year, you better act fast. This electronic dance music festival is the #1 ‘Must Attend’ music festival for 2012.

#8 Shambhala in West Kootenay, Canada

August 8th – 13th, 2012

With its first festival in 1998, Shambhala is Canada’s largest and longest running electronic music festival. This dance party goes for four days and three nights at the Salmo River Ranch in the West Kootenay mountains of beautiful British Columbia.

#9 Pop Montreal in Montreal, Canada

September 19th – 23rd, 2012

For 5 days in September Montreal is overrun by a pop explosion. With more than 400 acts performing in over 50 venues across the city, Pop Montreal is a great way to say good-bye to summer and ring in the fall in beautiful downtown Montreal.

#10 Iceland Airwaves in Reykjavík, Iceland

October 31st – November 4th, 2012

Beginning its life back in 1999 as a one-off event that took place in an unused airplane hangar at Reykjavík Airport, Iceland Airwaves has grown to become the #1 ‘new music’ music festival in the world, with many new acts moving on to international stardom after their performance. So if you want to see them, before the sold-out, this is the music festival for you.

#11 Fun Fun Fun Fest in Austin, Texas

November 2nd – 4th, 2012

Focusing on indie rock, punk rock, hardcore, hip-hop and DJs, Austin, Texas is overrun for three days by many progressive and underground musicians as they showcase their talents at the Fun Fun Fun Fest. This is Austin, home of SxSW, if any one knows how to throw a music festival, they do.

#12 Clockenflap in Hong Kong, China

December TBA, 2012

Clockenflap is a two-day, five-stage, music festival that takes place in various locations around Hong Kong. Their inaugural festival in 2008 was a one-day event attended by 1,500 people. By 2011, it has grown to a two-day festival and was the first large-scale music event to be completely free to the public.

Author: Corey Rozon