How to earn during the summer festival season: music, sports, and more

POV: You wake up to the sound of birds and Kanye West crashing someone’s set. You step out of your tent and check your Travelpayouts dashboard – bookings are way up! The summer festival season rocks.

For travel bloggers, summer is doubly sweet, like sugared strawberries: not only can you see your favorite bands and athletes, you can earn while you’re at it.

Below, we’ve collected info on top summer festivals and other gatherings and grouped them by country. Find destinations that are popular with your audience and see which events are most likely to appeal to them. Then feel free to adapt our short descriptions for your own content!

France

Rock en Seine

Rock en Seine is one of France’s premier rock festivals in the beautiful Domaine National de Saint-Cloud. It features an eclectic mix of international and French artists, plus art exhibitions and a mini festival for children.

• City: Saint-Cloud, near Paris
• Dates: August 21–25, 2024
• Audience demographics:
  • Age: Primarily 18–40 years old
  • Gender: Roughly equal male and female distribution
  • Interests: Rock, pop, and electronic music, cultural events
  • Attendees: Predominantly French, with a significant number of international attendees
• Average attendance: Around 40K people per day

Tour de France

The Tour de France is the world’s most famous cycling race, attracting millions of spectators who line routes across the country. 

• Route: Various cities across France
• Dates: June 29 – July 21, 2024
• Audience demographics:
  • Age: Broad range, primarily 25–65 years old
  • Gender: Roughly equal split
  • Interests: Cycling, sports, outdoor activities
  • Attendees: International, with significant attendance from Europe and North America
• Average attendance: Over 12M

Germany

Lollapalooza Berlin

Lollapalooza Berlin brings the energy of the famous American festival to Europe, offering a mix of music, art, and cultural activities in one of the world’s great cities.

• City: Berlin
• Dates: September 7–8, 2024
• Audience demographics:
  • Age: Mostly 20–35 years old
  • Gender: Approximately 55% female, 45% male
  • Interests: Music (various genres), urban culture, fashion
  • Attendees: Predominantly European, with a significant number of international attendees
• Average attendance: Around 85K

Hungary

Sziget Festival

The Sziget Festival, held on Óbuda Island in Budapest, is one of Europe’s biggest music and cultural festivals. It offers a week-long experience of diverse musical genres, arts, and activities.

• City: Budapest, Hungary
• Dates: August 7–13, 2024
• Audience demographics:
  • Age: Mainly 18-30 years old
  • Gender: Roughly equal split
  • Interests: Music (various genres), art, multicultural experiences
  • Attendees: Predominantly European, with attendees from over 100 countries
• Average attendance: Approximately 500K

Italy

Venice Film Festival

The Venice Film Festival is the oldest in the world. It’s known for its prestigious awards and glamorous atmosphere, which attracts filmmakers, actors, and cinephiles from around the world. 

• City: Venice
• Dates: August 28 – September 7, 2024
• Audience demographics:
  • Age: Primarily 30–60 years old
  • Gender: Roughly equal split
  • Interests: Film, arts, culture
  • Attendees: International, with a significant number of attendees from Europe and North America
• Average attendance: Approximately 50K

Japan

Fuji Rock Festival

Set against the picturesque backdrop of the Naeba Ski Resort, the Fuji Rock Festival is a major draw for music lovers and adventure seekers. The eco-friendly ethos and diverse lineup make it a unique experience, perfect for capturing vibrant and engaging content.

• City: Naeba Ski Resort, Niigata Prefecture
• Dates: July 26–28, 2024
• Audience demographics:
  • Age: Mostly 20–40 years old
  • Gender: Roughly equal split
  • Interests: Music (rock, electronic, and indie), outdoor activities, nature
  • Attendees: Predominantly Japanese, with a growing number of international attendees
• Average attendance: Approximately 100K

Latvia

Positivus

Positivus is the largest music festival in the Baltic states, offering a mix of international and local acts.

• City: Riga
• Dates: July 19–20, 2024
• Audience demographics:
  • Age: Primarily 18–35 years old
  • Gender: Roughly equal split
  • Interests: Music (various genres), cultural events, outdoor activities
  • Attendees: Predominantly Latvian, with a growing international presence
• Average attendance: Around 30K

Spain

La Vuelta a España

This one’s for neon spandex lovers. La Vuelta is one of Spain’s three Grand Tours, and the only way it could get better would be if the cyclists had to avoid spilling café con leche while chasing each other up and down mountains.

• Route: Various cities across Spain
• Dates: August 24 – September 15, 2024
• Audience demographics:
  • Age: Broad range, primarily 25–65 years old
  • Gender: Roughly equal split
  • Interests: Cycling, sports, outdoor activities
  • Attendees: Predominantly Spanish, with a significant international presence
• Average attendance: Over 2M

Switzerland

Montreux Jazz Festival

This festival is known for its stunning location on the shores of Lake Geneva and its diverse lineups (which are in no way limited to jazz).

• City: Montreux
• Dates: July 5–20, 2024
• Audience demographics:
  • Age: Primarily 25–50 years old
  • Gender: Approximately 60% male, 40% female
  • Interests: Music (especially jazz, blues, and rock), cultural events, scenic beauty
  • Attendees: International, with a significant number of attendees from Europe and North America
• Average attendance: Around 250K

UK

Reading and Leeds Festival

The Reading and Leeds Festival, a dual-location festival, is a staple of the UK festival scene, known for its energetic atmosphere and lineup of rock and alternative acts. 

• Cities: Reading and Leeds
• Dates: August 23–25, 2024
• Audience demographics:
  • Age: Primarily 16–30 years old
  • Gender: About 60% male, 40% female
  • Interests: Music (rock, alternative, indie), festival culture, youth trends
  • Attendees: Mainly UK residents, with a growing number of international attendees
• Average attendance: Approximately 90K

Wimbledon Tennis Championships

Wimbledon is the oldest tennis tournament in the world and a significant highlight in the sporting calendar. It draws tennis fans from around the globe to witness top-tier tennis in a prestigious and historic setting.

• City: London
• Dates: July 1–14, 2024
• Audience demographics:
  • Age: Broad range, primarily 25–65 years old
  • Gender: Roughly equal split
  • Interests: Tennis, sports, luxury experiences
  • Attendees: Predominantly British, with a strong international presence
• Average attendance: Approximately 500K

Edinburgh Festival Fringe

The Edinburgh Festival Fringe is the world’s largest art festival, featuring thousands of performances across various disciplines, including theater, comedy, dance, and music. 

• City: Edinburgh
• Dates: August 2–26, 2024
• Audience demographics:
  • Age: Diverse, primarily 18–45 years old
  • Gender: Roughly equal split
  • Interests: Arts, comedy, theater, cultural events
  • Attendees: Predominantly UK residents with a significant international presence
• Average attendance: Over 3M

Notting Hill Carnival

Notting Hill Carnival is one of the largest street festivals in the world. It celebrates Caribbean culture with vibrant parades, music, and food. 

• City: London
• Dates: August 25–26, 2024
• Audience demographics:
  • Age: Primarily 18–40 years old
  • Gender: Roughly equal split
  • Interests: Caribbean culture, music, dance, food
  • Attendees: Predominantly UK residents, with international visitors
• Average attendance: Approximately 2M

USA

Lollapalooza

Metallica, Paul McCartney, Radiohead… are some bands your readers won’t hear at Lollapalooza this year. But the classic festival has some other musical heroes in the lineup, like Hozier, SZA, and Skrillex.

• City: Chicago, Illinois
• Dates: August 1–4, 2024
• Audience demographics:
  • Age: Primarily 18–35 years old
  • Gender: About 55% female, 45% male
  • Interests: Music (various genres), urban culture, fashion
  • Attendees: From across the USA, with significant international attendance
• Average attendance: Around 400K

US Open Tennis Championships

The US Open is a significant highlight in the sporting calendar, drawing tennis fans from around the globe. Plus, the fact that it’s in New York City means there’s a ton to do away from the court.

• City: New York City
• Dates: August 26 – September 8, 2024
• Audience demographics:
  • Age: Broad range, but mainly 25–65 years old
  • Gender: Roughly equal split
  • Interests: Tennis, sports, luxury experiences
  • Attendees: Predominantly American, with a strong international presence
• Average attendance: Approximately 700K

Sturgis Motorcycle Rally

The Sturgis Motorcycle Rally is a legendary event among bikers. It’s known for its large gatherings and scenic rides through the Black Hills. 

• City: Sturgis, South Dakota
• Dates: August 2–11, 2024
• Audience demographics:
  • Age: Mainly 35–60 years old
  • Gender: Predominantly male (about 70%)
  • Interests: Motorcycles, road trips, outdoor activities
  • Attendees: Primarily from across the USA, with some international attendees
• Average attendance: Over 500K

Burning Man

Set in the Nevada desert, Burning Man is more than just a festival; it’s a unique social experiment where art, self-expression, and community take center stage. 

• City: Black Rock City, Nevada
• Dates: August 25 – September 2, 2024
• Audience demographics:
  • Age: Primarily 25–45 years old
  • Gender: Approximately 60% male, 40% female
  • Interests: Art, community, self-expression, alternative lifestyles
  • Attendees: International, with a large proportion from North America
• Average attendance: Around 70K

Summer Festivals Calendar

Check out our calendar of festivals from July to September. You can filter events by type—whether you love music festivals, sports tournaments, or more. Click on the festival name to learn more, add it to your calendar, or share it with friends.

Partner Programs for the Festival Season

As people gear up for festivals, they seek the best travel deals, accommodations, and activities. Let’s make the most of this festive frenzy by offering everything they need on your site! Here’s how to monetize your content with Travelpayouts during the summer festival season.

Hotels & Accommodations

During festival season, attendees prioritize securing accommodations. Encourage them to book hotels or apartments on well-known services such as:

• Booking.com: Known for its extensive range of options, from luxury hotels to budget accommodations, Booking.com offers flexibility and convenience for travelers.
  
  📌 Especially since Booking.com has increased the reward rate for all Travelpayouts partners to 5% (from 4%) until July 31.

• Agoda: Popular in Asia and gaining traction worldwide, Agoda provides competitive rates and a user-friendly interface, attracting a broad audience.
• Trip.com: As a comprehensive travel service provider, Trip.com offers accommodation booking alongside flights, car rentals, and more, making it a one-stop shop for festival-goers.
  
  📌 From June 1, Trip.com has increased the reward rate for hotel bookings to 5.5% (from 5%).

Transportation Services

Everyone needs a way to get to the festival. Tell your readers to check out these brands when booking their trips.

Flights

Trip.com offers competitive flight pricing, essential for international travelers.

Car Rental Programs

• Rentalcars.com: Provides various vehicles from various suppliers, ensuring travelers find the right car.
• DiscoverCars: Known for its transparent pricing and extensive network, DiscoverCars is a reliable choice for car rentals.
• Klook: Offers car rental services with the added benefit of bundling with other travel services, making it convenient for festival-goers.
  
  📌 Recently, Klook started rewarding partners for mobile app sales.

Transfer Programs

KiwiTaxi specializes in airport and city transfers, providing a hassle-free experience for travelers.

Tours & Activities

People often like to stick around a bit longer after the festival. Recommend that your readers enjoy a few extra days with cool activities from Viator, GetYourGuide, Tiqets, or Tripadvisor.  

Insurance

Don’t forget about travel insurance for festivals – what if someone stagedives onto you? These brands cover trip cancellations and medical emergencies and reward Travelpayouts partners for every sale:

• VisitorsCoverage: Specializes in comprehensive insurance plans for travelers.
• Klook: Besides its travel services, Klook offers travel insurance, making it a convenient option for festival attendees.
• Insubuy: Provides a range of plans.

With these partner programs, you can offer useful services to your audience and make more money during the festival season. The best part? Travelpayouts puts all these brands in one place, so you can focus on making awesome content and enjoying the festivals.

Strategies for Maximizing Earnings

Content Creation

Creating high-quality, SEO-optimized content drives traffic and increases affiliate conversions. Here are some ideas for festival content:

• Guides: Write detailed guides for popular festivals, including information on the best accommodations, transportation options, and activities. Use keywords that festival-goers are likely to search for.

Example: Create a guide titled “The Ultimate Guide to Attending the Montreux Jazz Festival” and include partner links to Booking.com for hotels and Trip.com for flights.

• Travel tips: Share travel tips on topics like staying safe in large crowds, the best ways to save money, and maximizing the festival experience.
• Packing lists: Develop packing lists tailored to different festivals. Include partner links to useful products and services for travelers.

Social Media Engagement

Socials can help you enhance your reach and drive traffic to your partner tools. Here are a few ideas that are worth trying:

• Instagram: Share high-quality photos and videos from festivals and use relevant hashtags to increase visibility. Don’t forget to include partner links in your bio and stories.
• TikTok: Create short, engaging videos highlighting festival experiences, travel tips, and packing hacks. Include links to your blog or partner links in your profile.
• Pinterest: Use Pinterest to share visually appealing pins that link back to your festival guides and packing lists. Optimize pins with keywords to improve searchability.
• Flipboard: Curate magazines where you can flip festival-related content. Be sure to include partner links in the articles you share.

Email Marketing

An email list can drive consistent traffic and conversions. Here are some strategies:

• Building email lists: Use lead magnets such as free packing lists, festival guides, or travel discounts to encourage sign-ups. Promote these lead magnets on your blog and socials.
• Targeted campaigns: Launch email campaigns leading to major festivals, offering tips, exclusive deals, and affiliate-linked recommendations. Segment your email list based on interests and previous engagement to personalize the content.
• Automated sequences: Set up automated email sequences for new subscribers that include a welcome message followed by a series of emails with valuable content and partner links.

Example: Send an email series leading up to Burning Man with daily tips, packing advice, and recommendations for accommodations and transportation with embedded partner links.

Summer festivals are a golden opportunity for travel creators to earn extra cash. With Travelpayouts, you can boost your income in lots of ways – like writing festival guides, posting engaging content on socials, or sending out emails that hit the mark. Don’t miss out on this season. Join Travelpayouts and get linked up with the right partner programs today!