Many reggae festivals offer not only great live music, but camping, exhibitions, and other fun and cultural activities. Here are five fantastic reggae music festivals held annually in July and August.
Reggae on the River
Garberville, CA
For twenty-five years, Reggae on the River has been acknowledged as one of the world's most popular reggae festivals.
Hosted by the Mateel Community Center, a non profit organization, this is a family-friendly festival, with a fun kid-zone on site and camping spaces available near the festival venue. (Reservations are recommended for the camp grounds. To reserve, call Reserve America at 1-800-444-7275.)
While the festival allows coolers, they encourage participants to support the non-profit vendors on the grounds. No outside alcohol is allowed.
The 2009 line-up for Reggae on the River includes The Mighty Diamonds, Tanya Stephens, The Abyssinians, Etana, Majek Fashek, Queen Omega, Soul Majestic, and Woven Roots. Advance tickets are $50, and tickets at the gate are $55.
Irie Music Festival
Toronto, Canada
The 8th Annual Irie Music Festival features not only great reggae music, but Taste of the Tropics, a world culinary showcase (with a wine and beer garden), arts and crafts, dance presentations, children's activities, and the new Irie Reggae Boat Cruise.
This five day festival takes place at Nathan Phillips Square and Queen's Park in Toronto. Performers for 2009 include Gramps Morgan, Byron Lee and the Dragonaires, Fab-5, DJ Billy Bryan, Toronto Mass Choir, Roberto Linares Brown, Lady Son, Jason Wilson & Tabarruk, and Isax InJah.
While the boat cruise admission is $60, many of the performances are free to the public. See their official website for more details.
One Love Festival
East Sussex, United Kingdom
Inspired by Bob Marley's famous One Love concert in 1978, England's One Love Festival has dorm rooms available as well as camp grounds. The line-up, featured on several different stages, includes Earl Gateshead & Friends, DJ Prime Cuts, Adrian Sherwood & Brother Culture, Konsine & Stimpy, and the Dub Rockers, along with dozens of others.
Tickets run between 25 and 35 pounds per day. For more information on camp ground spaces, dorms, and the full line-up, visit their website.
Irie Vibes Roots Festival
West Vlaanderen, Belgium
While the cost for adults is 20-25 Euros for the weekend (10 for Friday only, 18 for Saturday only), children under twelve are admitted free. The festivals also supplies free parking, free campgrounds, and a free shuttle from the nearby station.
The line-up for 2009 includes Freddy Loco and the Gordons Ska Band and Mala Vita.
Uprising Reggae Festival
Bratislava, Slovakia
Located next to a beautiful lake outside the capital of Slovakia in a region known as sporting and recreational area, this festival offers camping, a toboggan slide, water sports, beach volleyball, and more along with live music.
The 2009 line-up includes Roots Manuva, Irie Revoltes, United Flavour, and many more. Tickets are 18 Euros for two-day access, and only 3 Euros more for camping access.
More Reggae Festivals
Reggae has only increased in popularity over the past few decades, and every year new reggae festivals spring up all over the world. For a comprehensive list of reggae festivals, visit the Reggae Festival Guide Online.
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