Latin Americas Festival Scene Uncovered

The whole world knows about Rio Carnival but with the rise of festivals featuring world class DJs in Central and South America, we take a look at what the Festival Gods of the Americas have to offer…

Festivals in Central & South America

Some of the UK’s and USA’s best known and loved festivals have been taking place right under our noses in South America, from Creamfields in Argentina, Chile and Peru – to Lollapalooza popping up in Chile, Brazil and Argentina, the Latin American festival scene is one that is often overlooked, but really shouldn’t be.  

With the Latin American summer taking place from January – March, it brings in its stride a whole new festival calendar for the global party elite to chase the endless sun.

Kicking off the festival season in Latin America will be Storyland festival (6th-8th January 2017), although the lineup is still to be announced, last year’s event saw the likes of Jamie Jones, Hardwell and Oliver Heldens descend on the Colombian beach town of Cartagena. Storylands Festival Cartagena aims to import the best house, techno and progressive house to the stage – as well as the beach for some epic partying in the hot Colombian sun.

With DJs and producers taking the reigns when it comes to putting on festivals and parties, in recent years we’ve seen the likes of Annie Mac put on Lost & Found Festival through AMP (Annie Mac Presents) as well as Gilles Peterson’s Worldwide Festival in Sete which has become a veritable staple on Europe’s summer calendar.  And now it seems Nic Fanciulli will be taking things a step in the Latin American direction by bringing his event, The Social to Mexico and Colombia.

At present The Social Festival is a boutique music festival that showcases some of the world’s greatest dance music acts at The Kent County Showground in Kent, UK. The Social is put together by Saved Records and world famous, Kent local, DJ Nic Fanciulli. Speaking about the new direction of the festival, Fanciulli says, ““We’re extremely excited to be bringing the social to Latin America for 2017. The festival started five years ago as a real labour of love and we’ve been inundated with support worldwide ever since. 2016’s Summer edition saw a huge influx of fans from around the world, so we wanted to give something back.” Continuing on the location of the new events, he says, “I’ve always had an amazing relationship personally with Mexico and Colombia, and we couldn’t think of better places to bring the first international editions of the festival. We’ve got some extremely exciting headliners in place, and as always, we’re not holding back on the production.”

The new intercontinental chapter of The Social will take place on 17th & 18th  March in Mexico and Colombia in 2017. Having curated a selection of world class House and Techno talent, the Central and Latin American chapter will see iconic names such as Carl Cox headline the Colombian event. Fanciulli and Cox are said to be on a mission to shine the spotlight on the flourishing dance scene in Latin America, and it looks like they may well succeed.

Also on our Americas radar when it comes to festivals is Envision Festival which will take place in Uvita, Costa Rica from 23rd – 26th February in 2017. This festival, now in its sixth year, is a yoga, arts, music and wellness festival. Music at this festival includes; reggae, ethereal house beats, sultry grooves, global bass, glitch hop as well as live performances. Taking place in picturesque settings, Envisions is one that is definitely for the “festival experience” as you dance barefoot on the Costa Rican beaches where the rainforests meet the shore.

A festival taking the crown when it comes to Latin America’s party scene is Electric Daisy Carnival. Having sprung up in the UK a couple of summers ago, unbeknownst to many EDC was raging all the while in Mexico City. This year’s EDC Mexico edition will take place on 25th and 26th February 2017. At the event you can expect impressive set design, epic stage shows (pyrotechnics and all) as well as some A Grade electronic, house and dance music.  

The pros of jetting further afield to Central and South America for a festival are combining your trip with a chance to see some of the most beautiful places on earth. Immersing yourself in the home of latin beats combined with the Latinos flare for the ostentatious when it comes to partying, you can guarantee you’ll have the festival experience of your life.

Latin Festival Calendar

Storyland Festival
6th – 8th  January 2017
www.facebook.com/thisisstoryland

Envision Festival
23rd – 26th February 2017
envisionfestival.com

Electric Daisy Carnival
25th – 26th February 2017
mexico.electricdaisycarnival.com

The Social Festival
17th & 18th  March
https://www.thesocialfestival.com/

What To Do Whilst You’re In Latin America

Combine your time in Latin America with adventure tours and experiences…

Free & Easy Traveller

With FNEZ you can enjoy tours of Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Peru and Panama.
www.freeandeasytraveler.com

Outward Bound Costa Rica

On a gap year and got time to spare, spend a semester in Costa Rica with Outward Bound Costa Rica including expeditions, whitewater rafting, abseiling and more.
outwardboundcostarica.org

Day Tours 4 U

Operating in Colombia, Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay  and Chile if time is of the essence then get a taste of your surroundings with Day Tours 4U.
daytours4u.com

Green Toad Bus

Want to travel around with one pass? Green Toad Bus can ferry you between Brazil, Peru, Bolivia, Argentina and Chile at an affordable price so you can see the most of Latin America during your visit.
greentoadbus.com

Images via Envisions Festival

By Hannah Shakir