From the family-friendly Kaleidoscope to the 80s celebration that is Rewind – there’s a festival for everyone this summer.

Today FM presenter Ed Smith has picked out his favourite festivals from home and abroad that are not to be missed.

On Lunchtime Live today, he said Primavera Sound in Barcelona (from May 29th to June 2nd) is one of his personal favourites.

“A huge Irish contingent would go every year as the tickets are very reasonable to what you’d be paying here,” he said.

“Plus, you’re seeing some of the best bands of all time in the middle (nearly) of Barcelona, one of my favourite cities in the world.

“There’s no camping, you go over at 7-8pm when it gets going, walk around see some great bands, have a few beers then walk back to the beach or walk back into Barcelona to party on.

“It’s a very well-run and safe festival that is up there in the top three in the world for me."

EDM festival Tomorrowland in Boom, Belgium. Image: Fotograferen.net / Alamy Stock Photo

Tomorrowland in Belgium (from July 19th– 29th) was also highly recommended by Mr Smith.

“If you like your EDM, your beats, then this is the one for you,” he said.

“It happens in Belgium every year in a town called Boom and it attracts tens of thousands of punters every year; it gets the best DJs in the world and there’s 14 stages.

“A DJ has no band behind them so they will have the most incredible visuals on these massive 60ft screens behind them to get the crowd going – it’s something to behold.”

Rewind

For all 80s music lovers out there, Mr Smith recommended Rewind at St Anne’s Park in County Dublin on June 2nd.

“If you’re a child of the 80s it’s going to bring you down memory where you will see the likes of Squeeze, Heather Small, Go West, Gabrielle, The Christians and Altered Images,” he said.

“It’s going to be one of those days that will be a magical experience.

“It happens on one day; you turn up in the early afternoon and get your 80s on until late at night – it’s going to be great.”

Heavy metal fans attend the Hellfest in western France. Image: Frédéric Marie / Alamy Stock Photo

For all things rock, Mr Smith said to look no further than Hellfest in France (from June 27th to 30th)

“You have an amazing lineup with the likes of Foo Fighters, The Prodigy and Metallica,” he said.

“Back in 2022, they did a doubleheader, 420,000 metalheads descended on this town for the festival.

“Every metal or rock festival I’ve been to, the punters are the kindest, most gentle, most respectful you will find despite how they dress and the mosh pits – there’s no sense of danger.”

Kaleidoscope

Mr Smith said Kalediascope in Wicklow (from June 28th-30th) will be the family festival of the summer in Ireland.

“It’s in the beautiful Russborough House, a beautiful grounds where you can camp, bring the kids and it’s all very catered to families," he said.

“There is global music, homegrown Irish talent, circus performers, clowns, games – everything you’d need for a family festival.”

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Main image: People walking through Electric Picnic Festival in Stradbally, Co Laois, 01/09/2023. Image: PA Images / Alamy Stock Photo