Festival fever at Fourth Day

S ummer festival season is one of the highlights of the year for many people – including our Fourth Day and Quatrième Jour teams.

We asked colleagues in our London, Manchester, Paris, and Casablanca offices to pick out the festivals they love and explain what makes them so special.

If you’re looking for inspiration on where to go next, look no further…

Xanthe – Fourth Day London

A few days at the Edinburgh Festival is an integral part of my summer. I love how this beautiful, peaceful city becomes completely insane. People rush about trying to fit an improbably large number of shows into a single day, while being bombarded with flyers by performers in outrageous costumes.

I’ve now learned to avoid anything that doesn’t have any credentials, but still enjoy the odd toe-curlingly awful performance. And there are always a few wonderful gems to justify the ticket spend and lure us back next year.

I love how this beautiful, peaceful city becomes completely insane. People rush about trying to fit an improbably large number of shows into a single day, while being bombarded with flyers by performers in outrageous costumes.

Xanthe London

Nikki – Fourth Day Manchester 

I’ve just returned from this year’s Glastonbury Festival. This isn’t just my favourite festival, it’s my favourite place on earth!

It brings all generations together for music, comedy, theatre, debate and some of the weirdest and most wonderful sights possible. Everyone talks about Glastonbury ‘moments’ and they are so frequent – because kindness is at its core and somehow you forget that anything could ever divide us.

Despite the loos, queues, beer prices and 30k steps a day it is a magical place to be. I first went when I was 18 and still get the same amount of joy from it as I did then – albeit it now takes me three weeks rather than three days to recover.

Everyone talks about Glastonbury ‘moments’ and they are so frequent – because kindness is at its core and somehow you forget that anything could ever divide us.

Nikki Manchester

Caroline – Fourth Day Manchester

I love the mixture of music and ideas at Kite Festival. We went to their inaugural event in 2022, and returned this June, where the experience and character of the festival felt firmly established. Brought to life by Tortoise Media, as you’d expect the speaker line-up is well curated – think Dame Joan Collins, Alastair Campbell and Sally Wainwright.

The music line-up is eclectic – Hot Chip, Suede and Baxter Dury – all in the fantastic setting of Kirlington Park in Oxfordshire. It’s a mix that works well, keeping the mind stimulated and creating interesting talking points… Greg Jenner discussing poo and pants from a historical context was a brilliant take for the kids (and the adults enjoyed it too)! And the music is brilliant. My nine-year-old daughter was at the front barrier last year for Self-Esteem, and got a high five from headliner and legend Grace Jones later that night. The site is walkable, feels safe for the kids and generally has a feel-good vibe. It’s also a great introduction for families to the festival experience. And crucially for me – the camping toilets are a cut above the average…

I love the mixture of music and ideas at Kite Festival. We went to their inaugural event in 2022, and returned this June, where the experience and character of the festival felt firmly established.

Caroline Manchester

Maha – Quatrième Jour

My favourite festival is Jazzablanca, which is organised every year here in Morocco. One of the reasons why I really love this festival is because of its stunning location – since last year, the festival has taken place in a huge park here in Casablanca. I really like its eclectic selection of music – with a mix of jazz, funk, pop-rock, and soul– and its warm atmosphere and friendly faces.

I really like its eclectic selection of music – with a mix of jazz, funk, pop-rock, and soul– and its warm atmosphere and friendly faces.

Maha Casablanca

Christelle – Quatrième Jour

If I had to choose one festival in my region that’s not to be missed, it would have to be the Just Classik Festival which runs from the 19^th of September to the 1^st of October this year.

This festival is the perfect chance to get away from the hustle and bustle of September, offering a musical break in a number of towns in the Aube department. Whether you’re a long-time fan of classical music, or you’d just like to introduce your children to it, there’s something for everyone with talented musicians and a fantastic programme The venues chosen are sometimes unusual and play a big part in creating an atmosphere you won’t find anywhere else. Watching the musicians perform together brings everyone so much joy – it’s infectious!

This festival is the perfect way to get away from the hustle and bustle of September, offering a musical break in a number of towns in the Aube department.

Christelle Paris