The 2014 Mini Festival Guide

So we all heard the hype surrounding California's ever popular and cool Coachella this year with every celebrity and their dog going! We may not be able to afford the flight to that one right now but who can beat a good old British festival? Whats a festival without rain and wellies anyway or if we're wanting guaranteed sun, we can jet off to Europe at a small cost to see some of the best DJS and bands around. Its not always just about the music though, each festival have their own inventive style and theme, whether it be an eco-friendly decorated setting like Bestival, keeping it old school and living it rough at Leeds or venturing into the magical land of talking books at Tomorrowland, there's something to offer everyone. So which will take your fancy this year...
June

7 - Detonate: A one day festival on a smaller scale held at Nottingham Racecourse, but featuring the likes of Gorgon City, SubFocus and RedLight, its not bad at all!

12 - Isle of Wight Festival: It may be quite a travel, but with headlining acts such as Kings of Leon and Red Hot Chili Peppers, who cares?!

13 - Download: An alternative festival full of rock, metal and a bit of Status Quo! Linkin Park and Aerosmith headline this year.

25 - Glastonbury: Probably the most famous of all, the king of all festivals this year boasts Fatboy Slim, Kasabian and... that's right, Dolly Parton!

30 - Hideout: Imagine Disclosure playing a DJ set in the sun! Yep that's what Hideout are offering this year..!

July

4 - Wireless: Originally, a one day festival set in London's Hyde Park, now a three dayer that hosts some of the best lineups around. This year is no exception; Drake, Kanye West and Bruno Mars - take your pick!

11 - Wakestock: The welsh festival is now in its 14th year and combines music with wakeboarding, hence being dubbed 'Festival of the Sea'.

11 - T in the Park: Held in Scotland, the three day festival always seems to bag top current acts right now as well as old legendary favourites from Arctic Monkeys to Paul Weller.

12 - Electric Daisy Carnival: Only in its 2nd year running, EDC has this year been moved to Milton Keynes Bowl for a now 2 day festival - minus the camping!

12 - Cocoon in the Park: A smaller scale dance festival held in Leeds, Cocoon host nights all over the world including Amnesia, Ibiza.

17 - Benicassim: Head over to Spain for the indie festival that last year saw Liam Gallagher, Arctic Monkeys, The Killers and Primal Scream headline. This year, join Paulo Nutini, Kasabian and The Libertines for some fun in the sun!

18 - Lovebox: Held in London's Victoria Park, Lovebox is back with some of the best dance acts around today.

18 - Tomorrowland: To celebrate its 10 year anniversary, Tomorrowland are this year hosting not one but two weekends in Belgium, but if you haven't already got your ticket, its too late now as Tomorrowland tickets sell out within hours of being released!

25 - Global Gathering: If you're a dance music fan, you may be debating between Global Gathering and Creamfields. This year, Global have upped their game with The Prodigy, David Guetta and Chase and Status as headliners.

31 - Camp Bestival: Bestival's sister festival which focuses less on the music and more on the arts such as poetry readings and theatrical performances, though the lineups are usually still pretty good, just on a smaller, more intimate scale.

August

1 - Edinburgh Fringe: The famous comedy festival that propelled household names such as Sarah Millican and Bill Bailey into the limelight. Last year's highlights can be found here.

11-18 - Sziget Festival: A festival in Budapest, with a proper mix of genres including American rockers Blink 182 to the legendary Prodigy. A week long too, but fear not, you can chill out on the beach to relax. One to watch definitely!

16 - V Festival: V Festival is one that never disappoints with its lineup, Justin Timberlake and The Killers will be taking over this year.

22 - Reading/Leeds: Known to many as one of the grimiest, due to the er...toilet situation, go it rough this year with Arctic Monkeys, The Courteeners and Disclosure. Whether you are nearer Leeds or Reading, don't worry the lineups are the same just on alternate days! Known for its indie genre, these days a mix of dance has been thrown into the equation!

22 - Creamfields: If you can't make it to Ibiza this year, head down to Daresbury for some Calvin Harris, Fatboy Slim and Tiesto. Read what to expect here.

29 - The Big Feastival: A festival with a difference and set up by Jamie Oliver and Alex James, the festival uses the best street cooks around to host demonstrations on how to cook various masterpieces! Held in the grounds of Alex James' farm, the festival also features Kelis, Fatboy Slim and a guest appearance from Levi Roots!

September

4 - Bestival: The eco-friendly festival in the Isle of Wight is decorated like an enchanted and mystical world. Delivering possibly the best catering services to its consumers, (last year saw Nandos and Wagamamas on wheels!) the festival caters to everyone from folk music lovers to some of the most commercial acts around. Last year even saw a rare hour and a half performance from Elton John! See last year's Bestival Diary here.

12 - Zoo Project Fest: So you've all heard of Zoo Project in Ibiza where faces are painted and the setting is in an abandoned zoo?! Well the UK have brought it to Donnington for a weekend of house and electro music at its best!

20 - Mint: Set in new surroundings this year, the up and coming Mint Festival bagged DJ superstars like Nervo and Like Mike & Dimitri Vegas to headline.