1. Outside Lands Music Festival
San Francisco, California
August 7-9
The Northern Californian equivalent of Coachella? Perhaps, but maybe a little more magical (it takes place inside of a forest.) Comparisons aside, there's no doubt this all encompassing music festival is worth a visit to the iconic city of San Francisco. Spanning the course of one weekend, this mind-blowing mash-up of food, wine, art, comedy, and music sprawled across the breathtaking Golden Gate Park is why Outside Lands has increased in popularity year after year. Forget the crowds and experience the festivities VIP style with a private box suite, complementary drinks and snacks, and VIP access to areas across the park from lounges to viewing areas. The recently introduced package provides intimate groups premium views of the stage and private amenities like VIP bathrooms and a special entrance, including parking. With a line-up featuring Elton John, Sam Smith, and Kendrick Lamar, there's no better festival to indulge in the full package. $POA
2. Edinburgh Fringe Festival
Edinburgh, Scotland
August 7-31
Bigger isn’t always better, but in the case of this creative arts festival, it certainly is. The largest of its kind in the world, last year Edinburgh Fringe Festival put on a whopping 49,497 performances over a three-week period, featuring every corner of the creative world from musicals to spoken word and circus entertainment to exhibitions. Visitors this year can look forward to digging deeper into viral phenomenons with Daniel Bye’s theatrical Going Viral and acrobatics in Brit troupe Barely Methodical’s Bromance.
3. Los Angeles Food & Wine Festival
Los Angeles, California
August 27-30
Under the shade of swaying palms and the iconic Gehry-designed Walt Disney Concert Hall, imbibe till your heart’s content at the fifth edition of Los Angeles’s foodie fest. Showcasing 200 wineries and the crème de la crème of the food world – Michelin-starred honourees, James Beard Award winners – an epicurean smorgasbord awaits guests while popular events such as the Asian Night Market and chef collaboration meals are back on the menu for 2015. From tastings to cooking demonstrations and dinners to book signings, there’s something to satisfy every appetite.
4. Art-O-Rama
Marseille, France
August 28-30
In addition to its glamorous beach towns and vineyards, there’s another reason to visit the south of France: Art-O-Rama. Setting itself apart from the usual international art fair, the focus is on an intimate presentation – around 20 curatorial projects are exhibited – and innovative format that requests each gallery or solo artist create a unique booth acting as a stand-alone piece of art melding with the fair’s architectural space. This year’s exhibitors hail from California to Romania, the latter of which places the spotlight on five young artists questioning the medium of painting, the art scene and the exhibition itself.
5. US Open
New York City
August-September 31-13
Two weeks of competition featuring tennis greats battling for the ultimate multi-million-dollar winner’s purse begins with a tip to keep an eye on young Austrian up-and-comer Dominic Thiem. Guests at the gripping event can spectate in leisure when booking a Luxury Suite Package, which includes a spacious private box comfortably furnished and catered with a gourmet menu. Outside of your suite, try Cuban-inspired cuisine at Mojito or celebrate your favourite’s win with a bottle of champagne at the Moët & Chandon Terrace.
