C2C

Turin, Italy
October 31st - November 3rd

Built on a foundation of futurism and innovation, C2C Festival has spent the past two decades establishing itself as one of Europe's most far-reaching electronic events. The Turin weekender bridges the (not so wide) gap between pop and the avant-garde, crafting a programme that feels both accessible and mind-expanding. This year seems like a particularly UK-focused affair: there's a Hessle Audio takeover, a history-of-Hyperdub performance from Kode9 and even a rare-as-hen's-teeth DJ set from the iconoclastic Dean Blunt.

RA Pick: Brimming with Gen-Z energy, Snow Strippers are probably best described as a US version of Brutalismus 3000.

Ekko

Bergen, Norway
November 1st - 3rd

Situated on the southwestern coast of Bergen, Norway, Ekko does an excellent job of bringing together music and art. The festival seamlessly merges the club with live concerts and visual art, with a programme focused on bringing together local and international artists at the vanguard of their scenes. Since 2003, Ekko has welcomed more than 1,000 artists from around the world to the Norwegian fjords, from Nils Frahm and Andrew Weatherall to DJ Harvey and rRoxymore. The 21st edition will continue this tradition and bring a host of club experimentalists—Actress, AYA, Bergsonist and more—to perform in four venues across the city, including a 12th-century cathedral.

RA Pick: TraTraTrax boss Verraco will deliver bold techno with endless twists and turns.

Le Guess Who?

Utrecht, Netherlands
November 7th - 10th

Very few festivals present the kind of bold lineups that have become synonymous with Utrecht's Le Guess Who?. Each year, stages are curated by artists of varying musical backgrounds, who select acts who inspire their own artistry. As a result of this holistic approach, attendees encounter radically different performances at breakneck speed: a ghostly drone show might give way to hard rap, followed by deconstructed baile funk. Le Guess Who? hopes to challenge and enrapture crowds. Guest curators for 2024 include Arooj Aftab, Crystallmess, Bo Ningen, DARKSIDE, Mabe Fratti and the festival's own COSMOS platform.

RA Pick: Curator and historian Hannah Elsisi presents a 13-hour performance of her new compilation highlighting Afro-diasporic rhythms, featuring the likes of Sho Madjozi, DJ LAG, Yaya Bey and Lamin Fofana.

Shi Fu Miz

Cheung Chau, Hong Kong
November 8th - 10th

What's the number one rule at Shi Fu Miz? Have fun, and don't litter. The festival takes place at Saiyuen Farm, an ecological green expanse on Cheung Chau Island just outside Hong Kong. The three-day event takes sustainability as seriously as it does programming and sound systems—festivalgoers are encouraged to bring their own cutlery, food containers and bottles (bottled water isn't sold on-site). There are also eco-focused talks and permaculture workshops. And, of course, the experience is soundtracked by first-class electronic music. Across the lineup you'll find regional heroes such as XIAOLIN, Mr. Ho and DITA alongside international guests like Sally C and re:ni.

RA Pick: Expect peerless style from Three Chairs member Marcellus Pittman, a true legend of Detroit.

En Masse

Bristol, United Kingdom
November 13th - 17th

Taking over five venues, Batu and i-sha's festival En Masse is a celebration of the DIY spirit and sonic innovation that's always bubbling in Bristol. The 2024 lineup includes local favourites (Kahn), international talent (Patrick Russell) and enticing back-to-backs (Batu and CCL). There's also an Arts Council-supported community programme centred around artistic collaboration, which will span production classes with Manuka Honey and Pinch, and an in-depth talk with the mighty Dennis Bovell.

RA Pick: Jon K refuses to be restrained by the rigid parameters of genre.

Positive Education

Saint-Étienne, France
November 14th - 17th

After debuting a new daytime format in 2023, Positive Education is scaling up again this year. By night, the festival will take place at a new venue, the cavernous Parc Expo, while the day programme happens at Clapier, a former train station. The team want Positive Education to feel like an "artistic playground" that merges immersive club nights with concerts, workshops and talks, and appeals to a curious, progressive crowd. This year's highlights include Mia Koden, Bitter Babe, EMA, HiTech and Mama Snake, as well as an opening night with live shows from Oklou and Aïsha Devi.

RA Pick: Get ready to have your brain rewired by CCL and Simo Cell.

Desert Air

Palm Springs, United States
November 15th - 17th

Desert Air makes the most of its Palm Springs Air Museum location, where festivalgoers can dance on the tarmac surrounded by a vast collection of aircraft from different eras. Take flight on a vintage plane (yes, really), attend Palm Springs Surf Club and browse the on-site record store—all before you even get stuck into the festival. This year, Desert Air will feature exclusive stage design inspired by the museum and mid-century architecture that's typical of Palm Springs, created by Stand Van Zaken (who have also worked with Horst Arts & Music). The lineup for 2024 features the gleaming house of Sofia Kourtesis, VTSS's breakneck joyrides and Avalon Emerson's kinetic take on club music.

RA Pick: Shygirl's bawdy avant-pop.

Strawberry Fields

Tocumwal, Australia
November 15th - 17th

Held on the banks of Dhungala (Murray River), Strawberry Fields turns 15 this year—no mean feat in such a challenging landscape. What began as a psytrance bush doof has grown into a three-day festival bringing together electronic artists from around the globe. Beyond the music—which for 2024 includes Kia, Physical Therapy, Theo Parrish and DJ EZ—there are also installations and performance pieces by local artists, wellness activities, creative workshops and an unwavering commitment to honour and respect the Yorta Yorta lands that the festival sits upon. Eco practices are a key part of the Strawberry Fields experience; 100 percent of the festival is powered by sustainable sources.

RA Pick: The Rainbow Disco Club takeover featuring Kikiorix, Sisi and a live show from Kuniyuki.

Karma Krachao

Bangkok, Thailand
November 16th

The Thai island Bang Krachao is known as the "green lung" of Bangkok for a reason. Encircled by the Chao Phraya River, the artificial zone is full of winding narrow pathways lined by pearly pink bougainvillea. The fourth edition of Karma Krachao, an annual gathering by Sunju Hargun, will complement the island's scenic calm, with DJs who know that slow and steady wins the race. For one night, experience the Basic Moves boss Walrus, the slippery house of Yoshi Nori and the mellower end of DISKONNECTED's nimble techno.

RA Pick: Dynamic rhythms shoot through the layered haze of Kia's sets.

¡FASCiNOMA

Puebla, Mexico
November 29th - December 1st

After a seven-year break, ¡FASCiNOMA returns at long last. The last edition went down in Mexico City, where it had moved following a severe earthquake in Atlixco, Puebla. Now, it's heading back to its original base, a former spinning and weaving factory, with a bill showcasing some of the country's finest talent. Its focus on forward-thinking electronics hasn't faltered: heavy-hitters like DJ Nigga Fox, Ron Trent, DJ Nobu and Laurel Halo are all taking to the decks, as well as Mexico City stalwarts like Dj Fucci, MNTY and fka phaedra. In today's dire festival economy, this marks one hell of a comeback.

RA Pick: The dark, Latin-fuelled techno of Opal Tapes affiliate Ñaka Ñaka.

Find our full festival listings for November here