The Wonderfruit Festival Pattaya is a three-day eco-friendly music and arts extravaganza on the outskirts of the city. Combining Thai, Asian and western cultures, the fantastic performances and wide-ranging workshops give it a Western-style festival vibe, similar to Glastonbury in the UK or Woodstock in the US, though with significantly less mud! As with Glastonbury, the main attraction is obviously the music, with hip-hop, alt-R&B, Thai folk and EDM music playing on three striking stages created by international designers. In past years, a lengthy bill of local groups has been headlined by big-name performers from the USA, UK, Germany, India, Japan and Singapore. There are also a number of remarkable contemporary dance performances.

In 2017, the headliners are mostly from the UK, including drum-and-bass group Rudimental, Scottish hip-hop trio Young Fathers and Kate Simko & The London Electronic Orchestra. They will be joined by Guyanese dub music legend Mad Professor and dance producers Wolf + Lamb from the US, among others. Local groups joining the line-up include Zero Hero, Isan Soul, Yena, DJ Dragon and The Superglasses Ska Ensemble. The stages themselves are works of art, but are joined by a selection of powerful installations, all demonstrating sustainable and eco-friendly practises, including the use of recycled and locally-sourced materials. The artworks are mostly interactive, allowing festival-goers to really get to grips with quite abstract artistic concepts like light, time, space and nature.

Unusually for what is largely a music festival, food plays a big part in Wonderfruit Festival Pattaya, with award-winning chefs and mixologists designing signature meals and cocktails. Many incorporate healthy organic ingredients with traditional Thai street foods, ensuring that you are never short of something good to eat while enjoying the great music. Workshops and talks are also a major part of the event, with a great choice of mostly new-age and eco-friendly topics covered by local and international experts. This includes group meditation, dance, interior design using natural materials, plant medicines, yoga, hammock weaving, and a lot more.

Wonderfruit Festival Pattaya is a family-friendly event, with a dedicated kids’ area – Camp Wonder – hosting special workshops, activities, music and performances, including magic and puppet shows, traditional kite-making classes and much more. A professional nanny service is on hand if you want to enjoy the rest of the festival without worrying about the little ones. As well as the nannies, there is a remarkable range of facilities available, including ATMs, lockers for valuables, mobile phone charging stations, lifeguards around the natural swimming pool and fully equipped campsites with RV parking and showers. Now in its third year, the Wonderfruit Festival Pattaya will be running from 16th to 19th February 2017. A full pass for the whole event cost 5,500 baht for an adult (over 21) and 4,000 baht for teenagers (12-20). Children under 12 go free. A shuttle bus service from Bangkok directly to Wonderfruit is available.