Here are some summer festivals that are going online in 2021

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Once the harsh winter gives way to the breezy summer, people around the globe inch to go outdoors and frolic in the sun. This is why every summer brings along with it a plethora of festivals- music, art, film, theatre, and many more. Owing to the pandemic, many international festivals were either cancelled or moved to the digital platform last year. With lockdowns being imposed throughout the world yet again, here is a list of online summer festivals for you to enjoy from the safety and comfort of your homes.

Seattle International Film Festival

Among the most popular film festivals in North America, the Seattle International Film Festival is showcasing 92 feature films and 126 short films from 69 nations. Films will be available for streaming while the virtual festival will also host several daily events, talks, roundtables, forums, and much more with celebrated filmmakers and writers.

When: April 8 to 18
Log on to: www.siff.net/festival

Cambridge Literary Festival

The Cambridge Spring Festival will be hosting nearly 40 exciting literary events this year. With an exciting line-up including celebrated writers Maggie O'Farrell, Mike Berners-Lee, Caroline Lucas, Nikesh Shukla, Salena Godden, and Monique Roffey, viewers can opt for poetry readings, conversations, or debates. The Children's Festival has literary events catered to the varied interest of children and ensures that there is something for the entire family to do together. The Children's Festival and the Spring Festival will be available to stream even after the live events have ended, till April 11 and May 2 respectively.

When: April 21 to 25
Log on to: cambridgeliteraryfestival.com/

Festival International de Louisiane

Shows and performances are great, but what most people truly miss is a kickass music concert. The 35^th annual Festival International de Louisiane is scheduled to take place from April 23 to 25. The multi-genre music festival boasts a line-up of international artistes, from Grammy-nominated Tank and The Bangas to Ukranian band DakhaBrakha. The second edition of this virtual festival lets you groove to top acts from around the world. Musicians from France, Canada, Cuba, Guinea and Mali will captivate audiences with their distinctive music over three days.

When: April 23 to 25
Log on to: www.festivalinternational.org/virtual-festival

Singapore International Festival of Arts

Singapore is set to host one of the first international arts festivals since the start of the pandemic. The Singapore International Festival of Arts (SIFA) will be a hybrid event with both live and online shows. Viewers can expect to find world-class theatre and music performances alongside multi-disciplinary art and films. Artists from Singapore, Switzerland, Lebanon, Japan, Australia, Philippines, USA and Malaysia will put up over 300 performances and 60 shows over a period of 16 days.

When: May 14 to 30
Log on to: www.sifa.sg/

Hay Festival

Among the biggest literary festivals in the United Kingdom, Hay Festival will be held online in 2021. Over 200 acclaimed writers, thinkers, policymakers, historians, and innovators from across the globe will engage in live conversations and debates. The festival will also host a number of performances and workshops over a period of 11 days of literary fun. Their full programme will be released in the spring. All events will be streamed with subtitles on their official website.

When: May 26 to June 6
Log on to: www.hayfestival.com/wales

Stockholm Fringe Festival

The Stockholm Fringe Festival (STOFF) will also be a hybrid event this year with live and online events. The multi-disciplinary arts festival is hosting performances across visual art, theatre, music, stand-up, dance, and much more. There are over 100 fringe festivals around the world that support and encourage art that is beyond the convention. Expect to find the most exciting performances and exhibitions from international artists over a period of five days.

When: September 14 to 18
Log on to: www.stockholmfringe.com