From the Swiss Alps to Sydney – where to party this season.

We might associate music festivals with summer time, but you don’t really need sun to enjoy live music events (hell, even the ones in July can’t always guarantee that luxury). So instead of waiting for the warmer months to arrive, why not try out a winter festival to satiate all your hedonistic needs? Iceland’s Airwaves (that took place earlier this month) and Snowbombing (not until next April) might be some of the most famous, but other niche, lesser-known wintery wonderlands are available to explore. From cities to slopes, here are some of the best festivals for those who can’t wait until Glastonbury.

Taking place at 13 locations (and a party bus service) along Avenida da Liberdade, a street in the centre of Portugal’s capital, Vodafone Mexefest bills itself as the place to discover new music. Rather than sticking to one genre, you’ll find rock, pop, indie, electro, jazz and funk all on offer. Highlights include electro soul singer Ms Jessie Ware, Brit faves Everything Everything, female rock group Hinds and rising stars Childhood. If you want to take a break from the music you can always do some shopping nearby; Avenida da Liberdade is also home to the likes of Balmain and Gucci.

vodafonemexefest.com

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Fancy a festival that takes place in a ski resort 2,200 metres above sea level? Then Polaris may well be the one for you. Le Mouton Noir in the Swiss Alps will be taken over by some of the biggest names in electronic music including Ms Nina Kraviz and Messrs Seth Troxler, Derrick May and Larry Heard, aka Mr Fingers. With only 1,000 attendees, Polaris promises to be an intimate gathering. And it sounds pretty special: its main stage is located in a crystal dome with panoramic views of some of the most stunning mountains in Europe.

polarisfestival.ch

Rather than sitting around at home watching Netflix and polishing off the Celebrations, you could spend that lazy time in between Christmas and New Year at an eclectic festival taking place at the Harpa, Reykjavík’s state-of-the-art concert hall. Organised by Sigur Rós, the aim is to “bring together performances from the band’s friends, collaborators, and heroes”, which will include Mr Jarvis Cocker, Peaches, Mr Kevin Shields and Mogwai. Translating as “go north and go down” (or more accurately “everything’s going to hell”, which we think is rather apt in the current climate), the four-day event will also see art installations, dance pieces, film screenings and more.

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Another festival in the mountains, only this time the location is Avoriaz, France. Snowboxx, which launched in Andorra in 2013 and changes locations annually, offers world-class skiing during the day before the resort descends into a banging dance party. Playing this year are Chase & Status, Fatboy Slim, Loyle Carner and Stefflon Don. By all accounts it’s a rowdy affair. Look out for attention-grabbing fancy dress, igloo parties, bottomless brunches and “extreme” snowball fights. Perhaps there’s a reason the organisers have to change location year on year.

snowboxx.com

But if you truly can’t get your head around a sunless festival, why not jet over to Australia and join in with the biggest event on its musical calendar? Taking place at five locations around the country (Adelaide, Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane and Freemantle, as well as Singapore and Auckland, New Zealand), the acts perform on rotation so every destination gets the same line up. This year’s highlights include Father John Misty, Wolf Alice, Mr Mac DeMarco and The War On Drugs so it’s an unabashedly indie lineup. Leave the wellies, hats and gloves at home.

lanewayfestival.com

Find out where to stay in Melbourne here

Find out where to stay in Sydney here