2008 is in full swing and already we have seen some great festivals like Sundance, Noise Pop, and SXSW pass us by. But those festivals are just scratching the surface when it comes to the best of 2008. Whether it's local or global, we have sifted through countless events to give you the best festivals the world has to offer: Presenting the Metrowize Guide to Music Festivals, 2008 edition.

Ultra Music Festival - Miami, FL
Dates: March 28, 29
Celebrating its 10th anniversary, the Ultra Music Festival has been the stomping grounds of many of the world's best DJs. And this year is no different: Tiesto, Paul Van Dyk, Ferry Corsten, Carl Cox, Armin Van Buuren, Sasha & Digweed, and Justice are scheduled to play. So if you don't have anything going on during spring break, head on down to Miami and dance the night away on the sands of the Florida beaches.
Win tickets to UMF, courtesy of Metrowize!

Green Apple Music Festival - Most Major Metropolitan Cities
Dates: April 18, 19, 20
Dubbed as "America's Largest Earth Day Celebration," the Green Apple Festival will be happening in San Francisco, L.A, Dallas, Denver, Chicago, Washington DC, New York City, and Miami and will feature a bevy of talent that will be showcased at each city. This nationwide festival will make as small of a carbon footprint as possible and teach festivalgoers how to lessen their environmental impact as well.

New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival - New Orleans, LA
Dates: April 25-27, May 1-4
The New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival has been the premiere jazz festival in the U.S, with both local and international groups signing on to play at this historic event. Recently, the festival has branched out to include other genres like country, classic rock, and R&B , so if you're not into jazz, don't fear. This year's lineup includes Billy Joel, Sheryl Crow, Santana, Stevie Wonder, and many more.

Coachella - Indio, CA
Dates: April 25, 26, 27
Easily the biggest festival on the west coast, Coachella has been featuring an eclectic lineup of internationally famous artists since 1999. Bands such as Rage Against The Machine and Daft Punk have kickstarted their summer tours with a performance at Coachella, which is known for bringing in hundreds of thousands of people. This year's lineup features Roger Waters, Portishead, Jack Johnson, and Death Cab for Cutie as headliners, but will include over 100 artists playing over three days.
Win tickets to Coachella, courtsey of Metrowize!

Lightning in a Bottle Festival - Santa Barbara, CA
Dates: May 23, 24, 25, 26
Music-friendly, eco-conscious, art-displaying festival Lightning in a Bottle brings in a bevy of local and national artists and musicians to the central valley for a memorable Memorial Day Weekend. Part music festival, part art exhibit, this High Sierra-like festival has attracted thousands to the weekend, which also has a forum on environmentally friendly partying and living. Festivalgoers are encouraged to bring and exhibit their art wherever they can find a spot on this beautiful 40 acre campground.

Sasquatch Music Festival - Quincy, WA
Dates: May 24, 25, 26
Sasquatch has been making a lot of noise in the west coast festival scene, attracting bigger and bigger names as it becomes an established festival to play at. Located at the beautiful Gorge Amphitheater in Washington (9-time winner of Best Outdoor Venue by Pollstar Magazine), over 40 indie, alternative, and rock bands play at this festival. Headliners this year include R.E.M, The Cure, Flaming Lips, and Death Cab for Cutie.

Detroit Electronic Music Festival - Detroit, MI
Dates: May 24, 25, 26
Since its conception in 2000, the Detroit Electronic Music Festival (DEMF) has been one of the most popular festivals in the northeast, drawing DJs like Claude VonStroke, Gui Boratto, Model 500, and many more to Detroit on Memorial Day Weekend.

Mutek - Montreal, Canada
Dates: May 28-June 1
If you didn't get your fix of electronic music at DEMF, head across the border to Mutek in Montreal. Similar artists (Gui Boratto, Claude VonStroke, Michael Mayer) play at both venues, but Mutek is a little different in that it "explores many facets of cutting-edge live electronic music," according to its website.

Mountain Jam Festival - Hunter Mountain, NY
Dates: May 30-June 1
Described by the New York Times as a "little Bonnaroo," the Mountain Jam Festival invites the usual suspects of festival tours to play. Ozomatli, Michael Franti, My Morning Jacket, and many more have played here since its conception in 2005, and this year many of the same artists are returning to play.

Bonnaroo Music Festival - Manchester, TN
Dates: June 12, 13, 14, 15
What Coachella is to the west coast, Bonnaroo is to the east. First held in 2002, this festival has exploded in popularity, and is one of the most well-known festivals in the world. The festival prides itself on having extremely diverse artists play, and the venue (530 acres of farmland) is one of the most memorable on the festival circuit. The event has sold out its 80,000 tickets each year, and this year features artists such as Metallia, Pearl Jam, Kanye West, Ben Folds, Talib Kweli, and many more.
Win Tickets to Bonnaroo, courtesy of Metrowize!

Sonar Festival - Barcelona, Spain
Dates: June 19, 20, 21
This unique, multimedia event has brought in tens of thousands of people to Barcelona, where DJs mingle with visual artists to create an experience that is unlike most festivals in the world. This year's festival will showcase cutting-edge, video and live artists as well as world-class DJs, including Boys Noize, Yelle, Diplo, and many more.

Rothbury Festival - Rothbury, MI
Dates: July 3, 4, 5, 6
One of the many "Green" festivals that are happening this year, the inaugural Rothbury Festival boasts a huge lineup including Dave Matthews Band, John Mayer, Snoop Dogg, Modest Mouse, and many more. And while you're not listening to the music, you can participate in forums and think tanks that pertain to carbon-neutral living and green practices.

Mile High Music Festival - Commerce City, CO
July 19, 20
For those who want to get an altitude rush while listening to great music, then the inaugural Mile High Music Festival is for you. The festival, which is to be held July 19-20 in Commerce City, Colorado, will feature Dave Matthews Band, Tom Petty, John Mayer, and many more in what looks to be a very similar to the Rothbury Festival's lineup.

10K Lakes Festival - Detroit Lakes, MN
Dates: July 23, 24, 25, 26
One of the most beautiful festival venues will host an eclectic lineup of bands in the sixth annual 10k Lakes Festival. Phil Lesh & Friends, Michael Franti & Spearhead, Flaming Lips, and many more will descend upon the 500 Pass Ranch in Detroit Lakes, Minnesota in a mid-summer celebration of music and culture. And if the music doesn't suit your taste at any time, take a dip in one of the Ranch's many, many lakes--after all, that's what the festival is named after.

Pemberton Music Festival- July 25, 26, 27
The inaugural Pemberton Music Festival released their lineup, and it looks as though festival promoters are making sure that there is something for everyone. Whether you're a fan of hip hop, rock, indie, or electronic, you will not be disappointed with this year's festival, which is from July 25th to the 27th. Coldplay, Jay-Z, Tom Petty, Death Cab, Nine Inch Nails, and many more have already signed on to play, with many more bands to confirm later on.

Fuji Rock Festival - Naeba, Japan
Dates: July 25, 26, 27
Japan's Fuji Rock Festival is one of the country's largest annual music festivals with more than 100,000 people attending the event each year. Focusing solely on rock music, Fuji Rock has brought in international names each year, including the Beastie Boys, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Franz Ferdinand, Foo Fighters, Coldplay, and many more. This year's lineup hasn't been announced yet, but you can expect there will be more of the same in this 12th installment.

Gathering of the Vibes - Bridgeport, CT
Dates: July 30, August 1, 2, 3
If you didn't get your fix of funk, bluegrass, jam band, jazz, folk, or reggae at High Sierra (or you live too far away), check out the Gathering of the Vibes. Located in Seaside Park in Bridgeport, the festival brings in big names of the aforementioned genres but also touts local bands as well. This year, Phil Lesh & Friends, Neville Brothers, Derek Trucks, and many more will be playing and most definitely is a trip worth taking if you're thinking about heading to New England this summer.

Burningman - Black Rock City, NV
Dates: August 25-September 1
Like the website says, "Trying to explain what Burning Man is to someone who has never been to the event is a bit like trying to explain what a particular color looks like to someone who is blind. In this section you will find the peripheral definitions of what the event is as a whole, but to truly understand this event, one must participate." Every year, tens of thousands of participants gather to create Black Rock City in the Black Rock Desert of Nevada, dedicated to self-expression, self-reliance, and art as the center of community. They leave one week later, having left no trace. Should you decide to go, be prepared for the ultimate showcase of art, music, and change of pace. Oh, and be prepared to have the time of your life.
Check out Metrowize's 2007 Burningman Photo Gallery

San Francisco LoveFest - San Francisco, CA
Dates: September 29
Feel the love at San Francisco's LoveFest, the Bay Area's emulation of a popular festival and parade that originated in Berlin, Germany. Over 60,000 people attend the parade and concert that goes on in San Francisco, which features over 200 local and international artists. Most festivalgoers dress up in lavish, bright costumes, further underscoring the San Francisco vibe that this parade and concert has. If you live in the Bay Area and don't go to LoveFest, you're missing out.
Check out Metrowize's LoveFest 2007 Video

Vegoose - Las Vegas, NV
Dates: October 27, 28, 29, 30, 21
Started in 2005, Vegoose has already become one of the country's premiere festivals. Considered a definitive close to the festival circuit (and a great place to get your halloween partying on), Vegoose has brought in an eclectic group of bands such as Rage Against the Machine, Daft Punk, Muse, The Shins, Tom Petty, and Dave Matthews. Over 40,000 people attended the festival last year, and this year will be no different.