Top 10 Music Festivals in the World
by Krishika M
Updated Mar 13, 2023
Music festivals
Music festivals are large-scale events that bring together multiple artists and musical acts for a multi-day celebration of music and culture. These festivals typically feature a variety of genres, ranging from rock, pop, hip-hop, and electronic dance music to country, folk, jazz, and more. Music festivals usually take place outdoors in a large open space or a series of stages set up in a park, field, or other large area. Some festivals are also held indoors in arenas or convention centers. In addition to live music performances, music festivals often include other activities and attractions such as food and drink vendors, merchandise booths, art installations, and carnival rides.
Music festivals have become increasingly popular over the years, attracting music lovers from all over the world. Some of the most popular and well-known music festivals include Coachella, Lollapalooza, Glastonbury, Tomorrowland, Bonnaroo, Austin City Limits, and South by Southwest. Music festivals can be a great way for fans to see their favorite artists perform live and to discover new music. They can also offer a unique and memorable experience, bringing together people from all walks of life to celebrate their shared love of music and culture.
Top 10 music festivals in the world
We have provided the list of top 10 music festivals in the world, in the table provided below:
1
Tomorrowland Music Festival
2
Ultra Music Festival (UMF)
3
Coachella Music Festival
4
Rolling Loud Music Festival
5
Glastonbury Music Festival
6
Bonnaroo Music Festival
7
Mysteryland Music Festival
8
Dreamville Music Festival
9
Austin City Limits Music Festival
10
SXSW: South by Southwest Music Festival
S.No.
Music Festival
Tomorrowland Music Festival
Tomorrowland is a world-renowned electronic dance music festival held annually in Boom, Belgium. The festival was founded in 2005 and has grown to become one of the largest and most popular music festivals in the world, with attendance of up to 400,000 people from over 200 countries.
The festival is known for its impressive stages, elaborate decorations, and spectacular light shows, which create a magical and immersive experience for attendees. The festival features performances by some of the biggest names in electronic dance music, as well as up-and-coming artists, and spans over two weekends in July.
In addition to the main festival in Belgium, Tomorrowland has also expanded to other locations around the world, including Brazil, the United States, and France, under the names Tomorrowland Brasil, TomorrowWorld, and Tomorrowland Winter, respectively.
Ultra Music Festival (UMF)
Ultra Music Festival (UMF) is an annual electronic dance music festival that takes place in Miami, Florida, United States. The festival was founded in 1999 and has since expanded to other locations around the world, including Brazil, Japan, South Africa, and Europe. UMF features multiple stages with performances by some of the biggest names in electronic dance music, as well as up-and-coming artists. The festival is known for its high-energy atmosphere and elaborate stage productions, with performers and fans alike dressed in vibrant and colorful outfits.
In addition to its main festival in Miami, UMF has also expanded to include a "Road to Ultra" tour, which brings the festival experience to cities around the world, and a virtual festival experience called "UMF TV." Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the festival was cancelled in 2020 and 2021. The next edition of UMF is currently scheduled to take place on March 25-27, 2022 in Miami.
Coachella Music Festival
Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival, commonly known as Coachella, is an annual music and arts festival held in Indio, California, United States. The festival was founded in 1999 and has since become one of the most popular music festivals in the world.
Coachella features multiple stages with performances by a diverse range of artists, including rock, hip-hop, electronic dance music, and more. The festival also features art installations and sculptures, as well as a variety of food and beverage options. In addition to the main festival in California, Coachella has also expanded to include a second weekend with the same lineup, as well as a sister festival called Stagecoach, which focuses on country music.
Rolling Loud Music Festival
Rolling Loud is an annual hip-hop music festival that takes place in various locations around the world. The festival was founded in 2015 and has since become one of the largest and most popular hip-hop festivals in the world.
Rolling Loud features multiple stages with performances by some of the biggest names in hip-hop, as well as up-and-coming artists. The festival is known for its high-energy atmosphere and focus on hip-hop culture, with fans and performers alike dressed in hip-hop inspired clothing. In addition to its main festival in Miami, Florida, Rolling Loud has expanded to include festivals in other locations around the world, including New York, Los Angeles, Portugal, and Japan.
Glastonbury Music Festival
Glastonbury Festival is a legendary music and performing arts festival held annually in Somerset, England. The festival was founded in 1970 and has since become one of the largest and most prestigious festivals in the world. Glastonbury features multiple stages with performances by a diverse range of artists, including rock, pop, hip-hop, electronic dance music, and more. The festival also features a variety of other attractions, including circus acts, theater performances, and art installations.
Glastonbury is known for its commitment to sustainability and environmentalism, with a focus on reducing waste and promoting eco-friendly practices. The festival is also famous for its mud, as it often rains during the event, leading to a fun and muddy atmosphere.
Bonnaroo Music Festival
Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival is an annual music festival held in Manchester, Tennessee, United States. The festival was founded in 2002 and has since become one of the largest and most popular music festivals in the country.
Bonnaroo features multiple stages with performances by a diverse range of artists, including rock, hip-hop, electronic dance music, and more. The festival also features a variety of other attractions, including comedy shows, art installations, and a sustainability village. Bonnaroo is known for its camping experience, as attendees are encouraged to camp on-site for the duration of the festival. The festival also has a strong focus on sustainability, with a commitment to reducing waste and promoting eco-friendly practices.
Mysteryland Music Festival
Mysteryland is an annual electronic dance music festival held in various locations around the world, including the Netherlands, Chile, and the United States. The festival was founded in 1993 and has since become one of the largest and most popular electronic music festivals in the world.
Mysteryland features multiple stages with performances by some of the biggest names in electronic dance music, as well as up-and-coming artists. The festival also features a variety of other attractions, including art installations, food and drink options, and camping areas.
Mysteryland is known for its elaborate stage productions, with stunning visuals and pyrotechnics that enhance the overall festival experience. The festival also has a strong focus on sustainability, with a commitment to reducing waste and promoting eco-friendly practices.
Dreamville Music Festival
Dreamville Festival is an annual hip-hop music festival held in Raleigh, North Carolina, United States. The festival was founded in 2019 by rapper J. Cole and has quickly become a popular event in the hip-hop community.
Dreamville Festival features multiple stages with performances by a diverse range of artists, including hip-hop, R&B, and soul. The festival also features a variety of other attractions, including art installations, food and drink options, and a VIP area. Dreamville is known for its focus on community and social justice, with a portion of the festival's proceeds going towards the Dreamville Foundation, which provides educational opportunities for underserved communities.
Austin City Limits Music Festival
The Austin City Limits (ACL) Music Festival is an annual music festival held in Austin, Texas, United States. The festival was founded in 2002 and has since become one of the largest and most popular music festivals in the country.
ACL features multiple stages with performances by a diverse range of artists, including rock, hip-hop, electronic dance music, and more. The festival also features a variety of other attractions, including art installations, food and drink options, and a marketplace. ACL is known for its focus on local and regional artists, as well as its commitment to sustainability and environmentalism. The festival features a recycling program, water refill stations, and other eco-friendly initiatives.
SXSW: South by Southwest Music Festival
The South by Southwest (SXSW) Music Festival is an annual music festival held in Austin, Texas, United States, as a part of the larger SXSW conference and festival. The festival was founded in 1987 and has since become one of the most influential and diverse music festivals in the world.
SXSW features multiple stages with performances by a wide range of artists, including rock, hip-hop, electronic dance music, country, and more. The festival also features a variety of other attractions, including film screenings, comedy shows, and panel discussions on various topics related to music and entertainment.
SXSW is known for its focus on emerging artists and its role as a platform for discovering new talent. The festival also has a strong emphasis on industry networking and professional development, with opportunities for musicians, producers, and other music industry professionals to connect and learn from each other.
What is the biggest music festival in the world?
Tomorrowland is a globally renowned electronic dance music festival that takes place annually in Boom, Belgium. The festival was established in 2005 and has since then grown into one of the most prominent and widely attended music festivals in the world, attracting up to 400,000 people from over 200 countries.
One of the key attractions of Tomorrowland is its impressive stages, stunning decorations, and breathtaking light shows, which create a magical and immersive experience for festival-goers. The festival boasts performances from some of the biggest names in electronic dance music, as well as up-and-coming artists, covering a diverse range of genres.
Over the years, Tomorrowland has expanded beyond its Belgian roots to become a global phenomenon, with editions of the festival held in other parts of the world, including Brazil, the United States, and France. These festivals, namely Tomorrowland Brasil, TomorrowWorld, and Tomorrowland Winter, have helped cement Tomorrowland's status as a worldwide music brand.
Top 10 Music Festivals in the World - FAQs
To prepare for a music festival, you should first research the lineup to determine which artists you want to see and plan your schedule accordingly. You should also check the festival's website for information on parking, transportation, and accommodations. Additionally, make sure to bring comfortable clothing and shoes, sunscreen, and a reusable water bottle.
The cost of music festivals varies depending on the location, duration, and lineup. Tickets for popular festivals such as Coachella and Lollapalooza can range from a few hundred to over a thousand dollars, while smaller festivals may have more affordable ticket prices. In addition to ticket costs, attendees should also budget for travel, accommodations, food, and other expenses.
Music festivals typically have security measures in place to ensure the safety of attendees. However, like any large gathering, there is always some level of risk. To minimize the risk of accidents or incidents, attendees should follow festival rules and guidelines, stay hydrated, and avoid engaging in risky behavior such as drug use.
In addition to comfortable clothing and shoes, attendees should bring sunscreen, a hat, a reusable water bottle, a portable phone charger, and a small bag or backpack to carry essentials. Some festivals may also have restrictions on what items are allowed, so be sure to check the festival's website for a list of prohibited items.
Music festivals are a great place to discover new artists and genres. Attendees can explore different stages and check out acts they may not be familiar with. Some festivals also have areas dedicated to up-and-coming artists or have curated playlists available on their websites to help attendees discover new music.