Top biggest music festivals in the world

While we agonizingly wait for the announcement of headliners for some of the world's finest festivals (Glasto, we're looking at you), others have already got themselves together (Primavera Sound, NOS Alive, Coachella, we thank you), with brilliant programs of who are set to be some of 2025's hottest artists. It's never too early to start planning for the new festival season. Top biggest music festivals in the world the world will have a festival fit for you, whether you are in Europe, the USA, Canada, Japan, Australia, or India, based on your taste in music, travel companions, preferred weather, or camping capacity. Overblown? Not to worry; here is our exhaustive list of the top events worldwide scheduled for 2025.

1. Vive Latino

Top Biggest Music Festivals In The World

Every year, Latin and Spanish musicians from all across the world swarm Mexico City to perform at Vive Latino, maybe the most significant Spanish-language rock music event on Earth. While bands from various countries and genres are welcome, the overall atmosphere is predominantly Latino.

2. Bahidorá

Bahidorá is a 24-hour festival, carnival, and hipster honeytrap, folks. Acts take place along a shimmering blue river surrounded by palm palms in a wonderful location.

With a taste for impromptu processions, the revelers are vibrant in jazzy beachwear and feather headdresses. Regarding the music, it combines hip hop, electronica, and well-chosen indie. Bahidorá is a unique event where attendees can learn both kayaking and circus skills. Just keep in mind not to work on them simultaneously.

3. Splendor in the Grass

Splendor in the Grass is becoming a sort of Australian institution. Thirty thousand people often travel three days for great music (including big-name artists), art, and camping to North Byron Highland. The place is vast; occasionally the stages are twenty minutes apart.

You will be walking a lot in the scorching sun hence, bring plenty of water. (And remember they mean their flip-flops even if you hear the residents complaining about how their thongs are rubbing).

The Splendor forum, which hosts seminars, comedy events, and much philosophical inquiry, also lets you challenge your intellect.

4. Vh1 Supersonic

Celebrated on the rowdier side of Goa, this festival draws a diverse audience, including Westerners and Indian ravers bursting for large- room bangers.

Gargantuan dance music headliners and leftfield, somewhat cooler, underground drum 'n' bass and house performers are well-known from Sonic. Spend three entire days glittering up dancing on the beach beneath the scorching Indian sun.

5. Fuji Rock

One particularly unique aspect of a festival is that it calls for a cable car excursion up a mountain (thank God you don't have to walk it; it's terrible enough walking around Glasto with your Berghaus bag).

Though the habit of "sleeping rough" is now illegal, Fuji Rock is the biggest event in Japan and seeks to be the "cleanest festival in the world" with dozens of kinds of lodging on offer.

It will always be remembered as the festival when Red Hot Chili Peppers starred in a full-on downpour and leader Anthony Kiedis suffered a fractured arm.

6. MOGA

Top Biggest Music Festivals In The World

Attracting an ultra-cool party audience, this boutique electronic music event sees people following the rhythm from stage to stage, floating amid palm palms. With heavyweights like Dekmantel Soundsystem, Dixon, and Desiree having already graced the venerable sun stage, MOGA's program consists of techno, house, and disco.

This festival honors the culture of the host city by organizing immersive events inside the city walls, such as a performance in the Sqala du Port, and by highlighting local talent from Essaouira's vibrant population. For people who enjoy their raves with yoga, MOGA is a dynamic, complete experience.

7. SXM Festival

Starting this March with world-class DJs and a well-chosen blend of music, art, culture, and tropical fun, the SXM Festival transforms the gorgeous Caribbean island of Saint Martin into a party paradise.

From opulent homes to mountain summits, vast beaches, and secluded jungle clearings, the five-day festival promises to include a varied mix of events in customized and bohemian venues. You don't have to be a club rat to enjoy this; the environment alone will inspire you to wish to fly.

8. Outlook

Outlook is all about sound system culture for those who enjoy all kinds of beats, from breakbeats to four-to-the-floor to two-step. There are parties going on all day and night in every region of the festival, and bass is the main draw.

Camping is also a lot of fun, and you can join in beach and boat parties. The festival grew into two events: the original in Tisno, Croatia, and another in the UK at Cholmondeley Castle.

9. Outside Lands

Given a city renowned for its stratospheric real estate, it's hardly surprising that Outside Lands emphasizes position, location, and location. The lovely and expansive Golden Gate Park on San Francisco's scenic peninsula makes the event the ideal site for a festival in the States. Directly adjacent to these polo grounds lies a genuine bison pasture.

They resemble authentic buffalo. The ocean is just past there. Top biggest music festivals in the world head east, and you find Amoeba Records in Haight-Ashbury, maybe the greatest record store around. To be honest, you wonder why people travel to distant areas like the desert for larger celebrations.

As skillfully as the 22-ingredient Rainbow Salad at Burma Superstar, the bill combines mainstream and underground tastes. Trust us; you want to meander there for supper.

10. New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival

Indeed, Jazz Fest has deviated from its original goal during the past forty-five years. Yes, the two major stages draw renowned performers, but the remaining eight stages focus on local genres like zydeco, blues, brass bands, gospel, and of course, jazz.

You probably will not find a more diverse set of musicians on Earth. Heck, there are even two tiers of cooks. In NOLA, cooking is a religion; the appeal here is filling yourself with hot beignets, muffulets, and crawfish. Put elastic waistbands in your pack.

11. Mutek

Mutek's presentation at the Musée d'art contemporain de Montréal, a modern art museum, may seem too academic for a festival, but don't be too harsh on the stoic German tech-head who is squeezing alien tintinnabulation from his laptop.

12. Governors Ball

New York City's only major music festival is now more readily accessible on Randall's Island, jammed up the East River between the Bronx, Queens, and Manhattan, but it moved from its more picturesque original site on Governors Island, in view of the Statue of Liberty and the downtown cityscape.

Top biggest music festivals in the world though rail, bus, and walking across the RFK Bridge will all bring you to Governors Ball, a boat is still the easiest way to get here. Though its reservations regularly exceed the big boys, attendance-wise it is a fraction of that of American events like Coachella and Lolla.

Although the atmosphere is seldom as laid-back and festive as fests with campers, later on, the hustle of the Big Apple might let you lose yourself. That is rather advantageous.

13. Coachella

Sure, this California festival is known for being a celeb-spotter's paradise, but this shouldn't take our attention away from the banging 'lineup it assembles every year, which usually includes the hottest rising stars, pop icons at the peak of their powers (we’re talking Beyoncé and Ariana Grande level), and a few juicy exclusions.

While many people at Coachella will be just enjoying the excellent music and beautiful Californian weather, you will most likely see numerous punters posing for the "gram.

14. Burning Man

Undoubtedly, some dude donning goggles and dreadlocks will tell you Burning Man is not what it used to be, man, as he races off in his solar buggy, and he's most likely correct.

Once an off-the-grid bacchanal-slash-art installation like a Mad Max film, the desert party has evolved into a Dionysian rite for Silicon Valley's affluent, eager to escape the tension of many 18-hour workdays packed with coding, backstabbing, and energy drinks.

Top biggest music festivals in the world still, a postmodern, cyberpunk, druggy vibe clings to this distant pop-up on the north Nevada playa. Although techy producers like Deadmau5 and Tyco are last-minute surprises, the playing DJs are merely part of the action in a venue with fireworks and their laser rules.

15. NOS Alive

Surely among Europe's best celebrations is NOS Alive, as giddy fun as its inhalant homonym. The result is a festival all-rounder stadium-sized DJs and bands, excellent campsites, a swimming pool, and a free shuttle service.

It's fun when it starts with an "X," so the NOS Alive Surf Xperience lets you appreciate Portugal's best waves. Furthermore, the kebabs are really good; they provide these little, quite delicious chunks.

Conclusion

Music festivals are now more than just events; they are cultural events that, via the global language of music, bind individuals from every walk of life. From the giant audiences at Glastonbury and Coachella to the pulsating feel of Tomorrowland and Ultra Music Festival, these events provide remarkable experiences that surpass the music itself.

Top biggest music festivals in the world they build community, inspire innovation, and provide renowned and up-and-coming musicians a stage on which to shine. Whether your taste is for rock, pop, techno, or hip-hop, the largest music events around have something for everyone.

Attending one of these legendary events is about joining a global celebration of music, art, and culture, not only about hearing your preferred tunes live.

FAQs: Top Biggest Music Festivals in the World

What is the world's biggest music festival?

First staged in 1968, Summerfest takes place at Henry Maier Festival Park, close to Milwaukee's Third Ward commercial area and Lake Michigan. Guinness World Records approved Summerfest's title as the world's largest music festival in 1999.

What are the top 10 biggest festivals in the world?

Carnival (Rio de Janeiro, Brazil)
Holi (India)
La Tomatina (Buñol, Spain)
Diwali (India)
Chinese New Year (China)
Songkran (Thailand)
Cherry Blossom Festival (Japan)
Glastonbury Festival (Somerset, UK)

Is Coachella the biggest music festival?

Known for drawing the most in-demand performers to its stages and the most celebrities to its grounds, Coachella is among the largest music events in America and the globe.

What are the big three festivals?

Known as the Big Five, the most esteemed film festivals worldwide are Venice, Cannes, Berlin (the original Big Three), Toronto, and Sundance (ranked chronologically based on the year of inception).

What is our biggest festival?

Arguably the grandest celebration in India, Diwali marks Lord Rama's return following a 14-year exile. The five days of the celebration highlight several stories, like the birthdays of the goddess Lakshmi and Lord Krishna slaying the monster Narakasur.