10 Biggest Music Festivals In The World That Should Be On Your Bucket List

A large crowd gathers in the dark, facing a brightly lit stage with falling confetti.

The biggest music festivals in the world are often set against breathtaking outdoor landscapes. These events showcase live performances, exciting competitions, and vibrant collaborations between artists, creating unforgettable experiences for attendees. People from around the globe flock to these festivals, celebrating genres like rock, jazz, and pop. Whether it’s an intimate gathering fostering community spirit or a grand spectacle drawing huge crowds, each festival offers a unique atmosphere full of energy and creativity.

10 Biggest Music Festivals In The World

Music festivals showcase a rich plethora of talent via performances based on various themes and links with the culture:

1. Donauinselfest, Vienna

Participate and get immersed in one of the biggest music festivals in the world in Europe

Photo: Manfred Werner / Wikimedia Commons

On a serene island in Vienna, Europe’s largest open-air music festival occurs yearly. Experience top-class music, action, and fun activities amidst the vibrant culture of Austria. The festival began in 1984 and today attracts about 3 million visitors worldwide. In 2025, this festival will be held from June 20 to June 22, where you will experience over 600 hours of programming showcased by local and international artists. In addition to music and performances, you can enjoy numerous food and drinks, family activities, and sports activities.

Dates For The Event: June 20 – 22, 2025
Entry Tickets: Free of cost

2. Mawazine, Morocco

Explore an amazing lineup of artists from all over the world at Mawazine Music Festival

Photo: Magharebia / Wikimedia Commons

Formally known as the Mawazine Rhythms of the World Festival, this music festival was launched in 2001 as an effort to improve Morocco’s image as a tolerant nation and invite people to visit the city of Rabat, the venue for this event. It is the world’s second-largest music festival, with a diverse lineup featuring international and local artists gathered to showcase the brimming talent. Annually, this festival boosts local tourism, thereby increasing the economic impact by attracting visitors from all around the world.

Dates For The Event: June 20 – 28, 2025
Entry Tickets: Both free and paid access

3. Montreal International Jazz Festivals, Canada

Experience jazz concert of a lifetime at one of the biggest music festivals in the world

Photo: Montreal Jazz Festival / Wikimedia Commons

Celebrate the magic of Jazz music at the Montreal International Jazz Festival this year. Recognised as the most prominent jazz festival globally, it was awarded a Guinness World Record in 2004. The festival typically lasts for about 10 days. It features over 650 concerts, with approximately 450 of them being free and open to the public. This year, consider planning a trip to Canada to enjoy the festival from June 26 to July 5 and immerse in an experience of a lifetime, ensured by an exciting lineup that you are looking forward to.

Dates For The Event: June 26 – July 5, 2025
Entry Tickets: General admission: $143 / ₹11,869 per day; VIP packages: $391 / ₹32,445; Festival Pass: $54 / ₹4,477

4. Summerfest, Milwaukee

Plan a trip to Milwaukee this summer and attend the famous Summerfestl along Lake Michigan

Photo: David Wilson / Wikimedia Commons

This nine-day music festival is worth attending for three weekends if you are in Milwaukee or planning a trip to this beautiful place. Enjoy performances from hundreds of artists across 12 stages, featuring genres like rock, country, R&B, pop, reggae, and many more. This event is not just limited to music. Experience the charm of “Big Bang Fireworks”, big parades on selective days and the “Big Win” contest. The festival occurs annually at Henry Maier Festival Park along Lake Michigan, offering stunning views and a perfect atmosphere for summer fun.

Dates For The Event: June 19 – 21; June 26 – 28; July 3 – 5, 2025
Entry Tickets: USD 30 / ₹2,490

5. Rock In Rio, Brazil

An image of a crowd gathers on a green field with white sculptures, under a cloudy sky.

Photo: Roberto Sabino / Wikimedia Commons

Rock in Rio is a lively biennial festival held in Brazil that has become a global icon. It features an impressive and diverse lineup of artists, making it one of the premier music festivals in the world. The event occurs at the Cidade do Rock in Barra da Tijuca, Rio de Janeiro, and typically attracts around 100,000 attendees daily. Beyond being just a music festival, Rock in Rio celebrates musical diversity and cultural exchange, resonating with fans from all over the globe.

Dates For The Event: September 2025
Entry Tickets: USD 795 / ₹66,045

6. Coachella, USA

Coachella is renowned for being the biggest music festivals in the world in Hollywood

Photo: Raph_PH / Wikimedia Commons

Coachella, officially known as the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival, is an annual music festival held at the Empire Polo Club in Indio, California. Established in 1999, it has become one of the world’s largest and one of the most famous music festivals. Over the years, Coachella has featured a diverse lineup of musical genres, including rock, pop, hip-hop, and electronic dance music. Notable headliners have included artists such as Madonna, Jay-Z, Beyoncé, and Harry Styles.

Dates For The Event: April 11 – 13; April 18 – 20, 2025
Entry Tickets: USD 369 / ₹30,627

7. Sziget Festival, Budapest

Celebrate the old tradition of self-expression that emanated from a small student festival

Photo: Gergely Csatari / Wikimedia Commons

The Sziget Festival, more popular as “The Island Festival”, is Europe’s biggest music and cultural festival. The festival takes place on the Old Buda Island and spans six days, typically in early August. In 2025, the festival is planned from August 6 to August 11. Sziget Festival began as a small student event called Diaksziget in 1993, created to fill the void left by the decline of state-sponsored summer festivals after the fall of communism in Hungary.

Dates For The Event: August 6 – 11, 2025
Entry Tickets: €75 / ₹6,750 for a single-day pass

8. Glastonbury Festival, England

A large crowd at an outdoor festival with colourful smoke and a stage in the background.

Photo: Tony Pham / Pexels / Image For Representation Only

The Glastonbury Festival, officially called the Glastonbury Festival of Contemporary Performing Arts, is a vibrant five-day celebration of music and the arts that usually takes place in the summer near Pilton, Somerset, England. This exciting festival features various performances, including music, dance, comedy, theatre, circus acts, and cabaret shows. Many famous pop and rock artists perform at Glastonbury, and countless other performers perform on smaller stages throughout the site.

Dates For The Event: June 25 – 29, 2025
Entry Tickets: £378 / ₹39,690

9. Fuji Rock Festival, Japan

The Fuji Rock Festival features a vibrant lineup of artists internationally and locally

Photo: Kevin Utting / Wikimedia Commons

Fuji Rock Festival is Japan’s largest outdoor music event, annually held at the Naeba Ski Resort in Niigata Prefecture. This festival takes place over three thrilling days during the last weekend of July. With over 200 artists spanning genres like rock and electronic music, there’s something for everyone to enjoy. Since its launch in 1997, Fuji Rock has grown tremendously, typically welcoming between 100,000 and 150,000 music lovers yearly. Fuji Rock Festival showcases music and highlights sustainability and cleanliness as part of its ethos.

Dates For The Event: July 25 – 27, 2025
Entry Tickets: ¥24,000 / ₹15,840 for a one-day pass

10. Pol’and’Rock Festival, Poland

Poland’s Woodstock Festival is one of the biggest music festivals in the world for rock

Photo: Łukasz Widziszowski / Wikimedia Commons

The Pol’and’Rock Festival, formerly called the Woodstock Festival Poland, is a well-known annual free rock music festival that has been taking place in Poland since 1995. It typically happens at the end of July or the beginning of August, with the next event set for July 31 to August 2, 2025. The festival is organized by the Great Orchestra of Christmas Charity. It is celebrated for its friendly vibe, embracing the values of love, friendship, and music.

Dates For The Event: July 31 – August 2, 2025
Entry Tickets: Entry is free

In conclusion, music festivals worldwide offer a unique mix of culture, artistry, and entertainment, attracting millions annually. Events like Donauinselfest in Vienna and Pol’and’Rock Festival in Poland celebrate creativity and cultural diversity. Experience the magic of music bringing people together, plan your unforgettable festival trip with TripXL today and be part of something truly special!

Cover Photo: Danny Howe / Unsplash / Image For Representation Only

Frequently Asked Questions

Not all festivals are free. Some, like Donauinselfest and Pol'and'Rock Festival, offer free entry. Others, such as Coachella and Glastonbury, require tickets that vary in price depending on the event and ticket category.
The Montreal International Jazz Festival is recognized as the world's most prominent jazz festival and was awarded a Guinness World Record in 2004.
Music festivals often include rock, jazz, pop, hip-hop, electronic dance music, country, R&B, reggae, and many more.
Typically, the lineup is announced on the festival's official website and social media channels in the months leading up to the event.
Age restrictions vary by festival. Some are all-ages events, while others may have age restrictions.

Recommended Articles

Leave a Reply

Top Travel Destinations by Month