Music festivals are happening all over the world. Some festivals are small and cozy while others are so big that it feels almost unbelievable they can even take place at all. We did some research (check out the sources at the end) and compiled a list of the world’s biggest music festivals. The ones on this list are not just popular, but they are the ones where attendance numbers go into the hundreds of thousands and even millions.
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Mawazine Festival
This festival is often called the biggest in the world. Held in the city of Raba in Morocco each year, it attracts millions of people over the course of a week. Both international music stars as well as Moroccan and African artists perform across various stages spread throughout the city of Rabat, and the energy of the festival spills out into the streets. Most of the events in this festival are free.
Donauinselfest
This free festival on the Danube Island in Vienna, Austria, pulls in over 3 million people each year. Donauinselfest focuses primarily on Pop, Rock, and EDM music. The festival also raises approximately $40 million each year through sponsorships and local spending.
Summerfest
Summerfest is an 11-day festival that occurs every summer in Milwaukee. It is usually held on the city’s waterfront, featuring over half a million visitors. The festival has many different stages for all types of musical genres such as rock, pop, hip-hop, country, and more. Locals in Milwaukee refer to the event as the “Big Gig” and it’s not hard to see why.
Rock in Rio
Rock in Rio has been one of the most visited festivals since its beginning in the 1980s. The festival continues to grow in popularity each year. Its lineup always blends legendary rock acts with newer pop and electronic stars.
Electric Daisy Carnival (EDC)
EDC is like stepping into another world, with neon lights, carnival rides, and thumping EDM beats. More than half a million people attend the Las Vegas edition every year. It’s not just a concert; it feels like a full-blown fantasy city for music lovers.
Austin City Limits (ACL)
Set in Zilker Park, Texas, ACL brings together around 450,000 fans across two weekends. The lineup is always diverse. Indie, country, hip-hop, and even electronic music all share the stage. Beyond the music, Austin’s food and art scene give the festival a laid-back, local flavor.
Lollapalooza
What started as a touring alternative festival has become one of the biggest events in Chicago, drawing about 400,000 attendees. The downtown skyline makes a stunning backdrop to the performances. Today, it’s a global brand with editions in several countries.
Tomorrowland
Tomorrowland is the ultimate EDM festival for fans all over the world, attracting 400,000 attendees to the Belgian countryside every year. It is all about building an escape world full of fantasy-themed stage productions and endless DJ sets. The huge attendance and Instagrammable costumes and backdrops are not just about the music, but about community as well.
Primavera Sound
Primavera Sound has become one of the most important music festivals in Europe. It is a mecca for independent music lovers of all sorts, especially indie rock and alternative, as well as cutting-edge hip-hop and electronic acts. This year’s festival saw nearly 300,000 music fans flock to the Barcelona waterfront for some of the most eclectic lineups in the world.
Glastonbury Festival
It’s hard to call Glastonbury just a music festival, because it’s so much more. The festival is an institution in the UK and has seen nearly 200,000 fans flock to its massive fields in Somerset every year. It doesn’t just include music, but also includes theater, circus, political speeches, and more. Tickets usually sell out in minutes because Glastonbury is just that iconic.
Coachella
One of the most famous festivals in the world, Coachella attracts nearly 250,000 people across two weekends. It’s known for big headliners, celebrity sightings, and over-the-top fashion trends. For many, it’s as much about the experience as it is about the music
Sources: The following sources were consulted in the preparation of this article.
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