30 Best Music Festivals you have to Attend

Image by Mike Wall from Pixabay

30 Best Music Festivals you have to Attend

Music festivals have got to be the best creation man ever came up with. These are events where you literally get an opportunity to a vast genre of music, meet people from all walks of life and simply have an amazing time while enjoying amazing music at the same time.

All over the world, different music festivals are held at different times. Let’s have a look at some of the best music festivals worldwide.

1. Tomorrowland

Tomorrowland festival in 2011- Author; maslabel- Wikimedia

I may be biased in my opinion, but to me, Tomorrowland is the bestest (I just have no other word to use) music festival in the world. I mean, the music is amazing! It is just an event that will even bring tears to yours because of how great it is (Okay, I exaggerate, but you get my point, right)

13 years after its debut and the competition from other dance festival heavyweights is stronger than ever, Tomorrowland still holds its own right as the leader of the pack.

Other than each year’s huge main stage designs, and lineups that consistently feature almost every DJ you’ve ever heard of, the real power of Tomorrowland is in the finer details, with how much it is finely tuned in order to create an all-consuming sense of pure magic.

2. Primavera Sound

Primavera Sound attendees- Author; Jwslubbock- Wikimedia

It is no surprise that  Barcelona’s jewel crown appears on our list. Year after year, the festival pulls together an incredible lineup of people, not limited by genre boundaries

This festival unites alternative favourites and discerning music fans from across the globe on the beachside of Parc del Fòrum. It is simply a magical festival.

3. Dekmantel

Dekmantel festival- Author; StealthManagementMusic – Wikimedia

As a  hive, well more of a den really, of forward-thinking electronic music, Dekmantel has managed to cement itself as the festival of choice for those looking to experience new trends. Be it music or culture.

It’s a brand that steers clear of headline-grabbing names and gimmicks, but instead encourages and rewards risk-taking. Because of this, Dekmantel has become many DJs’ favourite festival to play. Especially for the upcoming ones.

4. Let It Roll

Let it Roll Festival in 2014- Author; Uafmusic VIE- Wikimedia

Let It Roll is more or less the mother of drum and bass music. Usually takes place at a former military airbase outside of Prague. It is literally the perfect place for three days and nine spectacular stages.

5. Coachella Music & Arts Festival

Coachella Music & Arts Festival in 2006- Author; Tammy Lo- Wikimedia

There’s nothing really I could say about Coachella that you do not already know. To put it simply, this event is one big melting pot of fashion, A-list music, art structures and just unforgettable moments wherever you look. You are sure to have your first experience of something, whatever it is, while there.

6. Afro Nation 

AfroNation Event Tickets- Author; Chemu002- Wikimedia

Afro Nation brings star-studded lineups that ranges from dancehall, bashment, Afrobeats and R&B to beautiful beaches for a weekend of pure heat, both in temperature and vibe. You get an opportunity to interact also with African culture and music which is pretty interesting.

7. ADE: Amsterdam Dance Event

Amsterdam Dance Event in 2010- Author; Rosa Maria Koolhoven- Wikimedia

So ADE is this mega festival that many people who aren’t into electronic music, aren’t so familiar with. With that said, EDM fans and lovers have this on their bucket list most definitely.

Running for five days each October, the entirety of the dance music industry come upon Amsterdam’s music venues, conference halls, bars and streets while at the same time managing to bring with it, big showcases, panel talks, technology demos and fully-fledged festivals.

Amsterdam Music Festival is probably the biggest, while DGTL, Dockyard and Paradise are among the brands that are always heavily involved.

8. Montreux Jazz Festival

Montreux Jazz Festival- Author; Markus Schweizer- Wikimedia

Held every year since 1967, I don’t think there is any other older festival compared to Montreux. What’s even more, few others anywhere in the world can boast of such an impressive alumnus of previous performers, from Miles Davis, B.B. King and Nina Simone to David Bowie, Bob Dylan and Queen.

To this date, the Lake Geneva shoreline is a hub for creative talent from across the globe, performing in venues throughout the Swiss city.

9. Bilbao BBK Live

Bilbao BBK Live in 2010- Author; Victor Climent – Wikimedia

Up in the enchanting woodlands and lush greenery of Mount Cobetas, you will find Bilbao BBK Live.

Being able to merge the intimacy of its setting with lineups that boast of defining musical talents from several genres, it’s no surprise that the festival has fans flocking back to the mountain each summer when it is being held.

10. Hellfest Open Air Festival

Hellfest Festival, 2017- Author; Selbymay- Wikimedia

Hellfest claws its way from extreme metal to punk rock, while passing by every innovative sub-genre in between.

Other than somewhat UK’s Download Festival, its pace-setting high-point of the metal and rock calendar has no close competition.

11. Rolling Loud Portugal

Photo by Danny Howe on Unsplash

Rolling Loud festival has seen the hip-hop brand become North America’s biggest rap music festival of the past few years. Its debut edition in Portugal in July this year, looked forward to cementing the title of Europe’s too.

12. The Governors Ball Music Festival

Photo by Tony Pham on Unsplash

Governors Ball was the original Randall’s Island festival, and managing to give New York its first marquee music festival.

Heading into a tenth edition in 2021, the island once again became alive with some of the most influential names in hip-hop, rock and electronic music, which were all set out against the backdrop of the city’s iconic skyline.

13. SXSW: South by Southwest

Photo by Colin Lloyd on Unsplash

This world’s biggest new music showcase festival is like a Rorschach test. Literally. With over a thousand artists performing over a week, it means something different to everyone.

SXSW always manages to turn Austin into a musical playground, with shows lined up into every nook and cranny even corner of the city. It’s definitely an experience like no other.

14. Sónar Festival

Sónar Festival in 2010- Author; acidpolly- Wikimedia

Just like Dekmantel, the Sónar brand has become a hub for experimental and pioneering electronic music.

Despite editions in cities as far apart as Hong Hong and Reykjavík, Barcelona is still its flagship event, usually managing to turn the coastal city into a hub of creativity every June of every year.

15. Les Eurockéennes

Les Eurockéennes in 2013- Author; Eddy BERTHIER- Wikimedia

One of the biggest festivals that France has to offer is Les Eurockéennes. It is not known simply for its rich history and consistently strong lineups, but also for its longstanding links to charitable and community causes. Pretty impressive huh?!

Moreover, you’d be hard-pushed to find many more naturally beautiful settings than the lakeside nature reserve that it calls home.

16. Snowbombing

Snowbombing in 2008- Author; Bunny- Wikimedia

If skiing by day and dancing by night is your thing, then there are plenty of snow sports festival options in Europe, but none have the same clout as Snowbombing.

As a deluge of outdoor and indoor venues, it hosts the most impressively A-list lineup you’ll find on the slopes, and the crowd can be relied upon to lay on everything from bright pink snowsuits to group-coordinated fancy dress.

17. Splendour in the Grass

Image by scartmyart from Pixabay

As Australia’s answer to Glastonbury, Splendour in the Grass is all about huge, diverse lineups minus the rain, mud and trekking. And who doesn’t like that? Well, nobody likes the mud and rain combo for sure, but Splendour in the grass somehow manages to make it really cool.

Beyond the music, Splendour also lays out a programme of dance and circus workshops, art installations and a range of food and craft markets.

18. Mad Cool Festival

Mad Cool Festival- Author; Diario de Madrid- Wikimedia

Despite being only a few years old, Mad Cool has risen at such a rate that it’s impossible to ignore it. Its lineups now read like the rock ‘n’ roll hall of fame, where legitimate headline acts fill most of its posters, most of the time

19. Rampage

Photo by Aditya Chinchure on Unsplash

As an established favourite for the drum and bass scene, Rampage almost always manages to transform its home in the Antwerp into a high-octane rave, while at the same time being soundtracked by some of the genre’s biggest stars and heaviest hitters.

20. Hot 97 Summer Jam

Photo by James Genchi on Unsplash

My opinion on this one may not be accurate, but for sure no festival has been more integral to the development of hip-hop than Hot 97 Summer Jam.

By giving a platform to the freshest names, as well as also providing fans with an opportunity to see the superheroes of rap, this festival has managed to host its fair share of classic moments, with performers bringing out huge special guests becoming the norm. Anyone who’s anyone, especially in the hip-hop kingdom has ever played in Summer Jam.

21. Rock in Rio

Rock in Rio, 2012- Author; Carlos Delgado- Wikimedia

Very few festivals can confidently be able to brag and claim the history and mythology that surrounds Rock in Rio. With the sheer size and scale of the earliest editions, Rock in Rio festival is changing the landscape of live music across the globe.

Now with editions being held in both Lisbon and the spiritual home of Rio de Janeiro, circumstances aligned to make 2022 (on the month of July) the year that both cities hosted this iconic event in the same summer.

22. Glastonbury

Image by Pexels from Pixabay

Glastonbury sets the bar when it comes to worldwide music festivals. It quite impressively hosts the biggest names in the music industry on its famous Pyramid Stage. However, it’s the other side of Glastonbury that really sets it apart. 

From the immersive world of shenanigans and nonsense (the good kind though) that is Shangri-La to the flame-throwing Arcadia spider and the hidden, underground Piano Bar, every corner of Glastonbury is full of surprises just waiting to be discovered. This is one festival you can’t afford to miss.

23. Rock en Seine

Rock en Seine in 2011- Author; Lara Janssen- Wikimedia

While very fast approaching its twenty-year lifespan, Rock en Seine has welcomed premier artists from the rock, indie, and alternative realms in what is now widely and famously considered as France’s most impressive rock music festival. And we can’t argue with that, right?

24. Creamfields

Creamfields,festival in 2013- Author; Gerardo Lazzari- Wikimedia

As the flagship festival of the iconic Cream brand, which became famous through its legendary Liverpool club nights, back in the 90s, Creamfields is absolutely UK’s premier electronic music weekend.

Attracting over 70,000 people and over 300 of the world’s hottest dance acts performing across 30 stages, its lineups are as diverse as they are also top-tier.

25. Roskilde Festival

Roskilde Festival in 2012- Author; Bill Ebbesen- Wikimedia

This is one of the largest music festivals in Europe and it dates back to 1971 when two high school kids decided to emulate hippy festivals like Isle of Wight and Woodstock.

Flash forward to the present day and now we’ve got a fiercely independent, well-respected festival with its own aura and traditions that continue to host performances by the most uncompromising and influential artists in the world.

26. Rock am Ring & Rock im Park

Image by stokpic from Pixabay

At over 35 years old, Rock am Ring is one of the longest-standing festivals in the world. Its younger sister, Rock im Park, is no youngster either.

With shared lineups between Nuremberg and the iconic Nürburgring, these musical festivals have built up peerless reputations in the rock music world.

27. Isle of Wight Festival (IOW)

Isle of Wight Festival in 2014- Author; Liz Murray- Wikimedia

Isle of Wight Festival is actually renowned for exclusive, legendary headliners e.g Fleetwood Mac, The Stone Roses, Bruce Springsteen among others and eclectic lineups that pay homage to its own incredible history.

Now over 50 years on from the original edition, IOW is still going as strong as ever.

28. Fuji Rock

Fuji Rock Festival in 2015- Author; Kevin Utting- Wikimedia

Despite the name, Fuji Rock hasn’t actually been held at Mount Fuji for more than 20 years. However, that hasn’t stopped crowds topping 100,000 even from making their way to the Japanese giant for two decades.

When the lineup and location are this spectacular, can you really blame the people who flock here to just attend the festival?

29. Pitchfork Music Festival

Pitchfork Music Festival in 2007- Author; liz bustamante- Wikimedia

For some people, the online music publication Pitchfork has become the gospel when it comes to identifying musical trends and talents.

Regardless of the perceptions you may have of the site or its most devout followers,  there’s no denying they know how to come up with a lineup of the most exciting alternative acts in the world.

30. Boomtown

Boomtown fair festival- Author; Sam Warrenger- Wikimedia

Even if you 100% mean it, describing a festival as ‘totally unique’ usually just sounds like lazy talk.

But in the case of Boomtown, a throwback carnival of music and street performance set in a purpose-built wild-west town in the English countryside, the phrase is as justified as it’ll ever be. It has a very unique, unseen and unmatched aura that will just make you keep going back.

You will experience a boom kind of experience in this festival. The name fits, right?