You don’t recognize the sweat in your eyes because the crowd is thick. Yet, countless others share your joy. The music unites you, and you experience a sense of belonging to everyone. Music’s power is undeniable. A music festival is a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
The greatest music events in the world aren’t always the biggest, but we can all believe that a music festival that draws over 3 million people seems to be something special. So we’ve compiled a list of the world’s top ten largest festivals so you can get your glitter on and have a good time.
This legendary event, hosted in Las Vegas, is one of the world’s largest electronic dance music festivals. This festival is represented by trap, bounce, trance, techno, bass, house, hard-style, and more, which is the largest outside of Europe. This festival, which was also held in Puerto Rico, Mexico, and New York City, gained prominence in 2014 after the Sundance Film Festival documentary EDC 2013: Under The Electric Sky, which was based on the event, was released. DJs such as Armin van Buuren, Dimitri Vegas & Like Mike, and Yellow Claw have performed as headliners.
Where: Las Vegas, Nevada, United States of America
When: Every year in June. In 2016, 400,000 people attended.
The New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival is the oldest festival on this list and is also one of the top music festivals in the world. Stevie Wonder will headline in 2017 – and who could say no to a gem-like Stevie? The festival celebrates African-American cultural history and the tremendous diversity of jazz, blues, and gospel music.
Where: New Orleans, Louisiana, United States of America
When: At the end of April every year. In 2016, 425,000 people attended.
The event, which began in 1994 to commemorate the 25th anniversary of Essence, a magazine for African-American women, has developed into the country’s largest music festival celebrating African-American culture. Dianna Ross, Solange, and Mary J. Bilge will headline the 2017 event, including luminaries such as Prince and Lionel Richie.
Where: New Orleans, Louisiana, United States of America
When: Every year at the end of June. In 2016, 450,000 people attended.
Sziget, Budapest’s huge island festival, has its origins in student rebellion and political turmoil. Today, it’s one of Europe’s biggest and best music festivals, with headliners like Rhianna, Muse, Sigur Ros, and Sia performing at the 2016 edition. The week-long summer festival draws a large Hungarian audience and visitors from Western Europe and other parts of the world.
Where: Hungary’s capital, Budapest
When: In August every year. In 2016, 496,000 people came out to see the show.
Coachella, arguably the world’s most recognized music event, is also one of the most profitable, making $94.2 million in 2016. It is already a well-respected cornerstone of the mega-festival circuit, with 2017 headliners including Radiohead, Lady Gaga, and Kendrick Lamar.
Where: Indio, California, United States of America
When: Every year in April. In 2017, 594,000 people attended.
The largest music event in South America is also the world’s glitziest. The event attracts a star-studded lineup known for squeezing massive headliners every year. Katy Perry, Rhianna, Queen, Metallica, Rod Stewart, and Elton John, to mention a few, performed in 2015. Lady Gaga, Justin Timberlake, Alicia Keys, Bon Jovi, and Guns n’ Roses, among others, will perform at the 2017 festival in Brazil. In the years that the Brazil event is not taking place, the festival is staged in Madrid and Lisbon.
Where: Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
When: Once every two years. 2017-2018, 2019-2020, and so on. In 2015, 700,000 people attended.
The Polish Woodstock, named after the legendary 1969 New York event, is a fitting tribute to rock, pop, metal, and folk music. The festival has a reputation for large numbers and a unique ambiance, with headliners such as The Prodigy playing to over 1 million people. In Commemoration of the original, consciousness-shifting festival, the festival’s motto is ‘Love, Friendship, and Music.’
Where: Poland, Kostrzyn nad Odra
When: Every year in August. In 2014, 750,000 people attended.
Summerfest is known as the “people’s festival.” It’s not just the largest music festival in the United States, but it’s also one of the most affordable, with an all-access day ticket costing only $20. It features over 800 acts and over 800,000 attendees over the course of 11 days. In 2016, Paul McCartney was the headlining act, while in 2017, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Pink, and Bob Dylan will perform to commemorate the festival’s 50th anniversary.
Where: Milwaukee, Wisconsin, United States of America
When: Late June to early July every year. In 2016, 804,000 people attended.
Mawazine Festival. They draw huge headliners like Christina Aguilera, Justin Timberlake, and Rod Stewart, as well as a great number of African luminaries like Amadou & Mariam and Tinariwen, with a yearly attendance of over 2.65 million. It was founded by the private assistant of King Mohammad IV as a celebration of Moroccan culture and arts, and it continues to be an extraordinary monument to African music.
Where: Rabat, Morocco
When: Every year in May, 2.65 million people attended in 2015.
Vienna has a long history of producing musical geniuses, including Mozart, so it’s no wonder that it currently hosts the world’s largest music festival. In 2016, 3.1 million people attended Donauinselfest, held on an island in the middle of the Danube River. It’s free, open-air, and takes place every year at the beginning of summer. There will be almost 200 performances on 11 stages, with a tribute show to music legend Falco as one of the headliners in 2017.
Where: Vienna, Austria is the destination.
When: In June every year. In 2016, 3.1 million people turned out to see the show.
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