The Biggest Music Festivals in the World
Discover the biggest music festivals in the world, from Glastonbury to Tomorrowland. Explore huge lineups, global locations and record-breaking crowds to find your next unforgettable festival experience.
Last updated: 24th Mar 2026
Originally published: 1st Mar 2022
Ever wondered what the biggest festivals in the world are? You’ve come to the right place. From Japan, the USA, England and beyond, these events pull in hundreds of thousands – and sometimes millions – of music fans every year.
Maybe you’ve ticked off a few already, maybe you’re eyeing up your next overseas festival adventure. Either way, these festivals all have one thing in common: scale on a level you won’t find anywhere else. So, without further ado, here are the biggest music festivals in the world.
Image: Glastonbury / Facebook.com
When: Wednesday 23rd – Sunday 27th June 2027
Where: Worthy Farm in Pilton, Somerset
Attendance: 200,000
Sure, Glastonbury is taking a fallow year in 2026, but leaving it out would be blasphemy. Glasto is easily one of the biggest music festivals in the world, creating suspense with lineup releases and fervour when the date rolls around. With 25 main stages, over 100 areas, music, comedy, wellness and just about anything you can think of, it’s like being in a literal city of culture.
Like many, we’ll miss the festival this year. But don’t despair. There have been some absolutely cracking performances over the years, so it’s a perfect time to fire up YouTube and bring the festival to your doorstep while the land at Worthy Farm recovers for what we reckon will be a knockout 2027.
Check out the most iconic Glastonbury performances here.
Image: Coachella / Facebook.com
When: Friday 10th – Sunday 12th April 2026 & Friday 17th – Sunday 19th April 2026
Where: Empire Polo Club in Indio, California
Attendance: 250,000
2026 lineup: Sabrina Carpenter, Justin Bieber, The Strokes, Disclosure, Turnstile, Marlon Hoffstadt, Wet Leg, Iggy Pop, Young Thug, Little Simz & many more.
Once April rolls around, you can’t move for Coachella news. It dominates the headlines, and for good reason. The festival brings the most in-demand artists to its stages, with performances often going down in history as some of the best ever. You only need to take a look at Beychella in 2018 to see the cultural impact of the festival.
2026 looks like another stacked year. We’d be here all day if we listed every superstar artist set to grace the stage, but here’s a few: Sabrina Carpenter, Justin Bieber, The Strokes and Marlon Hoffstadt. Pop juggernauts, indie heroes and DJ Daddy Trance himself. That’s why Coachella is so highly regarded; it’s huge, brings the superstars, but also finds the time to provide variety. Not many festivals can say the same.
Image: Creamfields / Facebook.com
When: Thursday 27th - Sunday 30th August 2026 (Bank Holiday weekend)
Where: Daresbury in Cheshire
Attendance: 280,000
2026 lineup: Calvin Harris, Swedish House Mafia, Disclosure, Ewan McVicar, Amelie Lens, Sonny Fodera, Underworld, Tiesto, Carl Cox, Martin Garrix, Faithless, KETTAMA, Josh Baker & many more.
Every year, 280,000 people flock to Creamfields. Why? Because it’s like having your favourite clubs right next to each other. You’ve got indoor super stages like APEX, which hosts 30,000 people and The Steel Yard, which hosts 20,000. You get your pick of which to party at across the weekend.
In those rooms are some of the world’s best DJs, playing behind mind-blowing visuals. Strobes, lasers, lights – you name it. It just adds something extra. Sure, you could go to a normal venue, but experiencing electronic music on a scale like this is something that stays with you for a long, long time.
Find tickets, FAQs, and more information on Creamfields - HERE
Electric Daisy Carnival Las Vegas
Image: Electric Daisy Carnival / Facebook.com
When: Friday 15th – Sunday 17th May 2026
Where: Las Vegas Motor Speedway in Las Vegas, USA
Attendance: 525,000+
2026 lineup: Confidence Man, Bou, 999999999, Armin Van Buuren (sunrise set), Above & Beyond (sunrise set), Chris Stussy, Charlotte de Witte, Doctor P B2B Flux Pavilion B2B Funtcase, FISHER, Funk Tribu, Chris Lorenzo & many more.
If we had to think of one word to sum up EDC, it’d be otherworldly. It’s high praise, but just look at those stage designs. At Alesso’s set in 2025, the Swedish DJ had a constellation in the sky and a stage design that looked like it had been torn from the pages of a sci-fi comic book. It’s no wonder that EDC scooped up Festival of the Year in 2017 and has been a two-time nominee at the Electronic Music Awards.
That’s without mentioning the sheer size of the festival. A whopping 525,000 attendees spend the weekend dancing to house, trance, techno, EDM and more, which, for scale, is bigger than the city of Liverpool.
Image: Tomorrowland / Facebook.com
When: Friday 17th July – Sunday 19th July & Friday 24th July – Sunday 26th July
Where: De Schorre in Boom, Belgium
Attendance: 400,000
2026 lineup: Calvin Harris, Bassjackers, Chainsmokers, Marlon Hoffstadt, Martin Garrix, Mind Against, Camo & Krooked, Modeselektor (DJ set), Sally C, Sasha B2B Young Marco & many more.
Nowhere quite captures the magic of festivals like Tomorrowland. Every year, 400,000 people take the plane, train, car or bus to Belgium, greeted by intricately crafted stages that wouldn’t look amiss in a fantasy world rave scene.
Then you add in the music. Which, if we’re being honest, is always impeccable. Tomorrowland’s sheer size means that it can cover every spectrum of electronic music, which means you’ll regularly see massive acts like Calvin Harris on one stage, and then club circuit regulars like Bullet Tooth on the other. The festival is often cited as a bucket list visit for dance music fans, and can you blame them? It’s like heaven for those who love their kicks, snares and booming basslines.
Image: Primavera Sound / Facebook.com
When: Thursday 4th – Sunday 7th June 2026
Where: Parc del Forum in Barcelona, Spain
Attendance: 268,000
2026 lineup: Wet Leg, Doja Cat, Massive Attack, The Cure, Addison Rae, Skrillex, The xx, Gorillaz, Peggy Gou, Carl Cox & many more.
You know a festival holds weight when people book flights before the lineup drops. Thanks to a genre-hopping lineup that spans rock, indie, pop, hip-hop and electronic music, Primavera Sound Barcelona has become a go-to for music enthusiasts in Europe and beyond.
The weather helps, too. Because, let’s face it, when you’re waltzing round a festival site, drink in hand while the sun shines, everything hits differently. This year’s lineup features electronic megastars like Carl Cox, trip-hop pioneers like Massive Attack and pop powerhouses like Doja Cat. 268,000 attendees across the weekend can’t be wrong.
New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival
Image: New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival / Facebook.com
When: Thursday 23rd April – Monday 4th May 2026
Where: The Fairground Racecourse & Slots in New Orleans, Louisiana
Attendance: 450,000
2026 lineup: Eagles, Stevie Nicks, Kings of Leon, David Byrne, The Isley Brothers, Herbie Hancock, Sean Paul, Earth, Wind & Fire, Nas & many more.
It might be in the name, but the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival isn’t just jazz. At one time, it was, but it’s evolved to span everything from jazz, rock, blues, R&B, funk, gospel, Latin, and more since the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina in 2006.
We reckon the best way to describe it is a celebration. A celebration of multiple musical cultures, styles and sounds led by some of the world’s biggest artists. And if that wasn’t enough, you’ve got things like the Congo Square African Marketplace and the Louisiana Marketplace, which show off local craft techniques, art, jewellery and photography to the 450,000 total attendees.
Image: Sziget Festival Official / Facebook.com
When: Tuesday 11th – Saturday 15th August 2026
Where: Obuda Island in Budapest, Hungary
Attendance: 420,000
2026 lineup: Bring Me The Horizon, Florence + The Machine, Lewis Capaldi, Ashnikko, Biffy Clyro, Dimension, Dixon, Dom Dolla, Funk Tribu, Loyle Carner, Richie Hawtin & many more.
Where better to hold an event than somewhere known as The Island of Freedom? That just screams music festival. If you didn’t know, it’s Sziget Festival. Here, you can turn up, leave your inhibitions at the door and embrace a world where inclusivity reigns supreme, people express themselves freely, and music punctuates the atmosphere.
The stages are vast, the lineup varied. And attending Sziget gives you the opportunity to either camp or stay in Budapest, one of Europe’s most picturesque cities. 420,000 people attend every year, and it’s pretty easy to see why.
Image: Summerfest / Facebook.com
When: Thursday 18th June – Saturday 20th June, Thursday 25th June – Saturday 27th June & Thursday 2nd July – Saturday 4th July 2026
Where: Henry Maier Festival Park in Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Attendance: 450,000
2026 lineup: Ed Sheeran, Garth Brooks, Don Toliver, Father John Misty, David Lee Roth, Echo & The Bunnymen, Post Malone, Muse, Jelly Roll & many more.
A festival that takes place on three different weekends can’t be left out of a list of the world’s biggest music festivals. Summerfest, which takes place in Milwaukee, does just that. And, it was even named the world’s largest music festival by the Guinness World Records back in 1999.
So, with the scale covered, what else does it offer? Well, a lineup of international megastars for one. You’ve got country icons, R&B crooners, rock legends and pop queens all on one bill, as well as activities that’ll keep you busy in between the music.
Rock in Rio
Image: Rock in Rio / Facebook.com
When: Friday 4th – Sunday 13th September 2026
Where: City of Rock in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Attendance: 500,000+ with 2 million at some editions
2026 lineup: Elton John, Foo Fighters, Rise Against, Nova Twins, Hot Milk, Avenged Sevenfold, Fatboy Slim, Jamiroquai, Demi Lovato & many more.
If you want to get an idea of the scale of Rock in Rio, take a look at the World Stage when it's in full swing. The scenes are incredible. It looks as if all 500,000 attendees are in one spot, each rocking out in unison to some of the biggest bands on the planet.
With Foo Fighters, Elton John and Bring Me The Horizon just a few of the names set to play in 2026, we’re sure this year will be no different. And if that wasn’t enough, you’ve got top-class dining at Gourmet Square, rollercoasters and more stages where you can hear tons of great music. It really does feel like a city of rock.
Donauinselfest
Image: Donauinselfest / Facebook.com
When: Friday 3rd – Sunday 5th July 2026
Where: Donauinsel in Vienna, Austria
Attendance: 3,000,000+
2026 lineup: TBA
Donauinselfest is the biggest free open-air festival in the world. Yeah, you heard that right: it's all completely free to enter. It’s no wonder that the festival brings in over 3 million people, each of them in search of a cracking weekend of live music, cabaret and theatre acts.
The festival boasts fourteen stages, and while no lineup has been announced yet, you can expect a mixture of local talent, DJs and some of the industry’s biggest names. Previous years have seen the likes of Sean Paul and The Backstreet Boys grace the stage. With music, culture, charity and youth-focused activities, Donauinselfest is a festival for all.
Lollapalooza
Image: Lollapalooza / Facebook.com
When: Thursday 30th July – Sunday 2nd August 2026
Where: Grant Park in Chicago, Illinois
Attendance: 400,000
2026 lineup: Charli XCX, Tate McRae, Lorde, Olivia Dean, John Summit, Lil Uzi Vert, Turnstile, KETTAMA, Wet Leg, HorsegiirL, Geese, Zara Larsson & many more.
Music heads might remember Lollapalooza as the festival for alternative rock. Originally organised by Jane’s Addiction lead singer Perry Farrell, the event toured around the USA with bands like Red Hot Chili Peppers, Pearl Jam and Nine Inch Nails in tow.
Nowadays, the festival takes place in Chicago, and hundreds of thousands of people flock to Grant Park to see a who’s who of pop, rap and electronic music. You’ve got great music and views of the towering city skyline. This year, Charli XCX, Lorde, KETTAMA andLil Uzi Vert are just a few of the names ready to send the crowd into a frenzy. We reckon it’ll be another knockout year.
Fuji Rock Festival
Image: Fuji Rock Festival / Facebook.com
When: Friday 24th – Sunday 26th July 2026
Where: Naeba Ski Resort in Yuzawa, Japan
Attendance: 150,000
2026 lineup: The xx, Arlo Parks, Turnstile, Khruangbin, Basement Jaxx, BADBADNOTGOOD, Massive Attack, Mitski, Mogwai, Wata Igarashi & many more.
A trip to Japan is one thing. But a trip to a music festival in Japan? That’s a whole different story. At Fuji Rock Festival, not only are you seeing an incredible lineup of acts, but you’ve got a stunning location in Naeba Ski Resort.
Stages at Fuji Rock Festival are surrounded by lush greenery, trees and towering mountains, making it a treat for the eyes and ears. It’s the largest outdoor music event in Japan, and this year, the likes of Massive Attack, Mogwai, Arlo Parks and The xx will grace the stage and make the weekend unforgettable.
Whether you're chasing sun-soaked sets in California, all-night raves in Belgium or bucket-list moments at Worthy Farm, the biggest music festivals in the world offer experiences on a scale like no other. Wherever you go, one thing’s guaranteed: unforgettable music, massive crowds and memories that last a lifetime. And if you want to know what other music festivals Skiddle has got to offer then check them all out - HERE
Check out our What's On Guide to discover even more rowdy raves and sweaty gigs taking place over the coming weeks and months. For festivals, lifestyle events and more, head on over to our Things To Do page or be inspired by the event selections on our Inspire Me page.
