13 Must-Experience International Music Festivals for Every Traveler
The language of music is universal, but there is no better way to enjoy it than at an international concert. However, with people attending music festivals numbering over 32 million each year, it’s evident that there is a demand to continue hosting genre-spanning music festivals.
International music festivals for the passionate traveler and music lover are much more than the music — they are cultural celebrations that individuals remember, visit, and come to know, and are comprised of fantastic communities. From electronic beats to indie vibes, this list brings you festivals you must catch if you love to travel.
Tomorrowland – Boom, Belgium
Tomorrowland is the ultimate pilgrimage for electronic dance music (EDM) enthusiasts. Festival Boom, placed in the quaint town of Boom, Belgium, is a festival experience. Tomorrowland has become known for its ethereal, stunning, out-of-this-world stage designs, mind-blowing pyrotechnics, and immersive theme. More than 400,000 people from every corner of the globe attend each year.
The lineup is a dance lover’s dream with top-tier DJs like Martin Garrix, Tiësto, and David Guetta. Beyond the music, the festival offers gourmet food villages, fairy-tale decorations, and a global “People of Tomorrow” network fostering unity and community.
Glastonbury Festival – Somerset, England
The Glastonbury Festival in England is known as a musical and arts extravaganza. It originated in 1970 and has always been the world’s largest greenfield festival, with more than 200,000 punters pouring over its expanse. Glastonbury’s involvement is not restricted to music; theater performances, circus arts, and political debates exist.
The festival’s genre-defying lineup is a testament to the enormous appeal of Radiohead, Beyonce, and their ilk on its Pyramid Stage over the years. True to its roots, Glastonbury promotes sustainability and eco-consciousness, including its famous “leave no trace” policy. This festival is perfect for cultural experiences, legendary performances, and thought-provoking discussions.
Coachella – Indio, California
Superstar performance and the desert chic Instagram aesthetic are what you associate with Coachella. One of America’s largest and most profitable festivals, bringing in 250,000 attendees annually, is held in the heart of the California Desert. It is also beyond music—indie, pop, hip-hop—and an art installation hub with a reputation for celebrity sightings.
Acts like Beyoncé’s “Homecoming” performance have catapulted Coachella into pop culture history. Whether seated in the Sahara Tent or for an acoustic show, Coachella mixes music with culture to offer an experience that is as much a part of the cultural zeitgeist as a musical paradise.
Fuji Rock Festival – Niigata, Japan
The Fuji Rock Festival is set amidst the stunning mountains of Naeba Ski Resort, and a bit of its scenically breathtaking locale is brought to the stage. It is a music festival focused on rock, indie, and electronic music, attracting over 100,000 people every year. It has featured Red Hot Chili Peppers and Tame Impala, among others.
The music goes beyond the music; there are hiking trails, fantastic river spots, and Japanese food to devour. Unlike the crowded chaos of other festivals, Fuji Rock offers a more serene vibe to love and enjoy the world’s music while connecting with nature.
Ultra Music Festival – Miami, Florida
Miami has energy and holds an Ultra Music Festival, a constant EDM carnival. Ultra, launched in 1999, has become famous for its electric light shows, extremely modern sound systems, and the world premieres of new music.
Hovering around a 150,000-strong annual attendance, the festival has played host to Hardwell, Carl Cox, Armin Van Buuren, and many more. Ultra’s combination of top-tier talent and orange sunsets (and city lights) over Miami’s skyline keeps it a hotspot for those who want to dance and be surrounded by a buzzing international crowd.
Sziget Festival – Budapest, Hungary
Known as “The Island of Freedom,” Sziget Festival transforms an island in the heart of Budapest into a week-long celebration of music, art, and culture. Sziget is another festival attended by over 565,000 people from over 100 countries, something that this one is not.
It ranges across genres, including Arctic Monkeys and Dua Lipa, and offers even EDM sensations. Music, art workshops, yoga classes, and pop-up theaters are among the engagements available to attendees. Sziget is a festival lifestyle you will never want to leave.
Roskilde Festival – Roskilde, Denmark
Every year, 130,000 people attend Europe’s largest festival at Roskilde. The festival, known for its charitable ethos (profits go to social and cultural initiatives), combines music, art installations, and activism.
Architecture and art stretch as high as towering art pieces; Kendrick Lamar and Gorillaz all show that Roskilde is redefining the meaning of a music festival. The festival’s “Orange Feeling”—its ethos of togetherness and community—draws a loyal audience, making it a must-visit for those looking to celebrate music with a purpose.
Rock am Ring and Rock am Park- Nürburgring and Nürnberg, Germany
Germany’s twin festivals have been Europe’s ultimate rock events for decades. Rock am Ring and Rock im Park occur simultaneously and in the same year in two cities, and the lineup typically includes the best in rock, metal, and punk. The festival needs no further introduction as it has served as a home to past headliners Metallica and Muse, while there is no shortage of epic guitar riffs.
Attendance is approaching 150,000 between the two locations, and this festival duet presents an unmissable experience for people who live for rock and any of its subgenres.
Primavera Sound – Barcelona, Spain
Primavera Sound has rewritten the book on inclusivity in festivals by having gender-balanced lineups, going outside the indie, electronic, and hip-hop bubble, and including Jorja Smith and Tyler, the Creator.
Primavera is a series of gigs held along the beachfront of Barcelona that’s as much a cultural hub as a music festival and draws 220,000 fans a year. With a vibrant nightlife and easy access to the city’s attractions, Primavera Sound promises music by day and exploration by night.
Montreux Jazz Festival – Montreux, Switzerland
The Montreux Jazz Festival is the artistic jewel of jazz. This Swiss festival was established in 1967, and its icons are Miles Davis and Nina Simone. The weeks of jazz are now complemented by two weeks of blues, soul, and rock music, but it retains its heart in its initial love for jazz.
The festival, which combines cutting-edge music with fabulous views, is set along the stunning shores of Lake Geneva and is a must-do item for lovers of sophisticated sounds.
Splendour in the Grass – Byron Bay, Australia
In the Southern Hemisphere, Australia’s Splendour in the Grass answers Coachella. With indie and alternative music acts The Strokes and Lorde among the names on the bill, the festival is filled with cultural workshops, healing circles, and quirky art installations.
Running under an eco-conscious philosophy and laid-back vibe, Splendour hosts around 42,000 people yearly who intend to enjoy music and nature.
EXIT Festival – Novi Sad, Serbia
Petrovaradin Fortress, overlooking the Danube River, is also the location of the EXIT Festival. EXIT once was a former student protest against corruption, but now beats them all, with 200,000 people coming to listen to a mix of electronic, rock, and hip-hop acts.
The stages of the festival span across the fortress with stunning views all the way. Recognized for its “Best Major Festival” awards, EXIT is ideal for music fans who appreciate history and a vibrant nightlife.
Burning Man – Black Rock Desert, Nevada
Beyond being a festival, Burning Man is a cultural phenomenon. This event has 70,000 attendees descend on Nevada’s Black Rock Desert to spend a week bringing an aesthetic desert city to fruition.
No musicians are booked; the residents are the backdrop for eclectic music, art installations, and communal living. At Burning Man, its core principles—like radical self-expression—uniquely come together as much about community as about music.
Disclaimer – This list is solely the author’s opinion based on research and publicly available information. It is not intended to be professional advice.
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