In this post, you will see the top 10 biggest music festivals in the world as of 2024. These festivals are commemorated around the world and have since gained the world’s attention. Some have even contributed to a reasonable amount in the general quota of the host country’s GDP.
Among this list, the Montreal International Jazz Festival, Summerfest, and Donauinselfest are three of the 10 biggest music festivals in the world, attracting hundreds of thousands or even millions of attendees annually.
The live events space was devastated by the Covid-19 pandemic, losing an estimated $30 billion in 2024 as virtually every major tour and music festival was shuttered. Given the restrictions on crowd gatherings in many countries during 2024 and into 2024, which frequently limited events to just 500 or fewer attendees, there was simply no way for concert and festival promoters to stage events.
The industry began coming out of its slumber in 2024, with several prominent artists getting back out on tour, including J. Cole, Jack Harlow, and Lil Baby. While there was a lot of pent-up demand for the return of live events, many people also remained cautious about diving headfirst into large crowds again.
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With the fear of Covid continuing to abate, that caution finally appears to have given way to the burning desire for live experiences, as evidenced by the strong attendance numbers this year for many of the 10 biggest music festivals in the world, which have met or even exceeded their pre-pandemic attendance figures.
We’ll get to those numbers in a moment, but before we check out the 10 biggest music festivals in the world, let’s see some Jobs in UK Paying Between $20k and $125k Yearly (click here).
Top 10 Biggest Music Festivals in the World.
11. Sziget Festival
2024 Attendance: 450,000
First up on the list of 11 biggest music festivals in the world is the Sziget Festival, an annual music and cultural festival that takes place on Óbudai-sziget, a small island in the Danube river in Budapest, Hungary. The festival was first held in 1993 and has grown in popularity over the years, attracting more than 500,000 visitors each year.
The Sziget Festival features a diverse lineup of music, with a focus on rock, pop, and electronic music. In addition to music, the festival also features a variety of cultural events, including theater performances, art exhibitions, and film screenings.
The Sziget Festival is known for its unique atmosphere and vibrant energy, and it has become a popular destination for music fans from around the world. If you are planning to attend the Sziget Festival, it is a good idea to book your tickets and accommodations in advance, as the event can get very crowded.
10. Essence Music Festival
2024 Attendance: 500,000
The Essence Music Festival is an annual music festival that takes place in New Orleans, Louisiana which is known for its celebration of African American culture and its focus on social and political issues. The festival was founded in 1995 and is one of the largest events celebrating African American culture in the United States. It attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors each year and has become a major cultural and economic event for the city of New Orleans.
The Essence Music Festival features a diverse lineup of music, with a focus on R&B, hip hop, and soul. In addition to music, the festival also includes a variety of other events, such as panel discussions, workshops, and vendors selling food and other goods.
9. Festival L’Boulevard
2024 Attendance: 520,000
Festival L’Boulevard is the first of two music festivals held in Morocco that cracked the list of the 11 biggest music festivals in the world. The 2024 edition of the urban music festival, which is held in the city of Casablanca, was graced by some of Morocco’s biggest hip-hop acts, El Grande Toto and L’Morphine. However, one of the festival’s live performances, which was held at RUC Stadium, was plagued by overcrowding, theft, and violence.
8. Tomorrowland
2024 Attendance: 600,000
Ranking as the eighth biggest music festival in the world with sold out attendance of 600,000 in 2024 is Tomorrowland, an annual music festival that takes place in Belgium. It is one of the largest and most well-known music festivals in the world, attracting hundreds of thousands of visitors each year. The festival was first held in 2005 and has since become known for its high-quality production and diverse lineup of music, with a focus on electronic dance music (EDM).
Tomorrowland takes place over two weekends in the summer and features multiple stages with live music performances, as well as other entertainment such as fireworks, light shows, and food and drink vendors. The festival is known for its vibrant atmosphere and has become a popular destination for music fans from around the world.
7. Rock in Rio
Historical Attendance: 700,000
Rock in Rio is an annual music festival that takes place in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. It is one of the largest and most well-known music festivals in the world, attracting hundreds of thousands of visitors each year. The festival was first held in 1985 and has since become known for its high-quality production and diverse lineup of music, with a focus on rock and pop.
Rock in Rio takes place over several days in the fall and features multiple stages with live music performances, as well as other entertainment such as food and drink vendors and carnival rides. The festival is known for its vibrant atmosphere and has become a popular destination for music fans from around the world.
6. Pol’and’Rock Festival
Historical Attendance: 750,000
Closing out the first part of your ranking of the 11 biggest music festivals in the world is the Pol’and’Rock Festival, also known as the Przystanek Woodstock Festival, an annual music and cultural festival that takes place in Kostrzyn nad Odrą, Poland. The festival was first held in 1995 and has grown in popularity over the years, attracting more than 500,000 visitors each year.
The Pol’and’Rock Festival features a diverse lineup of music, with a focus on rock, pop, and electronic music. In addition to music, the festival also includes a variety of other events, such as theater performances, art exhibitions, and film screenings. The Festival is known for its unique atmosphere and vibrant energy, and has become a popular destination for music fans from around the world.