Music festivals are the heartbeat of the music industry, attracting music lovers from all over the world. In fact, these festivals are a cultural phenomenon that is boundless and unites people from all walks of life.

From Coachella to Ultra Music Festival, this guide provides a complete list of popular music festivals, ensuring that music fans can learn about the world’s largest and best events during the festival season.

Let’s set in the rhythm of music—the universal language of music!

List of Popular Music Festivals

1: SXSW | Austin, TX

When in 2025? From March 7 to 15, 2025

South by Southwest (SXSW) is a renowned event that showcases the convergence of tech, film, music, education, and culture through conferences and festivals. It is one of the popular music festivals in the USA, featuring over 2,000 artists from 65 countries performing diverse genres, including rock, punk, hip-hop, indie, and electronic music.

Since its founding in 1987, SXSW has seen immense yearly growth. Its first event in 1987 attracted 700 registrants, showcasing the event’s unique charm and transforming it into a unique experience.

2: Ultra Music Festival | Miami, FL

When in 2025? From March 28 to 30, 2025

Hailed for its wild crowd and electrifying music, Ultra Music Festival is a three-day outdoor electronic music festival known for its EDM, techno, and house music. It is regarded as one of the world’s most popular electronic music festivals.

It was founded in 1999 and hosted the first event in Miami Beach, which featured electronic music artists and groups such as Carl Cox, Josh Wink, and Rabbit in the Moon, attracting around 7,000 attendees. It continues to grow in popularity, gaining larger crowds and becoming more prominent in the music industry.

3: Big Ears | Knoxville, TN

When in 2025? From March 27 to 30, 2025.

Founded in 2009, Big Ear is a yearly music festival that attracts over 40,000 locals and guests of all ages to witness amazing performances and artistic experiences. It features various musical styles, including contemporary classical, indie-rock, jazz, and electronic music.

Big Ears is a high-profile music festival that boasts nearly 200 concerts, talks, workshops, and film screenings. It explores the influencers who connect musicians and artists across various genres and disciplines, contributing to the cultural character of the region.

4: Jazz & Heritage Festival | New Orleans, LA

When in 2025? From April 24 to May 4, 2025

The Jazz & Heritage Festival, popularly known as Jazz Fest, is an annual festival featuring a range of musical performances and spans over two weeks. It covers a variety of musical styles, including jazz, gospel, and blues. The festival includes heritage discussions, food demonstrations, and children’s activities.

The first Jazz Fest was held at Congo Square in 1970 and featured popular stars such as Mahalia Jackson, Duke Ellington, and Fats Domino. The festival also hosts several marketplaces in conjunction, including many local vendors selling handcrafted clothing, musical instruments, pottery, and photographs.

5: Coachella | Indio, CA

When in 2025? From April 11 to 13 and April 18 to 20, 2025.

Making its mark since 1999, Coachella is one of the most popular music festivals, commonly known as the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival. It features artists from various music genres, including rock, pop, indie, hip-hop, and electronic dance music, as well as art installations and sculptures.

It attracts over 100,000 music enthusiasts, offering a relaxed atmosphere ranging from campgrounds to golf resorts and mid-century homes. In the past, the music festival gained prominence with the presence of some renowned artists such as Beyonce, Paul McCartney, Beck, Morrissey, and the iconic rock band Rage Against the Machine.

6: Stagecoach Festival | Indio, CA

When in 2025? From April 25 to 27, 2025

The Stagecoach Festival is a yearly country music event held after the Coachella Festival. It attracts musicians from mainstream, pop, folk, bluegrass, roots rock, americana, and alternative country genres. First held in 2007, the festival became one of the most demanding and the world’s largest and highest-grossing country music festivals, with a record audience of 75,000 in 2018 and over 80,000 the following year.

With yearly success, this music festival has become a popular destination for Bachelor fans and contestants, revealing the initial drama on Season 6 of the spinoff Bachelor in Paradise due to relationships at a music festival.

7: Levitation | Austin, TX

When in 2024? From October 31 to November 3, 2024

When in 2025? No official announcement

Levitation is a famous festival that celebrates the psychedelic sounds of the 1960s and the evolution of experimental rock. The four-day festival is enriched with music and art from different venues in the Red River Cultural District and East Side, such as Stubb’s, Mohawk, Empire, Hotel Vegas, and Parish.

It was started in 2008 by members of The Black Angels and friends as an independent event that sparked a global movement. Its lineups include psych, dream pop, punk, indie, metal, darkwave, and electronic music, bringing the spirit of 1960s musical experimentation into the current era.

8: Shaky Knees | Atlanta, GA

When in 2025? No official announcement

Shaky Knees Music Festival is a yearly event where international and regional artists shine, aiming to cater to attendees from all backgrounds. It started as a two-day festival and now offers a three-day musical experience. It is a fest where various music styles, such as indie rock, indie folk, country music, and alternative rock, come into the limelight.

It was founded in 2013 and has moved to various locations but has remained in Atlanta. The festival has expanded to accommodate around 40,000 guests in a larger capacity, making it a popular event in the city.

9: Hangout Music Festival | Gulf Shores, AL

When in 2025? From May 2 to May 4, 2025

The Hangout Music Festival is a yearly three-day event held on Alabama’s Gulf Shores white sand beaches. The city’s first large beach festival features a roller rink, beach volleyball, a main stage in a ground pool, hammocks, food, and DJs.

It was founded in 2009 and features diverse musical styles, including energetic indie, electronic, and pop music, that perfectly complement the beach-party vibe. The festival has been nominated several times for “Festival of the Year” at the Pollstar Awards and IEBA Awards and won the Pollstar Awards in 2012.

10: Electric Daisy Carnival | Las Vegas, NV

When in 2025? From May 16 to May 18, 2025

In addition to being one of the biggest popular music festivals in North America in 2024, Electric Daisy Carnival is one of the most well-known events for electronic dance music. With three-dimensional superstructures, a vibrant glow, and LED-lit flora and fauna, the event is a visual extravaganza that captures everyone who attends.

The first Electric Daisy Carnival took place in 1991, evolving from a two-day event in 2009 to a three-day event in 2011. It boasts diverse electronic music styles, including house, techno, drum and bass, and dubstep, promising an exciting experience for music enthusiasts.