With festival season right around the corner, music fans are in their element, prepping for the long-awaited annual festivals to start.
But, for those bored of attending the same local festivals year after year, there’s a new data study revealing the best festivals across the globe to help provide a spark of inspiration, and Reading Festival has made the list!
Combining a number of festivals across varying genres, from rock to rave, the study from NZ Casino has shared the top 15 festivals it’ll be worth your time travelling to experience.
1. Rock in Rio
Location: Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Dates: 15th - 23rd June
Score out of 10: 9.5
The undisputed king of festivals, Rock in Rio boasts a massive lineup across multiple stages, attracting huge crowds, tons of social media traction, and consistent positive reviews.
2. Coachella
Location: California, US
Dates: 11th - 20th April 2025
Score out of 10: 8
Boasting the most TikTok and Instagram posts out of all the festivals analysed, Coachella is clearly the social media queen of festivals.
3. Sziget
Location: Budapest, Hungary
Dates: 7th - 12th August
Score out of 10: 8
Nicknamed "The Island of Freedom," Sziget is a week-long, multi-genre party with a huge lineup spanning rock, electronic, and world music. 2024 headliners include artists like Stormzy, Fred Again.., and Martin Garrix.
4. Burning Man
Location: Nevada, US
Dates: 25th August - 2nd September
Score out of 10: 7.5
More than a music festival, Burning Man is a controversial event known for providing experiences focused on art, self-expression, and radical self-reliance.
5. Electric Daisy Carnival
Location: Nevada, US
Dates: 17th - 19th May
Score out of 10: 7.5
Calling all EDM fans, EDC is the perfect festival for those wanting to dive headfirst into a world of bass-heavy beats, dazzling light shows, and the biggest DJs on the planet.
6. Roskilde Festival
Location: Roskilde, Denmark
Dates: 29th June - 6th July
Score out of 10: 7.5
Roskilde is a famous European festival with a rich history and an unshakeable commitment to hosting the best acts around. This year headliners include 21 Savage, Skrillex, and Foo Fighters.
7. Tomorrowland
Location: Antwerp, Belgium
Dates: 19th - 28th July
Score out of 10: 7
EDM royalty, Tomorrowland is known for its epic stage design, world-class DJs, and an atmosphere that will leave you buzzing for days.
8. Summerfest
Location: Wisconsin, US
Dates: 20 June - 6th July
Score out of 10: 7
With the self ordained title of The "World's Largest Music Festival", Summerfest features hundreds of artists on multiple stages across genres.
9. Glastonbury
Location: Somerset, UK
Dates: 26th - 30th June
Score out of 10: 6.5
A truly legendary British festival, Glastonbury is known for providing a festival experience unlike any other.
10. Creamfields
Location: Cheshire, UK
Dates: 22nd – 25th August
Score out of 10: 6
Looking for something a little more rave-like? Creamfields is the UK based festival for you - featuring headliners like Calvin Harris, Chase & Status, and Gorgon City, it’s the perfect place to rave under the summer sky.
11. Hellfest
Location: Clisson, France
Dates: 20th - 30th June
Score out of 10: 6
If headbanging and mosh pits are more your scene, look no farther than France’s Hellfest. This French festival is a haven for all things loud, fast, and aggressive.
12. Vive Latino
Location: Mexico City, Mexico
Dates: TBC 2025
Score out of 10: 6
Vive Latino is a celebration of Latin music in all its glory.
13. Outside Lands
Location: California, US
Dates: 9th - 11th August
Score out of 10: 5.5
Known for its stunning scenery, delicious food, and incredible sounds - Outside Lands is where nature meets music.
14. Reading Festival
Kin Chan / Reading Festival
Location: Reading, UK
Dates: 21st - 25th August
Score out of 10: 5.5
Hosting Lana Del Ray, Fred Again.., and Liam Gallagher to name a few, Reading Festival (also known as Reading and Leeds Festival) is one of the best places to watch the UK’s most popular acts.
15. Download Festival
Location: Leicestershire, UK
Dates: 14th - 16th June
Score out of 10: 5.5
Covering the UK rock scene, Download Festival is the place to see acts like Fall Out Boy, Queens of the Stone Age, and even nostalgic soft-rock band Busted.
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