The best music festivals to go to in 2025

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Is there anything sweeter than waking up to a day filled with music, laughter, delicious street food, and revelry? It’s the place where you discover your new favorite band, make friends with strangers, dance until you drop and, unless you have a nearby hotel, bathing usually reduces to a minimum.

There’s truly no place like a festival, and we’ve rounded up the most popular from around the world worth checking out in 2025. From legendary gatherings like Glastonburyn to dance-centric spectacles like Tomorrowland and ADE, these festivals promise unforgettable moments of music, camaraderie, and culinary delights.

 

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Glastonbury, UK​

For five days in June, the world-renowned Glastonbury Festival in Somerset, England, transforms into its own ecosystem, catering to everyone from middle-aged hippies to twenty-something hipsters and festival old-timers. Whether you’re heading to the Pyramid Stage to watch legends like Rod Stewart, dancing to the catchy tunes of Olivia Rodrigo, or venturing into the forest for some moon bathing, Glastonbury leaves no stone unturned.

Dates: June 25 – 29, 2025.​

 

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FIB Benicàssim, Spain​

Benicàssim, a four-day music festival on Spain's east coast between Valencia and Barcelona, offers a tantalizing blend of music and holiday vibes. Camp under the stars or combine the festival with a beach vacation, topping up your tan and swimming in the nearby glistening sea.

Dates: July 17 – 19, 2025.​

 

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Montreux Jazz Festival, Switzerland​

Nestled on the shores of Lake Geneva, the Montreux Jazz Festival has captivated nearly 250,000 spectators each year since its inception in 1967. Renowned for its stunning setting, the festival has welcomed legends like Miles Davis, Ray Charles, David Bowie, and Prince. While jazz remains at its heart, Montreux embraces a diverse range of musical styles over two weeks.

Dates: July 4 - 19, 2025.​

 

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Rock in Rio, Brazil​

Held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, the multi-day biennial festival has become a cultural touchstone, drawing over 700,000 attendees from around the globe. With a star-studded lineup, electrifying performances, and an unmatched carnival-like atmosphere, Rock in Rio stands as one of the world's most exciting festivals.

The festival returns in 2026, dates to be announced.​

 

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Fuji Rock, Japan​

Held at the Naeba Ski Resort in Niigata Prefecture, Japan, the Fuji Rock Festival is an iconic three-day rock festival and the largest music festival in Japan, drawing between 100,000 and 150,000 attendees. Known as the "cleanest festival in the world," it's steeped in history, including the dramatic 1997 event when the Red Hot Chili Peppers headlined during a storm, risking their lives until the set was prematurely ended and the festival shut down.

Dates: July 25 – 27, 2025.​

 

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Burning Man, USA​

A festival like no other, Burning Man is a week-long, large-scale desert event held annually in Nevada's Black Rock Desert. It celebrates community, art, self-expression, and self-reliance. The event's name comes from its climax: the symbolic burning of a large wooden effigy known as the Man. No money is exchanged at Burning Man, embracing a gift economy instead.

Dates: August 24 - September 1, 2025.​