When summer rolls around, there’s no better way to celebrate life, music, and travel than by joining a global crowd at one of the famous festivals around the world. From legendary stages in the UK to beach parties in Portugal and raves beneath Japanese mountains, music events in summer 2025 promise unforgettable memories and cultural connections.

Whether you’re into jazz, indie, EDM, or something in between, these live music destinations offer more than just sound — they’re full-blown experiences worth crossing borders for.

Here’s your 2025 world music festival calendar, with 14 standout events to fuel your summer music travel plans.

Glastonbury Festival – United Kingdom

When: June 25 – 29, 2025
Where: Worthy Farm, Somerset, UK
Music Genres: Rock, pop, indie, electronic, folk, world music

Few world festivals carry the cultural weight of Glastonbury. Set on a vast farm in rural England, it’s more than just a music event — it’s a five-day celebration of art, community, and history. Glasto attracts some of the biggest names in music, but it also thrives on its hidden corners: late-night raves in The Rabbit Hole, immersive theatre in Shangri-La, or sunrise sessions at the Stone Circle.

The atmosphere is both chaotic and soulful, with muddy boots, costume parades, and spontaneous dance circles all part of the experience.

Highlights: Pyramid Stage headliners, 100+ performance spaces, secret venues and unforgettable sunrises.

Works Best With: Explore England’s southwest coast — Glastonbury is just a few hours from the dramatic cliffs of Cornwall, the Roman baths of Bath, or the charming towns of Devon. Great for a wider road trip through the English countryside.

Official Website: glastonburyfestivals.co.uk

Tomorrowland – Belgium

When: July 18 – 20 & July 25 – 27, 2025
Where: Boom, Belgium
Music Genres: EDM, house, techno, trance, electro-pop

Tomorrowland is what happens when a fantasy novel and a dance floor collide. Held over two weekends in the small town of Boom, this festival is a dreamlike escape for electronic music fans. The 2025 edition will revolve around a new theme, “Orbyz,” turning the stages into a frozen utopia of lights, lasers, and ice-themed visuals.

Over 400,000 attendees come dressed in glitter and flags, moving to the beats of superstar DJs like David Guetta, Alesso, and Armin van Buuren. From sunrise to well past sunset, the vibe never drops.

Highlights: Elaborate mainstage designs, DreamVille campsite experience, themed stages, and nonstop dancing across 15+ zones.

Works Best With: Pair your festival with a cultural break in Brussels or Bruges, both under an hour away. For a longer trip, hop a train to Amsterdam or Paris — both are reachable in under three hours.

Official Website: tomorrowland.com

Bonnaroo Music & Arts Festival – USA

When: June 12 – 15, 2025
Where: Manchester, Tennessee, USA
Music Genres: Rock, pop, hip-hop, indie, folk, electronic

Set in the heart of Tennessee, Bonnaroo offers a relaxed, all-welcome atmosphere that draws a blend of music fans, yogis, artists, and campers. Held on a 700-acre farm, the festival transforms into a temporary village where fans gather for performances by chart-toppers like Tyler, the Creator and Hozier.

It’s known for its free-spirited culture, from sunrise yoga to pop-up art installations. Whether you’re dancing at the main stage or discovering hidden acoustic sets under a canopy of trees, Bonnaroo feels like a creative summer retreat.

Highlights: Roo Camp community, comedy shows, silent discos, wellness areas, and sunrise jam sessions.

Works Best With: Make it a Deep South journey — pair Bonnaroo with a visit to Nashville (just over an hour away) for live country music, or drive down to Chattanooga for mountain views and historic charm.

Official Website: bonnaroo.com

Summerfest – USA

When: June 19 – 21, June 26 – 28, and July 3 – 5, 2025
Where: Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA
Music Genres: Rock, pop, hip-hop, country, alternative, EDM

Known as “The world’s largest music festival,” Summerfest spans three weekends along Milwaukee’s scenic lakefront. With over 600 artists performing across 12 stages, it’s a laid-back yet energetic celebration of sound, food, and city spirit.

Whether you’re catching chart-topping acts like The Killers and Megan Thee Stallion or discovering local indie gems, there’s always something playing. Held at Henry Maier Festival Park, the venue is spacious, well-organized, and perfect for wandering between sets with a craft beer in hand.

Highlights: Affordable entry, permanent sound stages, lakeside views, and regional food stalls serving cheese curds and bratwurst.

Works Best With: Extend your stay in Milwaukee to explore its breweries, lakefront art museum, and historic Third Ward. Or take a short drive south to discover Chicago’s vibrant summer scene.

Official Website: summerfest.com

Montreal Jazz Festival – Canada

When: June 26 – July 5, 2025
Where: Montreal, Quebec, Canada
Music Genres: Jazz, blues, soul, funk, fusion, world, indie

Each summer, Montreal’s downtown streets transform into an open-air concert hall. The city’s French charm meets musical sophistication during this globally acclaimed festival. It features hundreds of free and ticketed performances, from classic jazz to genre-blending experiments. The energy is relaxed yet refined, with performances often spilling into nearby plazas and cafés. Whether you’re a jazz purist or simply in love with live music, this is the kind of festival where you lose track of time and find joy in every street corner.

Highlights: Free outdoor stages, candlelit late-night shows, international artists, and a festive city buzz that lasts well past midnight.

Works Best With: Combine it with exploring Montreal’s cobbled streets, local wine bars, or nearby Laurentian Mountains for hiking and lakeside cabins.

Official Website: montrealjazzfest.com

Primavera Sound – Spain

When: May 29 – June 1, 2025
Where: Barcelona, Spain
Music Genres: Indie, alternative, electronic, experimental, pop

Held by the sea in Parc del Fòrum, Primavera Sound is a trendsetter’s paradise. It’s known for curating bold lineups that mix cult favorites with genre-bending newcomers — think The Cure, Charli XCX, and LCD Soundsystem playing back-to-back.

The experience is urban, stylish, and immersive, with late-night performances running well into the early hours. There’s a cool, almost cinematic quality to watching a sunset set with the Mediterranean breeze in your face and the Barcelona skyline behind you.

Highlights: Diverse artist curation, beachside stages, art installations, and a hip international crowd.

Works Best With: Blend it with Barcelona’s architectural gems like La Sagrada Família, beach lounging in Barceloneta, or day trips to Montserrat and Sitges.

Official Website: primaverasound.com

Roskilde Festival – Denmark

When: June 28 – July 5, 2025
Where: Roskilde, Denmark
Music Genres: Rock, hip-hop, electronic, pop, world music

Roskilde is Scandinavia’s biggest music festival, and one of the most forward-thinking in the world. Founded in 1971, it’s run by a nonprofit foundation that donates all profits to social and cultural causes. The festival blends massive headline shows with grassroots energy, attracting both international stars and emerging Nordic talent.

The vibe is progressive and passionate — a place where music meets activism and art installations meet late-night DJ sets.

Highlights: Eight main stages, immersive art spaces, massive campgrounds, and an eco-conscious approach that shapes every detail — from reusable cups to donation-based waste cleanup.

Works Best With: After the festival, head back to Copenhagen (just 30 minutes away) for canal strolls, design museums, and new Nordic cuisine. Or take a ferry trip to explore Denmark’s nearby islands.

Official Website: roskilde-festival.dk

Sziget Festival – Hungary

When: August 6 – 12, 2025
Where: Óbuda Island, Budapest, Hungary
Music Genres: Pop, EDM, indie, hip-hop, rock, global fusion

Sziget is more than a music festival — it’s a full-blown temporary city on an island in the middle of the Danube. Known as “The Island of Freedom,” it’s a cultural melting pot where over 100 nationalities gather to celebrate music, art, and self-expression.

With 60+ stages and zones, you can dance at a techno rave, take a painting class, and watch a contemporary circus act — all in one afternoon.

Highlights: Beach parties, boat raves, massive headline sets, art installations, and a welcoming, global crowd.

Works Best With: Use the week to discover Budapest’s ruin bars, soak in historic thermal baths, or cruise along the Danube. The city is a gem in itself and remarkably affordable.

Official Website: szigetfestival.com

Electric Daisy Carnival (EDC) – USA

When: May 16 – 18, 2025
Where: Las Vegas, Nevada, USA
Music Genres: EDM, house, trance, dubstep, techno

EDC Las Vegas is pure spectacle. It’s not just a festival — it’s an audiovisual universe. Think carnival rides, glowing art cars, costumed performers, and over-the-top stage production under neon skies. Hosting over 500,000 attendees, EDC is a sensory overload in the best way possible. From sunrise DJ sets to synchronized fireworks, it’s the kind of weekend that feels like stepping into a parallel world built entirely out of bass and light.

Highlights: The iconic kineticFIELD stage, electric daisy carnival rides, immersive light tunnels, and 24/7 energy across the Las Vegas Motor Speedway.

Works Best With: Turn it into a desert escape. Explore Red Rock Canyon or make a detour to the Grand Canyon. And of course, enjoy the Las Vegas Strip’s food, shows, and nightlife — just pace yourself.

Official Website: lasvegas.electricdaisycarnival.com

EXIT Festival – Serbia

When: July 10 – 13, 2025
Where: Petrovaradin Fortress, Novi Sad, Serbia
Music Genres: EDM, rock, techno, hip-hop, metal

EXIT is one of Europe’s most unique music festivals — set inside the walls of a 17th-century fortress overlooking the Danube River. Originally started as a student protest for peace and democracy, it still carries a rebellious spirit while hosting major international acts.

The venue’s maze of tunnels, cobbled pathways, and lookout towers creates an unforgettable setting for all-night dancing under the stars.

Highlights: 40+ genre-spanning stages, epic sunrise sets at the Dance Arena, fortress views, and a youthful, open-minded crowd.

Works Best With: Make time to explore Novi Sad’s charming Old Town and nearby Fruska Gora National Park. Belgrade, Serbia’s capital and nightlife hub, is just a 90-minute drive away.

Official Website: exitfest.org

Fuji Rock Festival – Japan

When: July 25 – 27, 2025
Where: Naeba Ski Resort, Niigata Prefecture, Japan
Music Genres: Rock, indie, electronic, folk, world music

Set in the misty mountains of Niigata, Fuji Rock is a soulful blend of music and nature. Japan’s biggest outdoor music festival brings a global lineup to an alpine setting — where lush forests, clean air, and hot springs create a peaceful counterbalance to the music’s intensity. It’s known for being one of the most eco-conscious festivals in the world, with a strong focus on sustainability and respect for nature.

Highlights: Forest stages, hillside trails between venues, Japanese food stalls, and a relaxed, respectful audience vibe.

Works Best With: Pair Fuji Rock with a few days in Tokyo, just a bullet train ride away. Or stay local to enjoy onsen baths and hiking trails in the Japanese Alps.

Official Website: fujirockfestival.com

Afro Nation – Portugal

When: July 9 – 11, 2025 (TBC)
Where: Portimão, Algarve, Portugal
Music Genres: Afrobeats, dancehall, hip-hop, R&B, amapiano

Set on the golden sands of Praia da Rocha, Afro Nation is a vibrant celebration of African and Caribbean music and culture. As the largest Afrobeats festival in the world, it brings together global superstars like Burna Boy, Wizkid, and Davido for sun-soaked performances right by the Atlantic. With beach parties, boat raves, and sunset DJ sets, the atmosphere is both electric and deeply soulful — a summer party that feels as spiritual as it is sensational.

Highlights: Oceanfront stages, boat parties, African food pop-ups, and a buzzing, stylish crowd from around the world.

Works Best With: Explore the Algarve’s hidden coves and coastal towns like Lagos or Albufeira. Rent a car and take a road trip through southern Portugal’s scenic cliffs, vineyards, and surf towns.

Official Website: afronation.com

Øya Festival – Norway

When: August 5 – 9, 2025
Where: Oslo, Norway
Music Genres: Indie, hip-hop, electronic, experimental, pop

Oya Music Festival combines cutting-edge music with Scandinavian cool in one of Europe’s greenest capital cities. Set in Oslo’s Tøyen Park, the festival curates a blend of international acts and Nordic talent, all with a strong focus on sustainability. Organic food stalls, locally sourced merch, and zero-waste efforts are part of the DNA here. It’s the kind of festival where you can dance to Arctic Monkeys, snack on reindeer sliders, and still catch a fjord sunset — all in one day.

Highlights: Eco-conscious initiatives, intimate forested stages, local cuisine, and clean, efficient festival operations.

Works Best With: Walkable Oslo is perfect for art lovers and urban explorers — visit the Munch Museum, paddle in the fjord, or hop a train to the nearby forests and islands.

Official Website: oyafestivalen.no

Creamfields – United Kingdom

When: August 21 – 24, 2025
Where: Daresbury, Cheshire, UK
Music Genres: EDM, house, techno, drum and bass, trance

Creamfields is the UK’s largest electronic music festival, and one of the most anticipated in Europe for dance lovers. Located in the English countryside, it’s four days of high-octane performances with over 300 acts, from Tiësto to Calvin Harris.

The festival is known for its world-class production — jaw-dropping laser shows, immersive stages like Arc and Steel Yard, and a crowd that doesn’t slow down. It’s loud, intense, and unapologetically euphoric.

Highlights: Giant stage structures, camping villages, late-night sets, and one of the most loyal fanbases in the EDM world.

Works Best With: After the festival, unwind in nearby Liverpool or Manchester — both cities offer rich music history, lively bars, and great museums. Or go coastal for a breath of fresh sea air.

Official Website: creamfields.com

Your 2025 Summer Soundtrack: Wrapping Up the World’s Most Famous Festivals

From the misty forests of Japan to the beaches of Portugal and the heart of Tennessee, these famous festivals around the world turn music into a movement. Whether you’re planning your first international trip or adding new pins to your seasoned travel map, the world festival calendar for summer 2025 is packed with opportunities to connect through rhythm, culture, and pure joy.

These aren’t just live music destinations — they’re experiences that blend sound with setting, people with place. Some let you dance until dawn beneath laser-lit skies, while others invite you to pause, breathe, and take in a soulful saxophone under the stars. Whichever path you choose, summer music travel is your invitation to see the world differently — one beat, one city, one moment at a time.

So go ahead: book that ticket, pack those earplugs, and start dreaming. Because somewhere out there, the next great song of your life is about to begin.