25 Best Music Festivals Worth Traveling For in 2026

Why Music Festivals Are Travel Destinations in Their Own Right

A music festival is not just a concert -- it is a temporary city built around sound. For a few days, tens of thousands of people from dozens of countries converge in a field, a desert, a park, or a beach to share an experience that combines live music, art installations, food, camping, and the particular kind of connection that happens when strangers dance together. The best music festivals are worth planning an entire trip around: they transform a destination, introduce you to artists you have never heard of, and create memories that outlast any playlist.

This guide covers 25 of the world's best music festivals across genres, continents, and budgets, with the practical details you need to actually get there and survive: dates, ticket prices, accommodation options, packing lists, and booking strategies.

How to Get Tickets: A Universal Strategy

Most major festivals sell out quickly, some within minutes. Here is the general approach:

1. Sign up for the mailing list at least 6 months before the festival. Many offer pre-sale access to subscribers.
2. Follow the festival on social media (Instagram and X/Twitter) for ticket drop announcements.
3. Set a timer for the exact moment tickets go on sale. Have an account created and payment details saved in advance.
4. Consider loyalty/tier programs. Glastonbury uses a registration system (you must register with a photo months before tickets go on sale). Tomorrowland has a Global Journey package that bundles flights+tickets.
5. Resale platforms. If you miss the initial sale, official resale platforms (Twickets, Dice, Lyte) sell at face value. Avoid unofficial resellers where possible (inflated prices, counterfeit risk).

The 25 Best Music Festivals in 2026

1. Glastonbury Festival -- Somerset, England

Dates: Late June (typically the last weekend)

Genre: Multi-genre (rock, pop, electronic, hip-hop, folk, world music, plus theater, circus, and art)

Ticket Price: Approximately 355 GBP ($445 USD) including a 5-night camping pitch

Capacity: 210,000

Camping: Included with the ticket. The festival site is a working dairy farm, and camping is on grass fields. Arrive early (gates open Wednesday morning) for the best spots.

Glastonbury is the world's largest greenfield performing arts festival and arguably the most iconic music event on the planet. The Pyramid Stage has hosted virtually every major act in popular music history. But Glastonbury is as much about what happens between the stages: the Shangri-La late-night area, the stone circle, the Green Fields healing area, the Block9 nightclub district, and the sense that you have entered a parallel society for five days.

Ticket Strategy: Registration opens months before the general sale (usually in October for the following June). Tickets go on sale in two batches (a coach+ticket sale in late October and a general sale in early November) and sell out in under 30 minutes. Register at glastonburyfestivals.co.uk with a photo and your details well in advance.

Survival Tips: Bring wellies (rubber boots) regardless of the forecast -- the site turns to mud in rain. A portable phone charger is essential. The Glastonbury app helps you plan your schedule.

2. Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival -- Indio, California, USA

Dates: Two weekends in April (typically weekends 2 and 3)

Genre: Multi-genre (indie, pop, hip-hop, electronic, Latin, R&B)

Ticket Price: General Admission from $549; VIP from $1,149; car camping pass $149 additional

Capacity: 125,000 per weekend

Coachella is held on the Empire Polo Fields in the California desert, with mountain views, art installations (the festival commissions large-scale sculptures and interactive works each year), and consistently strong lineups that blend headliners with emerging artists across multiple genres.

Accommodation: Car camping (the classic experience), tent camping (Lake Eldorado pre-pitched tents from $2,400/person), or hotels in Palm Springs/Indio (book 6+ months ahead; expect $300 to $600/night during the festival). Shuttle passes available from select hotels.

3. Tomorrowland -- Boom, Belgium

Dates: Two weekends in July

Genre: Electronic dance music (EDM, techno, house, trance, drum and bass)

Ticket Price: Full Madness Pass (3 days) from 300 EUR ($326); DreamVille camping add-on from 125 EUR; Global Journey packages (flight + ticket + camping/hotel) from 800 EUR.

Capacity: 200,000 per weekend

Tomorrowland is the world's most elaborate electronic music festival, with stage designs that look like the sets of fantasy films. The main stage changes theme annually and features pyrotechnics, lasers, and production values that no other festival can match. DreamVille (the camping area) is a festival within a festival, with themed camping villages, a supermarket, and its own entertainment program.

Ticket Strategy: Tickets sell out within minutes of the general sale (usually in late January). Global Journey packages (sold separately) are slightly easier to obtain and include travel from your nearest departure city plus guaranteed entry.

4. Fuji Rock Festival -- Naeba, Niigata, Japan

Dates: Last weekend of July

Genre: Multi-genre (rock, electronic, indie, world music, hip-hop)

Ticket Price: 3-day pass from 49,800 JPY ($330 USD); 1-day pass from 22,000 JPY ($145)

Capacity: 40,000

Fuji Rock takes place in a ski resort in the Japanese mountains, surrounded by forest, rivers, and hot springs. The setting is unlike any other major festival: boardwalk trails connect the stages through cedar forests, and the Green Stage sits against a mountain backdrop. The festival is famously well-organized and clean (this is Japan), and the food is extraordinary -- expect festival-quality ramen, yakitori, and craft beer rather than the typical hot dogs and burgers.

Accommodation: On-site camping (free with ticket, but bring your own gear), or stay in ryokans (traditional Japanese inns) in the Naeba area (from 8,000 JPY/night, book months ahead). A dedicated shuttle bus runs from Tokyo (about 3 hours).

5. Primavera Sound -- Barcelona, Spain

Dates: Early June (Thursday through Saturday)

Genre: Multi-genre (indie, rock, electronic, pop, hip-hop, experimental)

Ticket Price: Full festival pass from 275 EUR ($299); day tickets from 95 EUR

Capacity: 80,000

Primavera consistently delivers one of the most critically acclaimed lineups in the festival world, balancing heritage headliners with cutting-edge bookings that reflect global music trends before other festivals catch on. The venue, the Parc del Forum on Barcelona's waterfront, offers Mediterranean Sea views from many stages.

Accommodation: Barcelona has extensive hotel and hostel options. Hostels from 35 EUR/night (book early); hotels in the Eixample or Barceloneta from 120 EUR/night. The festival runs late (headliners take the stage at midnight or later), so proximity to the venue and the metro matters.

6. Sonar -- Barcelona, Spain

Dates: Mid-June (typically the weekend after Primavera)

Genre: Electronic music and digital art (techno, house, experimental electronic, audiovisual art)

Ticket Price: Full festival pass (Sonar by Day + Sonar by Night) from 235 EUR; Sonar by Night only from 145 EUR

Capacity: 50,000

Sonar runs as two complementary festivals: Sonar by Day (at Fira Montjuic, focused on experimental and emerging electronic music, plus tech conferences) and Sonar by Night (at Fira Gran Via, focused on large-scale techno and house). The festival has been a launchpad for electronic music trends since 1994.

7. SXSW (South by Southwest) -- Austin, Texas, USA

Dates: Mid-March (10 days)

Genre: Multi-genre showcases (rock, hip-hop, electronic, country, Latin, soul, punk), plus film and tech conferences

Ticket Price: Music Badge from $1,095 (access to all showcases); Wristband from $249 (access to select showcases, space-permitting)

Capacity: Distributed across 80+ venues

SXSW is less a traditional festival and more a city-wide music industry event. Over 2,000 bands perform across Austin's bars, clubs, and outdoor stages over 10 days. The magic is in the discovery: wandering down 6th Street and stumbling into a free day party with an artist who headlines arenas a year later. Many official and unofficial showcases are free.

Accommodation: Austin hotels during SXSW run $250 to $500/night minimum. Airbnb is common ($100 to $250/night). Book 3 to 6 months ahead.

8. Roskilde Festival -- Roskilde, Denmark

Dates: Late June to early July (8 days)

Genre: Multi-genre (rock, electronic, hip-hop, world music)

Ticket Price: Full festival ticket from 2,350 DKK ($340 USD), including 4 days of camping before the music starts

Capacity: 80,000

Northern Europe's largest music festival is run as a nonprofit, and the culture reflects it: communal, inclusive, and socially conscious. The pre-festival camping days (where festival-goers arrive days before the music starts) are as much a part of the experience as the headliners.

9. Burning Man -- Black Rock Desert, Nevada, USA

Dates: Late August through Labor Day (the first Monday of September)

Genre: Not technically a music festival -- it is a participatory art and community event, but massive sound camps and art cars provide 24/7 electronic, house, techno, and experimental music

Ticket Price: $575 USD (2026 estimate, subject to change); vehicle pass $150

Capacity: Approximately 80,000

Burning Man creates Black Rock City, a temporary metropolis in the Nevada desert built on principles of gifting (no commerce on the playa), radical self-reliance, and communal art. Every structure, every art car, every DJ set is created by participants. The experience is unlike any other event in the world, but the logistics are demanding: you must bring everything you need to survive a week in the desert (food, water, shelter, sunscreen) and pack out everything you bring in (Leave No Trace).

Survival Tips: 1.5 gallons of water per person per day minimum. Dust storms (whiteouts) can occur at any time -- carry goggles and a bandana. Temperatures range from 40+ degrees Celsius during the day to near freezing at night.

10. Lollapalooza -- Chicago, Illinois, USA

Dates: Late July to early August (4 days)

Genre: Multi-genre (rock, pop, hip-hop, electronic, alternative)

Ticket Price: 4-day GA from $400; 1-day from $130; VIP from $800

Capacity: 100,000 per day

Lollapalooza takes place in Grant Park in the heart of downtown Chicago, with the skyline as a backdrop. The urban setting means no camping -- you return to a hotel, hostel, or Airbnb each night, which makes it one of the most comfortable major festivals logistically.

11-15: European Festivals

11. Exit Festival -- Novi Sad, Serbia

Dates: Early July | Genre: Multi-genre, strong electronic focus | Price: From 100 EUR for a 4-day pass

Set inside the 18th-century Petrovaradin Fortress above the Danube River. One of the best-value major festivals in Europe.

12. Sziget Festival -- Budapest, Hungary

Dates: Mid-August (7 days) | Genre: Multi-genre | Price: 7-day pass from 370 EUR

Occupying Obuda Island in the Danube, Sziget is a "Festival of Freedom" attracting 500,000 visitors over a week. Camping on the island creates a self-contained festival city.

13. Melt Festival -- Grafenhainichen, Germany

Dates: Mid-July | Genre: Electronic, indie | Price: 3-day pass from 150 EUR

Set in an open-air museum of industrial architecture (Ferropolis, "the city of iron") with giant mining machines as the backdrop for stages.

14. Dimensions Festival -- Tisno, Croatia

Dates: Late August | Genre: Techno, house, ambient | Price: From 180 EUR for a 5-day pass

An intimate electronic music festival on the Croatian coast, with boat parties and a secret nightclub inside an abandoned Venetian-era fortress (Fort St. Michael).

15. NOS Alive -- Lisbon, Portugal

Dates: Early July | Genre: Rock, indie, electronic | Price: 3-day pass from 179 EUR

Lisbon's premier festival, set on the Tagus River waterfront. The combination of world-class lineups, excellent Portuguese food, and Lisbon's nightlife makes it a complete package.

16-20: Around the World

16. Splendour in the Grass -- Byron Bay, Australia

Dates: Late July | Genre: Indie, rock, electronic, hip-hop | Price: 3-day pass from AUD 430 ($280 USD)

Australia's largest winter music festival, in the bohemian coastal town of Byron Bay. Camping or glamping available on-site.

17. Afropunk -- Brooklyn, NYC, USA (+ global editions)

Dates: August (Brooklyn); additional editions in Johannesburg, London, and other cities | Genre: Afrobeat, punk, R&B, hip-hop, neo-soul | Price: 2-day pass from $175

A celebration of Black art and music culture with a uniquely creative and expressive audience. Fashion is as much a part of Afropunk as the music.

18. Rock in Rio -- Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Dates: September/October (odd years, next edition 2027, but 2026 editions in Lisbon) | Genre: Rock, pop, electronic | Price: From 695 BRL ($130 USD) per day

One of the largest music festivals in the world (700,000 total attendance). The Rio edition takes place in the custom-built Cidade do Rock (City of Rock) with a massive ferris wheel and zip line.

19. Sauti za Busara -- Zanzibar, Tanzania

Dates: February | Genre: African music (Afrobeat, taarab, Afro-jazz, traditional East African) | Price: Full pass from $80 USD

One of Africa's most important music festivals, held in the Stone Town amphitheater in Zanzibar. The intimate scale, the historic setting, and the quality of the African music acts make this a deeply authentic experience.

20. Rainforest World Music Festival -- Sarawak, Malaysia

Dates: June/July | Genre: World music, traditional and fusion | Price: 3-day pass from 420 MYR ($90 USD)

Set in the Sarawak Cultural Village at the foot of Mount Santubong in Borneo. Indigenous Dayak longhouses serve as workshops where musicians from around the world teach their traditions. The evening concerts blend global sounds against a jungle backdrop.

21-25: Genre Specialists

21. Montreux Jazz Festival -- Montreux, Switzerland

Dates: Early to mid-July (16 days) | Genre: Jazz, blues, soul, rock, pop | Price: Concert tickets from CHF 79 ($87); many free performances in the Montreux Jazz Cafe and along the lakefront

Set on the shores of Lake Geneva, with the Alps as a backdrop. Free concerts along the lakefront promenade run throughout the festival.

22. Ultra Music Festival -- Miami, Florida, USA

Dates: Late March | Genre: EDM, house, techno, trance | Price: 3-day GA from $499

The world's premier EDM festival, held in Bayfront Park in downtown Miami. The main stage production is massive, and the Carl Cox & Friends Megastructure is legendary.

23. Dekmantel -- Amsterdam, Netherlands

Dates: Late July/early August | Genre: Techno, house, experimental electronic | Price: 3-day pass from 200 EUR

A festival for serious electronic music fans, set in the Amsterdamse Bos (Amsterdam Forest). The programming is curated with an emphasis on quality over spectacle.

24. Newport Folk Festival -- Newport, Rhode Island, USA

Dates: Late July | Genre: Folk, indie folk, Americana, singer-songwriter | Price: 3-day pass from $259

Historic and intimate (10,000 capacity), set at Fort Adams State Park overlooking Narragansett Bay. This is where Bob Dylan went electric in 1965. The tradition of surprise guest appearances (Taylor Swift appeared unannounced in 2024) keeps the atmosphere electric.

25. Womad -- Charlton Park, Wiltshire, England

Dates: Late July | Genre: World music | Price: Weekend camping ticket from 195 GBP ($245)

Founded by Peter Gabriel in 1982, Womad (World of Music, Arts and Dance) is the definitive world music festival, featuring artists from every continent performing traditional and fusion music. The atmosphere is family-friendly and genuinely multicultural.

Festival Packing Checklist

Essentials

• Tent: Even if you plan to stay in a hotel, a tent is backup shelter at camping festivals. The Coleman Sundome 2 ($60) is reliable and affordable.
• Sleeping pad and sleeping bag: Night temperatures drop, even at summer festivals.
• Rain gear: Poncho or lightweight rain jacket. Garbage bags for keeping your belongings dry.
• Wellies/rain boots: Essential for UK and Northern European festivals.
• Sunscreen: SPF 50+. Reapply every 2 hours.
• Earplugs: High-fidelity earplugs (Loop Experience, $35, or Etymotic ER20XS, $20) reduce volume without distorting sound quality. Protect your hearing.
• Portable phone charger: 20,000 mAh minimum (Anker PowerCore, $40). Charging stations at festivals have long waits.
• Reusable water bottle: Hydration is the single most important factor in festival survival.
• Cash and cards: Many festivals are going cashless (wristband-based payment), but bring backup cash for vendors outside the festival gates.
• Comfortable shoes: Broken-in sneakers or boots. You will walk 15,000 to 25,000 steps per day.

Nice to Have

• Fanny pack or crossbody bag: Keeps essentials accessible without a bulky backpack
• Headlamp: For navigating campsites at night
• Dry shampoo and wet wipes: Showers are limited at most camping festivals
• Electrolyte packets: Liquid IV, Nuun, or similar
• Printed schedule: Phone batteries die; paper does not

Plan Your Festival Trip with TripGenie

A music festival trip involves more logistics than most vacations: tickets, travel, accommodation (on-site camping vs. nearby hotels), pre-and post-festival days in the host city, and sometimes visa requirements for international festivals. TripGenie can help you build the complete trip around your festival, including the best flights, where to stay, what to do on arrival days, and how to extend the trip to explore the region. Whether you are flying to Barcelona for Primavera Sound or driving to Nevada for Burning Man, let TripGenie handle the itinerary.

Final Advice

Buy tickets early, arrive early (on the first day, ideally when gates open), say yes to stages you have never heard of, wear sunscreen and earplugs, drink water relentlessly, and remember that the best moment at a festival is usually the one you did not plan for.