If you’ve ended up here, you probably already know what EDM festivals are all about. Just to recap, EDM stands for “Electronic Dance Music,” and these festivals are a big deal. They can last from a few days up to a full week and feature an impressive lineup of popular artists and local talent. Let’s dive into some of the biggest and most popular EDM festivals around the world.
First off, we have Tomorrowland, which is more than just a music festival—it’s an emblem of a whole subculture. Held every summer in Boom, Belgium, it attracts nearly half a million party enthusiasts, offering a mind-blowing number of events, sometimes reaching over a thousand. Tomorrowland is known for its incredible atmosphere, focusing on freedom of expression and living life to the fullest.
Next, there’s the Sunburn Festival, India’s most famous EDM event, typically held on the beaches of Goa. This festival features multiple stages with various electronic music genres and art workshops during the day. It’s a crowd-puller, with 300,000 to 350,000 attendees, and even moved to Delhi in 2018 due to its growing popularity.
Moving to Eastern Europe, we find Untold, hosted in Cluj-Napoca, Romania. Similar to Tomorrowland, it changes its stage design each year for a fresh and unique experience. Drawing 80,000 to 100,000 people from around Europe and beyond, Untold is the largest of its kind in Eastern Europe.
Electric Daisy Carnival in Las Vegas, Nevada, USA, offers an electrifying experience with its carnival theme. This festival combines carousels, playground rides, light shows, and top-tier headliners. Though it sometimes changes locations, Las Vegas remains its primary home, attracting 100,000 to 150,000 attendees.
Burning Man in the Black Rock Desert of Nevada is more than just a festival; it’s a cultural and philosophical experience. Emphasizing values like radical inclusion, diversity, and equity, it offers a unique set of events culminating in the iconic Burning Man.
Coachella, located in California’s Coachella Valley, isn’t exclusively an EDM festival but embraces electronic music alongside other genres. With its various stages, art installations, and vintage markets, it appeals to a wide audience, featuring artists like Daft Punk and Tiesto.
Then there’s the Ultra EDM Festival, known globally but with standout events like Ultra Miami in Florida, drawing over 70,000 fans with its diverse stages and vibrant atmosphere. Ultra Japan in Tokyo also makes a significant impact, often selling out quickly, with over 120,000 attendees.
Mysteryland in Haarlemmermeer, Netherlands, offers a magical setting with its natural surroundings, making it a truly enchanting event since its inception in 1993, making it one of the oldest EDM festivals.
The Djakarta Warehouse Project in Indonesia draws nearly 100,000 attendees each year and has been recognized as one of the biggest EDM festivals in Asia, maintaining its thrilling vibe.
Lastly, in England, Creamfields has grown from a small one-day event to a major festival attracting more than 70,000 visitors to Daresbury, renowned for its top-notch lineup and programming.
There are many more festivals out there, like Cirque Magique in Belgium, 51st State Festival in London, Electric Forest in the USA, and plenty of others across the globe. So grab your glowing rave outfits, gear up for a spectacular summer, and join the festivities—it’s going to be epic! See you there!