One of the most popular music genres on the planet is Electronic Dance Music, also known as EDM. Some well-known EDM DJs include Steve Aoki, Martin Garrix and Marshmello. Because the music genre is rapidly grown in popularity, the demand for EDM festivals has also seen a huge increase.
An EDM festival is characterized by lineups with world-renowned DJs, incredible 3D art in visual display, festive decorations, and an atmosphere to never forget. In this blog, we’ll be exploring the 10 biggest EDM festivals around the globe.
What is an EDM festival?
Picture this: you’re surrounded by a sea of joyful and dancing people, colorful lights flashing, wearing your best festival outfit and your favorite DJ is dropping the beats of your dreams. This is exactly what an EDM festival is about. It’s a gathering of music enthusiasts who come together to celebrate their love for electronic dance music and party.
These festivals feature all sorts of electronic dance music subgenres, including house, techno, dubstep, and trance, just to name a few. But it’s not just about the music – EDM festivals also often have carnival rides, art installations, and interactive experiences that transport you to another world. It’s truly a one-of-a-kind experience that you don’t want to miss! So let’s get some inspiration for your next trip and see what the 10 biggest EDM festivals in the world are.
1. Tomorrowland
Location: Boom, Belgium
Photo credits: Delio Nijmeijer
Tomorrowland is perhaps the largest and best-known techno festival in the world. The festival even consists of a camping festival and the actual festival. The camping festival takes place the night before the actual festival. In addition to its huge lineup, Tomorrowland is also known for the fireworks show at the end. Definitely something you don’t want to miss, put it on your bucket list!
In addition, the festival is always beautifully decorated, making you feast your eyes. The big dance event in Belgium consists of two weekends (total of six days) that take place in July. Are you a true techno lover? Whether you like hardstyle, dance or trance, there are performances for everyone.
Biggest Headlining Artists: Martin Garrix, Tiësto, David Guetta, Armin van Buuren, Afrojack, Carl Cox, Eric Prydz, and many more.
| Date | July |
| Number of Visitors | 400,000 |
| Ticket Price | € 250 – € 550 |
| Duration | 3 Days |
2. Ultra Music Festival
Location: Miami, Florida, USA
Ultra Music Festival (UMF) is one of the largest Electronic music festivals in the United States. This three-day festival attracts electronic music lovers from all over America every year. In the meantime has Ultra spawned a larger series of international franchises under the blanket branding ”Ultra Worldwide”. Ultra now has festival venues worldwide, such as in Croatia, South Africa, Singapore, Mexico, Brazil, and many other places.
The festival has a great linup of well-known DJs from around the world every year. Did you know, that although it is a DJ-only festival, the festival is named after Depeche Mode’s album ‘Ultra’?
Biggest Headlining Artists: Calvin Harris, Swedish House Mafia, Martin Garrix, David Guetta, Carl Cox, Armin van Buuren, and many more.
| Date | March |
| Number of Visitors | 165,000 |
| Ticket Price | $399 – $1,499 |
| Duration | 3 Days |
3. Electric Daisy Carnival (EDC) – Las Vegas
Location: Las Vegas, Nevada, USA
Photo credits: © Doug Van Sant Photography
Electric Daisy Carnival Las Vegas, also known as EDC Las Vegas, is an unmissable event for any electronic music fan! This annual three-day festival features an extraordinary lineup of world-renowned DJs and emerging (techno) talent. Every year, thousands of visitors from all over the world visit EDC Las Vegas. The stages are truly breathtaking, with mesmerizing designs and special effects that will leave you in awe.
Besides, EDC Las Vegas is not just about the music, it’s a complete experience that includes costumes, art installations, and interactive elements that will transport you to a different world. This festival is a must-attend for anyone who loves electronic music and wants to be a part of the most exhilarating party of the year!
Note: there’s also a location in Mexico.
Biggest Headlining Artists: Armin van Buuren, Calvin Harris, Tiësto, David Guetta, The Chainsmokers, Diplo, and many more.
| Date | May |
| Number of Visitors | 150,000 |
| Ticket Price | $379 – $899 |
| Duration | 3 Days |
4. Creamfields
Location: Cheshire, UK
Photo credits: Creamfields
If you’re living in the UK (or visiting the UK in summer), and you LOVE techno music, you simply can’t miss Creamfields! What sets Creamfields apart from other music festivals is its commitment to pushing the boundaries of production and technology. With mind-blowing pyrotechnics, laserlight shows and state-of-the-art sound systems, this festival is a feast for eyes and ears. So if you’re ready to experience the thrill of a lifetime, don’t miss your chance to go there.
The festival has multiple stages, each with its unique atmosphere and visual displays. Creamfields also offers a diverse lineup of electronic music genres, from mainstream EDM to techno, trance, and underground sounds.
Biggest Headlining Artists: Swedish House Mafia, Martin Garrix, Carl Cox, Tiësto, The Chainsmokers, Armin van Buuren, and many more.
| Date | August |
| Number of Visitors | 70,000 |
| Ticket Price | £210 – £260 |
| Duration | 4 Days |
5. Electric Zoo
Location: New York City, New York, USA
Photo credits: Courtesy aLIVE Coverage on behalf of ElectricZooFestival.com
Electric Zoo is known for its massive lineup of electronic music superstars and its stunning visual displays. The festival offers multiple stages, each with its unique theme and atmosphere. Electric Zoo also features a wide variety of genres, from mainstream EDM to techno, trance, and underground sounds.
With its location on Randall’s Island in New York City, you’ll be able to explore the city that never sleeps during the day and party all night long at the festival. So if you’re looking for an unforgettable weekend of music, art, and culture, Electric Zoo is the festival for you!
Biggest Headlining Artists: Tiësto, David Guetta, Martin Garrix, Armin van Buuren, Alesso, Afrojack, and many more.
| Date | September |
| Number of Visitors | 80,000 |
| Ticket Price | $299 – $499 |
| Duration | 3 Days |
6. Untold Festival
Location: Cluj-Napoca, Romania
Photo credits: Untold Festival
Untold Festival is one of the largest dance music festivals in Europe and attracts visitors from all over the world (120+ countries). Untold Festival is also called the EDM paradise of Eastern Europe. The four-day festival is held every year in the Cluj Arena in Cluj-Napoca, Romania. There are no less than 6 stages where the biggest names in techno will perform.
Another beloved feature of this festival is the atmosphere and decoration: you can feast your eyes with the special decor. The festival even won several awards in 2015, namely: Best Major Festival (European Festival Awards) and Brand of the Year (International Advertising Association Romania).
Biggest Headlining Artists: Armin van Buuren, Tiësto, Steve Aoki, Martin Garrix, Black Eyed Peas, David Guetta, and many more.
| Date | August |
| Number of Visitors | 375,000 |
| Ticket Price | € 129 – € 350 |
| Duration | 4 Days |
7. Mysteryland
Location: Haarlemmermeer, Netherlands
As a Dutch native, I know how popular techno music is here in the Netherlands. There are a lot of different techno festivals throughout the year in this country, including Mysterland. Mysteryland is known for its enchanting green atmosphere surrounded by forest, with multiple stages set in the stunning Floriade Park in the Netherlands.
The festival offers a diverse range of electronic music genres, from mainstream EDM to techno, house, and hardstyle. Mysteryland also features various art installations, theater performances, and food stalls.
Biggest Headlining Artists: Martin Garrix, Tiësto, David Guetta, Armin van Buuren, Carl Cox, and many more.
| Date | August |
| Number of Visitors | 60,000 |
| Ticket Price | € 100 – € 180 |
| Duration | 3 Days |
8. Tomorrowland Winter
Location: Alpe d’Huez, France
Photo credits: Rad Season
Get ready to experience the magic of winter at Tomorrowland Winter! Tomorrowland Winter is unique in that it takes place in a ski resort in the beautiful French Alps, offering a combination of winter sports and electronic music. The festival has multiple stages, each with its unique theme and visual displays.
But the festival doesn’t stop there – there are also plenty of other activities to enjoy during the day, from skiing, ice-skating, and snowboarding to relaxing in a hot tub and enjoying the beautiful scenery. If you like winter sports and techno music, this is the ideal festival for you and your friends.
Biggest Headlining Artists: Armin van Buuren, Afrojack, Dimitri Vegas & Like Mike, Martin Garrix, Steve Aoki, and many more.
| Date | March |
| Number of Visitors | 30,000 |
| Ticket Price | € 675 – € 1,175 |
| Duration | 4 Days |
9. Electric Forest
Location: Rothbury, Michigan, USA
Photo credits: Soundfuse
I have never been to this festival myself, but it is definitely high on the festival bucketlist. I mean: HOW MAGICAL do these lights look?! Electric Forest is unique in that it takes place in a forest, offering a surreal and enchanting atmosphere. This one-of-a-kind festival takes place in the lush forests of Rothbury, Michigan, where you’ll be immersed in an unforgettable festival experience full of great music and a great atmosphere.
The festival features multiple stages, each with its unique theme and visual displays. Electric Forest also offers various art installations, workshops, and immersive experiences.
Biggest Headlining Artists: Bassnectar, ODESZA, The String Cheese Incident, Kygo, Marshmello, and many more.
| Date | June/July |
| Number of Visitors | 40,000 |
| Ticket Price | $350 – $499 |
| Duration | 4 Days |
10. Sunburn Festival
Location: Goa, India
Photo credits: © 2014 www.rudgr.com
Sunburn Festival is Asia’s premiere electronic dance music (EDM) festival. In fact, Sunburn is one of the largest music festivals in Asia. The festival attracts fans from over 30 countires worldwide. Sunburn has also made its successful international debut overseas across Sri Lanka, Nepal, Dubai, Muscat and Melbourne. Every year, more than 120 different EDM artists come to Sunburn to perform.
The festival started as a three-day festival, but has now grown into a five-day festival thanks to success. If you’re into electronic dance music, then this festival is definitely for you! Are you planning to go to the Sunburn festival? On this page is everything you need to know.
Biggest Headlining Artists: Martin Garrix, Afrojack, David Guetta, Armin van Buuren, Dimitri Vegas & Like Mike, and many more.
| Date | December |
| Number of Visitors | 134,000 |
| Ticket Price | Rs 2500 ($ 30) – Rs 8000 ($ 98) |
| Duration | 3 Days |
Conclusion
The number of EDM festivals is rapidly increasing worldwide. That’s not surprising, EDM festivals have become a global phenomenon, offering a unique and unforgettable experience for music lovers. From the magical and surreal Tomorrowland to the enchanting Electric Forest, each festival offers a unique atmosphere, with stunning visuals, the world’s top DJs and immersive experiences.
While each festival has its unique features, they all share a common goal of bringing people together to celebrate music and life. Whether you’re into mainstream EDM, techno, house, or hardstyle, there’s an EDM festival out there for you!
In terms of attendance, Tomorrowland and Ultra Music Festival are probably two of the biggest EDM festivals, with over 400,000 attendees (total) each. However, smaller festivals like Electric Forest and Tomorrowland Winter offer a more intimate and immersive experience, with fewer attendees and unique settings.
You are missing Parookaville, germany Weeze
75 k visitors over three days, 225k total
https://www.parookaville.com/de/
Thank you for bringing Parookaville to my attention! Parookaville indeed looks like an exciting event with a significant number of attendees. I’ll definitely consider it for future content related to EDM festivals. 🙂