As we move into September and away from the summer months, people all over the world are looking back on what has been a spectacular festival season. From Adele’s unbelievable performance at Glastonbury to Rihanna wowing the crowds at V Festival, it’s been a hell of a summer for festival-goers in 2016. Of course the weather didn’t always play ball (as is usually the case in Britain), leading to a few concerns over what clothing to take and some rather wet and muddy journeys home, but despite this the music kept spirits high all over the country.
As the rain starts to make a re-appearance however and the festival season winds down, people are already beginning to make plans for next year’s summer. But why stick to the UK’s festivals, when there’s a whole world of incredible events out there waiting for you? So to help you decide on your summer 2017 musical itinerary – or make it more difficult – we’ve put together a list of the world’s biggest music festivals:
Donauinselfest – Vienna, Austria
Attendance: 3.2 million in 2013
For more than 30 years millions of people have gathered on a stretch of the Danube Island in Vienna to hear some of the biggest names in national and international music, making it the biggest music festival in the world (in terms of attendance). Featuring more than 2,000 acts across 20+ stages, the festival is a must-visit for anyone looking to experience the world’s biggest events.
Mawazine – Rabat, Morocco
Attendance: 2.5 million in 2013
Although this festival mainly focuses on African artists, it has welcomed huge international names in the past, including the likes of Rihanna, Whitney Houston and Lionel Richie. The attendance regularly tops a million people, and in 2013 (when the festival was headlined by Rihanna), they welcomed over 2.5 million people. Not only an amazing festival to experience, but a beautiful country too.
Summerfest – Winsconsin, US
Attendance: 800,000 – 1 million
Summerfest is officially named as the world’s biggest festival by the Guinness Book of Records, although in terms of attendance it’s regularly topped by those in Europe. Featuring more than 800 across 3 main stages and another 8 smaller stages, the festival is absolutely huge and always a spectacular event.
Coachella – California, US
Attendance: 500,000 – 700,000
One of the world’s most famous festivals, Coachella is very well respected and often features some of the world’s biggest artists. Always a sell-out, Coachella brings in more than half a million people eager to enjoy the music and the Californian sunshine, as well as the globe’s favourite alternative festival.
Rock in Rio – Rio De Janeiro, Brazil
Attendance: 500,000 – 700,000
Even when it started in 1985 Rock In Rio welcomed 1.5 million people, and has since expanded to Lisbon and Madrid. It features some of the world’s biggest artists, and has seen performances from the likes of Beyonce, AC/DC, Queen, Iron Maiden and Bruce Springsteen, and often sells out a year or more in advance. Whether you visit the Rio, Lisbon or Madrid variations of this mammoth festival, it’s a must-visit event for any true festival fan.