You don't notice the sweat in your eyes because the crowd is so dense. Thousands of people are experiencing the same joy that you are. The musicbrings you all together, and you feel connected to everyone. That is the strength of music. That is the one-of-a-kind experience of a music festival. The best music festivalsin the world aren't always the biggest, but we can all agree there's something special about a music festival that draws more than 3 million people. We've compiled a list of the top ten largest festivals in the world, so you can get your glitter on and have a good time. People at Field Day Festival with a huge stage Field Day remains as cool as a cucumber with a hipster beard and a witty tattoo. It's a great place to get day-drunk on craft beer after filling up on the latest vegan cuisine in the super-chill Village Green neighborhood. Field Day, on the other hand, has serious muso cred; it's carefully curated to include edgy guitar music, shoegaze, alternative R&B, smart rap, revered DJs, and everything else that's in vogue. The Barn, a state-of-the-art hangar with a seriously impressive lighting rig, is also one of the best stages on the UK festival circuit.
Crowd of people at Glastonbury festival When it isn't having a "fallow year" to give locals a break, the Big Daddy of UK festivals takes over a chunk of Somerset for music, mischief, hippies, healing, and a whole lot of cider. It's difficult to convey the enormity of Glasto, with entire worlds of activity taking place outside the arena and an awe-inspiring musical lineup ranging from pop to reggae to rock to dubstep to metal to folk to techno. There's life everywhere you look, especially if you stumble across some of the more anarchic cabaret tents and stages dotting the woods and fields far from the Pyramid-stage hordes. Glastonbury remains unrivaled as a pilgrimage for hedonists of all stripes, where all the ley lines of British pop culture converge. Usually, by day four, they've devolved into a massive, blasted muddy heap on the floor.
Crowd of people in Green Man festival with a huge stage Green Man is as cute as a button, with over 50 years of experience behind it. It has incredible fresh food from all over the world, 99 ales and ciders in its own beer festival, and eight bars selling all of your favorite cocktails. It's the wet dream of middle-aged Guardian readers in terms of music (Kraftwerk, Metronomy, Kate Tempest, that sort of thing). Glastonbury remains unrivaled as a pilgrimage for hedonists of all stripes, where all the ley lines of British pop culture converge. Usually, by day four, they've devolved into a massive, blasted muddy heap on the floor.
Colorful sheeps eating grass With a lineup of adventurous pop and alt rock in a cute setting, this Suffolk festival offers the ultimate cool-but-chill weekend away. It's a very family-friendly event, with music artfully mixed in with comedy, poetry, spoken-word, dance, and theater. Late-night DJs are hidden in the woods, the famous colorful sheep roam the surrounding fields, and you can wash it all down with a refreshing local ale. We'll raise a glass to that. The only drawback is that it's a little out of the way in terms of transportation, almost impossible to reach by anything other than a Suffolk cow.
Boomtown festival and fireworks Boomtown is more than just a festival; it's an entire alternate reality. Each year is a new chapter in a continuing story, and the entire festival is transformed into a vibrant, pulsing, and fucking mental city. There are hidden hotels with beds and live ska bands, a job center, hidden pathways, and a slew of actors doing strange things. It's the epitome of pure, childlike escapism; it's honestly impossible to tell what's real and what's not at times, with everything and everyone being a part of the experience. There are also people of all ages who are eager to immerse themselves in the psychedelic forests, cowboy raves in the Wild West, or the pleasure-seeking crazies of Downtown.
A man jumping on the water naked The ever-magical Oxfordshire August getaway, Wilderness' music bills have gotten better and better over the years, but the festival is much more than just great sounds: from outdoor theatre to talks and debates, horse riding to yurt-building, a lakeside spa, and even long-table banquets with leading chefs, this is much more than a music festival. If you want to go, make your reservation now: it's always a sell-out.
Crowd of people in Houghton festival It's easy to see why this intimate woodland party is one of the UK's most talked-about new festivals. Everything you hear at Houghton is relayed through the finest sound-systems, which have been hand-picked by Craig Richards, a long-time Fabric resident who curates the event. Richards handpicks a killer lineup of DJs that includes some of the biggest and best names in house, techno, disco, and more. There's also visual art and sculpture to keep the eyes and ears entertained.
Group of people at beach wearing trunks and swim suits having fun The Festival Internacional de Benicassim (FIB), also known as Benicàssim, is the ideal combination of vacation and festival. For the former, the titular town is only 20 minutes away, with a glistening sea to dip into and wash away the toxins of the night before. You have some of the best guitar music lineups year in and year out for the latter. There's a reason it grew from 50K to 150K in a decade; it's a beautiful festival, in a beautiful location, with a lot of beautiful naked people. The days are also ideal for relaxing and unwinding, as music only begins at 5 p.m. and continues until the next morning. It's the best way to get a great tan while also listening to cutting-edge guitar music; that's not a lie.
People at Exit Festival with a huge screen on stage Exit Festival has a fascinating history; it began in 2000 as a student protest and fightfor democracy in Serbia. Over two million people from more than 60 countries have visited it since then. And for good reason: it's set in a medieval fortress, for God's sake, and features 16 stages with a variety of activities. There's also a sports area (probably not best enjoyed on a comedown/hangover), chill zones, a zip line, and a 3D dance arena, in addition to the music. Although it has evolved since its politicized beginnings, it retains a strong sense of social responsibility. Music festivals offer an unforgettable experience.
For those who don't mind large crowds, these events in major cities and small towns around the world bring together A-list acts, local food vendors, copious amounts of alcohol, and even pyrotechnics to put on unforgettable shows.