All Articles 7 popular music festivals that are worth the hype

7 popular music festivals that are worth the hype

From Morocco to Milwaukee, these music festivals have stood the test of time for a reason.

By Amber P. Lewis Jan 5, 2023 3 minutes read
Donauinselfest in Vienna, Austria
Donauinselfest in Vienna
Image: Courtesy of Donauinselfest

Whether you’re into country, pop, afrobeats, techno, or something else entirely, there is likely a music festival celebrating your favorite genre. And there’s just something about these giant gatherings—the attendees’ swelling energy, the lights, even the thrumming bass line pulsing in your brain long after the weekend ends—that’s unlike anything else. Below, seven famous music festivals to around the world to travel for in 2023.

Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival in Indio, CA

One of the most popular music festivals in the United States, the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival, more commonly known as Coachella, is a multi-day music festival held in Indio, CA. With its inception in 1999, Coachella started as a relatively small festival that eventually turned into a three-day celebration drawing a crowd of over 200,000 people. Coachella’s live entertainment covers a variety of genres, from up-and-coming indie and pop to celebrated entertainers like Beyoncé and Daft Punk. Revelers can also scope out sculptures and interactive art installations during their time here. In 2023, Coachella takes place from Friday, April 14 to Sunday, April 23.

Afro Nation in Portimão, Portugal

Afro Nation in Portimão, Portugal
Afro Nation in Portimão, Portugal
Image: Courtesy of Afro Nation

Billed as the world’s biggest Afrobeats festival, Afro Nation brings together thousands of music fans for three full days of Afrobeats sounds. Hosted in Portimão, a three-hour drive from Lisbon, Afro Nation Portugal takes place on the Praia da Rocha beach, one of the most popular and lively beaches in the region. (We’re never going to argue with a beach party.) Expect major artists like Burna Boy and Tems to grace at least one of the three main stages. In addition to Afrobeats, the festival also highlights artists in hip-hop, R&B, dancehall, South Africa’s Amapiano, Afrohouse, and a variety of other genres. To date, Afro Nation has expanded from Portugal to Las Vegas, Puerto Rico, Ghana, and beyond—but you'll find it on the praia from Wednesday, June 28 to Friday, June 30, in 2023.

Donauinselfest in Vienna

Donauinselfest in Vienna, Austria
Donauinselfest in Vienna
Image: Courtesy of Donauinselfest

Held as a free, open-air festival on an island along the Danube river in Vienna, the massive Donauinselfest averages over a million visitors every June. Taking place between June 23 and 25 in 2o23, the three-day festival showcases popular genres from around the world, like metal, pop, rock, and hip-hop, with a focus on local entertainers displaying their musical chops. Along with tunes, this event is filled with a variety of activities for attendees to enjoy, like a Fanta Bubble Ball soccer tournament and a Ferris wheel. Between multiple stages, dozens of musicians, hundreds of food and drink vendors, and a plethora of activities, there’s never a dull moment at Donauinselfest.

Pol’and’Rock Festival in Western Poland

Rock fans from around the world should plan a trip to the Pol’and’Rock Festival. Previously known as the Woodstock Festival Poland or Przystanek, the Pol’and’Rock Festival has dubbed itself the biggest free music festival in Europe. Held annually in western Poland—about four hours from Berlin and five from Warsaw—since 1995, Pol’and’Rock gathers a crowd of over 700,000 people and boasts headliners like Clutch and Gojir. There are five festival stages showcasing reggae, metal, indie, hip hop, and other popular genres to cater to various tastes. The 2023 event kicks off Thursday, August 3, and runs through Saturday, August 5.

Mawazine Festival in Rabat, Morocco

Loosely translated, Mawazine means “the rhythms of the world” in Arabic. And this concept shines front and center at this international music festival held annually in Rabat, Morocco. Dedicated to world music, the event features many local and international artists and is free to attend. It’s typically an 8- to 10-day festival held in the summer, and you’ll get a taste of North African culture coupled with global tunes in one fell swoop. The 2023 dates for this extravaganza have not yet been announced, but you can expect hundreds of thousands of festival-goers to snag their tickets when dates are released.

Sziget Festival in Budapest, Hungary

Dave Grohl of The Foo Fighters performing at Sziget Festival in Budapest, Hungary
Dave Grohl of The Foo Fighters performing at Sziget Festival in Budapest, Hungary
Image: Courtesy of Sziget Festival

Another free festival, this rock music event is hosted on the Obuda Island in Budapest, Hungary. The larger-than-life Sziget Festival has a whopping 60 stages with over 1,000 performances often going until the break of dawn. In addition to rock music, the half-million attendees at Sziget can enjoy other types of music, like jazz and electronica, plus a variety of events between concerts, like a foam party experience, bungee jumping, and a live circus. When you need a break from dancing in the crowds, head to the city's magnificent beach for some R&R. The 2023 dates are Thursday, August 10 to Tuesday, August 15.

Summerfest in Milwaukee

Summerfest in Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Summerfest in Milwaukee
Image: Courtesy of Summerfest

Summerfest is one of the U.S.’s “must-see musical festivals,” according to Rolling Stone, spanning three weekends and 12 stages each summer. There are also local food vendors and diverse entertainment, such as jugglers and magicians for those who attend with children. Many up-and-coming artists debut on the Summerfest stages alongside major headliners like Justin Bieber, Zac Brown Band, and Brandi Carlile, entertaining a crowd of almost one million. Chase the stellar tunes with superb art at the Milwaukee Art Museum while you’re in town, which our community members praise for its “impressive building” on the lakefront and “fantastic art.” Summerfest 2023 takes places over three consecutive weeks (Thursday-Saturday) starting on Thursday, June 22.

Amber P. Lewis
Amber P. Lewis is a passionate writer and self-proclaimed foodie who enjoys traveling the world. She is the owner of TrekLocal, a digital travel concierge company building custom travel itineraries for people who want to vacation in the U.S. Virgin Islands for the cultural experience.