Festival Guide 2025: Your Ultimate Checklist for This Year's Must-See Events
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Time to read 3 min
As music festivals roar back to life in 2025, the global festival circuit is packed with unmissable events that promise next-level performances, legendary lineups, and immersive experiences. Whether you're diving into the pulsating energy of EDM, vibing to indie anthems, moshing to rock legends, or embracing hip-hop’s biggest names, this year’s lineup is stacked with bucket-list-worthy festivals.
From Coachella’s desert magic to Tomorrowland’s otherworldly EDM spectacle, here’s your ultimate 2025 festival guide—complete with dates, locations, and must-know details to help you plan an unforgettable year of music.
Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival
Location: Indio, California, USA
Dates: April 11-13 & 18-20, 2025
Official Website: Coachella.com
One of the most iconic festivals in the world, Coachella blends star-studded lineups, cutting-edge art installations, and trendsetting fashion with a vibrant desert backdrop. Expect major headliners, surprise guest appearances, and an electric atmosphere where music and pop culture collide.
Glastonbury Festival
Location: Somerset, England
Dates: June 25-29, 2025
Official Website: Glastonburyfestivals.co.uk
A legendary event with decades of history, Glastonbury delivers unparalleled diversity, spanning rock, hip-hop, electronic, folk, and beyond. With historic performances from icons like Beyoncé, The Rolling Stones, and Kendrick Lamar, this festival is a rite of passage for music lovers.
Tomorrowland
Location: Boom, Belgium
Dates: July 18-20 & 25-27, 2025
Official Website: Tomorrowland.com
For EDM enthusiasts, Tomorrowland is the ultimate pilgrimage. Featuring mind-blowing stage designs, top-tier DJs like Martin Garrix and Tiësto, and an atmosphere straight out of a fantasy world, this festival offers an immersive electronic music utopia.
Lollapalooza
Location: Chicago, Illinois, USA
Dates: July 31-August 3, 2025
Official Website: Lollapalooza.com
Lollapalooza’s genre-spanning lineup makes it one of the most dynamic festivals on the planet. From chart-topping pop acts to underground indie gems, it’s a perfect blend of big-name headliners and emerging talent. The festival’s location in Grant Park offers breathtaking views of Chicago’s skyline, making it a must-experience event.
Rolling Loud
Location: Miami, Florida, USA
Dates: May 9-11, 2025
Official Website: Rollingloud.com
Hip-hop’s biggest festival continues to dominate, with past headliners like Travis Scott, J. Cole, and Kendrick Lamar setting the stage for an explosive weekend. Expect high-energy sets, surprise guests, and nonstop mosh pits.
Electric Daisy Carnival (EDC) Las Vegas
Location: Las Vegas, Nevada, USA
Dates: May 16-18, 2025
Official Website: Lasvegas.electricdaisycarnival.com
EDC is a neon-drenched wonderland where the world's top DJs deliver electrifying performances. With dazzling light shows, massive art installations, and carnival rides, it’s more than a festival—it’s a full-scale EDM fantasy.
Bonnaroo Music & Arts Festival
Location: Manchester, Tennessee, USA
Dates: June 12-15, 2025
Official Website: Bonnaroo.com
A festival for the free-spirited, Bonnaroo is known for its tight-knit community, eclectic lineup, and legendary late-night sets. Expect everything from indie rock and jam bands to hip-hop, EDM, and folk in this four-day celebration of music and creativity.
Primavera Sound
Location: Barcelona, Spain
Dates: June 5-7, 2025
Official Website: Primaverasound.com
Primavera Sound is Europe’s ultimate festival for indie and alternative music lovers. Set against the beautiful Mediterranean coastline, it boasts a lineup that always pushes boundaries, featuring groundbreaking artists alongside established legends.
Ultra Music Festival
Location: Miami, Florida, USA
Dates: March 28-30, 2025
Official Website: Ultramusicfestival.com
Ultra is the crown jewel of EDM festivals, bringing bass-heavy drops, laser-lit stages, and dancefloor anthems to the heart of Miami. If you love high-energy electronic beats, this is the festival for you.
Stagecoach Festival
Location: Indio, California, USA
Dates: April 25-27, 2025
Official Website: Stagecoachfestival.com
Country music lovers, this one’s for you. Featuring superstars from classic and modern country, Stagecoach is the ultimate country music experience, offering everything from line dancing to BBQ feasts under the desert sky.
Festival Essentials Checklist
Before you hit the festival grounds, make sure you're fully prepared with this festival survival checklist:
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Tickets and wristbands – Your golden pass to the action
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Comfortable shoes – You'll be on your feet all day
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Sunscreen and sunglasses – Protect yourself from the elements
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Portable phone charger – Stay connected and capture every moment
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Refillable water bottle – Hydration is key
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Earplugs – Save your hearing while still enjoying the bass
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Weather-appropriate clothing – Dress smart for sun, rain, or mud
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Festival app and schedule – Plan your must-see performances
- Cash or cards – For food, drinks, and merch
The Ultimate Festival Season Awaits
With music, art, and culture colliding on a global stage, 2025’s festival season is set to be one for the books. Whether you're heading to the desert, the city, or the seaside, each of these festivals offers an unforgettable experience. Which ones are on your bucket list?
Stay updated with official festival announcements, tickets, and lineups:
Pitchfork’s Best Music Festivals
Resident Advisor’s EDM Festival Calendar