Festival Atlas: 54 Dance Music Festivals, Mapped and Compared

Korea

World DJ Festival (월드 디제이 페스티벌) Woldeu Dijei Peseutibeol

Seoul Land, Gwacheon, South Korea. Founded 2007 by Sangsang Factory, which ran it until 2015. Operated by BEPC Tangent (비이피씨탄젠트, Biipissi Tanjenteu), since 2016. June, over a weekend (June 13 and 14 in 2026). Size: About 100,000 over two days (2025).

Next edition: 2027 dates not announced as of September 2026. It has run in June at Seoul Land since 2023.

Quiz type: The Main Stage

Photo: BEPCTANGENT, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons (The World Stage, 2025).

Photo: Ideamasters (cafe.daum.net/Ideamasters), CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons (The first edition, 2007).

Seoul Land, a theme park at the foot of Cheonggyesan in Gwacheon, just south of Seoul on subway Line 4. Home since 2019. Home-grown, not a licensed import. DJ Mag calls it an EDM-and-pyrotechnics extravaganza, and it has run a silent disco stage.

Mainstage EDM on the big stage, with melodic techno and house further in. Artists on its stages include Marshmello (2026), Zedd (2026), Armin van Buuren (2026), Eric Prydz (2024, 2026), Anyma (2025), Alan Walker. Mostly Korean fans, with about 15 percent visiting from abroad in 2025.

Korea’s longest-running DJ festival started at Nanji Park on the Han River in May 2007, as part of the Hi Seoul Festival. It moved through Yangpyeong, Chuncheon and the Olympic Stadium before settling at Seoul Land in 2019. It drew about 130,000 people over three days in 2023, held its first edition abroad at Makuhari Messe in Japan in 2025, and marked its 20th anniversary in June 2026.

Past editions: 2007, Nanji Hangang Park, Seoul. First edition, May, part of the Hi Seoul Festival; 2011, Yangpyeong Festival Park. Leaves Seoul; stays through 2014; 2015, Songam Sports Town, Chuncheon. Two years in Chuncheon; 2017, Seoul Olympic Stadium, Jamsil. Two years in the stadium; 2019, Seoul Land, Gwacheon. First year at Seoul Land; 2023, Seoul Land, plus Busan and Boryeong: Zedd, Madeon, Galantis, Nicky Romero. June 2 to 4, about 130,000 people, a record; 2024, Seoul Land, Gwacheon: Eric Prydz, The Chainsmokers, Alan Walker, Alok. June 15 and 16, about 90,000 people. Eric Prydz plays Korea for the first time; 2025, Seoul Land, and Makuhari Messe, Japan: Anyma, DJ Snake, Alan Walker, Alesso. June 14 and 15, about 100,000 people, 15 percent from abroad; 2026, Seoul Land, Gwacheon: Marshmello, Zedd, Armin van Buuren, Eric Prydz, Amelie Lens. June 13 and 14, the 20th anniversary, 86 acts from 17 countries.

Official website · Instagram · 2026 line-up page · Korea’s Most Unforgettable DJ Festivals · Beats & Business

Sources: en.namu.wiki/w/World%20DJ%20Festival · newsis.com/view/NISX20250616_0003214520 · djmag.com/top100festivals/2026/25/world-dj-festival · thedj-diaries.com/korea-dj-festivals-guide/ · hankooki.com/news/articleView.html?idxno=333533 · mhns.co.kr/news/articleView.html?idxno=750431 · newsfreezone.co.kr/news/articleView.html?idxno=575959 · straightnews.co.kr/news/articleView.html?idxno=231513 · hankyung.com/article/2026060598167 · en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seoul_World_DJ_Festival

Global Gathering Korea (글로벌개더링 코리아) Geullobeol Gaedeoring Koria

Seoul, South Korea. Ran from 2009 to 2015. Founded by VU Entertainment (브이유엔터테인먼트, Beuiyu Enteoteinmeonteu), under licence from the British festival. Operated by No longer running. Early October, one day. Size: Not published.

Next edition: Not held since 2015.

Quiz type: The City Festival

It started at Nanji Hangang Park on the Han River, went to Caribbean Bay in Yongin, and spent its last two years in the Olympic Stadium in Jamsil. Billed as the first global festival brand in Korea, a licence of the British Global Gathering.

Every kind of electronic music, from live acts to house, trance and dubstep. Artists on its stages include The Prodigy, Underworld, David Guetta, Armin van Buuren, Justice, Fatboy Slim. Seoul clubbers and expats, in the years before stadium EDM took over.

Global Gathering Korea began in 2009 and ran every autumn for seven editions. It moved from Nanji Hangang Park to Caribbean Bay in Yongin and then to the Olympic Stadium, and its seventh edition on October 3, 2015 is the last one on record.

Past editions: 2010, Nanji Hangang Park, Seoul. October 9; 2013, Caribbean Bay, Yongin: Fatboy Slim, Porter Robinson, Madeon, Zombie Nation. October 12, the fifth edition; 2014, Seoul Olympic Stadium: Axwell Λ Ingrosso, Dada Life, Krewella. October 4; 2015, Seoul Olympic Stadium: Above & Beyond, The Chainsmokers, Headhunterz, Mat Zo. October 3, the seventh and last edition.

Korea’s Most Unforgettable DJ Festivals

Sources: etoday.co.kr/news/view/950739 · etoday.co.kr/news/view/770409 · en.seoul.co.kr/news/entertainment/musicN/2014/07/31/20140731500177 · busan.com/view/busan/view.php?code=20150820000360 · ticket.yes24.com/Perf/8234

Ultra Korea (울트라 코리아) Ulteura Koria

Seoul, South Korea. Founded 2012 by Ultra Worldwide, with a local promoter. Operated by Ultra Worldwide, with UC Korea (유씨코리아, Yussi Koria) named as the Korean organiser in 2022. For years in June. The 2025 edition was one day, September 20. Size: More than 150,000 at its 2016 peak.

Next edition: No 2026 edition, and none announced as of September 2026. The official site still shows the 2025 event.

Quiz type: The Main Stage

Photo: Ultrafan123, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons (The main stage, 2015).

Seoul Olympic Stadium for most of its history. It went to Paradise City in Incheon in 2024 and to Oil Tank Culture Park in Mapo, a converted oil depot, in 2025. The Miami brand, stadium sized. DJ Mag notes it was the first Ultra in Asia, and it launched the brand’s run across the region.

Mainstage EDM, with a Resistance stage for techno in 2025. Artists on its stages include Skrillex (2012), Tiësto (2012), Carl Cox (2012), Hardwell (2025), Adam Beyer (2025). Mostly Korean fans, in stadium numbers at its peak.

Ultra Korea opened at Seoul Olympic Stadium on August 3 and 4, 2012, with about 60,000 people and a bill that included Skrillex, Tiësto and Carl Cox. It grew past 150,000 by 2016. After a move to Incheon in 2024, the 2025 edition was a one-day event at Oil Tank Culture Park.

Past editions: 2012, Seoul Olympic Stadium: Skrillex, Tiësto, Carl Cox. August 3 and 4, the first Ultra in Asia, about 60,000 people; 2013, Seoul Olympic Stadium: Avicii, Armin van Buuren, Carl Cox. June 14 and 15; 2015, Seoul Olympic Stadium: Hardwell, Skrillex, David Guetta. About 110,000 people; 2016, Seoul Olympic Stadium: Avicii, Martin Garrix, deadmau5, Armin van Buuren. Three days and more than 150,000 people, its peak; 2018, Seoul Olympic Stadium: The Chainsmokers, Zedd, David Guetta. June 8 to 10; 2022, Jamsil Sports Complex, Seoul: Martin Garrix, Marshmello, Oliver Heldens. September 24 and 25, the first edition in three years; 2024, Paradise City, Incheon: Swedish House Mafia, Armin van Buuren, deadmau5. June 7 to 9, billed as the tenth anniversary; 2025, Oil Tank Culture Park, Mapo: Hardwell, Steve Angello, Adam Beyer. One day, September 20, sold out.

Official website · Instagram · Korea’s Most Unforgettable DJ Festivals · Beats & Business

Sources: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ultra_Korea · ultrakorea.com/ · djmag.com/top100festivals/2026/70/ultra-korea · kpopmap.com/ultra-music-festival-korea-2024-successfully-concludes-at- · thedj-diaries.com/korea-dj-festivals-guide/ · segye.com/newsView/20220822512971 · sports.khan.co.kr/article/202406051757003 · sports.khan.co.kr/article/202509191726003

5TARDIUM (스타디움) Seutadium

Seoul, South Korea. Ran from 2014 to 2019. Founded by A Korean production team; it billed itself as a home-grown creation. Operated by No longer running. Early summer. Size: Not published.

Next edition: Not held since 2019.

Quiz type: The City Festival

Seoul; its last edition was at Nanji Hangang Park on the Han River. One idea: five stages arranged in a pentagon, each playing a different style at the same time. In 2016 a giant LED robot walked the floor.

Bass, trance, drum and bass and house, one sound to each point of the pentagon. Artists on its stages include Illenium, Markus Schulz, Darren Styles, Zomboy, Gorgon City, Tommy Trash. Seoul EDM fans who wanted variety in one field.

Its sixth edition ran at Nanji Hangang Park on June 29 and 30, 2019, which puts the first around 2014, and no edition is on record since.

Past editions: 2016, Seoul: Gorgon City, Tommy Trash, Ummet Ozcan. Theme The Mythology; 2019, Nanji Hangang Park, Seoul: Illenium, Markus Schulz, Darren Styles, Zomboy. June 29 and 30, the sixth edition.

Sources: timeout.com/seoul/music/2016-heineken-presents-5tardium · dt.co.kr/article/11216761 · edaily.co.kr/News/Read?mediaCodeNo=257&newsId=03142246622525984

Waterbomb (워터밤) Woteobam

Goyang (KINTEX) and cities across Korea, South Korea. Founded 2015 by Volume Unit Entertainment. Operated by Made One (메이드온, Meideuon). July and August, city by city (Seoul was July 24 to 26 at KINTEX in 2026). Size: Not published.

Next edition: 2027 dates not announced as of September 2026.

Quiz type: The Main Stage

Started at the Jamsil Sports Complex in Seoul, its Seoul home through 2023. The Seoul edition moved to KINTEX in Goyang in 2024, and it tours other Korean cities and, since 2023, cities abroad. A water fight with a stage. Fans pick a team colour when they buy a ticket, and the show ends in water battles with cannons and guns.

K-pop, hip hop and EDM. It is a pop festival first, with DJs in the mix. Artists on its stages include Diplo (2026), NGHTMRE (2026), Jay Park, Zico, Taemin, Hwasa. K-pop and hip hop fans, dressed to get soaked.

Waterbomb began in 2015 at the Jamsil Sports Complex. It spread to cities across Korea and, from 2023, to Bangkok, Tokyo, Hong Kong, Singapore and more. It has been criticised for how much water it uses.

Past editions: 2015, Jamsil Sports Complex, Seoul. First edition; 2023, Jamsil Sports Complex, Seoul, plus Bangkok and Japan. The last Seoul edition at Jamsil, and the first editions abroad; 2024, KINTEX, Goyang. Seoul edition, July 5 to 7, the first at KINTEX; 2025, KINTEX, Goyang: Jay Park, Zico, Taemin, Hwasa. Seoul edition, July 4 to 6; 2026, KINTEX, Goyang: Diplo, NGHTMRE, Taemin, Karina, Jay Park. Seoul edition, July 24 to 26.

Official website · Instagram · Korea’s Most Unforgettable DJ Festivals · K-pop and House in the genre tree

Sources: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Waterbomb_festival · waterbombfestival.com/en/2025-seoul-lineup · waterbombfestival.com/en/seoul · v.daum.net/v/WfXMiW2u1Y?f=p · pap-magazine.com/en/article/waterbomb-seoul-2026-final-lineup-revealed

Spectrum Dance Music Festival (스펙트럼 댄스 뮤직 페스티벌) Seupekteureom Daenseu Myujik Peseutibeol

Seoul, South Korea. Ran from 2016 to 2018. Founded by Dream Maker Entertainment (드림메이커엔터테인먼트, Deurimmeikeo Enteoteinmeonteu), part of the SM Entertainment group. Operated by No longer running. Early autumn, two days. Size: About 60,000 over two days (2018).

Next edition: Not held since 2018.

Quiz type: The City Festival

Photo: FriedC, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons (The Dream Station stage, 2016).

Photo: FriedC, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons (The Star City stage, 2016).

Nanji Hangang Park in 2016, then the Olympic Stadium, its auxiliary stadium and the plaza around them in Jamsil in 2018. A home-grown festival from a K-pop company, built as themed worlds rather than stages: Star City, Dream Station, Club Neo Jungle and Electro Garden.

Mainstage EDM mixed with K-pop and hip hop, including SM artists in DJ and live sets. Artists on its stages include Kaskade, Dimitri Vegas & Like Mike, Alan Walker, Marshmello, DJ Snake. EDM fans and K-pop fans in one field.

SM Entertainment’s concert company launched Spectrum at Nanji Hangang Park on October 1 and 2, 2016. After a smaller spin-off in 2017 it came back to Jamsil on September 8 and 9, 2018, for about 60,000 people. No edition has run since.

Past editions: 2016, Nanji Hangang Park, Seoul: Kaskade, Don Diablo, Dimitri Vegas & Like Mike, Galantis. October 1 and 2, with SHINee on the bill; 2018, Jamsil Sports Complex, Seoul: Alan Walker, Marshmello, DJ Snake. September 8 and 9, about 60,000 people. The last edition.

K-pop and House in the genre tree

Sources: en.seoul.co.kr/news/entertainment/musicN/2016/10/02/20161002500059 · xportsnews.com/article/1017495 · ko.wikipedia.org/wiki/%EC%8A%A4%ED%8E%99%ED%8A%B8%EB%9F%BC_%EB%8C%84%E

World Club Dome Korea (월드클럽돔 코리아) Woldeu Keulleop Dom Koria

Munhak Stadium, Incheon, South Korea. Ran from 2017 to 2018. Founded by MPC Partners (엠피씨파트너스, Empissi Pateuneoseu), Asian partner of the German brand BigCityBeats. Operated by No longer running. Three days in September. Size: Not published.

Next edition: Not held since 2018.

Quiz type: The Main Stage

Munhak Stadium, the Incheon football ground, with an official after-party at a resort club near the airport in 2018. Sold as the biggest club in the world, a format that began in Frankfurt in 2013. The Korean edition was its first in Asia.

Mainstage EDM and trance, with a techno name or two. Artists on its stages include Martin Garrix, Armin van Buuren, Dimitri Vegas & Like Mike, Steve Aoki, Sven Väth. Mainstage fans from the Seoul area and visitors from abroad; Incheon and the Korea Tourism Organization backed the launch.

World Club Dome arrived in Incheon in September 2017 with the city and the national tourism agency as partners, and returned for three days in September 2018. It has not come back.

Past editions: 2017, Munhak Stadium, Incheon: Martin Garrix, Armin van Buuren, Marshmello, Sven Väth. September 22 to 24, first-phase line-up; 2018, Munhak Stadium, Incheon: Martin Garrix, Dimitri Vegas & Like Mike, Armin van Buuren, Steve Aoki. September 14 to 16, the last edition.

Korea’s Most Unforgettable DJ Festivals

Sources: edaily.co.kr/News/Read?mediaCodeNo=258&newsId=02128726615895792 · locomotionzine.com/102

The Air House (디에어하우스) Di Eeohauseu

Nami Island, Chuncheon, South Korea. Founded 2018 by A Korean team; by its own account it began in 2018 from a small moment of sharing music. Operated by The Air House team, on Nami Island. Late May (May 23 to 25 in 2026). Size: Not published. A boutique festival..

Next edition: 2027 dates not announced as of September 2026. It runs in late May.

Quiz type: The Island Crossing

Nami Island in the Bukhan River near Chuncheon, with stages on grass, in the forest and in a traditional hanok. “Feel the Air, Love This Moment.” Camping, sunrise yoga, saunas and canoeing, with a zero single-use policy.

Deep house, minimal and techno, with live bands and ambient sets. Artists on its stages include Sven Väth (2025), Rhadoo (2025), Âme (2025), Nicolas Lutz, Sébastien Léger (2026), Craig Richards (2024). House and techno heads from Seoul and abroad who would rather camp by the river than stand in a stadium.

The Air House says it began in 2018, and it has made Nami Island its home, sometimes running more than once a year: Trommel called the May 2024 weekend its ninth edition. It built its name on underground bookings like Sven Väth and Rhadoo, and in 2026 it added saunas, canoeing and forest runs.

Past editions: 2018. The first gathering, by its own account; 2024, Nami Island, Chuncheon: Craig Richards, Efdemin, DJ Masda, Omar. May 24 to 26; 2025, Nami Island, Chuncheon: Sven Väth, Rhadoo, Âme, Nicolas Lutz. May 23 to 25; 2026, Nami Island, Chuncheon: Sébastien Léger, Nicolas Lutz, Marco Shuttle, Jang Kiha. May 23 to 25, six areas including a hanok stage and saunas.

Official website · Instagram · Korea’s Most Unforgettable DJ Festivals · Deep House in the genre tree · Minimal Techno in the genre tree

Sources: trommelmusic.com/news/koreas-the-air-house-festival-invite-rhadoo-nico · trommelmusic.com/news/the-air-house-festival-in-south-korea-gear-up-fo · mixmag.asia/feature/festivals-in-asia-to-look-forward-to-in-2026 · view.asiae.co.kr/article/2026051809521653546 · the-airhouse.com/ourstory · gukjenews.com/news/articleView.html?idxno=3585582

EDC Korea (EDC 코리아) EDC Koria

INSPIRE Entertainment Resort, Incheon, South Korea. Founded 2019 by Insomniac. Operated by Insomniac with Pulse Events, since 2025. October 3 and 4 in 2026, the National Foundation Day long weekend. The 2019 edition was at the end of August and the 2025 edition in April. Size: About 90,000 over two days (2019, Korea Herald).

Next edition: October 3 and 4, 2026, INSPIRE Entertainment Resort, Incheon.

Quiz type: The Main Stage

A purpose-built resort near Incheon Airport, with covered stages and hotel rooms on site. The first edition filled Seoul Land with rides and neon. The EDC carnival look from Las Vegas, brought to Korea.

Mainstage EDM and bass at the top, with a harder techno end. Artists on its stages include Skrillex (2025), Martin Garrix (2025), Peggy Gou (2025), Tiësto (2026), Fisher (2026), Sara Landry (2026). Korean ravers plus visitors from abroad, who bought about 30 percent of the tickets in 2019.

EDC Korea debuted at Seoul Land on August 31 and September 1, 2019, with about 90,000 people over two days. After six years away it returned in April 2025 at INSPIRE, produced with Pulse Events, and the third edition moved to October 2026.

Past editions: 2019, Seoul Land, Gwacheon: Alesso, DJ Snake, deadmau5, Timmy Trumpet. August 31 and September 1, about 90,000 people; 2025, INSPIRE Entertainment Resort, Incheon: Skrillex, Martin Garrix, Peggy Gou, Charlotte de Witte. April 25 and 26, back after six years; 2026, INSPIRE Entertainment Resort, Incheon: Tiësto, DJ Snake, Fisher, Alok, Sara Landry. October 3 and 4, the third edition.

Official website · Instagram · 2026 line-up (DJ Mag) · Korea’s Most Unforgettable DJ Festivals

Sources: thedj-diaries.com/korea-dj-festivals-guide/ · koreaherald.com/article/2091294 · cultr.com/news/edc-korea-drop-strong-2025-lineup/ · thatfestivalsite.com/article/EDC%20Korea%20Returns%20After%20Five%20Ye · djmag.com/news/edc-korea-2026-full-line-announced

S2O Korea Songkran Music Festival (S2O 코리아 송크란 뮤직 페스티벌) S2O Koria Songkeuran Myujik Peseutibeol

Seoul Land, Gwacheon, South Korea. Founded 2022 by The S2O brand from Bangkok, licensed to Korea. Operated by BEPC Tangent, the company behind World DJ Festival. A weekend in July (July 11 and 12 in 2026). Size: About 40,000 (2024, reported by Newsis).

Next edition: 2027 dates not announced as of September 2026.

Quiz type: The Day Party Series

Seoul Land in Gwacheon, the same theme park that hosts World DJ Festival, rigged with water cannons for a July weekend. Thailand’s Songkran water festival as a rave: 360-degree water cannons, lasers and fireworks over the crowd.

Mainstage EDM, trance, dubstep and drum and bass. Artists on its stages include Galantis (2026), Yellow Claw (2026), Andrew Rayel (2026), Afrojack (2025), KSHMR (2025), Subtronics (2025). Summer crowds from Seoul and visitors from around Asia, ready to be soaked.

The Bangkok water festival came to Korea in July 2022 and has run at Seoul Land every July since. The 2026 edition, its fifth, ran July 11 and 12 with Galantis, Yellow Claw and Andrew Rayel.

Past editions: 2022, Seoul Land, Gwacheon. First Korean edition; 2026 was its fifth; 2025, Seoul Land, Gwacheon: Afrojack, KSHMR, Subtronics, Dimension. July 12 and 13. Subtronics plays Korea for the first time; 2026, Seoul Land, Gwacheon: Galantis, Yellow Claw, Andrew Rayel, Mike Williams. July 11 and 12, the fifth edition.

Official website · Instagram · Korea’s Most Unforgettable DJ Festivals

Sources: newsis.com/view/NISX20250710_0003246314 · sports.khan.co.kr/en/article/202607082115007/ · thedj-diaries.com/korea-dj-festivals-guide/ · nationthailand.com/blogs/life/entertainment/40047312

TOR Festival

Geumgwang Campsite, Anseong, South Korea. Founded 2026 by Directors Marcus L, Nova Animus and Jaewoong. Operated by Its three founding directors. The end of August (August 29 and 30 in 2026). Size: Not published. A one-stage camping festival..

Next edition: A second edition is not announced as of September 2026.

Quiz type: The Boutique Forest

A forested, isolated campsite in Anseong, south of Seoul, with camping and glamping on site. One stage and one long night: more than 20 hours of techno without a break, with visuals by media artist Youkyoboy.

Techno, played by Korean DJs. Artists on its stages include Marcus L, Nova Animus, Jetset Trash, K.O.P. 32, Mars Parck. Seoul techno heads who want a whole night under the trees.

TOR made its debut on August 29 and 30, 2026, with 15 Korean DJs on a single stage. It is the newest festival in this atlas, and a sign of where the Korean underground wants to go.

Past editions: 2026, Geumgwang Campsite, Anseong: Marcus L, Nova Animus, Jetset Trash, Mars Parck. Debut edition, August 29 and 30.

Tickets and details on Resident Advisor · The Korean Rave

Sources: mixmag.asia/feature/festivals-in-asia-to-look-forward-to-in-2026 · ra.co/events/2435950

Asia

Fuji Rock Festival

Naeba, Yuzawa, Niigata, Japan. Founded 1997 by Masahiro Hidaka of Smash. Operated by Smash, the Tokyo promoter Hidaka founded. The last weekend of July, three days. Size: Record of about 140,000 over three days (2012).

Next edition: 2027 dates not announced as of September 2026. It runs on the last weekend of July.

Quiz type: The Mountain Sunrise

Photo: Jmills74 at the English Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons (The Green Stage).

Photo: Jmills74 at the English Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons (Camping in the valley).

Naeba Ski Resort in the mountains of Niigata, with stages spread along forest paths and a river. It aims to be the cleanest festival in the world, and recycling is part of the culture.

Rock first, but with a long line of electronic acts, and late-night dance music in the Red Marquee and Palace of Wonder. Artists on its stages include Aphex Twin, Underworld, The Chemical Brothers. Multi-generational. The founder has said he wants to see three generations of one family there together.

Masahiro Hidaka held the first Fuji Rock near Mount Fuji in 1997, and a typhoon cut it to one day. It has lived at Naeba Ski Resort since 1999 and kept the name. With more than 200 acts it is the largest outdoor music event in Japan.

Past editions: 1997, Near Mount Fuji. A typhoon cuts it to one day; 2024, Naeba Ski Resort: The Killers, Kraftwerk, Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds. July 26 to 28. Floating Points and 2manydjs also played; 2025, Naeba Ski Resort: Fred again.., Vulfpeck, Vampire Weekend. July 25 to 27, 122,000 people; 2026, Naeba Ski Resort: The xx, Khruangbin, Massive Attack. July 24 to 26.

Official website · Instagram · Asia’s Electronic Music Scenes

Sources: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fuji_Rock_Festival · features.japantimes.co.jp/fuji-rock-20/

ZoukOut

Siloso Beach, Sentosa, Singapore. Founded 2001 by Zouk, the Singapore club. Operated by Zouk Singapore. Early December, dusk to dawn. Size: Record of about 28,000 (2010).

Next edition: No edition announced since 2023, as of September 2026.

Quiz type: The Beach Stage

Photo: Frances Morgado, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (Siloso Beach, 2007).

Siloso Beach on Sentosa island, with a few years at Tanjong Beach and Marina Bay Waterfront along the way. A nightclub’s beach party that became Singapore’s biggest dance night, and three times a Singapore Tourism Board award winner.

Trance and house in its early years, then mainstage EDM. Artists on its stages include Paul van Dyk, Richie Hawtin, Sven Väth, Tiësto, David Guetta, Martin Garrix. Singaporeans and visitors from around Southeast Asia, on the sand until sunrise.

Zouk started ZoukOut in 2001 as an all-night party on Siloso Beach. The tenth anniversary in 2010 drew a record 28,000 people for Tiësto and David Guetta, and it went to two nights from 2012. It skipped 2019, lost 2020 and 2021 to the pandemic and came back in 2022. The 20th edition in December 2023 is the most recent one on record.

Past editions: 2010, Siloso Beach, Sentosa: David Guetta, Tiësto, DJ Jazzy Jeff. Tenth anniversary, about 28,000 people; 2022, Siloso Beach, Sentosa: Armin van Buuren. December 3 and 4, back after the pandemic; 2023, Siloso Beach, Sentosa: Martin Garrix, Alesso, Fisher, Illenium. December 2 and 3, the 20th edition.

Zouk Singapore (the official ZoukOut site did not load securely in September 2026) · Asia’s Electronic Music Scenes

Sources: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ZoukOut · luxesocietyasia.com/entertainment/zoukout-20th-edition-their-longest-p · timeout.com/singapore/news/armin-van-buuren-will-be-performing-at-zouk

Sunburn Festival

Mumbai (Goa until 2024), India. Founded 2007 by Shailendra Singh of Percept. Operated by Sunburn, led by chief executive Karan Singh. Its own site lists the organiser as Spacebound.. December (December 18 and 19 in 2026, with a closing party on December 20). Size: Not published. An IMS report in 2014 put it on the scale of Tomorrowland and Ultra..

Next edition: December 18 and 19, 2026, closing party December 20, Mahalaxmi Racecourse, Mumbai.

Quiz type: The Main Stage

Photo: Vyacheslav Argenberg, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons (Candolim, Goa, 2010).

Photo: Vyacheslav Argenberg, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons (The crowd, 2010).

It began on the beach at Candolim in Goa, moved to Pune from 2016 to 2018 and returned to Vagator. Its first Mumbai edition in 2025 was at Infinity Bay in Sewri, and it moves to Mahalaxmi Racecourse in 2026. Beach-party roots, grown into a brand with arena shows, city festivals and campus events across India.

Mainstage EDM, trance, house and techno from the biggest touring names. Artists on its stages include Armin van Buuren, Above & Beyond, Carl Cox, Martin Garrix, Tiësto, deadmau5. Fans from cities across India, gathering at the end of the year.

Sunburn started in 2007 on Candolim Beach in Goa. It left Goa for Pune from 2016 to 2018, came back to Vagator, and moved to Mumbai in December 2025. DJ Mag readers still vote it the top festival in Asia.

Past editions: 2007, Candolim Beach, Goa: Carl Cox, Above & Beyond, Axwell. First edition, December 28 and 29; 2015, Vagator, Goa: Martin Garrix, David Guetta, Kygo, Dimitri Vegas & Like Mike. Ninth edition, four days; 2016, Pune. Leaves Goa until 2018; 2025, Infinity Bay, Sewri, Mumbai: Above & Beyond, David Guetta, Axwell, Richie Hawtin. December 19 to 21, the first Mumbai edition.

Official website · Instagram · Sunburn 2026 page · Goa Trance in the genre tree · Trance

Sources: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sunburn_Festival · sunburn.in/event/sunburn-festival-2025/ · djmag.com/top100festivals/2026/6/sunburn-festival · perceptemc.medium.com/sunburn-has-been-rated-as-the-10-music-festival- · djmag.com/news/sunburn-festival-2025-full-line-announced · aninews.in/news/entertainment/music/sunburn-festival-announces-its-19t · sunburn.in/event/sunburn-festival-2026/

Djakarta Warehouse Project

JIExpo Kemayoran, Jakarta, Indonesia. Founded 2008 by Ismaya, as a party at the Blowfish nightclub in Jakarta. Operated by Ismaya Live. Three days in mid-December (December 11 to 13 in 2026). Size: About 70,000 (2025, reported).

Next edition: December 11 to 13, 2026, JIExpo Kemayoran, Jakarta.

Quiz type: The Main Stage

Photo: emonemomen, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (Ladytron at DWP, 2011).

JIExpo Kemayoran in central Jakarta for most years, with editions at GWK Cultural Park in Bali in 2018, 2023 and 2025. Southeast Asia’s big December weekend, and a pioneer of the region’s festival boom.

Mainstage EDM, with house, techno and trance names further down the bill. Artists on its stages include Calvin Harris, Skrillex, Charlotte de Witte, Fisher, Steve Angello. Young Jakartans plus visitors from across the region; about 10,000 came from abroad in 2024.

It began in 2008 as Blowfish Warehouse Project inside a Jakarta nightclub, for more than 5,000 people. A fight at the club in 2010 forced a move to Ancol and a new name, and it grew into the biggest dance festival in Indonesia. After a Bali edition in 2025 it returns to JIExpo in December 2026.

Past editions: 2008, Blowfish nightclub, Jakarta. First edition, more than 5,000 people; 2010, Pantai Carnaval, Ancol. Renamed Djakarta Warehouse Project; 2016, JIExpo Kemayoran, Jakarta. About 90,000 people; 2025, GWK Cultural Park, Bali: Calvin Harris, Skrillex, Charlotte de Witte, Fisher, Steve Angello. December 12 to 14, about 70,000 people; 2026, JIExpo Kemayoran, Jakarta: Axwell b2b Sebastian Ingrosso, Afrojack, Alok, Dimitri Vegas, R3HAB. December 11 to 13, first names announced.

Official website · Instagram · Asia’s Electronic Music Scenes

Sources: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Djakarta_Warehouse_Project · djmag.com/top100festivals/2026/64/djakarta-warehouse-project · en.tempo.co/read/2072799/djakarta-warehouse-project-2025-calvin-harris · edmtunes.com/2026/09/djakarta-warehouse-project-reveals-first-names-fo

Rainbow Disco Club

Higashi-Izu, Shizuoka, Japan. Founded 2010 by Masahiro Tsuchiya. Operated by The Rainbow Disco Club team, led by Masahiro Tsuchiya with director Yuki Yokoyama. Three days in mid-April (April 16 to 18 in 2027). Size: Not published. A boutique festival..

Next edition: April 16 to 18, 2027, Higashi-Izu Cross Country Course.

Quiz type: The Mountain Sunrise

The Higashi-Izu Cross Country Course, a forested hillside on the Izu Peninsula, since 2015. It began in Tokyo beside the Rainbow Bridge, which gave it its name. Classic disco at heart, a finely tuned Funktion-One system, no single-day tickets, and music off at midnight with the campsite taking over.

Disco, house and techno from selectors who dig deep. Artists on its stages include DJ Harvey, Moodymann, Todd Terje, Four Tet, Floating Points, Ben UFO. Tokyo heads and travellers who plan the whole trip around it and camp on the hill.

RDC started in 2010 in Tokyo, by the Rainbow Bridge. The 2011 edition was halted by the Great East Japan Earthquake and the 2012 one was rained off, and in 2015 it moved to the Izu mountains as a three-day festival. It has since taken parties to Amsterdam, Bali and beyond.

Past editions: 2010, Tokyo, by the Rainbow Bridge. First edition; 2015, Higashi-Izu Cross Country Course. First year in the mountains, three days; 2016, Higashi-Izu Cross Country Course: Andrew Weatherall, Gilles Peterson, Nightmares on Wax. April 29 to May 1; 2021, Chidori Park, Kawasaki. A one-year move to a waterfront park; 2026, Higashi-Izu Cross Country Course: Four Tet, Floating Points, Daphni, Ben UFO. April 17 to 19.

Official website · Instagram · Cosmic Disco in the genre tree · Asia’s Electronic Music Scenes

Sources: japantimes.co.jp/culture/2016/04/17/music/rainbow-disco-club-may-dance · tokion.jp/en/2021/10/19/rainbow-disco-club/ · mixmag.asia/feature/rainbow-disco-club-japan-masahiro-tsuchiya-yuki-yo · rainbowdiscoclub.com/en/

Future Music Festival Asia

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Ran from 2012 to 2014. Founded by Future Entertainment of Australia. Operated by No longer running. March. Size: More than 55,000 over two days (2013).

Next edition: Not held since 2014.

Quiz type: The Main Stage

Photo: Firdaus Latif, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (Sepang, 2013).

Sepang International Circuit in 2012, and the car park of Bukit Jalil National Stadium in 2014. The Asian spin-off of Australia’s Future Music Festival, with A State of Trance nights folded in.

Mainstage EDM and trance, with pop and rock headliners. Artists on its stages include Armin van Buuren, The Prodigy, The Chemical Brothers, Martin Garrix, deadmau5. Malaysians and visitors from around the region.

FMFA began in 2012 as a one-day festival at Sepang for more than 20,000 people, and doubled in 2013 with A State of Trance 600. In 2014 six festival-goers died after the second day, the authorities cancelled the third, and the festival did not return.

Past editions: 2012, Sepang International Circuit: The Chemical Brothers, Chase & Status, Pendulum. One day, more than 20,000 people; 2013, Kuala Lumpur: Armin van Buuren, The Prodigy, PSY, Rudimental. Two days, more than 55,000 people; 2014, Bukit Jalil National Stadium: deadmau5, Armin van Buuren, Martin Garrix, Eric Prydz. March 13 to 15. Day three was cancelled.

Trance in the genre tree

Sources: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Future_Music_Festival_Asia

Magnetic Fields (now Nomads)

Khetri, Rajasthan, India. Founded 2013 by A team that includes co-founder Sarah Elizabeth Chawla. Operated by The Magnetic Fields team. Winter in the desert (Nomads ran February 13 to 15, 2026). Size: Not published.

Next edition: The next Nomads dates are not announced as of September 2026.

Quiz type: The Desert Gathering

Alsisar Mahal, a palace in the Rajasthan desert, from 2013. Its new event, Nomads, moved to Khetri in 2026. A palace festival in the desert, with projects that pair electronic music with Rajasthani folk traditions.

Forward-thinking electronic, ambient and live music. Artists on its stages include Hudson Mohawke, Sofia Kourtesis, Nicola Cruz, Jane Fitz, Rival Consoles. India’s underground and visitors who come for the setting as much as the line-up.

Magnetic Fields ran at Alsisar Mahal from 2013 for ten years. In September 2025 it said goodbye to Alsisar and relaunched as Nomads, a three-day festival in Khetri, first held February 13 to 15, 2026.

Past editions: 2013, Alsisar Mahal, Rajasthan. First edition; 2026, Khetri, Rajasthan: Rival Consoles, Vieux Farka Touré, Barker, Karshni. First Nomads edition, February 13 to 15.

Official website

Sources: mixmag.asia/read/magnetic-fields-bids-farewell-to-alsisar-announces-ne · thewildcity.com/news/21534-magnetic-fields-announces-rival-consoles-vi · mixmag.asia/feature/festivals-in-asia-to-look-forward-to-in-2026

Wonderfruit

Siam Country Club, near Pattaya, Thailand. Founded 2014 by Pranitan “Pete” Phornprapha and Montonn “Jay” Jira. Operated by Scratch First, a Thai production company. Early December, four to five days (December 3 to 7 in 2026). Size: Not published.

Next edition: December 3 to 7, 2026, The Fields at Siam Country Club, Pattaya.

Quiz type: The Desert Gathering

Photo: Sdegennaro, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons (Sunset, 2015).

Photo: Fabriemo, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons (The welcome sign, 2025).

The Fields at Siam Country Club, outside Pattaya in Chonburi, which moved a kilometre east to a larger site in 2018. Art, architecture, farm-to-table food and wellness as much as music. Single-use cups were banned in 2019.

Leftfield electronic music, house and sounds from around the world, with live bands. Artists on its stages include Four Tet, Floating Points, Theo Parrish, A Guy Called Gerald, Antal. Bangkok creatives, families and travellers from across Asia.

Wonderfruit launched in December 2014. The 2016 edition moved to February 2017 during the national mourning for King Bhumibol, the pandemic replaced it with a small local event in 2020, and it celebrated a decade in 2025.

Past editions: 2014, Siam Country Club, Pattaya. First edition, December; 2019, Siam Country Club, Pattaya. December 12 to 16, 99 hours without a break; 2025, Siam Country Club, Pattaya: Theo Parrish, A Guy Called Gerald, Antal, Polygonia. A Decade of Wonder.

Official website · Instagram · Asia’s Electronic Music Scenes

Sources: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wonderfruit · mixmag.asia/feature/festivals-in-asia-to-look-forward-to-in-2026 · wonderfruit.co

Ultra Japan

Odaiba, Tokyo, Japan. Founded 2014 by Ultra Enterprises with Avex. Operated by Ultra Japan Executive Committee (Ultra Enterprises and Avex). Mid-September, two days (September 19 and 20 in 2026). Size: About 120,000 over three days (2016).

Next edition: September 18 and 19, 2027, Tokyo.

Quiz type: The Main Stage

Tokyo Odaiba Ultra Park, a waterfront site with Rainbow Bridge and the skyline behind the stage. The Miami brand in Tokyo, one of Ultra Worldwide’s first expansions after Korea.

Mainstage EDM, with a Resistance stage for techno since 2015. Artists on its stages include Martin Garrix, Hardwell, Calvin Harris, DJ Snake, Armin van Buuren, Richie Hawtin. Tokyo’s EDM crowd, aged 20 and over.

Ultra Japan debuted on September 27 and 28, 2014, with more than 42,000 people, and reached about 120,000 over three days in 2016. It returned after the pandemic in 2022 and marked its tenth edition in 2025.

Past editions: 2014, Tokyo Odaiba Ultra Park: Martin Garrix, Hardwell, Afrojack, Axwell & Ingrosso. September 27 and 28, more than 42,000 people; 2016, Tokyo Odaiba Ultra Park: deadmau5, Hardwell, Martin Garrix, Kygo. About 120,000 over three days; 2022, Tokyo Odaiba Ultra Park: Afrojack, KSHMR, Martin Garrix, Zedd. September 17 and 18, back after the pandemic; 2024, Tokyo Odaiba Ultra Park: Alesso, Richie Hawtin, Armin van Buuren; 2025, Tokyo Odaiba Ultra Park: Calvin Harris, DJ Snake, Martin Garrix, Hardwell. September 13 and 14, the tenth edition; 2026, Tokyo Odaiba Ultra Park. September 19 and 20.

Official website · Instagram · EDM / Big Room in the genre tree

Sources: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ultra_Japan · djmag.com/news/ultra-japan-full-line-announced · ultrajapan.com/lineup · djmag.com/top100festivals/2026/59/ultra-japan

S2O Songkran Music Festival

Bangkok, Thailand. Founded about 2015 by Vuthithorn Milintachinda, with co-founder Pulin Milintachinda. Operated by The S2O team in Bangkok, which licenses the brand abroad. Songkran, the Thai New Year, in mid-April (April 11 to 13 in 2026). Size: Not published as a final figure. The organiser planned for about 35,000 a day in 2025..

Next edition: 2027 dates not announced as of September 2026. It follows Songkran in mid-April.

Quiz type: The Day Party Series

Photo: NoFameAgency, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons (Lucas & Steve at S2O, 2023).

Bangkok during the Songkran water festival. The 10th anniversary moved to Rajamangala National Stadium in 2025, and a new site, S2O Land in Ratchada, opened in 2026. The original water rave. 360-degree cannons soak the crowd, and the brand is licensed to Japan, Korea, Taiwan, Hong Kong, the United States and China.

Mainstage EDM, progressive, trance and bass. Artists on its stages include Marshmello, Alan Walker, DJ Snake, Diplo, Zedd, Kygo. Thais and visitors from China, Malaysia, Korea, Japan and Indonesia, the organiser’s top five markets in 2025.

S2O grew out of Songkran, the Thai New Year water festival, and marked its 10th anniversary at Rajamangala National Stadium in April 2025. Its Korean edition, S2O Korea, has run at Seoul Land since 2022.

Past editions: 2025, Rajamangala National Stadium, Bangkok: Marshmello, Alan Walker, DJ Snake, Diplo. April 12 to 14, the 10th anniversary; 2026, S2O Land, Ratchada, Bangkok: Zedd, Kygo, Alan Walker b2b Steve Aoki, Lost Frequencies. April 11 to 13.

Official website · Instagram · Asia’s Electronic Music Scenes

Sources: nationthailand.com/blogs/life/entertainment/40047312 · s2ofestival.com/post/s2o-festival-thailand-2025 · djmag.com/news/s2o-thailand-2026-full-line-announced

EDC Thailand

Laguna, Phuket, Thailand. Founded 2025 by Insomniac. Operated by Insomniac, with a Thai licence partner. Moves from January to December in 2026 (December 18 to 20). Size: Not published.

Next edition: December 18 to 20, 2026, Rhythm Park, Laguna Phuket.

Quiz type: The Main Stage

Rhythm Park, a purpose-built festival ground in the Laguna area of Phuket, from January 2026. The EDC carnival from Las Vegas on a tropical island, with a first official EDC hotel package outside Las Vegas.

Six stages from mainstage EDM and bass to techno, house and drum and bass. Artists on its stages include Skrillex, Illenium, Tiësto, Zedd, Armin van Buuren, Fisher. Island visitors and fans from across Southeast Asia.

EDC Thailand debuted in Phuket in January 2025 and came back in January 2026 at the new Rhythm Park. Its third edition moves to December 2026 as the closing event of Insomniac’s 30th anniversary year.

Past editions: 2025, Phuket: Skrillex, Illenium, Fisher, Tiësto. Debut, January; 2026, Rhythm Park, Phuket: Zedd, Tiësto, Armin van Buuren, Fisher. January 16 to 18; 2026, Rhythm Park, Phuket: Vintage Culture, Mau P, VTSS, Andy C. December 18 to 20, announced.

Official website · Instagram · EDM / Big Room in the genre tree

Sources: dancingastronaut.com/2025/11/edc-thailand-returns-to-phuket-in-2026-wi · djmag.com/top100festivals/2026/81/edc-thailand · djmag.com/news/edc-korea-2026-full-line-announced

Tomorrowland Thailand

Wisdom Valley, Pattaya, Thailand. Founded 2026 by Tomorrowland, the Belgian festival. Operated by Tomorrowland, with Thai government support through at least 2030. December 11 to 13, 2026. Size: Not yet held. Organisers expect more than 50,000 a day..

Next edition: December 11 to 13, 2026, Wisdom Valley, Pattaya.

Quiz type: The Main Stage

A 237-acre site at Wisdom Valley near Pattaya. The Belgian storybook festival at full scale in Asia for the first time, with the Consciencia theme and the first Asian outings of the CORE and Freedom stages.

Mainstage EDM with techno and house stages, and a long list of Thai DJs. Artists on its stages include Martin Garrix, Swedish House Mafia, Dimitri Vegas & Like Mike, Kölsch, Nakadia. Fans from across Asia; tickets sold out in less than an hour.

After false starts in 2024, Tomorrowland confirmed its Thai debut at the start of 2026. Tickets sold out in under an hour, and the first edition runs December 11 to 13, 2026.

Past editions: 2026, Wisdom Valley, Pattaya: Martin Garrix, Swedish House Mafia, Dimitri Vegas & Like Mike, Steve Aoki, Nakadia. Debut, December 11 to 13.

Official website · Instagram · EDM / Big Room in the genre tree

Sources: djmag.com/news/tomorrowland-thailand-2026-full-line-announced · mixmag.asia/feature/festivals-in-asia-to-look-forward-to-in-2026

Americas

Burning Man

Black Rock City, Nevada, United States. Founded 1986 by Larry Harvey and Jerry James, on Baker Beach in San Francisco. Operated by The Burning Man Project, a nonprofit. The nine days up to and including Labor Day (August 30 to September 7 in 2026). Size: A permit cap of 87,000 people in total (2022 rule).

Next edition: The 2027 theme, Spellbound, is announced; dates are not listed as of September 2026.

Quiz type: The Desert Gathering

Photo: Kyle Harmon, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (Black Rock City from the air, 2010).

Photo: RawWriter, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons (The Temple, 2016).

A temporary city on the Black Rock Desert playa, built by the people who attend and taken down again after nine days. Not a music festival in the usual sense: no official headliners, a gifting ethos, and the burning of the Man. Its sound camps, such as Robot Heart and Opulent Temple, are among the most famous dance floors anywhere.

Whatever the camps and art cars bring. DJs have played from camps and mutant vehicles since the first music camps in 1992. Participants rather than spectators, from all over the world.

Burning Man began on Baker Beach in San Francisco on June 22, 1986, and moved to the Black Rock Desert in 1990. Electronic music camps appeared from 1992, and a Deep Playa Music Zone was set aside for big sound in 2015. The 2023 edition was flooded by rain, and the 2026 event ran August 30 to September 7.

Past editions: 1986, Baker Beach, San Francisco. The first Man is burned, June 22; 1990, Black Rock Desert. First year on the playa; 1992, Black Rock Desert. Electronic music camps appear; 2023, Black Rock City. Rain and flooding lock down the city; 2026, Black Rock City. August 30 to September 7.

Official website · Instagram · Glastonbury vs Berghain vs Coachella

Sources: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Burning_Man · djmag.com/top100festivals/2026/31/burning-man · burningman.org

Electric Daisy Carnival Las Vegas

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States. Founded 1997 by Pasquale Rotella’s Insomniac, which took it over in 1997; the name goes back to a 1991 party in Chino, California. Operated by Insomniac, in a creative partnership with Live Nation since 2013. Three nights in May (May 15 to 17 in 2026). Size: About 525,000 over three days (2024, reported).

Next edition: May 14 to 16 and 21 to 23, 2027, Las Vegas Motor Speedway, expanding to two weekends.

Quiz type: The Main Stage

Photo: Eric Polk, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons (kineticFIELD during Tiësto, 2024).

Photo: Rudgrcom, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons (Fireworks over the speedway, 2025).

The Las Vegas Motor Speedway, turned into a neon carnival from dusk to dawn. Carnival. Art cars, costumed performers, rides, and stage names written in one style: kineticFIELD, circuitGROUNDS, basspod. DJ Mag notes the Alice in Wonderland influence.

Every kind of electronic dance music on nine stages: mainstage EDM, bass and dubstep, trance, hardstyle, techno and house. Artists on its stages include Martin Garrix, Charlotte de Witte, Tiësto, Peggy Gou, Fisher, Underworld. Mostly young ravers from across the United States, many in costume to match the carnival.

The first party under the name was held for about 3,000 people in 1991. Insomniac made EDC its signature event from 1997 in Los Angeles, then moved it to Las Vegas in 2011 after the death of a 15-year-old at the 2010 Coliseum edition. The 2026 edition marked its 30th anniversary.

Past editions: 1991, Chino, California. Magical Mickey’s Electric Daisy Carnival, about 3,000 people; 2011, Las Vegas Motor Speedway. First year in Las Vegas; 2024, Las Vegas Motor Speedway. About 525,000 people reported over three days; 2026, Las Vegas Motor Speedway: Martin Garrix, Charlotte de Witte, The Prodigy, Peggy Gou b2b KI/KI. May 15 to 17, the 30th anniversary.

Official website · Instagram · EDM / Big Room in the genre tree · Brostep in the genre tree

Sources: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electric_Daisy_Carnival · djmag.com/top100festivals/2026/2/edc-las-vegas · en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Insomniac_Events · djmag.com/news/edc-las-vegas-2026-full-line-announced · djmag.com/news/edc-korea-2026-full-line-announced

Shambhala Music Festival

Salmo River Ranch, near Nelson, British Columbia, Canada. Founded 1998 by Jimmy Bundschuh, on his family farm. Operated by The Bundschuh family, with no corporate sponsorship. Four days in late July (July 23 to 26 in 2027). Size: Not published.

Next edition: July 23 to 26, 2027 (sold out), Salmo River Ranch, British Columbia.

Quiz type: The Boutique Forest

Photo: Nelson Becker aka Touchstones Nelson, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons (Shambhala, 2003).

A 500-acre family farm by the Salmo River in the West Kootenay mountains. Family-run and volunteer-built, with no corporate sponsorship. DJ Mag named it the best music festival in North America in 2019.

Electronic music across several stages, with a long reputation for bass music and breaks. It won Best Large Event at the Breakspoll awards in 2011 and 2012. West Coast ravers who camp for four days in the mountains.

Shambhala began in 1998 on the Bundschuh family’s Salmo River Ranch and grew into the largest and one of the longest-running electronic music events in Canada. It skipped 2020 and 2021 for the pandemic, and tickets for 2027 are already sold out.

Past editions: 1998, Salmo River Ranch. First edition; 2008, Salmo River Ranch. A film marks its first ten years; 2019, Salmo River Ranch. Named best festival in North America by DJ Mag; 2023, Salmo River Ranch. July 21 to 24.

Official website · Instagram · Brostep in the genre tree

Sources: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shambhala_Music_Festival · shambhalamusicfestival.com

Ultra Music Festival

Miami, United States. Founded 1999 by Russell Faibisch and Alex Omes. Operated by Ultra Enterprises, which also runs Ultra Worldwide. Late March, during Miami Music Week. Size: About 165,000 over three days (recent editions).

Next edition: March 26 to 28, 2027, Bayfront Park, Miami.

Quiz type: The Main Stage

Photo: Robert Giordano, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons (Bayfront Park during Ultra, 2013).

Photo: HollywoodAdam78, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons (Swedish House Mafia on the main stage, 2018).

Bayfront Park in downtown Miami, right on Biscayne Bay, with the city towers as the backdrop. City-centre spectacle. The Ultra name now travels to festivals on several continents, and its techno brand, Resistance, has its own stage and events.

Big room and mainstage EDM on the main stage, with techno and deep house under Resistance, and trance on the A State of Trance stage. Artists on its stages include Carl Cox, Armin van Buuren, Swedish House Mafia. Fans from across the Americas, plus much of the music industry, in town for Miami Music Week.

Ultra started at Collins Park in Miami Beach on 13 March 1999, founded by Russell Faibisch and Alex Omes. It moved downtown to Bayfront Park and Bicentennial Park, spent 2019 on Virginia Key, and is back at Bayfront Park. Its licence took the brand around the world, including Seoul from 2012.

Past editions: 1999, Collins Park, Miami Beach. First edition, 13 March; 2019, Virginia Key: Carl Cox, The Chainsmokers, Martin Garrix. One year on Virginia Key after the city voted against Bayfront Park; 2026, Bayfront Park, Miami: Carl Cox, Eric Prydz, Armin van Buuren, Hardwell, John Summit. March 27 to 29. A record 165,000 people, and the first major American festival powered by batteries.

Official website · Instagram · EDM / Big Room in the genre tree · Progressive House in the genre tree

Sources: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ultra_Music_Festival · djmag.com/top100festivals/2026 · weraveyou.com/2026/08/ultra-miami-2027-dates-bayfront-park-tickets-on- · djmag.com/top100festivals/2026/4/ultra-music-festival

Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival

Indio, California, United States. Founded 1999 by Paul Tollett and Rick Van Santen of Goldenvoice. Operated by Goldenvoice, part of AEG Presents since 2001. Two back-to-back three-day weekends in April. Size: About 245,000 across two weekends (2025 estimate).

Next edition: 2027 passes are on advance sale, with dates not announced as of September 2026.

Quiz type: The Main Stage

Photo: Shawn Ahmed, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (The Sahara tent, 2014).

Photo: Jason Persse, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (Sunset over the polo field, 2012).

The Empire Polo Club in the desert of the Coachella Valley. Giant art installations that change every year, set in the desert with mountains behind.

Pop, rock, indie and hip hop on the big stages, with dance music in the Sahara tent and the small Yuma tent. Artists on its stages include Daft Punk (2006). A West Coast crowd plus visitors from around the world.

Goldenvoice founders Paul Tollett and Rick Van Santen held the first Coachella in October 1999. Daft Punk’s 2006 set inside a pyramid of lights is still one of its most talked-about shows. In 2018 Beyoncé became the first Black woman to headline.

Past editions: 2006, Empire Polo Club, Indio: Daft Punk. The pyramid show; 2024, Empire Polo Club, Indio: Lana Del Rey, Tyler, the Creator, Doja Cat. Headliners; 2025, Empire Polo Club, Indio: Lady Gaga, Green Day, Post Malone, Travis Scott. Headliners; 2026, Empire Polo Club, Indio: Sabrina Carpenter, Justin Bieber, Karol G, Anyma. April 10 to 12 and 17 to 19. Anyma is the electronic headliner.

Official website · Instagram · 2027 passes · French House in the genre tree

Sources: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coachella · djmag.com/top100festivals/2026

Movement Music Festival

Detroit, Michigan, United States. Founded 2000 by Carol Marvin’s Pop Culture Media, with Carl Craig as artistic director, as the Detroit Electronic Music Festival. Operated by Paxahau, since 2006. Memorial Day weekend, late May. Size: Between about 40,000 and 107,000 a year in its first paid era, to 2012.

Next edition: May 29 to 31, 2027, Hart Plaza, Detroit.

Quiz type: The City Festival

Photo: Chris Woodrich, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons (Hart Plaza during Movement, 2026).

Photo: Myself248, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons (The main stage, 2002).

Hart Plaza, on the Detroit River downtown, in the city where techno was born. Hometown pride. Detroit pioneers share the bill with the artists they inspired.

Techno, house and electro, from Detroit legends to international headliners. Artists on its stages include Carl Craig, Kevin Saunderson, Carl Cox, Richie Hawtin, ANNA. Midwest techno lifers, Detroit locals and pilgrims from around the world. Windsor is just across the river.

It began in 2000 as the free Detroit Electronic Music Festival, with Carl Craig as artistic director and more than a million people over the weekend. It changed hands several times, running as Fuse-In under Kevin Saunderson in 2005, and admission became paid. Paxahau has produced it as Movement since 2006.

Past editions: 2000, Hart Plaza, Detroit: Carl Craig. The free Detroit Electronic Music Festival; 2006, Hart Plaza, Detroit. Paxahau takes over under the Movement name; 2026, Hart Plaza, Detroit: Carl Cox, Kevin Saunderson (E-Dancer), Blawan, Maceo Plex. Memorial Day weekend, May 23 to 25.

Official website · Instagram · Detroit Techno in the genre tree · Techno · Berlin, Chicago, Detroit, London

Sources: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Movement_(music_festival) · movementfestival.com/ · djmag.com/news/movement-detroit-2026-set-times-announced · djmag.com/top100festivals/2026/35/movement-music-festival

MUTEK

Montréal, Canada. Founded 2000 by Alain Mongeau. Operated by MUTEK, based in Montréal. Six days in late August. Size: Not published. About 80 live performances in 2025..

Next edition: The 2027 edition is announced for Montréal, with dates not published as of September 2026.

Quiz type: The Lanyard Festival

Photo: Jeangagnon, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons (Outdoor stage, 2015).

Photo: Jeangagnon, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons (The Parterre, 2015).

Downtown Montréal: free shows on the Esplanade Tranquille, the dome at the Society for Arts and Technology, Place des Arts and MTELUS. Digital creativity. Sound and image are treated as one work, so many sets are full audiovisual pieces.

Electronic music and digital arts: ambient, experimental, minimal techno and live A/V. Artists on its stages include Richie Hawtin (Narod Niki, 2003), Jeff Mills (2012), Holly Herndon (2014), Honey Dijon (2018). Artists, students and Montréal’s electronic community, plus a forum of industry people. It is a listening crowd as much as a dancing one.

Alain Mongeau founded MUTEK in Montréal in 2000 to promote electronic music and the digital arts. Sister editions followed in Argentina, Mexico City and Chile, among others. The 2025 edition was its 26th.

Past editions: 2000, Montréal. First festival; 2003, Montréal: Narod Niki (Richie Hawtin, Ricardo Villalobos). The supergroup set; 2025, Quartier des spectacles, Montréal. 26th edition, August 19 to 24.

Official website · Instagram · Minimal Techno in the genre tree · Microhouse in the genre tree

Sources: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mutek · montreal.mutek.org/en/news/26th-edition-of-the-festival-a-new-cycle-of · montreal.mutek.org/en/news/10-standout-performances-from-the-past-25-y

Igloofest

Montréal, Canada. Founded 2007 by The Piknic Électronik team, with the Old Port of Montréal. Operated by The Piknic Électronik team, co-producing with the Old Port of Montréal. Weekends from mid-January to early February. Size: More than 95,000 (2026, a record).

Next edition: January 14 to February 6, 2027, Quai Jacques-Cartier, Old Port of Montréal.

Quiz type: The City Festival

Photo: Francis Bourgouin, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (Igloofest, 2009).

Photo: Juliabazin, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons (New Year, 2025).

Outdoors at the Old Port of Montréal in the depth of winter. The 2026 edition averaged minus 21 degrees. The coldest music festival in the world, by its own description. Icy decor on steel structures, an Igloovillage with a slide, yetis, and a contest for the tackiest one-piece snowsuit.

House, techno and crowd-pleasing electronic music from international DJs and Québec locals. Artists on its stages include Carl Cox, Nina Kraviz, Josh Wink, Kaytranada, DJ Snake, A-Trak. Montréalers in retro ski suits who refuse to stay inside in January. If you have survived a Canadian winter, you already understand it.

Igloofest started on 19 January 2007 as the winter sister to Piknic Électronik’s summer parties. It turned a Montréal winter into the selling point, and its 18th edition in 2026 set a record with more than 95,000 people.

Past editions: 2007, Old Port of Montréal. First night, 19 January; 2026, Old Port of Montréal: DJ Snake, Sofi Tukker, A-Trak, Madeon. January 15 to February 7, a record 95,000 people; a first edition in Edmonton.

Official website · Instagram

Sources: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Igloofest · igloofest.ca/en/experience · oldportofmontreal.com/event/igloofest-2025 · tourismexpress.com/en/node/33578 · exclaim.ca/music/article/dj-snake-sofi-tukker-a-trak-lead-igloofest-mo

Electric Zoo

Randall’s Island, New York, United States. Ran from 2009 to 2023. Founded by Made Event. Operated by Last run by Avant Gardner; not held since 2023. Labor Day weekend. Size: More than 110,000 over three days (2012).

Next edition: Not held since 2023.

Quiz type: The Island Crossing

Photo: Roman Fuchs, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons (The Hilltop Arena, 2011).

Photo: Roman Fuchs, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons (Randall's Island, 2011).

Randall’s Island Park in New York City. New York’s big end-of-summer dance weekend, with a zoo theme that ID&T redesigned in 2015.

Every kind of electronic music across four stages. Artists on its stages include Armin van Buuren, deadmau5, David Guetta, Tiësto, Skrillex. New Yorkers and the northeast on the last weekend of summer.

Electric Zoo began in 2009 with 26,000 people and grew to more than 110,000 in 2012. The final day of 2013 was cancelled after two deaths, and in 2023 the first day was cancelled and crowds overran the gates. It has not been held since.

Past editions: 2009, Randall’s Island, New York: Armin van Buuren, deadmau5, David Guetta, Ferry Corsten. September 5 and 6, 26,000 people; 2012, Randall’s Island, New York: Above & Beyond, David Guetta, Tiësto, Skrillex. More than 110,000 people; 2016, Randall’s Island, New York: Tiësto, Hardwell, Bassnectar. September 2 to 4; 2023, Randall’s Island, New York. September 1 to 3. The last edition.

EDM / Big Room in the genre tree

Sources: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electric_Zoo

Festival Estéreo Picnic

Bogotá, Colombia. Founded 2010 by Seven Colombian entrepreneurs, including Sergio Pabón and Santiago Vélez, under a company called Sueño Estéreo. Operated by Páramo Presenta. March or April (March 20 to 22 in 2026). Size: More than 140,000 over three days (2026).

Next edition: 2027 dates not announced as of September 2026. It usually runs in March.

Quiz type: The City Festival

Photo: RobertSteven0825, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons (The festival sign at night).

Photo: Todolector, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons (The Killers, 2013).

Simón Bolívar Park in central Bogotá since 2024, high in the Andes. A big-city Latin American festival with international headliners, local acts and extra spectacle, such as Fuerza Bruta’s aerial theatre in 2026.

Alternative rock, pop, reggae, hip hop and electronic music, with a Coke Studio electronic stage built with local collectives in 2026. Artists on its stages include deadmau5, Tiësto, Skrillex, Major Lazer, Calvin Harris. Young Colombians from Bogotá and across the country, plus visitors from the rest of Latin America.

The first edition in 2010 drew fewer than 3,000 people. In 2013 bigger international names and ticket prices cut by 25 percent turned it around, and it has grown every era since, reaching more than 140,000 people in 2026.

Past editions: 2010, Bogotá. First edition, fewer than 3,000 people; 2024, Simón Bolívar Park, Bogotá. March 21 to 24, the first edition in central Bogotá; 2026, Simón Bolívar Park, Bogotá. March 20 to 22, more than 140,000 people.

Official website

Sources: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Festival_Est%C3%A9reo_Picnic · elespectador.com/servicios/estereo-picnic-2026-mas-de-140000-asistente

Electric Forest

Rothbury, Michigan, United States. Founded 2011 by Pasquale Rotella of Insomniac and Jeremy Stein of Madison House Presents. Operated by Insomniac and Madison House Presents. Four days in late June (June 25 to 28 in 2026). Size: About 40,000 to 50,000 (2025, estimate).

Next edition: 2027 dates not announced as of September 2026.

Quiz type: The Boutique Forest

Photo: FifthLegend, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (Sherwood Forest, 2018).

Photo: FifthLegend, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (The forest at night, 2018).

The Double JJ Resort in Rothbury, western Michigan, the old home of the Rothbury Festival. Electronic music meets jam bands. The String Cheese Incident was its host band from 2011 to 2016.

Bass music, house and techno next to jam bands. Artists on its stages include Pretty Lights, Excision, Charlotte de Witte, GRiZ, Disclosure. Midwestern campers who come back every year.

The site hosted the Rothbury Festival in 2008 and 2009. Electric Forest took over in 2011, skipped 2020 and 2021, and held its 14th edition June 25 to 28, 2026.

Past editions: 2011, Double JJ Resort, Rothbury: The String Cheese Incident. June 30 to July 3, first edition; 2022, Double JJ Resort, Rothbury: Disclosure, GRiZ, John Summit. June 23 to 26; 2024, Double JJ Resort, Rothbury: Pretty Lights, Excision, Charlotte de Witte, The String Cheese Incident. June 20 to 23, the 12th edition; 2026, Double JJ Resort, Rothbury. June 25 to 28, the 14th edition.

Official website · Instagram · Brostep in the genre tree

Sources: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electric_Forest_Festival · electricforestfestival.com

VELD Music Festival

Downsview Park, Toronto, Canada. Founded 2012 by Charles Khabouth’s INK Entertainment. Operated by INK Entertainment. The August long weekend (July 31 to August 2 in 2026). Size: About 105,000 over three days (2026).

Next edition: 2027 dates not announced as of September 2026.

Quiz type: The City Festival

Photo: The Come Up Show, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (The main stage, 2017).

Photo: Visualbass Photography, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (deadmau5, VELD).

Downsview Park in north Toronto, with a Main Stage, a Bass Stage and the Sirkus stage. Named after deadmau5’s track The Veldt and the Dutch word for field. deadmau5 headlined the first edition.

Mainstage EDM, bass music, and techno and house on the Sirkus stage. Artists on its stages include deadmau5, Avicii, Martin Garrix, Marshmello, Tiësto. Toronto and southern Ontario, the biggest electronic music crowd on the Canadian calendar.

INK Entertainment launched VELD at Downsview Park on August 4 and 5, 2012, with deadmau5 and Avicii. It skipped 2020 and 2021 and drew about 105,000 people in 2026.

Past editions: 2012, Downsview Park, Toronto: deadmau5, Avicii. August 4 and 5; 2022, Downsview Park, Toronto: Martin Garrix, Marshmello, Porter Robinson. July 29 to 31; 2024, Downsview Park, Toronto: Martin Garrix, Marshmello, Alan Walker, Alesso. August 2 to 4; 2025, Downsview Park, Toronto: deadmau5, Tiësto, John Summit, Rezz. August 1 to 3; 2026, Downsview Park, Toronto. July 31 to August 2, about 105,000 people.

Official website · Instagram · EDM / Big Room in the genre tree

Sources: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Veld_Music_Festival · djmag.com/top100festivals/2026/40/veld-music-festival

Europe

Glastonbury Festival

Pilton, Somerset, United Kingdom. Founded 1970 by Michael Eavis, on his dairy farm. Operated by Michael Eavis and Emily Eavis, who now runs most of the festival with her husband. Late June. It takes a fallow year about every five years to rest the land; 2026 was one. Size: About 210,000 (capacity, 2023).

Next edition: June 23 to 27, 2027, Worthy Farm, Pilton.

Quiz type: The Legacy Crossover

Photo: Rodw, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons (The Pyramid Stage, 2019).

Photo: Chris Drake, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (Worthy Farm from above, 2002).

About 1,500 acres of farmland at Worthy Farm in the Vale of Avalon. The dance music lives in its own corners of the site: Arcadia, Shangri-La, The Glade and Silver Hayes. The Pyramid Stage, 25 metres tall, is its best-known image. The dance areas each have their own look, from the Arcadia structure to a Shangri-La that was redesigned in 2025 with new stages and a bar called Dragon’s Tail.

Everything. Rock and pop on the big stages, with house, techno, bass and rave music in the dance areas, which have grown into a festival inside the festival. Artists on its stages include Orbital (1994), Bicep (2024). All ages and every taste. The dance areas pull the late-night crowd once the main stages close.

Michael Eavis held the first festival on his farm on 19 September 1970, for about 1,500 people. Orbital’s 1994 set is the moment electronic music was taken seriously there, and the first dance tent followed in 1995. By 2023 the capacity was about 210,000, and the main charities it supports include Oxfam, Greenpeace and WaterAid.

Past editions: 1970, Worthy Farm, Pilton. First festival, about 1,500 people; 2023, Worthy Farm, Pilton: Arctic Monkeys, Guns N’ Roses, Elton John. Pyramid Stage headliners; 2024, Worthy Farm, Pilton: Dua Lipa, Coldplay, SZA. Coldplay headline for a record fifth time; 2025, Worthy Farm, Pilton: Neil Young. Tickets sold out in 35 minutes; 2026. A fallow year to rest the land.

Official website · Instagram · 2027 ticket dates · The World’s Essential Dance Music Festivals · The Rave Era

Sources: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glastonbury_Festival · djmag.com/news/glastonbury-expands-dance-music-areas-newly-unveiled-20 · djmag.com/top100festivals/2026/9/glastonbury-festival

Love Parade

Berlin, later the Ruhr, Germany. Ran from 1989 to 2010. Founded by Matthias Roeingh (Dr. Motte) and Danielle de Picciotto. Operated by Ended in 2010. July. Size: About 1.5 million (Berlin, 1999).

Next edition: Ended in 2010.

Quiz type: The City Festival

Photo: Ago76, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons (Berlin, 1998).

Photo: Perspektive 89, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (Straße des 17. Juni, 2002).

The streets of Berlin, then cities in the Ruhr from 2007. A street parade of floats and sound systems, and for a decade the biggest techno gathering on earth.

Techno, trance and house. Artists on its stages include WestBam, Paul van Dyk, Carl Cox, Tiësto, Armin van Buuren. Everyone. It grew from 150 friends to more than a million people.

Dr. Motte and Danielle de Picciotto started the Love Parade in West Berlin in July 1989 with 150 people. It peaked at about 1.5 million in 1999, moved to the Ruhr in 2007, and ended after a crowd crush in Duisburg killed 21 people on July 24, 2010. Dr. Motte’s Rave The Planet parade has run in Berlin since 2022.

Past editions: 1989, West Berlin. First parade, 150 people; 1999, Berlin. About 1.5 million people; 2007, Essen. First Ruhr edition, about 1.2 million people; 2010, Duisburg. A crowd crush kills 21 people; the organiser ends the parade.

The Rave Era · Trance in the genre tree

Sources: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Love_Parade

Mysteryland

Haarlemmermeer, near Amsterdam, Netherlands. Founded 1993 by ID&T. Operated by ID&T. The last weekend of August (August 27 to 29 in 2027). Size: More than 100,000 a year (Wikipedia).

Next edition: August 27 to 29, 2027, Haarlemmermeer.

Quiz type: The Main Stage

Photo: Gerard.koymans, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons (The main floor, 2019).

Photo: Guillermo Melgarejo, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (The main stage).

The old Floriade grounds in Haarlemmermeer since 2003, after years moving between Lelystad, Rotterdam, Eindhoven and other sites. Make-believe design and the motto that tomorrow is a mystery. It ran spin-offs in Chile from 2011 to 2014 and at Bethel Woods in the United States in 2014.

The full range of electronic music, from mainstage to techno. Artists on its stages include Armin van Buuren, DJ Snake, Carl Cox, Martin Garrix, Fatboy Slim. Dutch campers and visitors from more than 100 countries.

ID&T started Mysteryland in 1993. It settled in Haarlemmermeer in 2003, and DJ Mag says it had claimed the title of the world’s longest-running dance music festival before it paused. It took 2026 off, and its site lists August 27 to 29, 2027 for its return.

Past editions: 2018, Haarlemmermeer: Alesso, Dimitri Vegas & Like Mike, Fatboy Slim, Hardwell. August 24 to 26; 2019, Haarlemmermeer: Martin Garrix, Diplo, Nicky Romero, Showtek. August 23 to 25; 2022, Haarlemmermeer: Armin van Buuren, DJ Snake, Alan Walker, Carl Cox. August 26 to 28, back after two cancelled years; 2026. No edition; the festival paused.

Official website · Instagram · 2027 information · The World’s Essential Dance Music Festivals

Sources: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mysteryland · djmag.com/top100festivals/2026/15/mysteryland · mysteryland.nl/info

Sónar

Barcelona, Spain. Founded 1994 by Music journalist Ricard Robles and visual artists Enric Palau and Sergio Caballero. Operated by Advanced Music, the founders’ company, part of the Superstruct Entertainment group. June. Size: About 150,000 (2025, DJ Mag).

Next edition: June 17 to 19, 2027, Barcelona.

Quiz type: The City Festival

Photo: photochino, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (Sónar, 2006).

Photo: rudeworks, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (LCD Soundsystem at Sónar, 2005).

For years Sónar by Day ran at Fira Montjuïc and Sónar by Night at Fira Gran Via. Its first editions were in the CCCB and MACBA museums in the old city. A festival of music, creativity and technology. The Sónar+D congress of talks, workshops and exhibitions runs beside the music.

Forward-looking electronic music: A/V shows, experimental live sets, techno, garage and club music. Artists on its stages include Amelie Lens (Aura A/V), Two Shell, Sammy Virji, Cabaret Voltaire. A mix of creative and tech people by day and a big club crowd by night.

Sónar began in 1994 with nearly 6,000 people and passed 100,000 in the 2000s. The Sónar+D congress arrived in 2013. DJ Mag counted 150,000 people across six stages on a single site in 2025.

Past editions: 1994, Barcelona. First edition, nearly 6,000 people; 2013, Barcelona. Sónar+D, the creativity congress, begins; 2018, Barcelona. A record 126,000 people; 2026, Barcelona. June 18 to 20.

Official website · Instagram · The World’s Essential Dance Music Festivals · Deconstructed Club in the genre tree

Sources: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/S%C3%B3nar · djmag.com/top100festivals/2026/38/sonar · sonar.es/en

Time Warp

Mannheim, Germany. Founded 1994 by Steffen Charles. Operated by Cosmopop. Spring. March in 2026, April 3 in 2027. Size: More than 40,000 (Mannheim edition).

Next edition: April 3, 2027, Maimarkthalle, Mannheim.

Quiz type: The Warehouse Weekender

Photo: ftf, CC BY-SA 2.5, via Wikimedia Commons (Time Warp, 2006).

Photo: Klaus Dieter Kieslich, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons (Monika Kruse at Time Warp, 2016).

Indoors, in the Maimarkthalle exhibition halls in Mannheim, its home since 2000. Its own line is “house and techno in its purest form. No gimmicks.” It is known for heavy sound and bold light and visual production.

Techno and house across several indoor floors. Artists on its stages include Sven Väth, Richie Hawtin, Nina Kraviz, Marco Carola, Loco Dice. Techno and house fans from Germany and the rest of Europe.

The first Time Warp was held on 26 November 1994 near Stuttgart, and since 2000 its home has been the Maimarkthalle in Mannheim, a hall for about 12,000 people. For its 20th anniversary in 2014 it went to New York and Buenos Aires, and editions in São Paulo, Miami, Madrid and Mexico City followed.

Past editions: 1994, Near Stuttgart. First edition, 26 November; 2000, Maimarkthalle, Mannheim. Home ever since; 2026, Maimarkthalle, Mannheim: Adam Beyer, Amelie Lens, Ben Klock b2b Marrøn, Jamie Jones b2b Loco Dice. March 21, 19 hours, five floors.

Official website · Instagram · Minimal Techno in the genre tree

Sources: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Time_Warp_(festival) · time-warp.de/germany/mannheim/2026/ · djmag.com/top100festivals/2026 · djmag.com/top100festivals/2026/14/time-warp

Amsterdam Dance Event

Amsterdam, Netherlands. Founded 1996 by A three-day conference, with the Dutch rights body BumaStemra as founding partner. Operated by The Amsterdam Dance Event Foundation. Five days in mid to late October (October 21 to 25 in 2026). Size: More than 400,000 clubbers across five days (Wikipedia).

Next edition: October 21 to 25, 2026, Venues across Amsterdam.

Quiz type: The Lanyard Festival

Photo: Lieke van den Oord, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons (Stadsschouwburg during ADE, 2018).

Photo: Paul2, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons (ADE information stand, 2016).

The whole city: about 200 clubs and venues, a daytime conference, and the Amsterdam Music Festival in the Johan Cruijff ArenA. Part conference, part citywide festival, with more than 1,000 events. It is a conference and a festival at once, which is why it is here.

Everything, from techno nights to the mainstage EDM of the Amsterdam Music Festival. The global music industry by day and clubbers from everywhere by night.

ADE began in 1996 as a three-day conference for 300 delegates, with 30 DJs at Paradiso, Melkweg and Club Escape. It grew to five days in 2012 and now runs more than 1,000 events. The 2026 edition, October 21 to 25, is its 30th anniversary.

Past editions: 1996, Amsterdam. Three days, 300 delegates, shows at Paradiso, Melkweg and Club Escape; 2012, Amsterdam. Grows from four days to five; 2026, Amsterdam. October 21 to 25, the 30th anniversary.

Official website · Instagram · Berlin, Chicago, Detroit, London

Sources: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amsterdam_Dance_Event · amsterdam-dance-event.nl/en/

Awakenings

Amsterdam and Hilvarenbeek, Netherlands. Founded 1997 by Rocco Veenboer of Monumental Productions. Operated by Awakenings, part of the Superstruct Entertainment festival group since 2021. The summer festival is in July. Gashouder nights in Amsterdam run through the year. Size: No single-festival figure published. DJ Mag counted about 300,000 across all its 2025 events..

Next edition: July 9 to 11, 2027, Hilvarenbeek.

Quiz type: The Warehouse Weekender

Photo: Boris van Hoytema, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (Awakenings).

Photo: Ank Kumar, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons (Inside the Gashouder).

Born in the Gashouder, a round 19th-century gas holder at the Westergasfabriek in Amsterdam. The summer festival moved to Hilvarenbeek, by the Beekse Bergen park, in 2022, with nine areas and a campsite. Industrial rooms, from the Gashouder gas holder to the Klokgebouw in Eindhoven. The name came from the first party, held around Easter 1997, and the idea of resurrection.

Techno, all of it: Detroit, minimal, peak-time, hard and melodic. It is one of the few giant festivals that books almost nothing else. Artists on its stages include Adiel, Rødhad, Indira Paganotto, Stephan Bodzin, Anetha, Rene Wise. Techno fans from all over Europe, there for the music first.

Rocco Veenboer threw the first Awakenings in the Gashouder on 30 March 1997. It spread to Eindhoven, then London, New York and Antwerp, and in 2020 it streamed free sets from an empty Gashouder. In 2022 the summer festival moved to Hilvarenbeek and added a third day and camping.

Past editions: 1997, Gashouder, Amsterdam. First party, 30 March; 2022, Hilvarenbeek. The summer festival moves here and adds camping; 2025, All events. About 300,000 people across its events that year; 2026, Hilvarenbeek: Adiel, Rødhad, Indira Paganotto, Stephan Bodzin. Summer festival line-up, as DJ Mag reported it.

Official website · Hard Techno Revival in the genre tree · Industrial Techno in the genre tree · The World’s Essential Dance Music Festivals

Sources: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Awakenings_(festival) · awakenings.com/en/ownership-statement/376213/ · awakenings.com/en/specials/awakenings-summer-festival-2022/58951/ · djmag.com/top100festivals/2026/34/awakenings-festival

Creamfields

Daresbury, Cheshire, United Kingdom. Founded 1998 by The Liverpool club Cream. Operated by Cream, part of Live Nation since 2012. The August bank holiday weekend, over four days. Size: More than 80,000 (Time Out, 2025).

Next edition: August 26 to 29, 2027, Daresbury, Cheshire.

Quiz type: The Main Stage

Farmland on the Daresbury Estate, between Liverpool and Manchester, home since 2006. Born from a Liverpool superclub. The Steel Yard, a huge steel-framed arena, became a brand of its own.

Mainstage dance, house, trance, techno and drum and bass. Artists on its stages include Swedish House Mafia, Anyma, Martin Garrix, Fatboy Slim, Pete Tong, Four Tet. Campers from across the UK, there for the long weekend.

Cream held the first Creamfields in 1998 as a one-day event in Winchester for 25,000 people. It moved to Liverpool in 1999 and to Daresbury in 2006, and the Steel Yard arrived in 2016. The brand has since been licensed to more than 30 countries.

Past editions: 1998, Winchester. One day, 25,000 people; 2006, Daresbury, Cheshire. Home ever since; 2025, Daresbury, Cheshire: Swedish House Mafia, Anyma, David Guetta, Martin Garrix, Chase & Status. August 21 to 24, more than 80,000 people.

Official website · Instagram · Trance in the genre tree · Every UK Electronic Genre, Explained

Sources: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Creamfields · timeout.com/uk/news/creamfields-2025-dates-location-headliners-full-li · djmag.com/top100festivals/2026/7/creamfields

EXIT

Novi Sad (Ulcinj, Montenegro, in 2026), Serbia. Founded 2000 by Dušan Kovačević, Bojan Bošković and Ivan Milivojev, as a student protest. Operated by EXIT, led by chief executive Dušan Kovačević. July. Size: About 200,000 over four days (2025).

Next edition: 2027 plans not announced as of September 2026. Its tour also lists Malta, Croatia, North Macedonia, Egypt and India.

Quiz type: The Legacy Crossover

Photo: Benny Gaši, EXIT Photo Team, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons (The Dance Arena, 2023).

Photo: Exitfest, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons (Petrovaradin Fortress from above, 2021).

The Petrovaradin Fortress above the Danube in Novi Sad, from 2001 to 2025. In 2026 it moved to Long Beach in Ulcinj, Montenegro. Born as a 100-day student protest against the Milosevic regime, and still shaped by politics.

Rock, pop and hip hop beside a big dance arena for techno and house. Artists on its stages include Carl Cox, Solomun, Eric Prydz, Amelie Lens, Charlotte de Witte. Young Serbians and visitors from across Europe.

EXIT began in 2000 as a student movement for democracy and moved into the Petrovaradin Fortress in 2001. After it backed student-led protests, Serbian state funding was withdrawn, and its 25th edition in 2025 was its last at the fortress. In 2026 it went on the road, starting with EXIT to Montenegro on Long Beach in Ulcinj.

Past editions: 2023, Petrovaradin Fortress, Novi Sad: The Prodigy, Skrillex, Eric Prydz, Alesso. July 6 to 9; 2024, Petrovaradin Fortress, Novi Sad: Carl Cox, Artbat, Alok, Black Eyed Peas. July 10 to 14; 2025, Petrovaradin Fortress, Novi Sad: Tiësto, The Prodigy, Solomun, Eric Prydz. July 10 to 13, the 25th and last at the fortress; 2026, Long Beach, Ulcinj, Montenegro: Monolink, Jamie Jones, Stephan Bodzin. July 3 to 6, the first stop of its tour.

Official website · Instagram · Melodic Techno in the genre tree

Sources: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Exit_(festival) · djmag.com/news/exit-festival-announces-2026-global-tour-following-depa · balkaninsight.com/2026/05/07/serbias-exit-festival-moves-to-montenegro · news.pollstar.com/2026/09/11/intl-festivals-150000-at-exit-2-montenegr

Defqon.1

Biddinghuizen, Netherlands. Founded 2003 by Q-dance. Operated by Q-dance. Four days in late June (June 24 to 27 in 2027). Size: About 268,000 over four days (2025).

Next edition: June 24 to 27, 2027, Biddinghuizen.

Quiz type: The Main Stage

Photo: KaiKnight2, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons (The Red Stage, 2025).

Photo: Caesar, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons (The closing show, 2015).

An event site next to Walibi Holland in Biddinghuizen since 2011, after early years on the beach at Almere. Every year has a theme and an official anthem. It ran editions in Australia from 2009 to 2018 and in Chile in 2015 and 2016.

Hardstyle, hard trance, hardcore and anything else past 140 BPM. Artists on its stages include D-Block & S-te-Fan, Sub Zero Project, Sound Rush, D-Sturb. Hard dance fans from across Europe and beyond, camping for four days.

Q-dance started Defqon.1 in 2003 on the beach at Almere and moved it to Biddinghuizen in 2011. It drew about 268,000 people in 2025. The 2026 edition was cancelled because of an extreme heatwave, and it returns June 24 to 27, 2027.

Past editions: 2003, Almeerderstrand, Almere. First edition; 2022, Biddinghuizen: D-Block & S-te-Fan. Primal Energy; anthem by D-Block & S-te-Fan; 2023, Biddinghuizen: Sub Zero Project. Path of the Warrior; anthem by Sub Zero Project. About 250,000 people; 2024, Biddinghuizen: Sound Rush. Power of the Tribe; anthem by Sound Rush; 2025, Biddinghuizen: D-Sturb. Where Legends Rise; anthem by D-Sturb. About 268,000 people; 2026, Biddinghuizen. Cancelled because of an extreme heatwave.

Official website · Q-dance on Instagram · Hardstyle in the genre tree

Sources: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Defqon.1_Festival · djmag.com/top100festivals/2026/5/defqon1 · q-dance.com/l/defqon1-2026

Tomorrowland

Boom, near Antwerp, Belgium. Founded 2005 by Brothers Manu and Michiel Beers, with ID&T as the original organiser. Operated by We Are One World, the Beers brothers’ company. The last two weekends of July. Size: About 400,000 across two weekends (recent editions).

Next edition: 2027 dates for Boom not announced as of September 2026. Tomorrowland Thailand debuts December 11 to 13, 2026.

Quiz type: The Main Stage

Photo: Me109zito, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons (The main stage, 2016).

Photo: Arroser, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons (The main stage, 2019).

De Schorre, a provincial recreation park in Boom. Campers stay in DreamVille, a temporary town beside the site. Storybook fantasy. Every edition has its own theme, and the main stage is built as a giant set piece around it. DJ Mag sums it up as colossal stages and cinematic storytelling.

Mainstage EDM at its core, with whole stages for techno, house, trance and hard dance, run by labels and promoters from around the world. More than a dozen stages in all. Artists on its stages include Martin Garrix, Armin van Buuren, Charlotte de Witte, Swedish House Mafia, Anyma, Amelie Lens, David Guetta. About as international as a crowd gets: visitors from more than 200 countries.

Manu and Michiel Beers held the first Tomorrowland on 15 August 2005. It grew into two full weekends and spin-offs in the United States, Brazil and the French Alps. Two days before the 2025 edition a fire destroyed the main stage, and a replacement was ready for opening day.

Past editions: 2005, De Schorre, Boom. First edition, 15 August; 2023, De Schorre, Boom. Adscendo theme, about 400,000 people over two weekends; 2024, De Schorre, Boom. LIFE theme; 2025, De Schorre, Boom: Anyma, Armin van Buuren, Charlotte de Witte, Martin Garrix, Swedish House Mafia. Orbyz theme. The main stage burned days before opening and was rebuilt in time; 2026, De Schorre, Boom: Calvin Harris. Consciencia theme, July 17 to 19 and 24 to 26. Calvin Harris plays it for the first time.

Official website · EDM / Big Room in the genre tree · The World’s Essential Dance Music Festivals

Sources: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tomorrowland_(festival) · djmag.com/top100festivals/2026/1/tomorrowland

Kappa FuturFestival

Parco Dora, Turin, Italy. Founded 2012 by A Turin team; its roots go back to a 2009 event for the centenary of Futurism. Operated by The FuturFestival team in Turin, with the sportswear brand Kappa as title partner. The first weekend of July, noon to midnight (July 2 to 4 in 2027). Size: Not published.

Next edition: July 2 to 4, 2027, Parco Dora, Turin.

Quiz type: The Day Party Series

Photo: MadBob, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons (The Futur Stage, 2025).

Photo: MadBob, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons (The Solar Stage, 2025).

Parco Dora, a former Fiat ironworks turned into a post-industrial park northwest of central Turin. Daytime raving in steel and concrete, across six stages.

Techno and house, with Italian heroes on every bill. Artists on its stages include Marco Carola, Joseph Capriati, Charlotte de Witte, Sven Väth, Amelie Lens. Italians and a growing international crowd.

Its roots go back to a 2009 event marking the centenary of Futurism, and it has run in its current form since 2012. DJ Mag readers voted it No. 8 in 2026.

Past editions: 2012, Turin. First edition in its current form; 2026, Parco Dora, Turin: Michael Bibi, Charlotte de Witte, Sven Väth, Amelie Lens. July 3 to 5, six stages.

Official website · Instagram · Tech House in the genre tree

Sources: faroutmagazine.co.uk/kappa-futurfestival-a-celebration-of-torinos-past · djmag.com/top100festivals/2026/8/kappa-futurfestival · edm-lab.com/en/events/kappa-futurfestival-2026-lineup-phase1/ · kappafuturfestival.it/en

Dekmantel Festival

Amsterdam, Netherlands. Founded 2013 by Thomas Martojo and Casper Tielrooij, who started Dekmantel as small club nights around 2007. Operated by Dekmantel, still led by its founders. Late July into early August (July 29 to August 2 in 2026). Size: About 15,000 (DJ Mag, 2026).

Next edition: 2027 dates not announced as of September 2026. It runs late July into August.

Quiz type: The Boutique Forest

Photo: StealthManagementMusic, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons (Midland at Dekmantel).

The Amsterdamse Bos, a big woodland park on the edge of the city. Curation as the headliner. The main stage, The Loop, is a 360-degree circle, and the Selectors stage sits under an old tree.

Techno, house, electro and leftfield club music, with opening concerts in the city. Artists on its stages include Four Tet, Jeff Mills, Floating Points. Mixmag calls it a tight-knit community of electronic music obsessives.

Dekmantel began as club nights for about 150 people and a record label before the first festival in the woods in August 2013. It grew fast while keeping its size modest by festival standards. The 2026 edition was its 12th, adding a dawn programme and shows at Paradiso and Melkweg.

Past editions: 2013, Amsterdamse Bos: Four Tet, Jeff Mills, Floating Points. First festival, August, limited to 5,000 tickets; 2024, Amsterdamse Bos. Ten-year anniversary; 2026, Amsterdamse Bos. July 29 to August 2, the 12th edition, about 15,000 people.

Official website · Instagram · The World’s Essential Dance Music Festivals

Sources: djmag.com/top100festivals/2026/17/dekmantel-festival · mn2s.com/news/news/the-rise-and-rise-of-dekmantel/ · mixmag.net/feature/dekmantel-festival-2024-review-10-year-anniversary- · dekmantel.com/editorial/dekmantel-festival-2026-2-2

Ultra Europe

Split, Croatia. Founded 2013 by Ultra Worldwide. Operated by Ultra Worldwide. Three days in July (July 9 to 11 in 2027). Size: About 150,000 over three days (2024).

Next edition: July 9 to 11, 2027, Split.

Quiz type: The Main Stage

Photo: Ultrafan123, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons (The main stage, 2016).

Photo: Shadster, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons (Poljud Stadium, 2015).

Poljud Stadium in Split from 2013 to 2018, then Park Mladeži, with events on the islands during the same week. The Miami brand on the Adriatic, part of Croatia’s long festival summer.

Mainstage EDM, with a Resistance stage for techno. Artists on its stages include Martin Garrix, Armin van Buuren, Carl Cox, Hardwell, Adam Beyer. Young Europeans on a summer trip to the coast.

Ultra Europe opened at Poljud Stadium in Split from July 12 to 14, 2013, with about 103,000 people. It moved to Park Mladeži in 2019 and drew about 150,000 in 2024.

Past editions: 2013, Poljud Stadium, Split. July 12 to 14, about 103,000 people; 2019, Park Mladeži, Split: Carl Cox, The Chainsmokers, David Guetta, Armin van Buuren. July 12 to 14; 2023, Park Mladeži, Split: DJ Snake, Axwell, Alesso, Afrojack. July 7 to 9; 2024, Park Mladeži, Split: Martin Garrix, Hardwell, Armin van Buuren, Adam Beyer. About 150,000 people.

Official website · Instagram · EDM / Big Room in the genre tree

Sources: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ultra_Europe · djmag.com/top100festivals/2026/47/ultra-europe · ultraeurope.com

Parookaville

Weeze Airport, Germany. Founded 2015 by Next Events. Operated by Next Events GmbH. A weekend in mid-July (July 16 to 18 in 2027). Size: About 225,000 over three days (2023).

Next edition: July 16 to 18, 2027, Weeze Airport.

Quiz type: The Main Stage

Photo: Timo, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons (The main stage from above, 2022).

Photo: Ss279, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons (The main stage, 2019).

The grounds of Weeze Airport in western Germany. A pop-up city. Tickets are visas, there is a wedding chapel and a supermarket, and a fictional founding father called Bill Parooka.

Mainstage EDM, with hard dance and techno stages. Artists on its stages include Above & Beyond, Alan Walker, Armin van Buuren, The Chainsmokers, Steve Aoki, Lost Frequencies. Germans, Dutch and Belgians from just over the border, and plenty of campers.

Parookaville opened on July 17, 2015 for 50,000 people and grew to about 225,000 by 2023. DJ Mag readers voted it No. 10 in 2026.

Past editions: 2015, Weeze Airport. First edition, July 17, 50,000 people; 2019, Weeze Airport: Above & Beyond, Alan Walker, Afrojack, Armin van Buuren. About 170,000 people; 2023, Weeze Airport. About 225,000 people; 2027, Weeze Airport: Steve Aoki, Lost Frequencies, Don Diablo. First names announced for July 16 to 18.

Official website · Instagram · EDM / Big Room in the genre tree

Sources: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parookaville · djmag.com/top100festivals/2026/10/parookaville · parookaville.com/en/

Untold

Cluj-Napoca, Romania. Founded 2015 by A team from Cluj-Napoca, now Untold Production. Operated by Untold Production. Four days in early August (August 5 to 8 in 2027). Size: About 470,000 over four days (2025).

Next edition: August 5 to 8, 2027, Cluj-Napoca.

Quiz type: The Main Stage

Photo: VladRusuRomania, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons (The main stage in Cluj Arena, 2019).

Photo: Nuță Lucian, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (Untold, 2024).

Central Park and the Cluj Arena stadium in Cluj-Napoca, Transylvania. Fantasy and Transylvanian folklore, a new theme every year, and eight stages.

Mainstage EDM next to big pop and hip hop names. Artists on its stages include Anyma, Swedish House Mafia, David Guetta, Kygo. Romanians and visitors from across Europe, who get the city as part of the ticket.

Untold began in 2015 with about 240,000 people and passed 400,000 in 2023. Its spin-offs include Neversea on the Black Sea coast and Untold Dubai from 2024.

Past editions: 2015, Cluj-Napoca. About 240,000 people; 2022, Cluj-Napoca: J Balvin, Kygo, Anne-Marie. About 360,000 people; 2024, Cluj-Napoca: Swedish House Mafia, Sam Smith, Louis Tomlinson. About 427,000 people; 2025, Cluj-Napoca: Anyma, Post Malone, Metro Boomin. August 7 to 10, about 470,000 people.

Official website · Instagram

Sources: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Untold_Festival · djmag.com/top100festivals/2026/3/untold-festival · untold.com

Middle East and Africa

MDLBEAST Soundstorm

Banban, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Founded 2019 by MDLBEAST, a Saudi music company founded in 2019. Operated by MDLBEAST. Three days in December. Size: About 500,000 over three days (2025, organiser figure).

Next edition: December 3 and 4, 2026, Riyadh.

Quiz type: The Main Stage

Photo: Renredam, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons (The Big Beast stage, 2024).

The Banban desert on the edge of Riyadh, where a festival city is built each year. Maximum production: 14 stages across four districts, pyrotechnics and drone shows. Its Big Beast main stage set a Guinness World Record.

Mainstage EDM and techno with big hip hop, pop and Arab music headliners. Artists on its stages include Tiësto, David Guetta, Armin van Buuren, Swedish House Mafia, Sama’ Abdulhadi, Anyma. Visitors from within Saudi Arabia and from abroad.

MDLBEAST launched in December 2019 as part of the Riyadh Season calendar, with about 400,000 people over its first edition. Renamed Soundstorm, it grew into one of the biggest festivals anywhere by attendance.

Past editions: 2019, Banban, Riyadh. First edition, about 400,000 people; 2021, Banban, Riyadh. More than half a million people; a Guinness record for the Big Beast stage; 2025, Banban, Riyadh. About 500,000 over three days and 14 stages.

Official website · Instagram · MDLBEAST events · EDM / Big Room in the genre tree

Sources: saudipedia.com/en/mdlbeast-festival · arabnews.com/node/1989721/lifestyle · accessaa.co.uk/mdlbeast-takes-soundstorm-to-the-next-stage/ · djmag.com/top100festivals/2026/91/soundstorm

Oceania

Stereosonic

Sydney and four other Australian cities, Australia. Ran from 2007 to 2015. Founded by Totem Industries and Onelove Music Group. Operated by Ended; the 2016 edition was cancelled. Late November and early December, city by city. Size: Up to 200,000 a year across five cities (Wikipedia).

Next edition: Not held since 2015.

Quiz type: The Main Stage

Photo: MissMelbourne, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons (Sydney, 2010).

A touring festival: Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide and Perth, with ANZ Stadium in Sydney as the main arena in 2011. Australia’s summer EDM circuit, five cities in two weekends.

Mainstage EDM, trance and house. Artists on its stages include Tiësto, David Guetta, Calvin Harris, Armin van Buuren. Young Australians in every mainland capital.

Stereosonic began in Melbourne in 2007 and grew into a five-city tour. SFX Entertainment bought its promoters in 2013. After two deaths at the 2015 events, the 2016 edition was cancelled and it never returned.

Past editions: 2007, Melbourne. First edition; 2010, Five cities: Tiësto. Tiësto’s first Australian festival in seven years; 2013, Five cities: David Guetta, Calvin Harris, Armin van Buuren. Two days in each city; 2015, Five cities. Back to one day; the last edition.

EDM / Big Room in the genre tree

Sources: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stereosonic

Pitch Music & Arts

Moyston, Victoria, Australia. Founded 2017 by Untitled Group. Operated by Untitled Group. The Labour Day long weekend in March (March 6 to 10 in 2026). Size: Not published.

Next edition: The 10th anniversary edition is teased on its site, with dates not announced as of September 2026.

Quiz type: The Boutique Forest

The grassy foothills of the Grampians on Djab Wurrung and Jardwadjali land in western Victoria. Three open-air stages with Brutalist-influenced design, and art installations between them.

House and techno, with garage, electro and drum and bass. Artists on its stages include Charlotte de Witte, Eris Drew & Octo Octa, DJ Nobu, Palms Trax, Âme. Melbourne’s club community and travellers from across Australia.

Pitch launched in March 2017 in Moyston and held its ninth edition March 6 to 10, 2026. Its site now teases a 10th anniversary edition.

Past editions: 2017, Moyston, Victoria. First edition; 2026, Moyston, Victoria: Charlotte de Witte, Eris Drew & Octo Octa, DJ Nobu, Âme. March 6 to 10, the ninth edition.

Official website · Instagram · Industrial Techno in the genre tree

Sources: musicfeeds.com.au/news/australia-new-pitch-music-arts-festival-announc · au.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/pitch-music-arts-festival-lineup- · djmag.com/top100festivals/2026/84/pitch-music-arts · untitledgroup.com.au/festivals/pitch-music-arts