Global Music Festival Calendar 2025: Essential Dates, Locations, and Key Headliners

The 2025 Music Festival Season Commences

As the 2025 music festival season officially gets underway, enthusiasts worldwide are marking their calendars for a packed schedule of events spanning continents and genres. The season kicked off this weekend with the highly anticipated Coachella festival. A comprehensive guide detailing key dates and locations provides a roadmap for navigating the extensive festival landscape throughout the year.

Spring and Early Summer Highlights Across North America

The initial wave of major festivals in North America features diverse offerings.
The New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival in New Orleans, Louisiana, remains a cornerstone event, scheduled to run from April 24 to May 4. This long-running festival continues to celebrate the rich musical and cultural heritage of the region.

May brings several significant gatherings. The Sonic Temple Music and Arts Festival is set for Columbus, Ohio, from May 8 to 11, catering to rock and alternative music fans. Following shortly after, the Kilby Block Party will take place in Salt Lake City, Utah, from May 15 to 18, establishing its presence in the Mountain West festival circuit.

As May concludes and June begins, the Head in The Clouds Festival is slated for Los Angeles, California, on May 31 and June 1, focusing on Asian music and culture. June also features one of the season’s tentpole events.

Major Summer Gatherings: Bonnaroo and Lollapalooza

The summer festival circuit includes some of the largest and most influential events.

Bonnaroo 2025, held in Manchester, Tennessee, from June 12 to 15, boasts a high-profile lineup. Headliners announced for the festival include Luke Combs, Tyler, The Creator, Olivia Rodrigo, and Hozier, representing a diverse mix of country, hip-hop, pop, and indie sounds.

Later in the summer, Lollapalooza 2025 will once again draw hundreds of thousands to Chicago, Illinois, from July 31 to August 3. The festival’s extensive list of headlining artists features Sabrina Carpenter, Olivia Rodrigo, Tyler, The Creator, Doechii, A$AP Rocky, Korn, RÜFÜS DU SOL, Luke Combs, and TWICE, underscoring the event’s broad appeal across multiple genres.

Mid-Summer and International Festivals

July also sees significant events. The Inkcarceration Music and Tattoo Festival returns to Mansfield, OH, from July 18 to 20, combining hard rock and metal music with tattoo artistry. Simultaneously, the Capitol Hill Block Party is scheduled for Seattle, Washington, on July 19 and 20, offering a distinct urban festival experience.

Internationally, Primavera Sound 2025 is a key event on the global calendar, taking place in Barcelona, Spain, from June 5 to 7. This edition promises a vast array of talent, featuring 147 artists, including prominent acts like LCD Soundsystem and FKA twigs.

A Milestone Anniversary and Fall Festivals

A notable event for fans of punk, rock, and alternative music is the Warped Tour 30th Anniversary. This commemorative series will have multiple stops throughout the year, celebrating three decades since the tour’s inception. Confirmed locations and dates include Washington, D.C. (June 14-15), Long Beach, California (July 26-27), and Orlando, Florida (November 15-16), allowing fans in different regions to experience the anniversary shows.

The festival season extends into the fall with major events in Kentucky. Bourbon and Beyond is scheduled for Louisville, Kentucky, from September 11 to 14, known for its blend of music, food, and bourbon. The following weekend in the same city, the Louder Than Life Festival will deliver a heavy dose of rock and metal music from September 18 to 21.

This comprehensive calendar highlights the scale and diversity of the 2025 music festival season, offering numerous opportunities for fans to see their favorite artists and discover new ones at venues across North America and internationally.