Global Stages Set: Premier Music Festivals and Tours to Watch in 2025

As the global music calendar turns towards 2025, anticipation is building for a series of high-profile festivals and tours poised to shape the industry landscape. From iconic multi-day gatherings drawing hundreds of thousands to extensive global treks by some of the world’s biggest artists, the year promises a diverse array of musical experiences across genres and continents.

Anticipated Festival Highlights

A cornerstone of the festival circuit remains Coachella, held annually in Indio, California. With a history stretching back to 1999, the event has grown into one of the most influential platforms in music and culture. It consistently attracts a massive audience, with daily turnout figures frequently reaching close to 125,000 people. While 2025’s lineup is eagerly awaited, past iterations have featured a spectrum of headlining talent, including artists such as Lady Gaga, Green Day, Post Malone, and Travis Scott, underscoring the festival’s broad appeal. Attending this premier event typically represents a significant investment, with average ticket prices previously recorded around $600.

On the East Coast, New York City is home to the Governor’s Ball Music Festival. Established in 2011, this urban festival has solidified its place as a key date in the summer calendar, bringing a concentrated dose of musical energy to the city. The festival is known for curating diverse lineups reflecting current trends and established acts. Previous headliners have showcased this variety, featuring artists including Tyler, The Creator, Benson Boone, Olivia Rodrigo, Feid, Hozier, and Glass Animals. General admission tickets for the event have been priced at $359, offering access to the multi-day experience.

Another giant on the North American festival map is Lollapalooza, staged against the striking urban backdrop of Grant Park in Chicago, IL. Scheduled to take place from July 31 to August 3, Lollapalooza transforms the heart of Chicago into a sprawling musical city each summer. The festival is renowned for its extensive and eclectic bills, catering to a wide range of musical tastes. Recent headliners demonstrating this breadth have included Tyler, The Creator, Luke Combs, Olivia Rodrigo, Korn, Rufus Du Sol, Twice, Sabrina Carpenter, and A$AP Rocky. General admission tickets for this expansive event have been available at a price point around $189, making it one of the more accessible major festivals.

Global Tours Shaping the Year

Beyond the festival grounds, 2025 will also see the continuation and impact of major global touring efforts. Among these is the highly anticipated Cowboy Carter tour by global superstar Beyoncé. This tour, supporting her critically acclaimed project, commenced on April 28 at SoFi stadium in Los Angeles, CA, setting the stage for a significant run of performances. Scheduled to conclude on July 26, the tour spans multiple markets and offers a range of viewing options for fans, reflected in ticket prices that have varied significantly, ranging from $70 to $3,000.

Similarly, Billie Eilish’s extensive HIT ME HARD AND SOFT tour is expected to maintain its momentum well into 2025. Having launched on September 29, 2024, the tour is slated to run until July 27, 2025. This lengthy schedule allows the Grammy-winning artist to bring her latest body of work to a vast international audience, underscoring her global reach and popularity.

The combination of these major festivals and extensive artist tours paints a picture of a vibrant and busy year ahead for the music industry and fans alike. As more details emerge regarding specific lineups and tour dates for these and other events, the 2025 music calendar is set to offer a wealth of opportunities for live music engagement across various genres and scales.