#1 Music Festival
Austin, Texas
Originally a music festival—and now expanded to film and technology—the fest brings thousands of attendees to Texas every spring. The event has also become a haven for corporate marketers, attracting experiential events, promotions, and partnerships from an array of brands. The SXSW Interactive festival, which marked 20 years in March, focuses on start-up companies. Next: March 7-16, 2014
#6 Music Festival
Austin, Texas
The music-festival spin-off of the PBS concert series began in 2002 and has drawn some 225,000 fans in a weekend to its home at the city's Ziker Park. The 2013 edition will expand to two weekends, and the Âlineup includes Wilco, Vampire Weekend, Kings of Leon, Phoenix, and Lionel Richie. Next: October 4-6 and 11-13, 2013
#8 Music Festival
Miami
The electronic music festival celebrated its 15th anniversary this year by expanding to two consecutive weekends, which boosted attendance from 200,000 to 330,000. The new two-weekend format is one embraced by several music fests, including Coachella and Austin City Limits, and music insiders have wondered if Lollapalooza will follow suit. Ultra, which relocated to Bayfront Park in 2012, is still waiting approval from city officials for its second weekend next year. The move is no sure thing: After a city commissioner tried to block this year’s additional weekend, the festival had to pay $500,000 for increased security. Next: March 28-30, 2014
#2 Entertainment Industry Event
Park City, Utah
The showcase for independent film reliably draws celebrities and industry power brokers. Corporate sponsorship also has grown, with brands such as AOL, Sprint, Acura, and Nintendo sponsoring events and activations. Next: January 18-25, 2014
#3 Trade Show
Chicago
Co-located with the International Wine, Spirits & Beer event, the food service expo had more than 2,100 exhibitors and 62,500 attendees in 2013. The most recent run also added programming dedicated to special dietary needs, created a hydroponic garden, and offered a tour of chef Rick Bayless’s home garden. Next: May 17-20, 2014
#3 Festival, Parade & Holiday Event
New Orleans
The annual Fat Tuesday celebration of debauchery is celebrated nationwide, but its home is in the Big Easy. With its krewe-led parades, king cakes, and green, gold, and purple color scheme, the event brings in tourists to the French Quarter and beyond. Next: March 4, 2014
#1 Food & Restaurant Industry Event
Miami
After 12 seasons, the Food Network- and Food & Wine-sponsored event has grown into the country’s premier high-end food fest, with 60,000 guests, numerous Âcelebrity chefs, and nearly 50 events including the signature Burger Bash. The 2013 festival saw $5.1 million in ticket sales and $4.1 million in Âsponsorship sales. Next: February 20-23, 2014
