Austin, Texas
#1 Music Festival
While longtime fans have bemoaned the explosive growth of the festival—which also covers film and technology—the thousands of people who flock to the event have cemented its popularity. It’s also become an essential stop for brands such as American Express, Discovery Communications, and Absolut. Next: March 13-22, 2015
National
#2 Music Festival
The electronic dance music festival remains massively popular—a record 402,000 people attended its marquee weekend at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway this year—despite well-publicized incidents of drug abuse at the events. The show also takes place in New York and Orlando. Next: November 7-8, Orlando
New Orleans
#3 Music Festival
The jazz festival is a true citywide event, with an array of headliners spread over two weekends of music. Around 435,000 people attended the 2014 festival, which featured performances from Eric Clapton, Bruce Springsteen, Alabama Shakes, and more. Next: April 24-May 3, 2015
Indio, California
#4 Music Festival
The ultimate festival for California cool, the music festival has a particular sense of style (think flower crowns and boho attire). Its popularity is only growing: The festival’s two weekends sold out for a total attendance of 579,000 and gross ticket sales of $78.3 million, up from $67.2 million in 2013, according to Billboard. Next: April 10-19, 2015
Chicago
#5 Music Festival
Eminem, Outkast, Lorde, and Kings of Leon headlined the 2014 music festival, which draws from alternative, indie, and hip-hop genres. The event, from C3 Presents, continues to innovate with its format, including the adoption of R.F.I.D.-enabled wristbands this year that allowed attendees to make cashless transactions for food, merchandise, and other goods. Next: July 31-August 2, 2015
Austin, Texas
#6 Music Festival
An essential stop on the music festival circuit, the event draws headliners like Pearl Jam, Beck, St. Vincent, and Skrillex. In 2013, organizers made a successful transition to two weekends at its home in Zilker Park. Next: October 3-12, 2014
Charleston, South Carolina
#7 Music Festival (new to the list)
The performing arts festival, which focuses on opera, theater, dance, jazz, and classical music, is the American counterpart to the Festival of Two Worlds in Spoleto, Italy. More than 70,000 people attend the festival, now entering its 39th year. Next: May 22-June 7, 2015
Manchester, Tennessee
#8 Music Festival
This year Elton John headlined the four-day festival held on a farm. Owned and produced by Superfly Presents, the festival attracts 80,000 people but reached new audiences by streaming performances and offering exclusive content through a partnership with Xbox. Next: June 2015
Miami
#9 Music Festival
After experimenting with a two-weekend format, the electronic dance music festival returned to one weekend this year, drawing 165,000 people to see Hardwell, David Guetta, and Tiësto. A live stream of the event recorded 9.6 million views. The Ultra brand has expanded globally, with festivals in nine countries. Next: March 27-29, 2015
