Not all music festivals are created equal. Some are weekend getaways, others are economic engines, and a few have reshaped entire music cultures. In the U.S., music festivals don’t just fill parks, they fill cities, hotel rooms, and government coffers.
This post ranks the biggest U.S. festivals by their attendance numbers, but that’s only part of the picture. We’ve dug deeper into their legacies, how they fuel local economies, and the cultural weight they carry. Whether it’s Milwaukee’s Summerfest or Vegas’ EDC, these aren’t just festivals, they’re institutions.
The Research That Went Behind Curating This Post
While this post ranks music festivals mainly by their 2024 attendance numbers, we didn’t stop there. We also looked at each festival’s legacy, cultural influence, and the impact they have on their local economies. From decades-old traditions to the jobs and revenue they generate, all of these factors helped us understand why these festivals matter beyond just the crowd size.
Top 10 Biggest Music Festivals In the US (Overview)
| Music Festival In US | Attendance in The Latest Editions | Location |
|---|---|---|
| Summerfest | 555,000 | Milwaukee, Wisconsin |
| South by Southwest (SXSW) | 512,722 | Austin, Texas |
| Electric Daisy Carnival | 525,000 | Las Vegas, Nevada |
| New Orleans Jazz Fest | 500,000 | New Orleans, Louisiana |
| Austin City Limits (ACL) | 450,000 | Austin, Texas |
| Lollapalooza Chicago | 400,000 | Chicago, Illinois |
| Coachella | 250,000 | Indio, California |
| Outside Lands | 225,000 | San Francisco, California |
| Welcome to Rockville | 200,000 | Daytona Beach, Florida |
| Ultra Music Festival | 165,000 | Miami, Florida |
Let’s have a look in detail below!
1. Summerfest: The World’s Biggest Music Festival In the US
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Location | Milwaukee, Wisconsin |
| Genres | Multi-genre: Rock, Pop, Hip-Hop, EDM, Country & more |
| Started In | 1968 |
| Founder(s) | Walter Schroeder and Henry Maier |
| Website | www.summerfest.com |
Summerfest’s Legacy
Summerfest has been a part of Milwaukee’s culture since 1968, making it one of the oldest and most respected music festivals in the country. Over the years, it has grown into a massive gathering of music enthusiasts that earned recognition from the Guinness Book of World Records as the “World’s Largest Music Festival.” With a track record spanning more than five decades, it has become a summertime tradition for music lovers across generations. The festival is held at the Henry Maier Festival Park, a permanent 75-acre venue built specifically to support events of this scale.
Attendance and Reach
Summerfest concluded its 2025 edition on 5th July, and the attendance figures are yet to be out. We have figures from the past years, though. The 2024 edition drew more than 555,000 despite some days being affected by weather and smoke. The 2023 edition was even bigger, bringing in over 624,000 attendees over the course of three weekends. Before the pandemic, numbers often exceeded 700,000 or even 800,000.
Summerfest’s Local Economy Boost
The festival brings major economic benefits to Milwaukee and the state of Wisconsin. A study from 2023 estimated that Summerfest contributed $160 million to Milwaukee’s economy alone and supported more than 3,400 jobs. Statewide, the economic output reached nearly $189 million. The festival also generated $14.4 million in tax revenue, making it a key driver of tourism income. Beyond Summerfest, the Henry Maier Festival Park hosts 64 events each year, resulting in a total annual economic impact of $318 million and supporting over 4,000 jobs across the board.
2. South By SouthWest (SXSW)
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Location | Austin, Texas (held at multiple downtown venues and conference centers) |
| Genres | Multi-genre: Indie, Rock, Hip-Hop, Electronic, Experimental, Global |
| Started In | 1987 |
| Founder(s) | Roland Swenson, Louis Jay Meyers, Louis Black, Nick Barbaro |
| Website | www.sxsw.com |
South By Southwest’s Legacy
South by Southwest, also known as SXSW, takes place every year in Austin, Texas. It all started in 1987 as a small music event but has now grown into a major international festival that includes music, film, and technology. While it covers many industries, music still remains the main highlight. Every March, thousands of artists and fans come together for live shows, panels, and networking events. The music part of SXSW attracts over 28,000 official badge holders, and when you count in all the unofficial events happening across the city, the total attendance can go over 500,000.
SXSW will celebrate its 40th Anniversary in 2026, and the dates have been announced for it, March 12th to 18th!
SXSW’s Latest Attendance
SXSW’s combined conference, film, music, and tech programs attracted 512,722 total participants in its 2024 edition. The festival completed its 2025 edition in March 2025 but the official attendance numbers are yet to be out. SXSW is known for its mix of major stars and new artists just starting. Many well-known musicians like Billie Eilish and Travis Scott performed here early in their careers, making it a popular place to discover fresh talent.
SXSW’s Economic Impact
In a regular year, SXSW adds over $350 million to Austin’s economy. This includes money spent on hotels, food, transportation, venues, and more. In 2023, over 52,000 hotel room nights were booked during the festival, and that alone brought in around $2.6 million in tax revenue. The money helps support Austin’s live music scene and other local programs. The festival also creates many temporary jobs in security, event planning, sound and lighting, food services, and hospitality.
3. Electric Daisy Carnival Las Vegas: Largest EDM Festival In North America
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Location | Las Vegas Motor Speedway, Las Vegas, Nevada |
| Genres | EDM (house, techno, trance, dubstep, drum & bass, hardstyle) |
| Started In | 1997 |
| Founder | Pasquale Rotella |
| Website | electricdaisycarnival.com |
EDC’s Legacy
Electric Daisy Carnival, often called EDC, began in Southern California in the early 1990s but truly exploded in scale and influence when it moved to Las Vegas in 2011. Organized by Insomniac Events, EDC Las Vegas has grown into the largest electronic dance music festival in North America. It’s known for its vibrant visuals, towering art installations, carnival rides, and massive stage productions, turning the Las Vegas Motor Speedway into a neon-lit wonderland every May.
What makes EDC stand out is its culture of inclusion, creativity, and high energy, often summed up by the “PLUR” values: Peace, Love, Unity, and Respect. Over the years, EDC has become more than a music festival — it’s a multi-day lifestyle experience that draws fans from over 100 countries. Features like Camp EDC, introduced in 2018, made it a 24/7 immersive event, and in 2025, the festival celebrated its biggest edition yet, proving its lasting cultural and global influence.
EDC’s Attendance in The Latest Editions
In 2025, EDC Las Vegas welcomed just over 525,000 attendees across its three-day run from May 16 to 18, making it the biggest edition in its history, according to Vegas Insider. Each day, crowds ranged between 155,000 and 205,000, with the speedway reaching full capacity during peak headline sets.
In 2024, attendance was slightly lower but still massive, with around 500,000 people participating across three days, as reported by EDM House Network. The 2023 edition saw approximately 520,000 attendees, showing a clear upward trend in festival size year over year. These numbers make EDC not only one of the biggest music festivals in the U.S. but also one of the most attended music events in the world.
EDC’s Economic Impact Over The Years
The financial impact of EDC on Las Vegas is enormous. Back in 2014, EDC generated about $337.8 million for the local economy, which included over $256 million in attendee spending and more than 3,100 jobs created, according to GlobeNewswire. Just a year later, in 2015, the festival contributed $350.3 million to Clark County, and over five years, it had a total economic impact of $1.3 billion, with more than $21 million in tax contributions and thousands of jobs supported, as detailed here. By 2025, local analysts estimated the total economic impact during EDC Week, which includes hotels, restaurants, and entertainment, was close to $1.8 billion, with more than $100 million flowing in as tax revenue to the state and city, according to reporting from Vegas Insider.
EDC’s Next Edition in 2026
Electric Daisy Carnival Las Vegas is expected to return from May 15th to 17th, 2026, and will mark the 30th anniversary of Insomniac’s first official EDC.
4. New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Location | Fair Grounds Race Course, New Orleans, Louisiana |
| Genres | Jazz, Blues, R&B, Gospel, Cajun, Zydeco, Funk, Rock, Folk, Rap, Country, World Music |
| Started In | 1970 |
| Founder | George Wein |
| Website | www.nojazzfest.com |
New Orleans Jazz Fest’s Legacy
The New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, commonly called Jazz Fest, began in 1970 thanks to George Wein. It started as a small event with just 350 attendees but was designed to celebrate New Orleans’ deep cultural roots in music, food, and crafts. Over the years, it has become a premier cultural event held at the Fair Grounds Race Course. Today, it spans two weekends with eight days of music, featuring Louisiana’s unique traditions alongside global musical acts.
Attendance & Scale
The 2025 Jazz Fest edition took place from April 24th to May 4th and drew 460,000 fans. Over 650 performances were held across 14 to 18 stages, featuring a rich mix of jazz, blues, gospel, Cajun, zydeco, rock, R&B, Latin, and more. Average daily attendance in 2025 hovered around 57,500, especially high during headline days. In 2024, around 500,000 people attended over two weekends.
The 2026 New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival will take place on April 23 – 26 and April 30 – May 3, 2026.
Here’s How The Jazz Fest Contributes To The Local Economy
Jazz Fest typically injects $300–$400 million into the local economy each year. The festival boosts hotel occupancy (about 83% during its second weekend in 2025), and it supports restaurants, venues, transport services, and local craftspeople. Restaurants often see sales increases of 20–30% during festival weekends. Created with an approximate budget of $10 million, much of that is spent locally on staff, musicians, and vendors.
5. Austin City Limits (ACL)
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Location | Zilker Park, Austin, Texas |
| Genres | Rock, Indie, Country, Folk, Electronic, Hip‑Hop, R&B |
| Started In | 2002 |
| Founder(s) | Charles Attal, Charlie Jones, & Charlie Walker |
| Website | aclfestival.com |
ACL’s Legacy
Austin City Limits Music Festival began in 2002, inspired by the legendary PBS music show, Austin City Limits, which first aired in 1974, featuring Willie Nelson. Over the years, the three-day festival in Zilker Park expanded to two weekends and now hosts over 70,000 fans per day. It has become one of the most recognized music festivals in the country.
The festival embraces a wide range of genres, rock, indie, country, electronic, hip-hop, folk, blues, and gospel, mirroring the “anything goes” philosophy first championed in the televised series. ACL not only showcases global headliners but also supports local Texas musicians, continuing the legacy of Austin’s standing as the “Live Music Capital of the World.”
Attendance in the Latest Editions of ACL
In 2024, ACL drew approximately 450,000 attendees over its two weekends, with a single-day capacity reaching 75,000, a significant increase from 400,000 pre-pandemic. The 2023 edition similarly attracted around 450,000 people, contributing to nearly 500 million dollars in economic activity. For 2025, the festival is scheduled to run from October 3rd to 5th and 10th to 12th, with headliners including Hozier, Doja Cat, Luke Combs, The Strokes, and more. The festival consistently fills Zilker Park, stabilizing attendance at nearly half a million each year and reinforcing ACL’s reputation as one of the largest U.S. music festivals.
ACL’s Economic Impact
ACL is a major contributor to Austin’s economy. In 2024, the festival generated a record $534.8 million in total economic impact, which supported roughly 3,600 full-time equivalent jobs. Since 2006, ACL has contributed over $4.1 billion to the local economy, equivalent to about 40,000 full-time jobs. In 2023, economic activity hovered around $499.9 million, a 12% increase over 2022, and the festival also donated $8.1 million to the Austin Parks Foundation.
In addition, 2025 hotel data shows that room rates during ACL can spike as high as $233 per night, representing a 33% increase in peak pricing compared to the standard rate. These figures highlight how ACL consistently drives tourism, hospitality, local services, and green space investment in Austin.
6. Lollapalooza (Chicago)
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Location | Grant Park, Chicago, Illinois |
| Genres | Alternative Rock, Punk Rock, Heavy Metal, Pop, Hip‑Hop, Electronic, Soul |
| Started In | 1991 |
| Founder(s) | Perry Farrell (lead singer of Jane’s Addiction) |
| Website | www.lollapalooza.com |
Lollapalooza’s Legacy
Lollapalooza started in 1991 as a touring festival created by Perry Farrell, showcasing alternative rock and punk acts, and has completed 33 editions till now. In 2005, it found a permanent home in Chicago’s Grant Park and quickly transformed into one of the most iconic urban music festivals in the world. Known for its diverse lineup, the festival is among the first to blend rock, hip-hop, electronic music, and visual arts on a single stage, setting a new blueprint for modern festivals.
Attendance in Lollapalooza’s Latest Editions
The 2024 edition’s attendance was around 400,000 over the four days from August 1st to 4th. In 2023, Lollapalooza welcomed around 460,000 unique attendees. That year, attendance hit full capacity daily, marking the festival’s largest crowd yet. The festival routinely sells out each summer and remains capped at roughly 115,000 guests per day under its current city contract.
Lolla’s Economic Impact On Chicago
Lollapalooza brings massive economic benefits to Chicago. In 2023, the festival contributed approximately $434 million to the city’s economy—an increase of $98 million over the previous year—supporting over 25,000 jobs and contributing $9.6 million directly to the Chicago Park District, along with $6.8 million in amusement tax revenue. The 2024 edition generated about $441 million, with $7.18 million in amusement taxes and $9.8 million in rent paid to the park district. Since 2010, Lollapalooza has pumped more than $3.2 billion into the local economy and helped sustain around 25,000 regional jobs. Hotels reported record occupancy, 93% to 97% during festival nights in 2023, driving $39.9 million in revenue over just three nights.
Lollapalooza Upcoming Edition In 2025
Lollapalooza’s 34th edition is scheduled for July 31st to August 3rd, 2025, in Grant Park with the iconic Chicago skyline. With its strong legacy and locked-in park district agreement extending through the next decade, the festival is expected to draw similar attendance and continue delivering high economic returns to the city
7. Coachella
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Location | Empire Polo Club, Indio, California (in the Coachella Valley desert) |
| Genres | Rock, Pop, Indie, Hip‑Hop, Electronic Dance Music (EDM) |
| Started In | 1999 |
| Founder(s) | Paul Tollett & Rick Van Santen |
| Website | coachella.com |
Coachella, every American teenager’s dream, began in 1999 at the Empire Polo Club in Indio, California, founded by Paul Tollett and Rick Van Santen. The modest event of around 37,000 people back then has become an influential cultural and musical festival not only in the United States but also worldwide.
Coachella is credited with reshaping festival culture. It introduced global headliners from multiple genres, integrated large-scale art installations, supported new fashion trends, and inspired the creation of sister events like Stagecoach and Desert Trip.
Attendance At The Coachella Editions
Coachella has maintained a consistent attendance of about 125,000 per day, spanning two consecutive three-day weekends, a total that reaches approximately 250,000 unique attendees. In 2024, both weekends were sold out, though ticket sales reportedly took longer to move than in past years. The 2025 festival followed suit, hosting Lady Gaga, Green Day, Post Malone, and Travis Scott from April 11th to 13th and April 18th to 20th in what was its 24th edition.
Recent data also show a demographic shift at the festival. More families and Gen Z attendees are attending, with many spending on affordable food and lodging versus previous premium consumer patterns.
Coachella’s Economic Impact
Coachella delivers a major economic boost to the Coachella Valley. Local officials estimate the festival, combined with Stagecoach, contributes nearly $600 to $700 million each season, with Indio alone earning over $2 million in city ticket taxes.
Pre-pandemic studies valued the festival’s global economic reach at over $704 million, with about $403 million directly benefiting local businesses in the region. Coachella also supports tourism infrastructure, including mid-range lodging favored by budget-conscious attendees, as Airbnb searches in nearby cities jumped over 80% for 2025.
8. Outside Lands
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Location | Golden Gate Park, San Francisco, California |
| Genres | Rock, Pop, Indie, Hip‑Hop, Dance, Jam, Soul, Funk |
| Started In | 2008 |
| Founder(s) | Superfly Presents, Another Planet Entertainment, and Starr Hill Presents |
| Website | sfoutsidelands.com |
Legacy of Outside Lands
Outside Lands was launched in 2008 in San Francisco’s own Golden Gate Park by Superfly and Another Planet Entertainment. From the start, it aimed to be more than just a music festival; it blended top-tier live music, abundant local food, and art installations into a true cultural celebration.
Over the years, the festival has gained recognition as a pioneer in festival sustainability, diverting over 90% of its waste from landfills and using compostable materials across the site. With stages named after distinct Park locales, like Lands End, Twin Peaks, and Sutro, the event has since become synonymous with San Francisco’s creative energy and dedication to local culture.
Attendance in Outside Land’s Latest Editions
Outside Lands consistently draws over 200,000 attendees each year across its three-day run in August. For instance, the fifteenth-anniversary edition saw around 225,000 people over three days, with nearly half traveling from outside the Bay Area. A decade earlier, in 2011, attendance was approximately 150,000, and by 2012 it stabilized at around 200,000. In 2024, a reported around 75,000 daily attendees filled Golden Gate Park over three days, maintaining its status as one of the West Coast’s premier festivals.
Economic Impact of Outside Lands
Outside Lands has proven to be a powerful economic booster for San Francisco. A 2011–2012 study by San Francisco State showed that the festival generated $60 million in local sales annually, supporting around 683 full-time jobs. In 2017, Outside Lands contributed $66.8 million to the city’s economy (and $75 million across the Bay Area), created around 700 full-time equivalent jobs, and generated nearly $9.5 million in state and local taxes.
Over 15 years, the festival has injected more than $1 billion into the San Francisco community, and paid over $20 million in park fees, including funding a full-time gardener and investing in local park facilities. Festival operators fully cover city services costs and also invest in transportation, sustainability, and support for hundreds of local vendors.
The Upcoming Edition of Outside Lands In 2026
Although Outside Lands 2026 is not yet officially scheduled, the festival has consistently returned in mid-August every year for the past 16 editions. Past events typically fall on the second weekend of August, so fans can expect a similar three-day run around August 14th to 16th, 2026. The organizers also continue working with the city to expand Golden Gate Park as a summer concert destination, building on its massive cultural and economic success.
9. Welcome To Rockville
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Location | Daytona International Speedway, Daytona Beach, Florida |
| Genres | Rock genres (hard rock, metal, alternative, punk) with occasional rap-rock/hip-hop-influenced acts |
| Started In | 2011 |
| Founder | Danny Wimmer |
| Website | welcometorockville.com |
Welcome To Rockville’s Legacy
Welcome to Rockville began in 2011 as a one-day rock festival in Jacksonville, Florida, with just 10,000 attendees and three stages. Over the years, the festival has steadily expanded in both scale and prestige, moving to a multi-day format and adding stages.
In 2021, it relocated permanently to Daytona International Speedway, establishing itself as a massive, destination rock festival. The event now features over 150 bands across five stages, along with carnival attractions and a SiriusXM Zone, embracing the energy and spirit of rock culture. Its rapid rise from a small regional event to North America’s largest rock festival demonstrates both the genre’s enduring popularity and Danny Wimmer Presents’ skill in building immersive festival experiences
Attendance in The WTR’s Latest Editions
In 2025, Welcome To Rockville welcomed a record-breaking 230,000 fans from May 15th to 18th, with daily crowds reaching over 58,000, as Daytona’s Speedway hosted its largest Rockville gathering to date. The 2024 edition drew around 200,000 people, and before that, approximately 170,000 fans attended the four-day event in 2023, showcasing its continual growth.
Welcome To Rockville’s Economic Impact
Welcome to Rockville delivers significant economic benefits to Daytona Beach and the surrounding region. In 2024, local businesses expected revenues to increase by 25% to 30%, with the festival generating over $80 million in economic activity. Back in 2016, while the festival was still in Jacksonville, it brought in $15 million to the local economy during a two-day run with only 50,000 attendees.
By moving to Daytona and scaling up, the festival now supports thousands of jobs while boosting hotel occupancy, local retail, and food services.
Dates For Welcome to Rockville’s Next Edition In 2026
Organizers have confirmed that Welcome to Rockville will celebrate its 15th anniversary from May 7th to 10th, 2026.
10. Ultra Music Festival (UMF) Miami
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Location | Bayfront Park, Miami, Florida |
| Genres | Electronic Dance Music (EDM): techno, house, trance, dubstep, drum & bass |
| Started In | 1999 |
| Founder(s) | Russell Faibisch & Alex Omes |
| Website | ultramusicfestival.com |
Ultra’s Legacy
Ultra Music Festival began in 1999 as a small event in Miami Beach and has grown into a global icon of electronic dance music (EDM). Since 2001, it has been held at various locations, including Bicentennial Park and Virginia Key, but despite controversies in 2019, it returned to Bayfront Park in 2022. Over the years, Ultra has become emblematic of the global EDM movement—with international spin-offs in dozens of countries—and transformed Miami into a premier destination for electronic music enthusiasts.
UMF Attendance Over The Years
Ultra Miami’s 25th edition in 2025 saw an attendance of 165,000 attendees over its three-day run, with daily capacity capped at roughly 55,000 individuals. In 2024 too, the festival had an attendance of 165k people from over 100 countries! These consistent attendance figures reflect both trademark crowd control and enduring global appeal; typically 60% to 75% of attendees travel from outside Miami to attend the EDM fest.
Economic Impact
Ultra is a significant economic driver for Miami-Dade County. Over its 24-year history, the festival has generated more than $1 billion in economic activity, including ticket sales, sponsorships, and visitor spending, averaging around $79 million annually. In 2018, Ultra contributed $168 million and created 1,834 jobs, a pattern that continued through 2023.
Beyond ticket revenue, estimated at around $75 million each year, the festival boosts local hospitality, dining, transport, retail, and city services. It supports over 1,800 event jobs and generates more than $10 million annually in state and local taxes, while its rental agreement of around $2 million a year helps fund civic projects.
Ultra Music Festival Dates For 2026
Ultra Music Festival Miami is officially scheduled for March 27th to 29th, 2026, at Bayfront Park, continuing its tradition as one of the largest and most influential EDM festivals in the United States and the world!
FAQs
Summerfest, happening in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, is the biggest festival in the United States by the number of attendees. The 2024 edition had more than 555,000 people attending the festival. The 2023 edition was even bigger, bringing in over 624,000 attendees over the course of three weekends. Before the pandemic, numbers often exceeded 700,000 or even 800,000.
Electric Daisy Carnival (EDC), happening in Las Vegas, is the biggest Electronic Dance Music (EDM) festival in the United States. In 2025, EDC Las Vegas welcomed over 525,000 attendees across three days. The Festival has also contributed over a billion dollars to Las Vegas’ economy over the years of its existence.
If you’re measuring by attendance size, Austin City Limits currently outpaces Coachella. ACL nearly has twice the attendance. But in brand prestige, global hype, and economic impact, Coachella still leads.
It’s a tie between California and Florida. Both states host around 24 major music festivals each, ranging from globally recognized events like Coachella and Ultra Miami to dozens of regional and genre-specific fests. California leans more toward large-scale, influencer-driven experiences, while Florida has a strong presence in electronic and multicultural festivals. New York comes next with about 17 festivals, mostly centered around the NYC metro area.
The largest attendance ever recorded at a U.S. music festival was Steve Wozniak’s US Festival in 1983, which was attended by around 670,000 people over three days in California. For single-day events, the Summer Jam at Watkins Glen in 1973 holds the record with about 600,000 attendees in one day. As for annual festivals, Summerfest in Milwaukee had the highest attendance in recent years, attracting around 555,000 people in 2024.
