List of Overseas Music Festivals [2025–2026]: A Comprehensive Roundup Across All Genres

Editor-in-Chief, RAG MUSICKeisuke Hane
Editor-in-chief of RAG MUSIC. After working at a music studio and in wedding sound engineering, joined the RAG MUSIC editorial team in 2016. Experienced with various instruments: marching band in elementary school, clarinet in middle school wind ensemble, and drums in a band from high school onward. Drawing on personal music activities and professional experience, produces daily articles, including song introductions, features on music festivals around Japan, and live reports. Enjoys a wide range of music, from domestic and international rock to, more recently, a broad spectrum of J-pop.

Music festivals are held not only in Japan but all around the world, thrilling countless music fans.

Among the most iconic are Coachella, SXSW, and Tomorrowland, and there are countless events of every genre and scale.

In this article, we’ll introduce a wide range of overseas music festivals—from famous, marquee events to lesser-known, niche gatherings beloved by insiders.

We hope this will be helpful for music lovers planning an overseas trip, as well as those who want to travel abroad specifically to attend a festival.

Past events

HELLFESTThu 6/19 – Sun 6/22 France

http://www.hellfest.fr

A so-called “Festival of Hell” where heavy metal fans from around the world gather. Just imagining that many metalheads in one place conjures chaos, but it’s also one of those festivals you can’t help but want to attend at least once.

Schedule	Thu, June 19–Sun, June 22, 2025
place	Clisson, France
Website	http://www.hellfest.fr/
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Isle of Wight FestivalJune 19 (Thu) – 22 (Sun), United Kingdom

isleofwightfestival.com

The Isle of Wight Festival was held from 1968 to 1970, was revived in 2002, and has continued to this day as a rock festival. The venue is the Isle of Wight, a small island slightly separated from mainland Britain, known for its rich natural scenery and its popularity as a tourist destination. It would be great if you could take the opportunity to explore the island thoroughly while attending the festival.

Schedule	Thu, June 19–Sun, June 22, 2025
place	Seaclose Park, Isle of Wight, United Kingdom
Website	http://isleofwightfestival.com
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The Essaouira Gnaoua and World Music FestivalMorocco, Thu 6/19–Sat 6/21

http://www.festival-gnaoua.net

A music festival held in Morocco, it differs somewhat from typical rock festivals and serves as a flagship event for African music, featuring performers of traditional instruments that are not very familiar in Japan. Running since 1998, the festival has traditional and historical dimensions, and what makes a strong impression is that it was the first free festival open to the general public. It is also a festival that places emphasis on musical tradition and transmission, aiming to pass down historically traditional music to a new generation and to nurture young people's spirit of musical freedom.

Schedule	Thu, Jun 19–Sat, Jun 21, 2025
place	Essaouira, Morocco
Website	https://www.festival-gnaoua.net/en/home/
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International Dub Gathering Spain, Thu 6/19–Sun 6/22

http://www.internationaldubgathering.com

The International Dub Gathering is a dub reggae music festival held in the city of Bigastro in southern Spain, organized by the team behind the renowned reggae festival Rototom Sunsplash. It’s a four-day celebration of the mystical Jamaican genre and its rich history, bringing together legends of the global scene—from singers and MCs to legendary DJs, selectors, and sound systems.

Schedule	Thu, June 19–Sun, June 22, 2025
place	Spain International Dub Gathering
Website	https://www.internationaldubgathering.com/

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COPENHELLDenmark, Wed 6/18–Sat 6/21

http://www.copenhell.dk

Schedule	Wednesday, June 18, 2025 – Saturday, June 21, 2025
place	Denmark Copenhagen
Website	https://www.copenhell.dk/
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Parklife FestivalSat 6/14 – Sun 6/15, United Kingdom

parklife.uk.com

A celebration of hip-hop and dance music held at Heaton Park in Manchester, England! The lineup is packed with rising talents at the forefront of the scene, so any keen-eared listener is sure to take notice. With an incredible number of artists performing over two days, you might find yourself overwhelmed by how many acts you want to see.