What are the Biggest Rock and Metal Festivals in the World?
Here are the 20 biggest annual rock and metal festivals in the world in order of attendance.
Rock and metal music festivals are celebrated worldwide, drawing massive crowds and showcasing some of the most iconic acts in the industry. While exact music festival attendance numbers can prove pretty challenging to find accurately, here are the 25 biggest rock and metal festivals in the world sorted by estimated crowd numbers.
20: Bloodstock Open Air
Location: Catton Park, England
Estimated Attendance: 20,000
Bloodstock Open Air is one of the UK's fan-favorite heavy metal festivals, delivering a lineup packed with everything from underground extreme metal to national headliners. Known for its dedicated metalhead community, this festival embraces the raw energy of the genre with multiple stages, camping, and fan-favorite attractions like the New Blood Stage for up-and-coming artists.
19. So What? Music Festival
Location: Texas, USA
Estimated Attendance: 20,000
So What? Music Festival stands out as one of the most diverse rock festivals in the U.S., featuring a mix of metalcore, punk, and alternative acts. So What? blends a lot of different genres seamlessly, making it a must-visit event for fans of heavy music with a modern twist.
18: Inkcarceration - Music/Tattoo Festival
Location: Mansfield, Ohio
Estimated Attendance: 75,000
Inkcarceration combines the best of rock and metal with tattoo culture, all set against the eerie backdrop of the Ohio State Reformatory—known for its role in The Shawshank Redemption. This festival is a paradise for both ink lovers and heavy music fans, with some of the biggest names in the scene making their way to the stage.
17: When We Were Young Festival
Location: Las Vegas, Nevada
Estimated Attendance: 80,000
A dream come true for emo and pop-punk fans, When We Were Young Festival revives the golden era of Warped Tour with stacked lineups featuring iconic bands from the 2000s. With its nostalgic appeal and social media buzz, it's one of the most talked-about new festivals in the rock scene.
16: Wacken Open Air
Location: Wacken, Germany
Estimated Attendance: 85,000
Wacken Open Air is one of the most iconic metal festivals in the world, attracting fans from across the globe. Known for its incredible production, Viking reenactments, and a lineup filled with some of the biggest names in heavy metal, Wacken is an ultimate pilgrimage for metalheads.
15: Rocklahoma
Location: Pryor, Oklahoma
Estimated Attendance: 100,000
Rocklahoma delivers a high-energy blend of classic rock, metal, and hard rock, making it one of the top U.S. festivals for fans of the genre. Its party-like atmosphere and stacked lineups have made it a staple in the festival circuit for rock lovers.
14: Sonic Temple Festival
Location: Columbus, Ohio
Estimated Attendance: 120,000
Sonic Temple is a powerhouse rock festival that replaced Rock on the Range as one of the largest hard rock events in the U.S. Featuring top-tier metal and alternative rock bands, this festival brings an electrifying experience to fans with high-energy performances and epic stage production.
13: Download Festival
Location: Donington Park, England
Estimated Attendance: 120,000
Download Festival is the UK’s biggest rock and metal festival, known for hosting legendary acts like Metallica, Iron Maiden, and Slipknot. With its rich history and massive crowds, Download is one of the ultimate destinations for headbangers seeking the UK's best festival experience.
12: Coachella
Location: Indio, California
Estimated Attendance: 125,000
While Coachella is known for its diverse lineup, it still features some of the biggest rock and alternative acts in the world. Over the years, it has hosted legendary performances from rock icons like Rage Against the Machine and Nine Inch Nails, proving that rock still holds a place in mainstream festivals. One of the most memorable performances of recent times was Knocked Loose's viral 2023 Coachella performance!
11: Aftershock Festival
Location: Sacramento, California
Estimated Attendance: 160,000
Aftershock is one of the fastest-growing rock festivals in North America, featuring a hard-hitting lineup of metal and alternative rock bands. Its location in California’s capital makes it a major draw for West Coast rock fans looking for an intense festival experience.
10: Louder Than Life
Location: Louisville, Kentucky
Estimated Attendance: 170,000
Louder Than Life is a massive rock and whiskey festival that brings together some of the biggest names in rock, metal, and alternative music. With a killer atmosphere and an emphasis on bourbon culture, it’s one of the most unique festivals in the U.S.
9: Nova Rock Festival
Location: Nickelsdorf, Austria
Estimated Attendance: 200,000
Nova Rock is Austria’s premier rock and metal festival, attracting massive crowds from all over Europe. With world-class production, a scenic setting, and an incredible lineup, Nova Rock has solidified its status as a must-visit event for rock fans.
8: Welcome to Rockville
Location: Daytona Beach, Florida
Estimated Attendance: 200,000
Welcome to Rockville is one of the biggest rock festivals in the U.S., bringing together the best in metal, punk, and hard rock. With its beachside location and massive stages, this festival continues to grow year after year.
7: Graspop Metal Meeting
Location: Dessel, Belgium
Estimated Attendance: 220,000
Graspop Metal Meeting is a massive 4-day European metal festival that boasts a substantial lineup each year. Known for its passionate fanbase and intense performances, it’s one of the best destinations for metal lovers worldwide. The 2025 edition has already announced headliners like Slipknot, Nine Inch Nails, Iron Maiden, Judas Priest, and many more.
6: Lollapalooza
Location: Chicago, Illinois
Estimated Attendance: 400,000
Lollapalooza started as an alternative rock festival and has since grown into a massive, multi-genre event. While it now features mainstream pop and hip-hop acts, it still books major rock and metal bands, keeping its alternative spirit alive. In 2023, Lollapalooza even booked acts like Lorna Shore with deathcore being brought into the spotlight of mainstream media.
5: Hellfest Open Air
Location: Clisson, France
Estimated Attendance: 420,000
Hellfest is one of the most revered metal festivals in the world, featuring a jaw-dropping lineup of metal acts every year. With its massive stage designs, elaborate pyrotechnics, and dedicated fanbase, Hellfest is an unparalleled experience for metalheads.
4: Rock in Rio
Location: City of Rock, Rio de Janeiro
Estimated Attendance: 730,000
Brazil's Rock in Rio is a multi-day festival that had its 10th annual event in 2024 featuring many rock/metal acts like Avenged Sevenfold, Evanescence, Journey, and more. The festival features artists from many popular genres, but always features multiple bands in the heavier scenes, with previously performing acts like Iron Maiden and Gojira.
3: Pol'and'Rock Festival
Location: Czaplinek, Poland
Estimated Attendance: 750,000
Inspired by the original Woodstock, this free festival celebrates rock, pop, metal, and folk music. Its motto, "Love, Friendship, and Music," embodies the spirit of unity and peace.
2: Summerfest
Location: Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Estimated Attendance: 800,000
Summerfest spans three weeks and features a diverse lineup, including prominent rock and metal acts. The festival also offers a variety of food vendors and marketplaces. This year's 2025 lineup features acts like Babymetal, Jinjer, 311, and many more!
1: Donauinselfest
Location: Vienna, Austria
Estimated Attendance: 3.1 million
Recognized as the world's largest music festival, Donauinselfest is a free event held on the Danube Island. While it features various music genres, rock and metal have a significant presence, attracting millions of fans annually. The world-record-setting festival features 14 stages, themed islands, and artists spanning dozens of genres.
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