The Ultimate Guide to 2023 Music Festivals In The year is 2023 and the world is a considerably different place. The full effect of climate change has been felt and it’s now possible to grow crops in some parts of the world, as rain patterns have shifted. A new public transit system offers sustainable transportation, linking cities separated by oceans. Technology has advanced dramatically, with devices shrinking from laptops to phones and becoming fully voice-controlled. And most importantly for our purposes—the music scene has evolved too!

So without further ado, read on for The Ultimate Guide to 2023 Music Festivals.

Pillow Fight Festival

Location: Various locations, across North America and abroad

Date: Second weekend of June (2023)

The Pillow Fight Festival is the new generation of music festivals. Dust off that faded ‘Coachella’ t-shirt and get ready for a weekend of zany outfits. The Pillow Fight’s main attractions are daytime activities—festival goers are encouraged to don custom-made pillow costumes and roam the city streets, seeing what mischief they can get into. Audiences also enjoy staying up late for intricate pillow ballets and giant pillow fights.

Nightmare Sound

Location: Various locations, across North America and abroad

Date:Last weekend of June (2023)

Music festivals with day parties and late-night showcases have been a staple event since the dawn of time. The Nightmare Sound festival takes this concept to extremes, scheduling performances in the dead of the night. Audiences are encouraged to arrive decked out in their spookiest Halloween costumes—or even better, to bring some props along with them like giant inflatable monsters or ghoulish animatronics. Late-night shows are mainly house and techno events, with light shows that rival those featured at Burning Man.

Rave in the Lab

Location: Various laboratories and universities across North America, Asia, and Europe

Date: Wednesday, May (2023) – Saturday, May (2023)

A three-day scientific rave, Rave in the Lab combines the traditional science festival experience with a full weekend of recreational drug use. Audiences are given access to more than a hundred different pharmaceuticals before each show, while also taking part in scientific workshops that explore consciousness and mind expansion. The promoters of Rave in the Lab claim these substances are completely safe—but they’re also offering festival goers full insurance coverage just in case. As a disclaimer, audience members will be required to sign waivers before entering labs and using drugs.

Electric Dusk Drive-In Movie Fiesta

Location: Various drive-in theaters across North America and overseas (around the world)

Date: Thursday, May (2023) – Saturday, May (2023)

Drive-in movie theaters have become a rarity in recent years—with many of the more than 1,500 operating today suffering from the same issues their fans have experienced for decades. The Electric Dusk Drive-In Movie Fiesta is hoping to change that trend by using a specialized projection system and interspersed live music to revive the classic form of entertainment. The lineup for this festival boasts a wide selection of indie animated films, with audience members invited to scream with delight as enormous character models battle in front of them. As a special note, the Electric Dusk Drive-In Movie Fiesta is being sponsored by Honda, which is flying in one of each of its 2023 models for the event to be displayed onsite.

Small World Music Festival

Location: Various small towns and villages around the world

Date: First week of September (2023)

Experiencing the cultural traditions of a foreign land has become something everyone wants to do—but is often put off because it’s inconvenient and expensive. The Small World Music Festival solves that problem by visiting multiple countries each year for a series of concerts. The event’s creators have carefully selected locations with picturesque scenery and welcoming populations. Previous years’ lineups featured artists from Senegal, India, Indonesia, and Japan.

Funkarosa Music Festival

Location: Various sites in the Jim Crow South and New Orleans, Louisiana

Date: Last weekend of February (2023)

Funkarosa is a celebration of the African-American experience: specifically the black experience in America during the 1960s and 70s. Popular music from that era is given a new life through bands who perform tribute sets to James Brown, Aretha Franklin, and Marvin Gaye. The event also plays host to a number of workshops that explore the Civil Rights Movement, Black Power, and other topics. A strong sense of community is also an important part of Funkarosa, with audiences encouraged to end their days with communal jam sessions that celebrate ethnic diversity and multiculturalism.

Music Week

Location: Various locations, across Asia, Europe, and North America

Date: First weekend of March (2023) – First weekend of April (2023)

Having a music festival in your town is a tremendous boost to both the economy and the cultural scene. Coinciding with the 2023 opening of Music Week, organizers are eager to make this event one-of-a-kind. The primary goals are to increase awareness for local bands and artists and provide unique concert experiences for every audience member. Local radio stations host weekly shows taped at Music Week events in order for potential fans to sample upcoming content. There are also workshops, open mics, and other discussion panels that invite audience participation.

Of course, there’s also a music festival component, which includes an evening of artist showcases. These shows are split into three categories: local acts from across the country, international headliners from Europe and Asia, and buzz-worthy indie bands from a new continent—Antarctica. Audiences to these performances are encouraged to vote for their favorite artists on the Music Week website where the winners will be selected at the end of the festival week. The top three vote-getters scoop up cash prizes and are featured in a special year-end compilation CD release.

The Verdict

Music Week is an unforgettable experience. This year-long event has a unique concept, a vibrant atmosphere, and an international reach that could not be missed. And what’s even better, the lineup is set to improve with each passing year.

We predict that Music Week will be the festival that everyone’s talking about in 2023.