The best music festivals in South America
Thinking of jumping across the pond for festival season? Want to know the scoop on the finest hotspots in South America? We’ve got you covered. Here are the best music festivals in South America.
Last updated: 8th Dec 2023
Originally published: 6th Dec 2023
With the new year on the horizon, it’s time to start thinking about pencilling in some plans for 2024. We aren’t far off festival season entering full swing, so you want to be prepared.
If you spun a globe and randomly picked a place, chances are there’s a festival going on there. But there’s no need to be so spontaneous! Instead of that method, we propose you take a break from what the UK has to offer and just head to South America. Stunning landscapes, cracking weather and even better lineups await any lucky festival-goers who find themselves there. But where do you start? The continent is chock full of festivals so it can be hard to narrow down the best South American music festivals. Luckily for you, that’s where we come in.
Sit back, relax and take a few notes, as we give you the scoop on the best music festivals in South America in 2024.
Lollapalooza Argentina, Brazil, Chile
Photo: lollapaloozacl / Instagram.com
When: AR- Friday 15th - Sunday 17th March 2024 / BR- Friday 22nd - Sunday 24th March 2024 / CH- Friday 15th - Sunday 17th March 2024
Where: San Isidro Racetrack in Buenos Aires, Argentina / Interlagos Circuit in São Paulo, Brazil / Parque Cerrillos in Cerrillos, Chile
2024 lineup: blink-182, MK, 30 Seconds To Mars, Sam Smith, SZA, Arcade Fire, Hozier, Diplo and many more
Since its humble beginnings in Chicago over twenty years ago, Lollapalooza has ballooned into becoming one of the biggest festivals in the world. This has culminated in Lolla going beyond the United States and making the plunge to South America, where you can enjoy some banging tunes in Buenos Aires, São Paulo and Cerillos.
All three countries can promise more than 100 fantastic artists on 5 stages over an unforgettable weekend, and this year's line-up is no different. It doesn’t matter what kind of music you’re into, there’s something for everyone. Want to break stuff? Limp Bizkit or The Offspring can satisfy your cravings. Feeling something a bit funkier or smoother? Maybe someone like Jungle or Omar Apollo will float your fancy.
With lineups as eclectic and diverse as these, it’d be foolish not to punch your ticket while ticking a few iconic South American cities off your bucket list on the way.
Asuncionico
Photo: asuncionico / Instagram.com
When: Tuesday 19th - Thursday 21st March 2024
Where: Olympic Park in Luque, Asunción, Paraguay
2024 lineup: To be announced
Whenever March rolls around, one of Paraguay’s largest rock festivals is unleashed on the world over three days. In addition to rock, the festival has been a haven for pop and EDM fans since 2015.
Last year’s edition saw a litany of multi-genre music superstars taking to the stage. The likes of Billie Eilish, Tame Impala, Lil Nas X, Rosalia and The 1975 graced a crowd of eager music lovers in Asunción's Olympic Park for a memorable and game-changing three days. With both national and international acts putting on a show to remember, the festival is sure to rise to new heights in its ninth year. If you find yourself in Paraguay in March, you won't want to miss this.
Can't get enough of rock and indie festivals? Find out what else is on this year here.
Tomorrowland Brazil
Photo: tomorrowlandbrasil / Instagram.com
When: Friday 11th - Sunday 13th October 2024
Where: Maeda Park in São Paulo, Brazil
2024 lineup: To be announced
After its birth in Belgium in 2005, Tomorrowland has become an iconic worldwide sensation, spreading its reach across the map. It was only a matter of time before the electronic and EDM wonderland made its way to South America, as a duo of festivals in 2015 & 2016 rocked São Paulo, before emerging from hibernation last year. That event was themed around 'The Reflection of Love' and prioritised unity and positive energy, which sure won't change anytime soon. This year you can come to expect a magical three-day electronic experience from one of the most recognizable and iconic names on the festival circuit.
If you consider yourself an EDM fan, don't hesitate checking out our events here.
Estereo Picnic Festival
Photo: estereopicniccr / Instagram.com
When: Thursday 21st - Sunday 24th March 2024
Where: Simón Bolívar Park in Bogota, Colombia
2024 lineup: Paramore, Limp Bizkit, Hozier, SZA, Sam Smith, Phoenix, blink-182, James Blake, M.I.A., Arcade Fire and many more
If you like the sound of spending four days in Bogota seeing the very best pop, rock and electronic acts around, you'll struggle to find anywhere better than Estereo Picnic Festival. Located in the city's iconic Simón Bolívar Park, headliners include Paramore and SZA as well as blink-182 and Limp Bizkit continuing their tour of the continent. Those who fancy themselves a bit more alternative can expect sets from Yves Tumor, Poolside, Floating Points and The Blessed Madonna as well, you literally can't go wrong!
Electronic fans are hardly devoid of cracking events, just have a look at our house and techno events here and see.
Baum Festival
Photo: baumfestival / Instagram.com
When: Sunday 24th - Monday 25th March 2024
Where: Corferias in Bogota, Colombia
2024 lineup: To be announced
If you find yourself in Colombia at the tail end of March this is a party to look out for. Renowned in the country for being a momentous dance floor, last year's lucky ravers were treated to delectable sets over two days. Russian dance veteran Nina Kravitz and Belgian techno maestro Amelie Lens were the major players headlining the 2023 edition and were supported by the likes of Carl Craig, Lilly Palmer, Ben Sims and DJ Tennis to keep the show rolling. You can bet we'll be eagerly awaiting the lineup reveal for 2024...
Time Warp Brazil
Photo: time_warp_brasil / Instagram.com
When: Friday 3rd - Saturday 4th May 2024
Where: To be announced in São Paulo, Brazil
2024 lineup: To be announced
Three decades on from the original Time Warp's inaugural show in Mannheim, Germany, you can take a trip to São Paulo for the Brazilian version instead. We may be biased here but Time Warp Brazil may the definitive version of the festival, which has grown beyond its German roots to also host events in Madrid, Spain after previously taking tours throughout Europe and South America.
All we know so far is that the party will start on the first weekend of May and will be in São Paulo, but if last year is anything to go by, it'll be a highlight of anyone's year. The Martinez Brothers, Honey Dijon and Patrick Mason were some of the electronic masters who graced São Paulo and if those names sound like your idea of a good time, you won't be disappointed by the new year offering.
If Time Warp Madrid made you sit up and take notice, have a look at our thoughts on the best festivals in Spain here.
Rock in Rio
Photo: rockinrio / Instagram.com
When: Friday 13 – Sunday 22 September 2024
Where: Barra Olympic Park in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
2024 lineup: Ed Sheeran, Imagine Dragons, Ne-Yo, Joss Stone, Ludmilla, Lulu Santos, Ivette Sangalo and many more
A pop lovers dream awaits in Rio de Janeiro next September. If you're feeling a little nostalgic for the 2000s and 2010s you can step into the time capsule that is Rock in Rio. The festival originated in 1985 before becoming a once-in-a-decade tradition, with events in 1991, 2001 and 2011. Since that point the festival became bi-annual from 2013 onwards, and the latest 2022 event sets the stage for a return in the coming calendar year.
Nostalgia lovers can look forward to showstoppers from Ed Sheeran, Imagine Dragons, Ne-Yo and Joss Stone while still offering some acts to broaden your musical palette, from Lulu Santos to Ivette Sangalo and beyond.
Viña del Mar Festival
Photo: Juan Manuel Núñez Méndez / Unsplash.com
When: Sunday 25 February – Friday 01 March 2024
Where: Quinta Vergara Amphitheatre in Viña del Mar, Chile
2024 lineup: To be announced
Famous for its historically rich castles and mansions turned museums, the coastal Chilean gem Viña del Mar is known to most music fans for its brilliant festival, which will return this February. An iconic festival in an iconic location demands iconic names at the top of its posters, and Viña del Mar won't disappoint. Fans can look forward to the forthcoming lineup announcement, which will sure to include pop royalty mixed with singer-songwriters and rising stars. If last year was anything to go by, with the likes of Christina Aguilera, Karol G and Camilo gracing the stages, this year will be another successful one in this iconic festival's illustrious history.
Trotamundo
Photo: trotamundo.life / Instagram.com
When: Thursday 4th - Monday 8th January 2024
Where: Montañita, Chile
2024 lineup: Alkmst, Binh, Cabanne, Cap, Caruan, Chklte, Christian Bonanata, Cristi Cons, Dan Andrei and many more
Ever wanted to experience the kind of tunes and atmosphere at Berlin's iconic yet stingy Berghain in a seaside jungle setting? No? Well, let's pretend you do. Here's one to note down, and quickly at that. This one will be on us before you know it!
Spanning four days in the Chilean city of Montañita, Trotamundo promises rising stars on the electronic scene to put on a show so good you'd think you were the thick of a European rave, but instead you're hanging out on a picturesque beach. Expect samples of DJs from around the world, from France and Germany's Binh and Cabanne to Romania's Cristi Cons and Dan Andrei. This is a must-see festival if you consider yourself to in any way be a fan of the European electronic scene. January can't come soon enough, as these four days will be sure to lodge in the memory for a long time to come.
For those who can't get enough of the beach, why not get clued up on the best beach festivals here?
If you're unsure what festival you fancy punching a ticket to then take a look at our Festival Finder here. If you want to visit a festival abroad without travelling as far as South America, why not check out our picks for the best music festivals in Europe here.
Check out our What's On Guide to discover even more rowdy raves and sweaty gigs taking place over the coming weeks and months. For festivals, lifestyle events and more, head on over to our Things To Do page or be inspired by the event selections on our Inspire Me page.
