Music Festivals 2021: Which EDM Events Are Returning This Year?
Nov 27, 2020 | by Will Mitchell
After what feels like an eternity without music festivals, a light is starting to appear at the end of the tunnel. Countries around the world are ramping up their vaccine rollouts with many hoping that restrictions can finally be lifted before summer comes around.
But what might live entertainment look like in the new normal? For the first half of 2021, multiple festivals are still being postponed or cancelled, while others are determined to go ahead. The Guardian previously revealed some solutions that organizers are considering to ensure attendees’ safety in upcoming events. The list includes thermal scanners, rapid on-site testing, and interactive wristbands that vibrate when attendees aren’t sticking to social distancing rules. On the other end of the spectrum, countries like the UK remain optimistic and are planning on using a handful of large-scale events to see the effects of no masks and minimal social distancing.
If you’re trying to plan out your post-vaccination celebration, scroll through our guide of events that are making a comeback in 2021...
EDM Festivals 2021: The Complete List
Electric Daisy Carnival
Las Vegas: POSTPONED: Oct 22-24, 2021 | Las Vegas Motor Speedway
Mexico: September 3-5, 2021 | Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez
Portugal: June 18-20, 2021 | Praia da Rocha
Orlando: November 12-14, 2021 | Tinker Field
On April 22, Insomniac CEO Pasquale Rotella announced via Instagram that Electric Daisy Carnival (EDC) will be postponed once again, unsurprising considering the ambitious May 21st start date. New dates for their flagship Vegas event have been set for October 22-24 2021, and if you’ve already bought your ticket it will still be eligible for the modified dates.
More information & updates: https://lasvegas.electricdaisycarnival.com/
World Club Dome: Las Vegas Edition
September 3-5, 2021 | Deutsche Bank Park, Frankfurt, Germany
In stark contrast to Germany’s reputation as a mecca for techno parties, World Club Dome Las Vegas is aiming to bring Vegas-style glamour across the pond, with a lineup consisting of EDM mainstays like Timmy Trumpet, Steve Aoki, Dimitri Vegas & Like Mike and so on. Previously scheduled for June, the dates have now been switched to later this year, and tickets will remain valid for next year if a 2021 show becomes unfeasible.
More information & updates: https://www.worldclubdome.com/las-vegas
Beyond Wonderland / Beyond Wonderland at The Gorge
Beyond: Aug 27–28, 2021 | NOS Events Center, San Bernardino, California
Beyond @ The Gorge: June 18-19, 2021 | Gorge Amphitheatre, WA
Beyond Wonderland is another Pasquale Rotella creation, incorporating iconic, over-the-top production with world-class acts, while Beyond Wonderland at the Gorge is its Pacific North West sibling. Judging by EDC’s rescheduling and Beyond’s lack of social media activity over recent months, the festival is most likely monitoring the pandemic situation in the US before making any further announcements.
"When day breaks in Wonderland, a curious cast of characters emerges, and fantastical animals of all shapes and sizes run wild. In this place beyond our imaginations, colors shine brighter, smiles are wider, and the secrets of Wonderland come to light."
More information & updates:
Beyond: https://socal.beyondwonderland.com/
Beyond @ The Gorge: https://pnw.beyondwonderland.com/
EXIT Festival
Jul 8-11, 2021 | Petrovaradin Fortress, Petrovaradin, Serbia
Since 2000, The Serbia has welcomed hundreds of thousands of tourists every summer for EXIT Festival, which has nabbed multiple international awards during its lifespan. In 2020, the event was reduced to a live stream event with performances by Adam Beyer, Carl Cox, Charlotte de Witte, Hot Since 82 and more, but this year it’s preparing for a grand return. Check out the lineup below.
Serbia has one of the world’s fastest vaccination rollouts, and Novi Sad Mayor has confirmed that the festival will go ahead with the help of low-costing rapid antigen tests available on site. He described EXIT as "a symbol of Serbia's victory over the pandemic".
More information & updates: https://www.exitfest.org/en/
Creamfields
August 26-29, 2021 | Daresbury, United Kingdom
Creamfields lineup is so stacked that I avoided using the poster in this article for fear of taking up too much space. As expected, they’ve put together a list of the biggest names in the industry, including Armin van Buuren, Martin Garrix, Dimitri Vegas & Like Mike, Deadmau5, Eric Prydz and more.
According to the United Kingdom’s roadmap for lifting lockdown, performances and large events with restricted audiences can restart on May 17, with all legal limits on social contact set to be lifted on June 21. If everything goes as planned, this could make Creamfields one of the UK’s first major festivals to make a comeback in 2021.
More information & updates: https://creamfields.com/
Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival
Sep 2-5, 2021 | Great Stage Park, Manchester, TN
Ahead of its 20th anniversary celebrations, Bonnaroo originally announced dates for next June. However, organizers decided to play it on the safe side to avoid letting fans down, so the show will now go ahead in September instead. Tickets for the event are sold out.
In a statement on the official website, Bonnaroo said: "We want to thank you for being a loyal Bonnaroovian, and we appreciate your patience as we navigate the best options to ensure we can be together on the Farm in 2021".
More information & updates: https://www.bonnaroo.com/
Electric Zoo
Sep 3-5, 2021 | Randall's Island Park, NY
Electric Zoo was one of the first major festivals to release a lineup ahead of their 2021 show. Fans can expect a variety of stages hosted by Deadbeats, Brownies & Lemonade and Wakaan. The festival has now released their Phase 2 Lineup, and with a roster of acts like this it’s no wonder they sold out so fast!
For those concerned about the possibility of a cancellation: Electric Zoo’s COVID policy reads as follows:
"After careful consideration, we’ve revised our ticket policy and all tickets for 2021 will be refunded at the full value including all fees if the event is cancelled due to the COVID-19 global pandemic."
More information & updates: https://electriczoo.com/#
Lost Lands
September 24-26, 2021 | Legend Valley, OH
Lost Lands is the brainchild of Jeff Abel, who you probably know as Canadian DJ Excision. It took a virus, not a meteor, to wipe out the dinosaurs this time, but the Jurassic-themed festival is set to make a strong comeback next Autumn.
Tickets are already on sale, and according to the website it promises to be ‘the filthiest 3 days of bass music you have ever experienced’. *reaches for the hand sanitizer*
More information & updates: https://www.lostlandsfestival.com/
ESCAPE: Psycho Circus
Oct 29–30, 2021 | NOS Event Center, San Bernardino, CA
Escape is Insomniac’s Halloween EDM festival, where thrill seekers are met with themed stages, interactive art installations and an abundance of terrifying costumed performers. 2020 would have been Escape’s 10th anniversary, but unsurprisingly it was replaced with a two-day virtual rave-a-thon. In 2021, the event is returning late October, lineup details to follow!
More information & updates: https://escapehalloween.com/
SKYLINE
May 28–30, 2021 | Lot 54 @ The Vanguard, Orlando, Florida
Cohosted by Insomniac and Factory 93, SKYLINE is a new festival celebrating underground dance music, street, and digital art. Spanning over Memorial Day Weekend, expect to see the likes of Maceo Plex, Blond:ish, The Martinez Brothers and Lee Foss take to the stage.
To ensure SKYLINE runs smoothly, there will be mandatory digital temperature screening upon entry, with attendees encouraged to wear masks.
More information & updates: https://www.insomniac.com/skyline/
S2O Taiwan
Jul 31–Aug 1, 2021 | Taipei, Taiwan
Thanks to Taiwan’s spectacular effort at containing the virus, S2O Taiwan was one of the only festivals around the world to host a live event mid-pandemic. Due to the government’s speedy response, the island managed to avoid a national lockdown and conditions remain close to how they were pre-COVID. Taking this into account, it’s no surprise that S2O will be returning in the summer, this time round featuring 3 stages, an increased variety of genres and not to forget their infamous 360° water system.
More information & updates: https://www.facebook.com/S2OTaiwan/
HARD SUMMER & HARD LONDON
HARD SUMMER: Jul 31–Aug 2, 2021 | NOS Event Center, San Bernardino, CA
HARD LONDON: Aug 21, 2021 | The Drumsheds, London
For its inaugural UK event, HARD has bagged The Drumsheds for its venue. The former gas manufacturing plant has been transformed into a unique event space by the same people who brought you Printworks.
More information & updates: https://www.hardsummer.com/ | https://hardfest.uk/
Audiotistic
Nov 20–21, 2021 | Shoreline Amphitheatre, California
Audiotistic is the latest of Insomniac’s EDM empire to postpone this year, after being originally slated for July 10-11. All tickets will remain valid or can be exchanged if you are unable to attend on the new dates.
"Thank you so much for being patient with us this past year. In order to bring you the best experience possible we are officially postponing Audiotistic Bay area to November 20 & 21, 2021."
More information & updates: https://www.audiotisticfestival.com/
Nocturnal Wonderland
Sep 18–Sep 19, 2021 | Glen Helen Regional Park, San Bernardino, California
Supposedly the longest-running electronic music festival in the US, Nocturnal Wonderland will make its way back to the Glen Helen Regional Park in September, with a slew of dance music mainstays in tow.
More information & updates: https://www.nocturnalwonderland.com/
Dreamstate Europe / Dreamstate Southern California
Europe: Oct 30, 2019 | Gliwice Arena, Poland
SoCal: Nov 19–20, 2021 | NOS Event Center, San Bernardino, CA
Originally scheduled for April 2021, in January Dreamstate Europe announced new dates for fall along with the following statement:
“We hope this is the last time we have to deliver such a statement. We were optimistic that the world would have conquered the pandemic by this time. Unfortunately, that was not the case.”
More information & updates:
Europe: https://www.dreamstatepoland.com/
SoCal: https://www.dreamstateusa.com/
III Points Festival
Oct 22-23, 2021 | Mana Wynwood, Miami, FL
Alternative, multi-genre festival III Points will return to Miami in October with a stacked lineup to suit everyone’s tastes. Performers include The Strokes, Wu-Tang Clan, Rüfüs Du Sol, Eric Prydz, Peggy Gou, Jamie xx, and Kaytranada, just to name a few.
More information & updates: https://www.iiipoints.com/
Rolling Loud Miami & Portugal
Miami: Jul 23–25, 2021 | Hard Rock Stadium
Portugal: Jul 6–Jul 10, 2021 | Praia da Rocha
With brand new dates and a detailed lineup released, the ‘world’s largest hip-hop festival’ is all set for the weekend of July 23-25, while its European counterpart is ready to touch down in Portugal.
"Thank you all for your patience. We kept the faith as long as we could for the May dates, but ultimately we still face challenges that prevent us from gathering together at Rolling Loud Miami in early May.
With that being said, we are excited to announce that Rolling Loud will now take place on July 23-25, 2021 at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens!"
More information & updates:
Miami: https://www.rollingloud.com/
Portugal: https://www.rollingloud.com/portugal
Hideout Festival 2021
Jun 20–Jun 24, 2021 | Zrce Festival Beach, Croatia
Since its inception in 2011, Hideout Festival has sold out every year, attracting thousands of Tourists to Croatia’s glistening coast for 5 days of dance music against a backdrop of the Adriatic Sea. In April, Hideout bulked out its lineup with the additions of ABSOLUTE., Franky Wah, Richy Ahmed, TSHA and Prospa, who join an already stacked list of names, including the likes of Camelphat, Jamie Jones, Hannah Wants and Eats Everything.
More information & updates: https://hideoutfestival.com/
Airbeat One Festival 2021
Jul 7-11, 2021 | Airfield Neustadt-Glewe, Germany
Taking the prize for Germany’s most popular EDM festival, Airbeat One is returning in July, and expects to draw in 50,000 fans over four days. With a new theme focused on "A Trip to Italy" attendees can expect to see 100+ of the biggest names in EDM, house, hardstyle and techno spread out across five stages.
More information & updates: https://www.airbeat-one.de/lineup/
Tomorrowland 2021
Weekend 1: Aug 27–29, 2021 & Sept 3–5, 2021 | De Schorre, Boom, Belgium
Update coming in May as to whether Tomorrowland will be postponed until 2022.
"We want to stay positive and hopeful towards an unforgettable end of summer of 2021, but realize that there is also a chance the 16th edition of Tomorrowland could take place in 2022. We are working closely with the local & national governments and experts and will follow any decision about outdoor events that will be taken in the upcoming months. We expect to come back to you in May with a detailed update."
More information & updates: https://www.tomorrowland.com/en/festival/welcome
Defected Croatia 2021
Aug 5–Aug 10, 2021 | The Garden, Tisno
Back to the festival capital of Europe, Croatia’s Defected plans to make its comeback on August 5-10 at The Garden, Tisno, midway between Zadar and Split. Defected incorporates acts from multiple genres into its lineups, with this years featuring Honey Dijon, Gorgon City, Bob Sinclar, Carl Craig and Armand Van Helden, among others.
More information & updates: https://defected.com/croatia
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