13 AMAZING MUSIC FESTIVALS IN SOUTH EAST ASIA

There might not be as many music festivals in South East Asia as there are in other areas of the world, but that is slowly changing.  With the ever-growing popularity of electronic music, more and more festivals are popping up in this region.  

You might not come to South-East Asia for the music festivals, but if you’re planning a trip out here, maybe one of these could be worked into your itinerary

Also, be sure to read my guide on the Top 25 Music Festivals in Asia for more amazing options around the continent,


1) Wonderfruit Festival

When: Mid – December

Where:  Siam Country Club, Pattaya, Thailand

Website:  http://wonderfruitfestival.com/

Live.  Love.  Wonder.  That’s the motto of this incredible 3-day camping music and arts festival held on the beautiful Pattaya Fields Siam Country Club.  I normally tell people to avoid Pattaya as a city because it really is a horrific place, but this beautiful venue is 15 KM outside the city, and you’ll fall into festival mode.  The camping area is decent and well equipped, the stages are amazing, and the line-up brings a little something for everyone.  

This is one of the best festivals you can attend in south-east Asia.  Read my Wonderfruit Festival 2014 review for more information and pictures.  I was lucky enough to attend the first year, and definitely have plans to make the journey back.   

Wonderfruit Festival - Camping Music Festivals in Thailand

Credit: Wonderfruit Festival


2) HOZO International Music Festival


3) ZoukOut Music Festival

When:  Mid-December

Where:  Singapore

http://www.zoukout.com/

“One World, One Music, One Tribe, One Dance”

The people behind one of the biggest and well-known clubs in Asia, “Zouk”, have created it’s own music festival, and it’s been one of the more popular festivals out in South-East Asia.  

Located in Singapore, you’ll find the tickets, drinks, and accomodations a bit more expensive, but you can’t complain when they bring A-list talent, incredible stage production, and an overall amazing atmosphere.

ZoukOut Festival Singapore - Music Festivals Southeast Asia


4) Ultra Worldwide Festivals in Southeast Asia

When: Various Dates

Where: Bali, Thailand, Philippines & Singapore

http://www.ultramusicfestival.com/ | https://umfworldwide.com/

Ultra Music Festival seems like they have one goal in mind — global domination.  From Miami, Croatia, Korea, Japan, South Africa — it now looks like they have turned their eyes to South-East Asia, and have added locations in four countries. 

They’ve got star studded lineups, world-class production, and an overall unforgettable experience. Stay tuned to their website for more dates and announcements. 

Ultra Worldwide Festivals Southeast Asia


5) It’s The Ship Festival

It's The Ship Festival Southeast Asia

When: March 8-10, 2023

Where:  Singapore – Phuket – Singapore

http://www.itstheship.com

Asia’s Largest Festival At Sea

Once you go on one music festival cruise, I guarantee you’ll be addicted to them!  It’s truly epic sailing on a luxury ship with an intimate crowd, world-class DJ’s, and with all the comforts of cruising.  Not only do you get to listen to quality music for 3-days, but you’ll get to visit another country! 

It’s The Ship always brings an amazing line-up of electronic artists, epic theme parties, and attracts a really great international crowd.  While it’s definitely one of the more expensive festivals on the list, it’ll be be worth every penny!


6) Maya Music Festival

When: February 2023

Where: OASIS ARENA, Rama 9, Bangkok

With past line-ups including heavyweights like Tiesto, Dash Berlin, and Zedd – you know this is a festival for all the big EDM festival fans in Thailand.

They’ve hosted previous editions in Pattaya and Bangkok, and each event seems to get bigger and better than the previous year. Keep an eye on the Maya Music Festival Facebook Page for details on upcoming events!

southeast asian music festivals 2023


7) Shipsomnia

When:  Beginning of January

Where:  Singapore – Phuket – Langkawi – Singapore

http://www.shipsomnia.com/

A MUSIC & ARTS FESTIVAL MEETS HI SEAS MYTHICAL ADVENTURE.  Unofficially nicknamed, “Tomorrowland At Sea”, Shipsomnia has gotten a lot of positive media attention.  

With the growth of music festivals at sea, like Holy Ship or It’s The Ship (#6), Shipsomnia looks like it could be the next big thing.  Sailing from Singapore – Phuket round-trip, with a quick stop in Langkawi, this looks like a party that can’t be missed.  This all-inclusive music festival is guaranteed to be one epic vacation.


8) Big Mountain Music Festival

When: December

Where:  Khao Yai, Thailand

http://www.bigmountainmusicfestival.com

One of the biggest festivals for the Thai music scene, this two day festival is filled with awesome stages, hundreds of live acts, and an incredible atmosphere.  Dates for the upcoming festivals haven’t been announced, but they do have other events, so tune into their Facebook for more information.

Music Festivals in Asia


9) We The Fest 

Best Music Festivals in Asia - We The Fest EDM 2020

When: September 2023

Where: Jakarta, Indonesia 

http://www.wethefest.com/

South East Asia’s #1 Festival for music, arts, fashion, and food!

With the current titans of pop, hip-hop, bass and indie all on show, festival organizers Ismaya Live continue to assert We The Fest’s position as the go-to-festival of choice in the region.  However, We The Fest has always prided itself on offering much more than just artist performances and this year is no different with the return of the festival’s ‘Beyond The Music’ area.

Incorporating an Arts Village, Ismaya Food Town’s Eats & Beats food court, a Cinema Club where old and new movies will be on show, WTF Con where punters can interact with curated brands and media partners, and a Carnifun games section, ticket-holders will be spoilt for choice when they want to take a break from the music.


10) DJakarta Warehouse Project

DWPX - Best EDM Festivals in Asia 2020 .

Credit: Nareend

When: December 9-11, 2022

Where: Jakarta, Indonesia

http://www.djakartawarehouse.com/

South-East Asia’s ultimate festival experience

“Over the past month, fans of Djakarta Warehouse Project (DWP) have been waiting with bated breath to find out the next additions to the event’s already burgeoning lineup. The wait is now over and the results do not disappoint. Disclosure, one of the most iconic and genre-defining duos of the past decade is now set to join proceedings in downtown Jakarta come 13th December. With a slew of hits across two albums and a mesmerising live show, this performance is certainly not to be missed. 

Bolstering the star-studded headliners are a plethora of newly announced names across dance music’s broad spectrum. Chromeo, another dynamic duo, will be bringing their synth-funk sound to the JIExpo Kemayoran, while Bassjackers, Blasterjaxx and Coone will be sending crowds into a bass-fueled frenzy with their amped-up EDM performances.”


11) Rainforest World Music Festival

When:  June 23-25, 2023

Where:  Kuching, Borneo, Malaysia

http://rwmf.net/

Just reading the name of the festival, you can get a good understanding of what you are in for during this unique festival.  Lots of acoustic instruments with a rainforest themed, this will definitely be unlike any festival you’ve ever attended.  

Borneo is a beautiful island, and this would be a great way to experience the culture while hearing some great music.

southeast asian music festivals 2018


12) Songkran Water Festival

When:  Mid-April

Where:  All Over Thailand (Chiang Mai recommended)

The Thai Lunar New Year is celebrated by 3 days of absolute madness country-wide.  From personal experience, this was one of the highlight’s of my travels in south-east Asia.  The belief is that “water” washes off all the sins of the previous year, and it’s a fresh start for the upcoming year.  It’s a beautiful festival, but it’s also one crazy party.  There are stages and music playing all over the place, and great clubs and nightlife to go out at night.  The set-up is different every year, but make sure you experience this at least once in your life.  Check out my Songkran 2015 video.

There’s actually an official music festival during Songkran.  I wrote about it in my Top 10 Music Festivals in Thailand article!  Check it out.

southeast asian music festivals 2018


13) Full Moon Party

When:  Once a Month during the Full Moon.  Dates found here.

Where:  Haad Rin, Koh Phangan, Thailand

Website:  http://fullmoonparty-thailand.com/

Why:  Last but not least, no South-East Asia festival list is complete without experiencing at least one full moon party.  Although recently it has gotten negative attention recently, it’s definitely a good night if you’re with the right people.  Koh Phangan is one of the craziest party islands in South-East Asia, and there are ton of other parties to attend on the island as well.


While I couldn’t list all the music festivals in South-East Asia, this is a solid list of what I think to the best 12.  All of these festivals bring some great live musicians and DJ’s, and will provide a great festival environment for you to dance until your tired, and meet some amazing people.  Make sure you check out my other blog posts on music festivals.

25 Music Festivals in America To Experience Before You Die

30 Music Festivals in Europe to Experience Before You Die

30 Music Festivals in Australia To Experience Before You Die


Am I missing any great music festivals in South-East Asia?  Let me know in the comments section!


Photo Sources:  Wonderfruit, Quest, Neverland, ZoukOut, Ultra, It’s The Ship, Maya, Shipsomnia, Rainforest, Big Mountain


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