As música mexicana and música urbana have emerged as global powerhouses within the music industry, they’ve not only captured the ears of international audiences but have also carved out significant spaces at some of the world’s most prestigious music festivals.
With reggaetón pop sensation Rauw Alejandro and corridos hitmaker Peso Pluma taking center stage at Governors Ball in New York, Sueños in Chicago, and Baja Beach Fest in Mexico — the latter two festivals placing substantial bets on these genres — it’s clear that Latin music’s influence continues to expand rapidly.
Reggaetón, in particular, has achieved this status years ago, as evinced with Bad Bunny headlining Coachella 2023 as the opening night’s main act, becoming the first Latin music superstar to do so in this top-tier event. This milestone underscores the genre’s historic ascent.
As Latin-focused festivals continue to cement their place in the international live-event arena, American fest giants are also welcoming the trend. The nostalgia-driven Bésame Mucho, originating in Los Angeles, has broadened its reach with editions in Austin, Texas.
Even in places historically less associated with Latin music, such as the U.K., the embrace is evident. Yet, La Línea, the London Latin Music Festival, returns with its 24th edition promising a diverse lineup with Lila Downs, Los Tigres del Norte, Ana Tijoux, La Yegros and more.
While this may not be an exhaustive list, it serves as a comprehensive guide to some of the genre’s most significant events. See our list below, arranged in sequential order.
Date: Feb. 25 – March 1
Place: Valparaiso, Chile
With its six-decade history, the Viña del Mar International Song Festival, has been the most enduring Latin music festival around the world. Traditionally laking place in Quinta Vergara Amphitheater, this year’s headliners include Maná, Andrea Bocelli, Mora, Los Bunkers and María Becerra.
To read our recaps of each headlining show, click here.
Date: March 1-3
Place: Miami, U.S.
Created in 1967, the Montreux Jazz Festival has taken place for every summer in Switzerland, on the shores of Lake Geneva. Now, for the first time, the legendary jazz festival arrives to the tropical climate of Miami. With Jon Batiste and Daryl Hall as headliners, the festival will also welcome Brazilian singer-songwriter Daniela Mercury, Afro-Cuban funk musician Cimafunk and Emily Estefan, heir to Latin music royalty Gloria and Emilio Estefan.
For more info, click here.
Date: March 2
Place: Austin, Texas, U.S.
Following the success of the Los Angeles installment in December, Bésame Mucho expands its franchise to Austin, Texas. With headliners Los Tigres del Norte, Grupo Frontera, Banda MS, Caifanes and Gloria Trevi, Bésame will take place at Circuit of the Americas as a one-day event on March 2. Like it traditionally does, it will consist of four stages, representing different Latin genres: regional Mexican music, norteño, Latin rock and pop will each get their own stage again.
The “Rockero Stage” will feature artists like Café Tacvba, Juanes, El Tri, Enanitos Verdes. The “Las Clásicas Stage” roster includes Bronco, Los Tucanes de Tijuana and Ramón Ayala. Meanwhile, the “Te Gusta El Pop?” stage will have Alejandra Guzmán, Belanova, Reik, Ha*ash, Elvis Crespo and others. The “Banda Stage” also features Banda El Recodo, La Adictiva, Banda Los Recoditos, Banda Machos and many more.
For more info, click here.
Date: March 8-16
Place: Austin
Boasting a variety of events spanning music, film, conferences, exhibitions and more, South by Southwest is one of the most interactive festivals in the entertainment industry. Taking place at the Moody Amphitheater at Waterloo park, this year Billboard returns with Billboard Presents the Stage at SXSW to deliver three nights of star-studded showcases, beginning with singer-songwriter and producer PARTYNEXTDOOR on March 14. The next day, Mexican superstar Christian Nodal will grace the stage; and on March 16, a dance-centric night presented by Carnival Cruise Line will take place with electronic giant ILLENIUM.
For more information, click here.
Date: March 17-19
Place: Buenos Aires, Argentina
Expanding the Lollapalooza franchise outside of its Chicago origin, Lolla Argentina joined the international roster in 2014. With more than 100 artists on five stages over three days, fans will be able to enjoy some of today’s most sought-after artists. This year will feature Blink-182, Feid, SZA, Sam Smith, Arcade Fire and Limp Bizkit as headliners. The event will be held at the Hipódromo de San Isidro in Buenos Aires.
For more information, click here.
Date: March 15-17
Place: Santiago, Chile
Just like Lolla Argentina, the Chilean festival returns to the capital just to close the (southern) summer. Lolla Chile, with the slogan “the music that unites us,” began in 2011 as one of the first Lollapalooza festivals outside the United States. The eclectic annual event will also feature Latin artists Omar Apollo, León Larregui, Los Pericos, Latin Mafia, Kenia Os, Ximena Sariñana and more. It will highlight a good mix of alternative rock, punk, heavy metal and hip-hop at Santiago’s Parque Cerrillos.
For more information, click here.
Date: March 16-17
Place: Mexico City, Mexico
As one of the most important Latin rock festivals of the hispanophone continent, Vive Latino has presented some of the most memorable performances of the genre. With its first edition held in 1998, it’s one of the most highly anticipated showcases of Mexico. Presented by Amazon, this year will feature Belanova, Panteón Rococó, Cartel de Santa, Fito Páez, Jorge Drexler, Los Cafres and more.
For more information, click here.
Date: March 21-24
Place: Bogota, Colombia
Inaugurated in 2010, Estéreo Picnic is a music festival held annually in Bogotá. From March 21-24, the Colombian festival will return to Briceño 18 “to throw hands to the sky and celebrate the miracle of live music,” as described on their website. For four days, and sponsored by Johnnie Walker, attendees can expect performances by Kings of Leon, Limp Bizkit, Feid, Nicki Nicole, Bad Gyal and many more artists.
For more information, click here.
Date: March 22-24
Place: São Paulo, Brazil
Just like Lollapalooza Argentina and Chile, Lolla Brazil will bring headliners Blink-182, SZA and Arcade Fire to the main stage, along with Paramore and Sam Smith. But this version of the fest will also celebrate Brazilian bands Titãs Encotro, Céu, Gilberto Gil, Luísa Sonza, MC Luanna, Xamã and more.
For more information, click here.
Date: March 23-24
Place: Mexico City
In recent years, AXE Ceremonia has positioned itself as one of the most important festivals within the vast musical landscape of Mexico City. The cultural celebration highlights the best and most representative of the local and international scene. The 2024 edition will be held on March 23 and 24 at Parque Bicentenario with a lineup headed by rap star Kendrick Lamar, who will make his debut in Mexico. Also joining the list are Fuerza Regida, LCD Soundsystem, Arca, Álvaro Díaz, El Bogueto and James Blake, among others.
For more info, click here.
Date: March 29-31
Place: Monterrey, Mexico
Powered by the iconic Mexican beer that gives it its name, Tecate Pa’l Norte celebrates Norteño tradition, music and art in Monterrey, Mexico. The border festival began in 2012 and, since then, hasn’t stopped bringing some of the most buzzed-about artists in contemporary culture. This year’s line-up includes Maná, Fuerza Regida, Placebo, Imagine Dragons, Aterciopelados, Thirty Seconds To Mars, Anitta and Santa Fe Klan, and others.
For more information, click here.
Date: April 12-14 & 19-21
Place: Indio, California, U.S.A.
Lana Del Rey, Tyler, the Creator and Doja Cat will headline this year’s Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival. As for the Latinos, Peso Pluma, Young Miko, J Balvin, Santa Fe Klan, Carin León and Latin Mafia will also perform. The event will take place over two consecutive weekends, April 12-14 and April 19-21.
For more information, click here.
Date: April 12-16
Place: London, England
London’s Latin music festival returns in April, with Lila Downs, Los Tigres del Norte, Ana Tijoux, La Yegros and more. According to Time Out, “La Línea has spent years building an impressive international reputation as one of the world’s most eclectic celebrations of Latin music.”
For more information, click here.
Date: May 25-26
Place: Chicago, USA
The third annual edition of the Sueños Music Festival will feature headliners Rauw Alejandro, Peso Pluma, Maluma and Ivan Cornejo, who will take the stage the weekend of May 25-26 at Chicago’s Grant Park. The event, which brings together big stars in regional Mexican and urban music, will also host Young Miko, Xavi, Bizarrap, Mora, Jowell & Randy, Manuel Turizo, Bad Gyal and more.
For more information, click here.
Date: Aug. 9-11
Place: Rosarito, México
Now billed as “the reggaetón and Latin music festival,” BBF welcomes back Puerto Rican superstar Rauw Alejandro to its stage as a headliner for his Friday, Aug. 9, performance; he last appeared in 2019. The excitement continues into Saturday with 2023’s breakout star Peso Pluma leading the charge as the night’s headliner. Sunday heralds the festival debut of Fuerza Regida, the trailblazers of the belikeada movement. Capping off the weekend, Colombian American artist Kali Uchis is set to deliver a special performance on Sunday. Also performing are Sech, Chencho Corleone, Becky G, Jhayco, Mora, Tiago PZK and more.
For more info, click here.
Date: June 7-9
Place: Flushing Meadows, NY
This summer’s Ball will feature more than 60 artists on three stages, setting up at Corona Park for the second year. Headliners include Rauw Alejandro, Peso Pluma, Post Malone, SZA and The Killers. Gov Ball will welcome dozens of other pop, rock, Latin and hip-hop stars, including Farruko, 21 Savage, Dominic Fike, Carly Rae Jepsen, Mean Girls star Reneé Rapp, Labrinth, Sabrina Carpenter and Don Toliver, as well as debut GB performances from Victoria Monét and Sexyy Red, among others.
For more info, click here.