Music festivals have experienced remarkable growth in both quantity and popularity in recent years, attracting thousands of people to these events and inevitably having an impact on urban dynamics. Despite the economic, social, and cultural benefits provided, we cannot ignore the adversities that may arise on various scales, such as traffic congestion, waste management challenges, energy consumption, and greenhouse gas emissions. In light of this, this study focuses on analyzing the largest music festivals of today from an environmental responsibility perspective. The purpose is to comprehensively map the ecological impacts generated, understand how they affect the audience's experience, examine their management and certification systems, and assess their commitment to society and the environment. Through bibliographic research, we sought to observe the intersections between music festivals and sustainability. Initially, 136 festivals on a global scale were selected, and a subset of the top 35 rankings was analyzed, allowing for a closer examination of sustainability practices, or their absence. The Rock in Rio (Brazil), Rock in Rio - Lisbon (Portugal), Sziget (Hungary), Leeds Festival (United Kingdom), and Download Festival (England) were chosen as case studies. Additionally, the results of a survey with 209 respondents are presented to provide a more comprehensive understanding of the public's perspective. The results reveal gaps in information disclosure, as data provided by music festivals are often inadequate, making it challenging to assess sustainable development progress. Furthermore, the lack of a clear and objective standard for disclosing this information complicates the analysis of the efforts made by each event. While some music festivals have adopted measures to reduce environmental impacts, there is uncertainty about the actual effectiveness of their actions, as the promotion of a "green" status can be used as a marketing strategy. To effectively recognize ecologically responsible practices adopted by music festivals, this study emphasizes the importance of sustainability certifications, points to the need for substantial changes in the management and monitoring processes of these events, and underscores their role as agents of transformation and education in society.

Supervision: João Pedro Gouveia