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The earliest recorded music festival is arguably the Pythian Games that took place in the 6th century BC. These games took place every four years and were similar to the well known ancient Olympic games (Figure 1). This event eventually became more focused on games and athletic competitions, but the games were initially dedicated to Apollo and focused on music, with Apollo being the patron because he was the Greek god of music. Apollo is often depicted with a lyre and the Pythian Games were a chance to hold competitions among competing musicians. Both instrumental and singing performances were held as competitions among different contestants. It is also known that during the spring the Athenians celebrated the Festival of the Vine Flower, which also included drinking contests, dancing, and music. Performances would also be held to honor Dionysus, with the festival-goers using music and their drinking to honor the god.<ref>For more on the Pythian Games and their connection to early music festivals, see: Valavanēs, Panos. <i>Games and Sanctuaries in Ancient Greece: Olympia, Delphi, Isthmia, Nemea, Athens</i>. Los Angeles: J. Paul Getty Museum, 2004.</ref>

By the high Middle Ages, between 1000-1250, music festivals and fairs became more common in towns across Europe. These festivals, similar to some of the ancient Greek festivals, were opportunities for contests and games to take place. Musical performances also became common as part of the entertainment, although generally festivals did not focus only on musical performances. Competitions would be held in different towns across Europe and many of these fairs would occur in the spring or more commonly in the Summer. Festivals such as these were used as opportunities for families to connect with others or even find matches among the unmarried. Festivals, similar to today, were social but also commercial occasions for those involved.<ref>For more on an example of Medieval festivals and music, see: Davidson, Clifford. <i>Festivals and Plays in Late Medieval Britain</i>. Aldershot, Hants, England ; Burlington, VT: Ashgate, 2007. </ref>