The Best Music Festivals in the US
With COVID-19, the music festival world came to a standstill. But now borders are opening, restrictions are easing, and the world is heading back to normalcy. And the festivals are back!
Who doesn’t love going to music festivals? They’re one of the best ways to experience live music at its finest. You’re not just rocking in your favorite music genre, but you can immerse yourself in the adrenaline rush with like-minded people.
The United States is home to some of the world’s top-rated music festivals. Tourists travel from distant states and all parts of the world to enjoy their favorite bands, performers, and DJs.
The larger-than-life sets and amazing lineup of performers can include exhilarating EDM, heart-wrenching opera, bad-boy rock, lonesome bluegrass, or soulful jazz. There’s a music festival for every music lover! The popularity of music festivals has risen over the past decade, and new events are gaining traction. The festivals just keep getting bigger and better with each passing year.
Whether you like weekend-long festivals, raves that start at dawn and end at dusk, or small-scale festivals, you’ll likely find a festival (or two, or more) on this list that piques your interest. So save up some gas money, grab your friends and family, and hit the road for the experience of a lifetime. Here’s a list of some of the best music festivals in the US.
1. Bonnaroo
If you’re seeking an all-in-one fun event, then Bonnaroo is the festival for you. This four-day festival is held on a 700-acre farm in Tennessee. You’ll have access to more than 150 live performances on at least 10 stages, with genres ranging from gospel to rock and everything in between, with music sometimes lasting until dawn.
If you need a break from the music, you can participate in activities including yoga, crafts, a 5K, singing, and eating fabulous food till you’re ready to burst. And don’t forget the four campground party barns! If you go for the “Premium” options, you’ll have access to upgraded camping amenities and enhanced food options. You’ll make lifelong friends at Bonnaroo, and we’re sure you’ll want to come back year after year.
Sound exciting? What are you waiting for? Mark your calendars for a trip to Manchester, Tennessee, June 16-19, 2022!
2. Coachella
Next on our list is a festival that needs no introduction. Thousands of people worldwide eagerly anticipate this one every year. Yes, we are talking about the one and only Coachella.
This year, it will take place on April 15-17 & 22-24, 2022. If you plan to be a part of it, then Indio, California, is where you’ll be headed. Over the last few years, the charm of this musical festival faded because of the pandemic. But this year, get ready for it to return with a bang!
Coachella is often labeled the most famous festival of music in North America. No matter what genre of music you love, you’ll find something that will make it unforgettable. Dance, indie, rock, and even hip-hop, you’ll have the time of your life.
The festival is hosted at the Empire Polo Club, and you’ll enjoy food from top restaurants across the country. Don’t forget to visit the art studio, activities tent, the camp lounge, and of course The Dome. There’s something for everyone at Coachella!
Meet other music lovers face to face and enjoy the spectacular performances of some of the biggest giants of the music industry. Your favorite musicians and artists are going to be there. Cancel your appointments for these six days and take some time for yourself. You don’t want to miss it!
3. Lollapalooza
Third on our list is Lollapalooza, one of the longest-running music festivals in the United States. This year’s performers include Doja Cat, Machine Gun Kelly, Green Day, and Metallica. Awesome, right?
Whether you live nearby or have to travel to get there, Grant Park in Chicago, Illinois, is the place to be this July. Lollapalooza is famous for its lineup of alternative rock, heavy metal, punk rock, hip-hop, and EDM musicians. You’ll see more than 170 bands from around the world on Lollapalooza’s nine stages.
So get your hands up and join in on the music, dancing, and fun. And don’t forget about Chicago’s best eats from some of the Windy City’s favorite restaurants!
Pack your bags and book your tickets for July 28-31, 2022, for a trip to Grant Park in Chicago, Illinois.
4. Pitchfork Music Festival
Next up is the Pitchfork Music Festival, being held this year July 15-17, 2022, in Union Park in Chicago, Illinois. You can expect three fun-filled days of alternative rock, hip-hop, electronic, and dance music. You’ll hear artists that have inspired newer performers as well as performers on the cutting edge of their genres.
More than 60,000 participants from all 50 states and from countries around the world descend on Union Park annually for the Pitchfork Music Festival. This year, you can enjoy iconic artists including Earl Sweatshirt, Parquet Courts, The National, Japanese Breakfast, Toro y Moi, and Lucy Dacus.
There will be plenty of vendors and specialty fairs, so you’ll get a taste of Chicago to go along with the music and dancing. The only thing you have to worry about is having fun! Book your tickets. This is not an opportunity to miss!
5. Austin City Limits Music Festival
Last year, this festival hosted superstar performers such as Billie Eilish, Stevie Nicks, DaBaby, and George Strait That makes it one of our favorites already. This year, the headliners will be announced right before the festival kick-off. And you can expect to see more than 100 performances on eight different stages during the two three-day weekends of this festival.
The long-running TV music series, “Austin City Limits,” served as the inspiration behind this festival. And though the focus is definitely on the music, you’ll also have access to festival food and treats from restaurants in and around Austin at the ACL Eats Food Court. There’s also plenty of merch available, and there’s even a mini-fest for the kids.
This year’s event is scheduled for October 7-9 & 14-16, 2022, at Zilker Park. So make plans to head to Austin to bask in the music, fun, and mild autumn weather!
6. Electric Daisy Carnival Las Vegas
If you’re a fan of electronic dance music, the Electric Daisy Carnival is a music festival you won’t want to miss. In the past, EDC events have been held around the world in places including China, the UK, Japan, Mexico, Brazil, and India, not to mention all around the US. This year’s EDC annual flagship event is scheduled for May 20-22, 2022, at the 1200-acre Las Vegas Motor Speedway in Las Vegas, Nevada.
The EDC began in 1997 as a warehouse party. Since then, it has expanded into a live music experience celebrated around the world by nearly a million music fans annually. Fans rejoice in self-expression, unity, and love and respect for one another. From house to techno, drum and bass to drub step, fans will find themselves immersed in the experience of EDC’s amazing stage productions and pyrotechnics.
7. Ultra Music Festival
Head to Bayfront Park in Downtown Miami for the Ultra Music Festival! If you didn’t make it to the 2022 event this March, take heart – the next one is already scheduled for March 24-26, 2023. This year’s artists included favorites like Alison Wonderland, Illesium, Madeon, and Hardwell. We can’t wait to see what’s on tap for next year.
The local Winter Music Conference and Miami Music Week events culminate in the Ultra Music Festival, a premier EDM event. Join 165,000 like-minded fans to hear some of the biggest names in hip-hop and all genres of electronic music. And Miami does its part to welcome festival-goers with its beautiful weather and street decorations.
If you are a fan of immersive parties and good food, this is an event you won’t want to miss.
8. The Governors Ball
The Governors Ball is scheduled to take place in Citi Field in New York City June 10-12, 2022. Bringing forth a unique and exciting blend of different genres, this music festival is going to make you dance and sway to the infectious beats. Ranging from electronic to pop, hip-hop to rock, there’s something for everyone.
You’ll enjoy an abundance of great music, delicious food, unique beverages, and a variety of art installations. And keep an eye out for unannounced pop-up performances. You never know who might surprise you!
This year’s lineup of artists includes Kid Cudi, Plastic Picnic, Migos, Channel Tres, Halsey, Jack Harlow, and JPEGMAFIA, to name a few. You can reach the venue by bus, ferry, airplane, and subway.
9. New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival
Jazz lovers, we haven’t forgotten you! Next on our list is the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, or Jazz Fest. This festival kicked off in the early 1970s with the intent to “promote, preserve, perpetuate, and encourage the music, culture, and heritage of communities in Louisiana.” Join fellow jazz lovers and celebrate the unique New Orleans music and culture and enjoy second-line parades and handmade arts and crafts. Oh yeah, did we mention the food?
The event is scheduled for April 29-May 1 and May 5-8, 2022, in vibrant New Orleans, Louisiana. You’ll get to listen to the indigenous music of New Orleans and Louisiana, including blues, gospel, traditional and contemporary jazz, and zydeco, along with rock, rap, country, and bluegrass, and everything in between. This year’s lineup includes R&B legend Charlie Wilson along with big names like The Who, Stevie Nicks, The Avett Brothers, Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue, Boz Scaggs, Erykah Badu, Norah Jones, and Willie Nelson.
Each year, New Orleans welcomes thousands of musicians and more than 400,000 music lovers to the Fair Grounds Race Course to be a part of this historic event. Will you be one of them this year?
10. Life Is Beautiful Music & Art Festival
The last (but definitely not least) music festival on our list is the Life Is Beautiful Music & Art Festival. It’s the “youngest” one on our list, having debuted in 2013 as an annual music, culinary, art, and learning festival. The music includes electronic dance music, pop, indie and alternative rock, and hip-hop. This year, the event is taking place in downtown Las Vegas, Nevada, September 16-18, 2022.
This year’s lineup includes Arctic Monkeys, Cage the Elephant, Jack Harlow, and Beach House. But music isn’t the only draw for this festival. Local and international artists come together to provide festival-goers with amazing exhibits, including interactive sculpture exhibits and massive murals. And the food lineup! You’ll be able to savor cuisine and cocktails from more than 70 local restaurants and bars and acclaimed chefs, and there will be plenty of food trucks for simpler tastes – something for everyone!
The Bottom Line
All you music lovers out there, we hope we’ve inspired you to grab your friends and family and head out to experience the fun and excitement of a musical festival. Whatever your genre, whenever you can take the time, there’s a festival waiting for you. We’re sure you’ll have one of the best times of your life. Happy listening!
