Eight US Music Festivals Worth Visiting This Summer
Summer music festivals embody the best of this time of year: performances by the hottest artists outdoors in beautiful locations across the country. This year's lineup is especially diverse, with Lorde, Charli XCX, The Strokes, Teddy Swims, and LCD Soundsystem all set to perform at various venues, writes Travel & Leisure.
"Summer festivals have an almost cathartic quality," said Newport Folk Festival executive producer Jay Sweet. "You're dancing in a field for eight hours with strangers who feel like family. It's a renewal, a rite of passage. Festivals remain one of the last truly communal experiences, where everyone is listening to the same thing at the same time. That experience is becoming increasingly rare and precious."
In recent years, along with the growth of event tourism, interest in concert-related travel has also grown. According to Expedia's 2024 Unpack report, nearly 70% of travelers are willing to travel outside their home city to see live music, and 40% see a concert as an excuse to visit a new destination.
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Attending a festival, especially for the first time, can seem daunting: multiple stages and a huge number of activities. Experts advise planning ahead—checking the performance schedule, learning the baggage rules, and choosing comfortable clothing for the day.
At the same time, it is important to leave room for spontaneity.
“Festivals should feel alive and unpredictable, and it’s the unplanned moments that are often the most memorable,” said Sarah Pancheri, president and CEO of Milwaukee World Festival, Inc., which produces Summerfest.
Here are eight major festivals happening in the US this summer.
CMA Fest
- When: June 4–7
- Where: Nissan Stadium, Nashville, Tennessee
- Participants: Blake Shelton, Keith Urban, Shaboozy, Ella Langley, Luke Bryan, Tim McGraw, Jason Aldean, Gretchen Wilson
CMA Fest is in its 53rd year and is considered the longest-running country music festival in the world. It takes place in Nashville, the unofficial capital of the genre. Single-day and four-day tickets are still available. The festival will later be televised as a three-hour special, "CMA Fest presented by SoFi," on ABC on June 25.
The Governors Ball
- When: June 5–7
- Where: Flushing Meadows Corona Park, Queens, New York
- Members: Lorde, Katseye, A$AP Rocky, Geese, Jennie, Baby Keem, Stray Kids, Blood Orange, Kali Uchis, Wet Leg, Japanese Breakfast
Since its inception in 2011 on Governors Island, the festival has moved to several locations, and is now in its fourth year at Flushing Meadows. Organizers call it "New York City's premier party, featuring over 60 of the world's best artists." This year's headliners are truly impressive, and a limited number of tickets are still on sale.
Bonnaroo Music & Arts Festival
- When: June 11–14
- Where: Great Stage Park, Manchester, Tennessee
- Members: Skrillex, The Strokes, Rüfüs Du Sol, Teddy Swims, Noah Kahan, Role Model, Kesha, Turnstile, Yungblud, Griz, The Neighborhood
The festival takes place on a 700-acre farm approximately 70 miles southeast of Nashville. Bonnaroo, often referred to simply as Roo, is known not only for its artists but also for its unique atmosphere of community, thanks in large part to the on-site camping. Tickets for all categories are still available, starting at $174 for a single day, but prices will increase soon.
Summerfest
- When: June 18–20, June 25–27, July 2–4
- Where: Henry Maier Festival Park, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
- Members: Garth Brooks, Post Malone, Ed Sheeran, Cody Johnson, Louis Tomlinson, The Roots, Alex Warren, Jelly Roll, Muse, Noah Cyrus, All Time Low, The Academy Is.., Flo Rida, Sean Paul, Carin Leon, Don Toliver, Megan Maroney
The festival spans nine days (three weekends) and features over 600 performers on 12 stages, making it the largest music festival in the world. It features a wide range of genres, from country and pop to R&B and alternative rock. As Pancheri notes, the venue's location on the shores of Lake Michigan makes the festival unique.
Newport Folk Festival
- When: July 24–26
- Where: Fort Adams State Park, Newport, Rhode Island
- Participants: Lauryn Hill, Brandi Carlile, Cat Power, Hayley Williams, Brandon Flowers, Lizzy McAlpine
"The thing about the Newport Folk Festival is that you never know who might pop up on stage," says Jay Sweet of the festival, which has been running since 1959. The waterfront venue creates an intimate atmosphere. Tickets sold out immediately back in February, and organizers advise against dealing with scalpers and instead signing up for a waitlist through the DICE platform.
Next week, the same venue will host Newport Jazz, a festival founded in 1954. This season, it runs from July 31 to August 2, and features Herbie Hancock, Leon Thomas, Gary Clark Jr., Jon Batiste, Flea, and Kamasi Washington. According to Sweet, Newport Jazz retains the same atmosphere and spirit of discovery.
Lollapalooza
- When: July 30 to August 2
- Where: Grant Park, Chicago, Illinois
- Members: Lorde, John Summit, Charli XCX, Smashing Pumpkins, Olivia Dean, Jennie, Tate McRae, The XX, Sombr, Wet Leg, 5 Seconds of Summer, Lil Uzi Vert, Zara Larsson, Suki Waterhouse, The Chainsmokers
Lollapalooza was founded in 1991 by Perry Farrell of Jane's Addiction as the band's farewell tour, though the group has since returned to the stage several times. Since 2005, the festival has been held in Grant Park in Chicago, against the backdrop of the city's skyline. Individual single-day tickets are still available, and there's a waiting list for four-day tickets. According to the Illinois Tourism Office, the festival attracts visitors from around the world and often serves as a jumping-off point for exploring the region.
Outside Lands Music Festival
- When: from 7 to 9 August
- Where: Golden Gate Park, San Francisco, California
- Members: Charli XCX, Turnstile, The Strokes, The XX, Rüfüs Du Sol, Baby Keem, Empire of the Sun, Death Cab for Cutie, Labrinth, Griztronics, Dijon, Djo
Interest in this festival in the San Francisco Bay Area has grown significantly: according to Expedia, accommodation bookings are up 295% compared to last year. The festival has been held since 2008 among the eucalyptus groves on the west side of Golden Gate Park. Come hungry—local breweries and wineries always sell food and drinks. However, it's a good idea to pack warm clothing, as the evenings can get chilly.
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Shaky Knees Music Festival
- When: September 18–20
- Where: Piedmont Park, Atlanta, Georgia
- Members: The Strokes, Twenty One Pilots, Gorillaz, LCD Soundsystem, Wu-Tang Clan, Pierce the Veil, Turnstile, Fontaines DC, Geese, The Prodigy, Pavement, Jimmy Eat World, Taking Back Sunday, Modest Mouse, Bone Thugs-n-Harmony, Ok Go
This festival debuted in Atlanta as a venue for indie and rock music. Last year, it moved to Piedmont Park, near the Atlanta Beltline. This year, over 60 artists will perform in late summer, with tickets available for purchase in installments. The food deserves special mention: the grounds traditionally feature food trucks serving local cuisine, from Southern barbecue to vegan corn dogs.
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