Must-See Music Festivals in the USA

From coast to coast, music festivals fill the spring and summer with sound. The USA is home to some of the biggest and most iconic music festivals in the world, with events like Coachella and Lollapalooza popping up on many travelers’ bucket lists. Put on your glitteriest outfit and get ready to rock out: Festivals are about showing up as your most authentic self and feeling part of something bigger, where an unknown artist can leave you feeling inspired and a stranger in the crowd might become a friend. Whether you’d like to camp for multiple nights or just enjoy a day of tunes, you’ll find a music festival to match your vibe in the USA.

SXSW

SXSW (pronounced “South by Southwest”) is where music, film and technology collide to leave all of Austin, Texas, pulsing with tunes. The week-long event is spread out across the city, with live performances, film screenings and keynote speeches held in various historic theaters and luxurious hotels as well as the Austin Convention Center. The music portion of the festival hosts major international artists spanning all genres, but it focuses just as much on up-and-coming artists and hidden gems. You might discover your next favorite artist at SXSW.

Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival

Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival in Greater Palm Springs, California, might be the first event that comes to mind when you think of music festivals in the USA, and for good reason. The desert air, pastel skies and mountains rising in the distance make the whole thing feel like something out of a movie. Held at the Empire Polo Club in the town of Indio, usually during the last two weekends in April, Coachella brings together top musical acts on eight main stages. Outside of the music, make time for shopping for rare vinyl in the Record Safari tent, snapping selfies in themed photo booths and riding the Ferris wheel. Coachella is known for its fashionable crowds, so be sure to pack your hippest, glitteriest or most boho-inspired attire.

Lollapalooza

There’s nothing quite like the energy that fills Chicago, Illinois, when Lollapalooza rolls into Grant Park. Originally a rock-focused festival, today this four-day event is known for its genre-spanning lineup. Enjoy views of the Chicago skyline and Lake Michigan as you hop between stages, catch your breath between shows, grab bites from local spots and juice up your phone at a complimentary charging station, before diving back into the action. Even after the main sets wind down, the after shows keep going on the big stages, carrying the night a little further.

Summerfest

In Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Summerfest brings sweet sounds to Henry Maier Festival Park on the shores of Lake Michigan. Unlike other festivals, Summerfest features multi-tiered ticketing options: Purchase budget-friendly general admission tickets to enjoy the daytime acts, or splurge on reserved seating at the evening headliner shows. Beyond the music, you’ll find a range of festival experiences from kayaking to art installations to artisan markets. Wander past rows of handmade jewelry and local goods, or hop on the Sky Glider–a chairlift ride that floats above the grounds for a breezy view of it all.

Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival

There’s a reason festivalgoers return to Bonnaroo year after year–not just for the music, but for the unique community it harbors. Camping on The Farm, the open field in Manchester, Tennessee, where the four-day festival takes place, is a huge part of the Bonnaroo experience. Enjoy colorful sunrises at your tent or RV, then keep the party going all day into early morning with late-night sets that light up the night sky. When it’s time to reset, take part in all-day activities at the campgrounds. You might join a group yoga session, learn how to build terrariums or stroll around photo-worthy art installations that stop you mid-step. Looking to extend your trip? Nashville, and all its live music and good eats, is just over an hour away by car.

Electric Daisy Carnival Las Vegas

Electric Daisy Carnival Las Vegas (often shortened to just EDC) is one of the most popular festivals dedicated solely to electronic dance music, or EDM. World-class performers and DJs light up the Nevada desert for three days each spring, crafting immersive shows with sparkling synthesizers and bass drops that shake the ground. Camping or parking an RV on-site keeps you close to the action for the full multi-day experience. Nearby resorts host pool parties and surprise sets for attendees who prefer more traditional accommodations. As the sun dips low, the sky explodes with the colors of carnival rides glowing in the dark, interactive art installations and DJ sets pulsing long after midnight.