Summer is music festival season. Every year, all across the United States of America, there are countless festivals that blend together sun, camping, and some of the most incredible artists in the world.
Every year, people from all over the globe flock to these festivals for the time of their lives. With so many choices out there, it can be difficult to work out which is the best one to spend your money on.
So, let’s say you’re wondering what the best music festival is for you to attend this summer—how can you know the right one to pick?
Is there a way you can be sure that you’re getting the most out of the ticket price? If you’re wondering about this, then you’ve arrived at the right article!
In the section below, we’re going to give you a list of the 10 best music festivals in the USA that you can go to this summer!
We’ve also included a short Frequently Asked Questions section to answer any burning questions you may be wondering about at the end.
Coachella is one of the most popular music festivals in the United States of America. Coachella always has an incredible line-up with some of the most celebrated artists each year it is put on.
More than this, Coachella performances are often legendary, with artists all vying to be the talk of the nation with incredible stage shows.
It can be difficult and expensive to get tickets, but we’d recommend Coachella above all others if you’re into the cutting edge of American music.
Looking for something a little more alternative? If this sounds like you, then perhaps Lollapalooza is the right festival for you.
It’s another one of the most famous music festivals in the United States, but it differs from Coachella in that it has a better spread of music genres.
For example, in 2022, Lollapalooza featured main stage performances from bands Metallica and Greenday, but also performances from more modern artists such as J.Cole and Doja Cat.
Pitchfork Media have been one of the most impressive media voices in music for the last 20 years. We’d recommend checking out their festival for a line-up that’s just to the side of what’s mainstream.
In 2022 Pitchfork Music Festival saw performances from The National, Earl Sweatshirt, and Parquet Courts.
It’s a much more chill festival than the behemoth that is Coachella, and we’d recommend it for anyone who loves music and wants to see some of the best that underground has to offer.
South By South West has grown in popularity over the course of the last few years. It’s a great choice to look at some of the most important emerging artists in their respective genres.
We’d recommend checking out South By South West if you’re a huge fan of music and want to discover new artists as you enjoy the festivities.
In 2022 there were performances by Self Esteem, Sunflower, Shamir, and Circuit Des Yeux.
If you’re looking for a quirky festival with some impressive music and food, the you should check out the Governors Ball.
They typically create line-ups with some of the most mainstream artists you can think of. For example, their 2022 line-up saw a combination of performances from Playboi Carti, Migos, Jack Harlow and Kid Cudi.
You should check out The Governors Ball Music Festival if you’re looking for a good time in the big city.
Chances are, when you think of North American music festivals, you think about Burning Man.
This festival is as notorious as it is expensive, and it’s an incredible experience that has blown the collective minds of global citizens ever since it was first opened in 1986.
Burning man doesn’t have a line-up in the same way other festivals do, and instead prefers to create unique music and art pieces for attendees to enjoy.
Burning man is in August in the Black Rock Desert, Nevada, so you’re going to want to make sure you prepare accordingly after you purchase your tickets.
Bonnaroo has branched out in recent years. What was once a festival that revolved around the genres of folk rock and colorful jam bands, is now a more eclectic celebration of music. You should check out this festival if you love all different kinds of music.
In 2022, you could see go and see folk music like Flume and intense hip-hop like 21 Savage on the very same day!
Rolling Loud is an important festival to go to if you love all things hip-hop. Whether it’s alternative, mainstream, or experimental, you’re going to want to go to Rolling Loud to experience a huge range of different genres and voices from across the United States of America.
There are different versions of Rolling Loud across the world, but its the one in Miami that acts as the crowning jewel of the enterprise each year.
If you like the idea of spending some of your summer in San Francisco, then Outside Lands might be the one for you!
Outside land offers a huge mix of different genres, as well as some of the most impressive food and drink offers you’re likely to find all summer.
It’s a great choice for lots of different people who enjoy a variety of music, so this is a good one if you have a group of friends with varied tastes!
Do you like EDM? If this is the case, then the Electric Daisy Carnival might be the place for you. It takes place in Las Vegas, Nevada, and offers some of the most important names from the year in EDM.
It’s a wild place to go, with weird decorations and amazing carnival rides that make the whole thing feel like an otherworldly experience. We’d recommend this one if you love a great atmosphere and intense EDM music of all kinds.
Final Thoughts
So that was our list of the 10 best summer music festivals for you to consider this year.
Going to a music festival can be an incredible, wild, and freeing experience—but that’s not to say you don’t have to employ a little bit of planning before you head off!
We hope that our guide has given you a good list of the options you have available to you, and that you’re now a lot closer to choosing the perfect festival for you.
If you still have some questions about what to expect at some of these festivals, make sure to check below for our Frequently Asked Questions section, that aims to answer some of the most obvious questions around summer music festivals in the United States of America.
We wish you the best of luck on your festival experience, and hope that you have the time of your life, making memories that will last you forever!
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I Buy Festival Tickets At The Gates?
For the most part, you will need to purchase festival tickets ahead of time. This is for two reasons. The first is that most good music festivals sell out long before the day they open their gates to the public.
The second is that for many modern music festivals, only digital tickets exist.
You’re going to need to make sure you book ahead of time. Showing up on the day is likely going to lead to disappointment. If you want to get last minute tickets, the best way might be trying to find someone who is looking to sell their own.
Why Is Coachella Famous?
The reason why Coachella Festival has skyrocketed in popularity over the course of the last 10 years, is because of the kind of artists it is able to get to perform.
Some of the most impressive modern artists have played there over the course of the last 10 years.
Coachella has become a hotspot for some of the most established and emerging hip-hop artists in the world. From 2013 to 2015 it broke records for festival profit.
How Much Are Festival Tickets?
The price of festival tickets can vary wildly depending on how long you plan on going for and the kind of festival it is.
Almost all summer festivals will feature multiple tiers of tickets that will offer you access to different facilities.
You can also buy singular day passes that allow you access for one select day and are often a lot cheaper than a weekend pass.
We’d recommend working out what artists and events you want to see before committing to a ticket plan.
What Do People Do At Lollapalooza?
Lollapalooza is Chicago’s biggest event of the year. It can be difficult to get tickets, but once you do you can expect some incredible events.
It has a great summer atmosphere, incredible scenic views of the Chicago cityscape, and some of the most important artists in all of music performing.
Lollapalooza is a place where people go to socialize, enjoy the weather, and connect with some of the most cutting-edge music of that year.
We would recommend trying to get Lollapalooza tickets early, as it is an extremely popular event that tends to sell out quickly.
Hi, my name is Alex Kallen and I love to travel. Ever since I could afford the ticket, I hopped on a plane and never looked back. I’ve made a living writing travel guides and blogging my experience all over the world.
I want to encourage and inspire others to travel around the US like I am. There’s no need to go on vacation overseas when there is an amazing land of opportunity right on your doorstep. Enjoy my website, I hope to see you out here one day.
