The Best Music Festivals in America

Festival season’s just around the corner, so it’s time you started to get some plans together. You need to find yourself a tent, a bag big enough for cans, clothes, and maybe a tin or two of beans, you need to start saving, dig the sleeping bag out of the loft and… y’know, actually decide which festival you’ll be heading to. 

If you’re here, you’re probably thinking about heading to America to check out what their festivals are like. Or you’re just nosy. Either way, we want to help you. As you know, America’s pretty massive, so it’s overflowing with festivals, which can make it tricky to narrow down your list. So let us help you get the wheels in motion. 

Get comfy because we’re about to tell you all about the best music festivals in America...

 

Rolling Loud 

When: CL - Friday 3rd - Sunday 5th March 2023 / FL -  / NY -Firday 21st - Sunday 23rd July TBA 2023

Where: Inglewood in California / Miami in Florida / Queens in New York 

2023 lineup for California: Playboi Carti, Travis Scott, Future, Saweetie, City Girls, Lil Uzi Vert, and many more 

Rolling Loud is the biggest, wildest hip hop festival in the world, regularly featuring the hottest, most in-demand artists on the scene right now. The festival, with its growing fanbase, has locations in Florida, New York, California, Toronto, and even Portugal. 

We're still waiting for lineup announcements for Florida and New York, but the California bill is looking insane with huge names accompanied by up-and-comers such as Central Cee, Rubi Rose, Gloss Up, and many more. Other acts you can look forward to at the California edition include Soulja Boy, Blueface, 2 Chainz, and Ski Mask The Slump God. The lineups simply never miss. 

 

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Boston Calling Music Festival

Photo: Boston Calling Music Festival / Facebook.com 

When: Friday 26th - Sunday 28th May 2023

Where: Harvard Athletic Complex in Boston, Massachusetts 

2023 lineup: Foo Fighters, The Lumineers, Paramore, Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Queens Of The Stone Age, Alanis Morissette, and many more

If guitar music is more your vibe, Boston Calling might be worth checking out. With three massive headliners, each pioneers of their genre, Boston Calling 2023 will no doubt be a top weekend. While Boston Calling’s lineups clearly lean more towards guitar music, you can also find hip hop, metal, indie, and alternative genres dotted around the lineup.

All about the good times, the festival also has funfair rides, including a 100ft Ferris wheel, art installations, comedians, giant versions of your favourite games, and “the best food in Boston”. Sounds like the recipe for a great weekend!

 

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Electric Zoo

Photo: Electric Zoo / Facebook.com 

When: Friday 1st - Sunday 3rd September 2023 

Where: Randall's Island Park in New York City, New York

2023 lineup: TBA 

New York’s biggest rave lands in Randall’s Island Park each year for a massive celebration of house, techno, dubstep, and EDM. As with many EDM festivals, you can count on Electric Zoo to deliver wild light shows, over the top stage design, and plenty of flames and fireworks. 2019’s edition even had giant cyborg monkey puppets and a stage with an elephant head attached.

Sadly, we don’t have any confirmed artists yet, but to give you an idea of what to expect, previous years have seen Tiesto, Alison Wonderland, The Chemical Brothers, Above & Beyond, Nervo, Steve Aoki, Armin van Buuren, and CamelPhat take to the stage. 

 

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Riot Fest

When: Friday 15th - Sunday 17th September 2023

Where: Douglas Park in Chicago, Illinois

2023 lineup: TBA

Riot Fest always comes through with unique, impressive lineups. It’s also known for reuniting bands, including Bikini Kill, Slayer, and Misfits. While we don't have a lineup yet, 2022 saw My Chem, Misfits, and Nine Inch Nails headline, with Bob Vylan, Ice Cube, Boston Manor, Coolio, and Jimmy Eat World. So you know you'll get a mixed bag of solid artists in 2023.  

Mixing rock, punk, alt. rock, metal and hip hop, the festival keeps its lineups diverse, engaging, and powerful. But the festivities go beyond music. You can also find funfair rides, sideshow performers, such as chainsaw jugglers, and maybe even a butter sculpture. 

 

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Lollapalooza

Photo: Lollapalooza / Facebook.com 

When: Thursday 3rd - Sunday 6th August 2023 

Where: Grant Park in Chicago, Illinois

2023 lineup: TBA

Another massive fest with multiple locations due to its popularity, Lollapalooza is a bucket list fest for sure. Prioritising great music over certain genres, Lolla’s lineups include mostly mainstream names, including those from hip hop, pop, rock, electronic, RnB, and beyond. 

With around 385,000 attendees in 2021, Lolla is one of the world's biggest festivals, and it’s no surprise it attracts so many music fans when the lineups never miss. Having had Foo Fighters, Miley Cyrus, Tyler, the Creator, CHVRCHES, The Strokes, Bring Me The Horizon, Tame Impala, Janelle Monae, and other outstanding artists in recent years, we’re eager to see the lineup for 2023. 

 

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South By Southwest (SXSW)

When: Friday 10th - Sunday 19th March 2023 

Where: Austin, Texas

2023 lineup: The Zombies, Osees, Armani White, Son Rompe Pera, Max Cooper, Calle 13's iLe, Ambre, Be Your Own Pet, English Teacher, Obongjayar, and many more

SXSW is a bit different to your typical music festival. While live music can be enjoyed from the 13th of March, there are also conferences, exhibitions, speakers, film, and comedy that stretches the festival from the 10th to the 19th.

Music genres range from experimental, classical, country, bluegrass, electronic, jazz, Latin, metal, pop, funk, blues, folk, hip hop - pretty much every genre you could imagine. This year, attendees can sit in talks by keynote speakers from NASA, "Accelerating the Science of Cannabis", and "The Future of Psychedelics: Culture VS Capitalism", to name a few. There are also new screenings to watch, the comedy festival, and art installations to be wowed by. This is one for the artsy types. 

 

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Coachella

When: Friday 14th - Sunday 16th & Friday 21st - Sunday 23rd April 2023 

Where: Empire Polo Field in Indio, California

2023 lineup: Bad Bunny, BLACKPINK, Frank Ocean, Calvin Harris, and many more 

We bet you were wondering when Coachella would pop up. Well, here it is! You probably don’t need much of an introduction. With dozens of celebrities attending each year, and plenty of them getting in some kind of trouble that gets plastered all over social media, you will have heard of it whether you wanted to or not. 

But there’s a reason so many celebs can’t stay away from it. It's one of the biggest music festivals in America and each year it boasts one of the biggest lineups in popular music. It's known for hosing some of the best live performances of all time including Beychella and Daft Punk changing the game in 2006. Besides the headliners, this years lineup features some vital names to the industry including Bjork, The Chemical Brothers, and Blondie. 

If this desert festival sounds right up your street, stick that flower crown on and get ready for a huge programme packed with countless acts from many, many genres. 

 

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Burning Man Project

Photo: Burning Man Project / Facebook.com 

When: Sunday 27th August - Monday 4th September 2023 

Where: Black Rock Desert in Reno, Nevada

2023 lineup: N/A

The fest with the giant burning effigy has been prominent in pop culture for years now and has been referenced in all sorts, including The Simpsons and American Dad. So much more than a music festival, Burning Man is all about community, self-expression and appreciating art. 

A quick peek at their Instagram instantly reveals the “no boundaries” vibe. You can see stunning, intricate art pieces, mutant vehicles, trippy patterns, and a whole lot of dust in the air. If you plan on going, a balaclava over your mouth and nose might be a good idea. At Burning Man, there is no fixed lineup or schedule. But you can hear psychedelic inspired genres, soul, jazz, hip hop, and electronic music. 

We could go on for days about Burning Man as it’s so interesting with so much history and symbolism, but we have to move on… 

 

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Austin City Limits

When: Friday 6th - Sunday 8th October & Friday 13th - Sunday 15th October 2023 

Where: Zilker Park in Austin, Texas

2023 lineup: TBA

Another one of America's biggest festivals, ACL takes place across two weekends with performances over eight stages. With out-of-this-world lineups, ACL almost always sells out. In fact, the festival sold out in record time for its 20th anniversary in 2021. It seems the Texan festival is just getting started.

We’re on the edge of our seats waiting for 2023’s lineup. How could we not be when past editions included Billie Eilish, Erykah Badu, Megan Thee Stallion, Doja Cat, Duran Duran, Guns N' Roses, The Cure, Tame Impala, Cardi B, Metallica, The xx, and Martin Garrix? All of those huge talents were spread across just four years. Madness. 

 

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New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival

When: Friday 28th April - Sunday 7th May 2023  

Where: Fair Grounds Race Course in New Orleans, Louisiana

2023 lineup: Lizzo, Dead & Company, Mumford & Sons, The Lumineers, Santana, Jon Batiste, Jill Scott, Ed Sheeran, and many more 

Although it’s strayed from its name to include almost every genre under the sun, New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival still honours and features jazz music on its lineups and attracts music fans from all over the world. 

Welcoming around half a million people each year, the festival, now over 50 years old, has undeniable influence as one of the biggest, longest-running, and most relevant festivals of modern times. Simply put, this festival is one of the undisputed champions and will go down in history as such. Therefore, it’s no shock that the biggest, best acts are happy to grace the main stage year after year. 

 

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Stagecoach Festival 

Photo: Stagecoach Festival / Facebook.com 

When: Friday 28th April - Sunday 30th April 2023 

Where: Empire Polo Club in Indio, California 

2023 lineup: Luke Bryan, Chris Stapleton, Kane Brown, ZZ Top, Bryan Adams, and many more 

Stagecoach Festival is America’s, maybe even the world’s, biggest, most well-known country music festival. Celebrating all things country, as well as bluegrass, folk, rockabilly, and fusion genres such as country blues, the fest has more than live music from the best in the scene. 

Tuck into some delicious barbecued food from Guy Fieri's Stagecoach Smokehouse. Or check out Diplo on the decks in the evening. The Compton Cowboys will be at this year's edition with their horses, ready to share their story. And you can pop in the Honkytonk Dance Hall to meet new people and enjoy some line dancing. Yeehaw! 

 

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The Governors Ball

Photo: The Governors Ball Music Festival / Facebook.com 

When: Friday 9th - Sunday 11th June 2023

Where: Flushing Meadows Corona Park in Queens, New York 

2023 lineup: Lizzo, Kendrik Lamar, Odesza, Lil Nas X, Rina Sawayama, Lil Uzi Vert, and many more 

Gov Ball is quite the experience. An experience of food, music, art, people, togetherness and good times, a vibe they capture in the mantra, “you’re doing great”. This year, the fest has a new home with tall, lush trees, fields, and lots of shade for breaks after dancing under the sun. As with many major festivals, the lineups for Gov Ball are always impressive, so let us shine a light on a different aspect of the festival…

If you're going to Governors Ball, go on an empty stomach. The food and beverage list is longer than your arm and includes treats from some of NYC’s top restaurants. We're talking burgers, pizza, sweet treats, Asian food, and… Actually, we’ll stop. It’s making us hungry. 

 

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Electric Daisy Carnival 

Photo: Electric Daisy Carnival (EDC) / Facebook.com 

When: Friday 19th - Sunday 21st May 2023

Where: Las Vegas Motor Speedway in Las Vegas, Nevada

2023 lineup: TBA 

If you’re looking for an excuse to splash out on a few new rave outfits, here it is. EDC is one of the biggest electronic music festivals in the world, and the biggest in North America, that celebrates EDM, house, techno, hip hop, hardstyles and more.

EDC won Festival of the Year at the Electronic Music Awards in 2017, likely thanks to the otherworldly experience it provides with wild, ethereal light shows, pyro, unique stages, as well as over a dozen funfair rides, and a couple of Ferris wheels. We're currently waiting on EDC's lineup but believe us when we say it'll be huge. 2022 featured Charlotte de Witte, Armin van Buuren, DJ Snake, Eric Prydz, Adam Beyer, Richie Hawtin and other massive names with lesser-known acts also performing. 

Expect an equally dazzling lineup for 2023.  

 

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Ultra Music Festival

Photo: Ultra Music Festival / Facebook.com 

When: Friday 24th - Sunday 26th March 2023 

Where: Bayfront Park in Miami, Florida

2023 lineup: Carl Cox, Martin Garrix, Charlotte de Witte, David Guetta, Timmy Trumpet, Armin van Buuren, Eric Prydz, Camelphat, Tiesto, M.I.A, Adam Beyer, Grimes, and many more

We’ll give you a second to absorb that earth-shatteringly massive lineup. We mean really… wow. And that's only a tiny amount of the lineup. If that didn’t convince you, we don’t know what will. But we’ll tell you a bit more about it anyway. Ultra is (clearly) one of the biggest electronic music festivals that (unsurprisingly) attracts thousands from all corners of the globe. 

Known for monstrous lineups and a mad party atmosphere, Ultra is the perfect festival for any party-loving electronic music fan. With such an unbeatable vibe and a heavyweight lineup, the fest has spread beyond the states and has landed in Mexico, Croatia, Columbia, South Korea, South Africa, Singapore, and Brazil, too. Head over for a wild, multi-genre rave you'll never forget.

 

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III Points

Photo: III Points / Facebook.com 

When: TBA 

Where: Miami, Florida

2023 lineup: TBA

Miami’s art, tech and music festival, III Points, will be back in 2023 with phenomenal stage designs, the hottest artists in hip hop, electronic, and rock, immersive art installations, and more. Sadly, we don’t have a lineup yet, but last year's featured LCD Soundsystem, Black Coffee, Rosalia, Flume, and Fisher, among others, so we're certain the lineup for 2023 will bang.

With so many in-demand and legendary artists covering III Points’ lineup posters, you can’t help but feel the excitement flood through your body. On top of that, the festival itself has been described as feeling like its own little town, creating the perfect environment to escape your troubles and immerse yourself in a world of tunes. 

 

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Life Is Beautiful Music & Arts Festival

Photo: Life is Beautiful Festival / Facebook.com

When: 22nd - 24th September 2023  

Where: Downtown Las Vegas, Nevada

2023 lineup: TBA

Life Is Beautiful is all about the joys that make our lives so colourful. Of course, music is up there as well as art and food. In between watching the hottest artists in the game, you can appreciate murals, exhibits (including recycled ones from Burning Man), light projections, world-class comedy, and you can even stuff your face with some of the best food you'll ever taste. 

2023 is the festivals 10th birthday, so it's possible this year's lineup will be extra special although it always is with Arctic Monkeys, Migos, Lorde, Calvin Harris, and Gorillaz having played last year. 

As if that wasn’t enough, you can also enjoy cocktails by talented mixologists, performances, parades, dance parties, and so much more. If you somehow find yourself bored at Life Is Beautiful, we’ll be impressed. 

 

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Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival

When: Thursday 15th - Sunday 18th June 2023

Where: Manchester, Tennessee

2023 lineup: Foo Fighters, Kendrick Lamar, Odesza, Zeds Dead, Liquid Stranger, Rina Sawayama, Lil Nas X, Paramore, My Morning Jacket, and many more

If a friendly, welcoming vibe is what you’re after, Bonnaroo might be a shout! Boasting an eclectic lineup, party barns, over ten performance stages, over 150 musicians, entertainment to see you through to the AM, yoga, and talks, Bonnaroo prides itself as "the most positive place on this planet."

Known for its 60s, hippy atmosphere, you couldn’t ask for a festival with better vibes. Capturing everything we love about festivals, Bonnaroo will no doubt be a top time and with something on the lineup for just about any music fan, it'll  definitely be a real treat.

 

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Shaky Knees Festival

Photo: Shaky Knees Festival / Facebook.com

When: Friday 5th - Sunday 7th May 2023 

Where: Central Park in Atlanta, Georgia 

2023 lineup: The Killers, The Lumineers, Muse, Yeah Yeah Yeahs, The Flaming Lips, Greta Van Fleet, Hozier, and many more 

Did the other heavier music festivals not do it for you? Perhaps Shaky Knees Festival will. Championing rock and indie, with occasional influences from pop, hip hop, metal, psychedelic, funk, and other genres, Shaky Knees brings the focus back to the music. 

This means there are fewer activities, but who needs extra activities when your favourite bands are smashing it on stage? Fewer activities also sheds a few quid off the ticket price if you’re on a budget. Or, if you fancy, you could upgrade to kick the fest up a notch, check out the backstage artist bar, have better views of the stage, and have an air-conditioned poo (seriously, VIP toilets have AC). 

 

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Outside Lands

Photo: Outside Lands Music Festival / Facebook.com 

When: Friday 11th - Sunday 13th August 2023 

Where: Golden Gate Park in San Francisco, California 

2023 lineup: TBA

Outside Lands is the largest independent music festival in the US and sees around 200,000 music lovers let loose on its grounds every year. If you’re curious about what’s in store for 2023, you’ll have to wait for now. But last year saw Green Day, Post Malone, SZA, Phoebe Bridgers, Kali Uchis, Mitski, Lil Uzi Vert, and Rina Sawayama take to the stage, so you know it’ll be good. 

As the first major US festival to sell cannabis onsite (legally), you’re guaranteed an experience different to what any UK fest currently offers. But if that doesn’t sound like your scene, there’s plenty else to explore, including intimate night shows, art, award-winning dishes, beer, wine, eco-friendly causes, and more. 

 

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Still with us? We know it was a lot, but it needed to be covered. The fact is, there are so many unreal American music festivals. There's something for everyone and a change of scenery is always welcome. 

We hope we put you onto a festival you hadn’t heard of before, helped you decide which one you’re feeling in 2023, or just got you excited for festival season. Now send the screenshot you took of that one festival to the group chat and get some plans sorted! 

 

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Check out our What's On Guide to discover even more rowdy raves and sweaty gigs taking place over the coming weeks and months. For festivals, lifestyle events and more, head on over to our Things To Do page or be inspired by the event selections on our Inspire Me page.

 

 

  

 

 

 Header: Ultra Music Festival / Facebook.com