A Guide To Some Of The World's Best Festivals
Spring is here! And the weather is getting warmer... and that means celebrating with your favorite humans by dancing, drinking, and eating your way through some of the world's greatest festivals.
We put together a list of our favorite music festivals by location and date. And we even added a few extra curricular festivals for those of you that enjoy festivals outside of music.
So if you like music, eating, drinking, ferris wheels, light shows, art installations, face painting, camping, nature, star filled night skies, howling at the moon, epic views, far off places, new cities, old cities, familiar cities, new friends, old friends, fire swallowing, sword swallowing, magic shows, hot air balloon rides, parades, silent discos, farmer's markets, local arts and crafts, lawn games, tailgating, performance art, contests, raffles, yoga, acro-yoga, self exploration, burlesque, glitter, sequins and showcasing your personal style, then we have a festival for you!
FESTIVALS IN CALIFORNIA
Coachella
April 12–14 and 19-21, 2024 Indio, California. This year's line up is a MUST SEE! Lana Del Rey, Doja Cat, Ice Spice, Tyler, the Creator, Deftones, No Doubt and dozens and dozens more will be performing at The Empire Polo Club in the Indio desert. https://www.coachella.com/
Stagecoach Festival
April 26-28, 2024 Indio, California. Coachella's country cousin, is featuring Post Malone, Willie Nelson, Luke Grimes, Leon Bridges, Wiz Khalifa, Brandy Cyrus, Elle King, Nickleback, just to name a few. This years line up is SO good, that we recommend spending all of April in Indio. Start with Coachella and stay through Stagecoach. Just don't tell your boss that we suggested you do that. Even though we think that you really REALLY should do that. https://www.stagecoachfestival.com/
Lightning In A Bottle
May 22-27, 2024 Memorial Day Weekend Buena Vista Lake, California. Featuring M.I.A., Fayboy Slim, James Blake, Labrinth, Skrillex and so many more. Besides the amazing line up, they feature boutique camping. Choose from canvas tents to bell tents to airstreams, all strategically placed by the lake for prime festival activities. Check out their immersive art experiences, yoga, community centers, group meditations and marketplace. They strive to promote sustainability, social cohesion, and creative expression. Sounds like a perfect way to spend a weekend to me. https://www.libfestival.org/
LA Pride
San Francisco Pride
June 29-30, 2024 San Francisco, California. One of the other largest LGBTQIA+ pride celebrations in the world, San Francisco Pride features their own vibrant parade, live performances, tons of parties, and community events celebrating diversity and equality. Attend LA's pride and then gas your car up for a roadtrip North to SF! https://sfpride.org/
HARD Summer Music Festival
August 3-4, 2024 Inglewood, California. This year's festival will take place at Hollywood Park, adjacent to SoFi Stadium. HARD Summer is an electronic dance music (EDM) festival and features top DJs and electronic artists across multiple stages like Disclosure, Zeds Dead, Nelly Furtado, Major Lazer, REZZMAU5, and Sofi Tukker just to name a few. https://www.hardsummer.com/
Outside Lands Music and Arts Festival
August 9-11, 2024 San Francisco, California. Located in San Francisco's Golden Gate Park, Outside Lands offers a mix of music, food, art, and comedy, making it one of California's leading summer festivals. https://sfoutsidelands.com/
Monterey Jazz Festival
September 27-29, 2024 Monterey, California. This legendary jazz festival showcases top jazz performers from around the world like Samara Joy, Mavis Staples, Jason Moran & The Bandwagon, along with student performances, workshops, and so much more. https://montereyjazzfestival.org/
Escape Psycho Circus
October 25-26, 2024 San Bernardino, California. Hey Angelenos! This October head out to the NOS Events Center in San Berdnardino and be prepared to get your socks scared off you by attending this Halloween-themed EDM festival hosted by Insomniac. Stay tuned for the artist line-up announcement. https://escapehalloween.com/
Tribal Gatherings and Powwows
Various Dates California is home to several Native American tribes, and many of these tribes host gatherings and powwows throughout the year in celebration of their culture, traditions, and heritage. Check this website for upcoming festivals and celebrations across California. https://www.visitcalifornia.com/experience/pow-wows-california/
FESTIVALS IN THE US
Afropunk Festival
Usually it's the last weekend in August. Brooklyn, New York. This iconic annual arts festival features music, film, fashion, and art produced by alternative black artists. Usually held at Commodore Barry Park, but be sure to check their website for up to date info, including dates and artists. https://afropunk.com/
Jazz & Heritage Festival
April 25–May 5, 2024 New Orleans, Louisiana. Since 1970, this jazz festival has been one of the country's longest-running music festivals with some of the most incredible musicians in the world like Foo Fighters, The Rolling Stones, Bonnie Raitt, Neil Young, Earth, Wind, & Fire, Hozier, John Batiste, The Killers and many more. https://www.nojazzfest.com/
Levitation aka Austin Psych Fest
April 26-28, 2024 Austin, Texas. Enjoy a three days outdoors listening to some of the greatest music beneath the stars and beautiful trees. https://levitation.fm/pages/austin-psych-fest
Shaky Knees
May 3-5, 2024 Atlanta, Georgia. Head South this May and check out Noah Kahan, Foo Fighters, QOTSA, Weezer, Billy Idol, Interpol, The Offspring and many more. https://www.shakykneesfestival.com/
Electric Daisy Carnival
May 17-19, 2024 Las Vegas, Nevada. Most commonly known as EDC, this annual festival is the largest electronic dance festival in North America and is featuring over 240 artists this year! Join David Guetta, Zedd, Peggy Gou, Alison Wonderland, Kaskade, John Summit, Dom Dolla, and Kaskade at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway. https://lasvegas.electricdaisycarnival.com/
Hangout Music Festival
May 17-19, 2024 Gulf Shores, Alabama. This year's line- up is incredible with artists like Lana Del Rey, Odesza, The Chainsmokers, Zack Bryan and many more. https://www.hangoutmusicfest.com/
Boston Calling Music Festival
May 24-26, 2024 Boston, Massachusetts. The Harvard Athletic Complex is about ready to witness some top notch musicians like Ed Sheeran, Leon Bridges, Megan Thee Stallion, Hozier, Tyler Childers and dozens more. https://www.bostoncalling.com/
BottleRock
May 24-26, 2024 Napa Valley, California. Stevie Nicks, Pearl Jam, Queens of The Stone Age, Norah Jones, My Morning Jacket, do you want me to keep going? Cuz I can. Nelly, Ed Sheeran, St. Vincent, T-Pain, Miike Snow, Bebe Rexha, The Offspring, Dominic Fike and on and on and on... https://www.bottlerocknapavalley.com/
Movement Electronic Music Festival
May 25-27, 2024 Detroit, Michigan. The birthplace of Techno, has hosted this Movement Electronic Music Festival every Memorial Day weekend since 2006. Check out Richie Hawtin, Fatboy Slim, DJ Solomun, as they join Detroit locals including Carl Craig, DJ Godfather, Waajeed, and others. https://movementfestival.com/
Burlesque Hall of Fame Weekender
June 6-9th 2024 Las Vegas, Nevada. And if you feel like taking a break from music and want to watch a some great Burlesque shows, The Burlesque Hall of Fame weekend is gonna be full of top notch talent and lots of workshops to try out some of your own moves. https://bhofweekend.com/
CMA Fest
June 6-9, 2024 Nashville, Tennessee. Join Abby Anderson, Abbey Cone, Alana Springsteen, Alex Lambert, Angel White, Keith Urban, Shaboozey, The War and Treaty, and dozens and dozens more. https://cmafest.com/
Governors Ball
June 7-9, 2024 NYC, New York. Post Malone, The Killers, SZA, 21 Savage, Carly Rae Jepsen, Peso Pluma will be playing their best at Flushing Meadows Corona Park. https://www.governorsballmusicfestival.com/
Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival
June 13-16, 2024 Manchester, Tennessee. Check out Red Hot Chili Peppers, Pretty Lights, Fisher, Fred Again and tons more play at Great Stage Park on a 700 acre farm. Sounds like a divine setting for great music, great friends, and great food. Yes please. https://www.bonnaroo.com/
Electric Forest
June 20-23, 2024 Rothbury, Michigan. Ludacris, The Disco Bisquits, Black Tiger Sex Machine, John Summit and others will be playing at this magical four day festival in the forest. Camp amongst the large trees and stars and take in your favorite musicians. https://www.electricforest.com/
Summerfest
June 20-22, June 27-29, July 4-6, 2024 Milwaukee, Wisconsin. This year, Motley Crue, Kane Brown, Maroon 5, Rico Nasty, Lil Yachty are just a few of the great acts heading to the Midwest this summer. https://www.summerfest.com/lineup/
ESSENCE
July 4-7th, 2024 New Orleans, Louisiana. Head south this Fourth of July to celebrate the 30th Birthday of this festival and partake in all the events that they have to offer. https://www.essence.com/festival2024/
Pitchfork Music Festival
July 19-24, 2024 Chicago, Illinois. Alanis Morissette. Do I really have to say anything else? But if you insist, I will. Jessie Ware. Grandmaster Flash. Brittany Howard. Muna. And more. https://pitchforkmusicfestival.com/
Lollapalooza Chicago
August 1-4, 2024 Chicago, Illinois. Tyler, The Creator, Blink- 182, Hozier, Melanie Martinez, Stray Kids will be at Grant Park this Leo season. Will you? https://www.lollapalooza.com/
The Watershed Country Music Festival
August 2-4, 2024 George, Washington. Head to the gorgeous Pacific Northwest for an unforgettable camping trip and while you're there, check out Luke Bryan, Old Dominion, Hardy, Terry Clark, and The Cadillac Three to name a few. https://watershedfest.com/
Burning Man
August 25 - September 2, 2024 Black Rock City, Nevada. As quoted on their website; "Once a year, tens of thousands of people gather in Nevada’s Black Rock Desert to create Black Rock City, a temporary metropolis dedicated to community, art, self-expression, and self-reliance. In this crucible of creativity, all are welcome." If you've been lucky enough to attend this epic festival, you know exactly what they're talking about. https://burningman.org/event/
Life Is Beautiful Festival
September 20-22, 2024 Las Vegas, Nevada. Stay tuned for the artist line-up. https://www.musicfestivalwizard.com/festivals/life-is-beautiful-festival-2024/
Riot Fest
September 20-22, 2024 Chicago, Illinois. Keep checking their website for line-up info. https://riotfest.org/
Austin City Limits Music Festival
Oct 4-6 & 11-13, 2024 Austin, Texas. Keep checking their website for line-up info. https://www.aclfestival.com/
INTERNATIONAL FESTIVALS
Vancouver Burlesque Festival
April 2-7th 2024 Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. Check out some great burlesque acts in beautiful British Columbia. https://www.showpass.com/o/vancouver-international-burlesque-festival/
Slamdunk Music Festival
May 25-26, 2024 Temple Newsam Park in Leeds/Hatfield, UK. Head to England to see The Great American Rejects, Boys Like Girls, We The Kings, The Wonder Years and many more. https://www.slamdunkfestival.com/
Download Music Festival
June 14-16 2024 Donington Park, Leicestershire, England. They just announced their headliners- Queens Of The Stone Age, Fall Out Boy and Avenged Sevenfold, as well as over 80 more huge names. https://downloadfestival.co.uk/
Glastonbury Festival
Jun 26 – 30, 2024 Somerset, England. This year's festival is already sold out, but check their website at a chance to win one 20 pairs of tickets in a raffle to raise emergency funds to support people affected by conflict. https://www.glastonburyfestivals.co.uk/
Outbreak Music Festival
June 28- 30 2024 Manchester, United Kingdom. Action Bronson, Have Heart, Basement, American Football, and Flatbush Zombies are just a few of the killer acts at this year's festival. https://www.outbreak-fest.co.uk/
Reggae Sumfest in Jamaica
July 14-20, 2024 Montego Bay, Jamaica. Even you've never been to Jamaica, Sumfest is the perfect excuse to get there. This year's line up includes Babyface, Beres Hammond, Nigy Boy, Jada Kingdom, and Aidonia. https://www.reggaesumfest.com/
Tomorrowland
July 19-21 2024 and July 26-28 2024 Belgium, Netherlands. Known for its elaborate stage designs and immersive experiences, Tomorrowland is one of the world's largest and most famous electronic dance music festivals. Recently, they have expanded its brand with events such as Tomorrowland Winter (held in the French Alps during Winter) and Tomorrowland Around the World (a digital music festival experience). https://www.tomorrowland.com/home/
Edinburgh Festival Fringe
August 2-26, 2024 Edinburgh, Scotland. And because I'm a theatre geek, I just had to include this festival. There is something here for literally EVERYONE. https://www.edfringe.com/
Oktoberfest
September 21 to October 6, 2024 Munich, Germany. When I was in college, I went and it was A BLAST! https://www.muenchen.de/en/events/oktoberfest
Montreal Burlesque Festival
October 18-19 2024 Montreal, Canada. Can you ever have too much Burlesque? I don't think so. https://montrealburlesquefestival.com/
Carnival
A bucket list MUST for any one of these following Carnivals.
Barbados Crop Over Festival
August 1- 6 2024 Barbados. The best in Barbadian music, cuisine, culture and much more. https://www.carnivalinfo.com/category/barbados-crop-over
Carnival Italy
February 22- March 4, 2025 Venice, Italy. We missed this year, but get in early for 2025! https://www.visit-venice-italy.com/carnival-venice-italy.htm
Carnival Brazil
February 28-March 5, 2025 Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Another one that we will have to wait until 2025 to attend! In the meantime, add this website to your bookmarks and let the countdown begin! https://www.riocarnaval.org
And if you feel like reading some more, I wrote a few other blogs on some fun festivals this year, Your Guide To This Year's Top Pride Festivals, Your Guide To This Year's Electric Forest Music Festival, Your Festival Guide To Electric Daisy Carnival, and Your Festival Guide To Lightening In A Bottle
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