Music is a very important why some people travel. Students in the USA travel to Florida and California every year during Spring Break. Bands such as Guns N’ Roses and Metallica still manage to fill massive sport stadiums despite being well past the years where they were most popular. Below are a list of US festivals that attract thousands of attendees every year just to hear some of the best bands, and DJs, perform live.
When travelling to the USA, make sure that you are using a USA SIM card to effortlessly stay in touch with your loved ones.
Coachella
When anyone mentions a US music festival, Coachella is one of three music festivals that immediately comes to mind. Featuring the best indie artists in the world, Coachella attracts thousands of music lovers over a three-day period to detach themselves from the stress of the real world in the Colorado Desert.
When: Consecutive 3-day weekends in April.
Where: Coachella Valley.
Founded: 1999.
Attendants: 250 000 over the consecutive 3-day weekends.
Music artist line-up (2022): Billie Eilish, The Weeknd, Harry Styles, Swedish House Mafia, Lil Baby, Flume, Megan Thee Stallion, Phoebe Bridgers
Link to video: Coachella 2022 – For Your Precious Love – YouTube
Reason to attend: The main reason to attend Coachella is its artist lineup. Coachella has built a reputation of being one of the biggest music festivals in the world; therefore, performing at Coachella is a big deal.
Tickets: Coachella tickets are available on viagogo.com.
Places to stay: Indian Palms Country Club, Indian Palms Vacation Club, and Royal Plaza Inn.
Restautant’s: the Pueblo Viejo Grill, The Cafe at Shields, and the Tack Room Tavern.
Lollapalooza
One of the longest running US music festivals, Lollapalooza has become rock’s answer to Coachella. Over the years, the festivals organizers have increased the diversity of the music on offer at the festival by including hip hop and electronic dance music (EDM).
When: August 3-6, 2023.
Where: Chicago, Illinois.
Founded: 1991.
Attendants: 400 000 over the 4 day weekend.
Music artist line-up (2022): Metallica, Dua Lipa, J.Cole, Green Day, Doja Cat, MGK, Lil Baby, Kygo.
Link to video: Lollapalooza 2022 Aerial Highlight Reel – YouTube
Reason to attend: with some of the best rock bands in the world trying to get on the artist lineup, what’s not to like about Lollapalooza?
Tickets: lollapalooza.com.
Places to stay: Club Quarters Hotel Central Loop, Congress Plaza Hotel Chicago, Hotel Blake.
Restautant’s: The Chicago Diner Logan Square, The Capital Grille, The Polo Inn Bridgeport.
South by South West
If you are looking for a music festival that has a bit of everything, then South by South West is for you. Bands and movie directors want to get on the artist lineup of this multiplatform festival as it is extremely popular and has been known to launch massive careers.
When: The dates for South by Southwest vary. However, the festival is generally held in March and does coincide with the University of Texas at Austin’s Spring Break and St Patrick’s Day.
Where: Austin, Texas.
Founded: 1987.
Attendants: 28 119 (Music Festival).
Music artist line-up (2022): Big Joanie, Sunflower Bean, Shamir, Circuit Des Yeux, Moor Mother, Wet Leg, Desire, Self Esteem.
Link to video: SXSW 2022 Daily Highlights Volume I | SXSW 2022 – YouTube
Reason to attend: if you want to see bands that have high ambitions, you need to attend South By South West.
Tickets: sxsw.com.
Places to stay: Love Escape, ATX Serenity Retreat, Austin International House.
Restautant’s: Acre 41, Stella San Jac, Smokin’ Oak Wood-fired Pizza & Taproom.
Pitchfork Music Festival
If you are into alternative rock, hip hop, electric dance music and dance music, then the Pitchfork Music Festival is for you. Held annually in Summer, the festival became so popular that it launched an associate festival in Paris, France.
When: three day weekend in July.
Where: Union Park, Chicago, Illinois.
Founded: 2006.
Attendants: 60 000 over the whole weekend.
Music artist line-up (2022): The National, Spiritualized, Parquet Courts, Mitski, Japanese Breakfast, Lucy Dacus, Earl Sweatshirt, The Roots.
Link to video: Pitchfork Music Festival 2022 – YouTube
Reason to attend: if you want to see bands that have high ambitions, you need to attend South By South West.
Tickets: sxsw.com.
Places to stay: Love Escape, ATX Serenity Retreat, Austin International House.
Restautant’s: Acre 41, Stella San Jac, Smokin’ Oak Wood-fired Pizza & Taproom.
Pitchfork Music Festival
If you are into alternative rock, hip hop, electric dance music and dance music, then the Pitchfork Music Festival is for you. Held annually in Summer, the festival became so popular that it launched an associate festival in Paris, France.
When: three day weekend in July.
Where: Union Park, Chicago, Illinois.
Founded: 2006.
Attendants: 60 000 over the whole weekend.
Music artist line-up (2022): The National, Spiritualized, Parquet Courts, Mitski, Japanese Breakfast, Lucy Dacus, Earl Sweatshirt, The Roots.
Link to video: Pitchfork Music Festival 2022 – YouTube
Reason to attend: Summer is always a great time to enjoy the outdoors. There is no better way to achieve this than by attending the Pitchfork Music Festival.
Tickets: pitchforkmusicfestival.com.
Places to stay: Club Quarters Hotel Central Loop, Congress Plaza Hotel Chicago, Hotel Blake.
Restautant’s: The Chicago Diner Logan Square, The Capital Grille, The Polo Inn Bridgeport.
Electric Daisy Carnival Las Vegas
Over the years, dance music has evolved into the one of the biggest genres of music that it is today. Every year, a record number of people attend the Electronic Daisy Carnival in Las Vegas to listen to the worlds top DJs. They also get transported into a another world through elaborate set designs and décor. If you are a fan of dance music and EDM, then this festival is for you.
When: May 19-21, 2023.
Where: Las Vegas, Nevada.
Founded: 1991.
Attendants: 410 000.
Music artist line-up (2023): deadmau5 & Kaskade, Eric Prydz, Charlotte de Witte, Armin van Buuren, Excision, Porter Robinson, Grimes.
Link to video: EDC Las Vegas 2022 – All Are Welcome Here Trailer – YouTube
Reason to attend: If you are into EDM music, you don’t want to miss Electric Daisy Carnival Las Vegas.
Tickets: electricdaisycarnival.com.
Places to stay: Paris Las Vegas Hotel & Casino, Excalibur, Circus Circus Hotel Casino & Theme Park.
Restautant’s: Fresco Italiano, Primal Steakhouse, Triple George Grill.
Austin City Limits Music Festival
Inspired by the KLRU/PBS music series of the same name, the Austin City Limits Music Festival is one of the music festivals in the USA that you need to visit. Its increasing popularity has attracted a-list bands who want to showcase their talents to a younger audience.
When: Two three day weekends, usually in October.
Where: Zilker Park, Austin, Texas.
Founded: 2002.
Attendants: 450 000 over one weekend.
Music artist line-up: P!nk, Red Hot Chili Peppers, The Chicks, SZA, Lil Nas X, Kacey Musgraves, Paramore, Flume.
Link to video: Austin City Limits Music Festival 2022 Get Ready! – YouTube
Reason to attend: the festivals ability to attract a-list bands is a major reason why the festival has become so popular.
Tickets: aclfestival.com.
Places to stay: Love Escape, ATX Serenity Retreat, Austin International House.
Restautant’s: Acre 41, Stella San Jac, Smokin’ Oak Wood-fired Pizza & Taproom.
Ultra Music Festival
Ultra Music Festival is a festival that is purely dedicated to EDM and is one of the primary reasons why EDM music is as big as it is today. The festival has become so popular that it has launched similar Ultra Music Festivals in countries like South Africa, Japan, Croatia and Colombia. Many of the worlds top DJs launched their careers at Ultra Music Festival.
When: Late March.
Where: Bayfront Park Miami.
Founded: 1999.
Attendants: 165 000 over three days.
Music artist line-up: David Guetta, Martin Garrix, Carl Cox, Nina Kraviz, Alison Wonderland, Armin van Buuren, DJ Snake.
Link to video: ULTRA MIAMI 2022 – For The People (Official Aftermovie) – YouTube
Reason to attend: With the worlds top DJs on show, and the Miami coastline to entertain you outside of the festival, do you need any other reasons to attend the Ultra Music Festival?
Tickets: ultramusicfestival.com.
Places to stay: Holiday Inn Hotel Port of Miami-Downtown, Courtyard Miami Downtown Brickell Area, Eurostars Langford.
Restautant’s: Pummarola Midtown, Marabu Restaurant, Peruvian Fusion Cuisine.
The Governers Ball Music Festival
If you are in New York and the sound of car hooters and traffic is getting to much for you, the Governers Ball Music Festival (Gov Ball) is the tonic that you need to become relaxed once more. Featuring a variety of music, Gov Ball is the escape that you are looking for. Held over three days, the festival is well attended and features top bands and DJs.
When: June.
Where: Citi Field, Queens, New York.
Founded: 2011
Attendants: 150 000 over the whole weekend.
Music artist line-up (2022): Kid Cudi, Halsey, J.Cole, Migos, Playboi Carti, Migos, Jack Harlow, Glass Animals.
Link to video: Gov Ball 2022, A Moment – YouTube
Reason to attend: The sheer noise and business of New York life is enough to make you want to unwind. It may as well be to some good music.
Tickets: governorsballmusicfestival.com
Places to stay: the Feather Factory Hotel, Hampton Inn NY, and Hotel 21 NYC.
Restautant’s: the Butcher Bar, Trattoria L’incontro, and Bruno’s Restaurant.
The New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival
When anyone mentions a US music festival, the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival is the first one that springs to mind. Featuring the best of the current Jazz musician line up, it is not surprising that tourists and jazz enthusiasts flock to the birthplace of jazz on an annual basis. Over the years, the festival has started including other music genres in its lineup.
When: April/May.
Where: New Orleans, Louisiana.
Founded: 1962.
Attendants: 475 000 people over seven days.
Music artist line-up (2022): The Who, Stevie Nicks, Foo Fighters, Jimmy Buffet & The Coral Reefer Band, Erykah Badu, Lionel Richie, Willie Nelson, Luke Combs.
Link to video: Highlights from the 2019 New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival
Reason to attend: New Orleans is famous for its party atmosphere. This will only make the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival more fun to attend.
Tickets: nojazzfest.com
Places to stay: JT’s Hidden Gem, New Orleans Cottage, French Quarter Delight 1.
Restautant’s: Olde Nola Cookery, Oceana Grill, and GW Fins.
Burning Man Music Festival
Along with Coachella and the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, Burning Man is one of the first US music festivals that comes to mind when the topic is brought up around the dinner table. Set in the desert, this multiday music festival has become the blueprint that other music festivals follow. Set in the Nevada desert, Burning Man is all about embracing freedom over an increasingly regulated life.
When: Usually August.
Where: Blackrock Desert Nevada.
Founded: June 1986.
Attendants: 78 850 over the whole festival.
Music artist line-up: Burning Man doesn’t have a lineup. Instead, the festival feature music, art and cultural programs put on by its attendees.
Link to video: Burning Man Highlights 2022 – YouTube
Reason to attend: Not only will you find the solitude of the Nevada Desert refreshing, attending one of the quintessential festivals is enough of a reason to book your tickets for the 2023 Burning Man Music Festival.
Tickets: burningman.org.
Places to stay: most attendees camp in the desert
Restautant’s: pack your own food.
Music has the unique ability to bring people from all walks of life together. Attending US festivals not only broadens your horizons but will allow you to make a human connection that has been lacking over the past three years.
Top 10 Biggest USA music festivals FAQ
- What is the biggest music festival in the USA?
The biggest music festival in the USA is Coachella.
- How many music festivals are there in the USA?
There are more than 800 music festivals in the USA.
- Where is the biggest music festival in the USA held?
The biggest music festival in the USA is held in Indio California.
- Is it safe to attend music festivals in the USA?
While music festivals have been the target of active shooters in the past, stick security measures are observed at all USA music festivals.
- When is the best time of year to attend a USA music festival?
The best time to attend a USA music festival is in June and July which are the hottest months in the USA.
Related Articles
