What’s the best way to experience the biggest country in the world? If you ask anyone, they’ll all say the same thing – see as much of it as possible. To do that, you have to travel and explore, and there’s no better way to do that than to participate in one of America’s many festivals and events! Here are 15 of the best festivals across the United States that are must-see events for those who want to get the most out of this great country.
Coachella – California
Coachella is typically held on two consecutive weekends in April and May. Tickets typically sell out quickly so plan accordingly!
Past Coachella artists include Pearl Jam, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Jack White and many more! For an additional fee you can also enjoy air-conditioned luxury camping. There are showers and toilets on site, plus access to food vendors and bars. If it's not sold out already be sure to grab your tickets now!
Rio de Janeiro Carnival - Brazil: From February 17th-25th Rio de Janeiro is home to one of South America’s largest festivals – Carnival. More than a million people line up along 5km of Copacabana Beach for a massive parade featuring over 1,500 dancers from different samba schools from across Brazil.
Bonnaroo - Tennessee
Bonnaroo is hands down the best festival I have ever attended. The music is incredible, the people are so friendly, and you have a perfect opportunity to embrace your inner hippie. Bonnaroo takes place over four days and three nights in Manchester, Tennessee. It's a camping event, so you can either bring your own tent or rent one from them on-site. There are also pre-setup campsites with amenities like showers and bathrooms that are great for first-time attendees who don't want to deal with all of the set up on their own. There's more than just music here though - there's plenty of other activities like comedy shows, movie screenings and tons of delicious food options.
Each year, Bonnaroo's lineup consists of some of music's biggest names, so you'll never go home disappointed. Past headliners have included The Rolling Stones, Jay-Z and Beyonce, Radiohead and Kanye West. There are plenty of other activities outside of music as well, including comedy shows and movie screenings. My personal favorite was when they showed Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back on a massive outdoor screen - talk about an awesome way to experience one of my favorite movies! There are tons of food options too - they have everything from gourmet burgers to vegan and gluten-free treats. This festival is truly something that everyone can enjoy.
Glastonbury - England
Glastonbury is a music festival that has been running since 1970. The festival takes place on Worthy Farm, near Pilton and Shepton Mallet, England. It is best known for its contemporary music, but it also features traditional folk, world music and dance music. Glastonbury has grown from a small one-day event with an audience of around 5,000 people to a four-day event with an attendance of around 175,000 people. In recent years there have been two main stages—the Pyramid Stage and The Other Stage—but there are many smaller stages too.
The festival lasts for five days and has a unique vibe. If you love music and have always wanted to go to Glastonbury, make sure you set your alarm early so you don’t miss out on any of it. Glastonbury features some of today’s biggest music stars, along with some great up-and-coming artists as well. There is also live comedy—often political—spoken word, theatre, circus acts and firework displays. As well as seeing amazing performances from all sorts of artists, you can buy crafts created by local artisans, pick up handmade jewellery and enjoy plenty of delicious food at one of the many food stalls that are dotted throughout Worthy Farm.
Burning Man - Nevada
Known as a radical self-expression festival, Burning Man promotes participation, community, and art along with radical inclusion, gifting and decommodification. In keeping with their Leave No Trace principle, Burning Man is set up so that there will be no physical trace of it left after its conclusion. There is a strictly enforced rule that ‘no money changes hands at Burning Man. The event takes its name from an activity called burning of a man, where participants attempt to set fire to a large effigy made from straw and covered with paint. This ritual is meant as symbolic of burning away all limitations (attachment) or inhibitions and social structure in order to liberate one's body and mind.
Illinois' Lollapalooza
The yearly Lollapalooza music event is held in Chicago, Illinois.
It is one of the largest festivals that have popular acts, and it has attracted many international artists since its inception. The Lollapalooza festival takes place over a four-day span with over 170 bands on eight stages. It was founded by Jane's Addiction singer Perry Farrell, who also co-founded the festival along with Donnie Ienner of Interscope Records.
Lollapalooza has a history of including a diverse roster of performers. For example, Jane's Addiction was featured at Lollapalooza from its inception in 1991 until 1997, when Perry Farrell broke up his band and left. Although there is no single definitive headliner for Lollapalooza each year, there have been many shows that had significant effects on music and entertainment industries. The Red Hot Chili Peppers have had two headlining performances at Lollapalooza: one in 2006 and another one in 2010. Each time they were accompanied by a different opening act: Incubus & Björk (2006) and Jay-Z & Gorillaz (2010). The 2006 show with Bjork as an opener also represented her first U.S.
Outside Lands - California
This year marks the 15th year of Outside Lands, a California tradition celebrated at Golden Gate Park. The lineup is stacked with some of the hottest bands on the planet and includes sets from Radiohead, Metallica and Paul McCartney. If you don't already have tickets then you may be out of luck as they sold out almost immediately. With music ranging from hip-hop to indie rock, Outside Lands has something for everyone.
Outside Lands is a must-experience festival for music fans and outdoor enthusiasts alike. While you're camping under those Golden Gate Park trees, you can also enjoy world-class cuisine, breathtaking views of San Francisco and a host of other activities. The headliners are just part of what makes Outside Lands so special. Here are 15 other reasons why it's one of the best festivals in America.
The 3-Day General Admission passes for Outside Lands cost $375 and include over 60 musical acts. For those who want a more exclusive experience, VIP tickets are available for $999, which includes perks like premium viewing, bottle service, access to special areas and much more.
If you're looking for something a bit cheaper and have some friends who love music then you can purchase General Admission tickets as part of a group. There are 4-packs available which can be split between 4 people and allow each person entrance into every single festival event on any given day. They cost $189 per person (plus service fees) which is far cheaper than individual admission prices but still grants you full access to everything that Outside Lands has to offer.
Austin City Limits - Texas
One of the biggest music festivals in the nation is Austin City Limits. This festival began as a one-day event back in 2002 and now it spans for two full weekends during the fall. The event is known for featuring a diverse lineup that includes rock, indie, EDM, hip hop, country and many other genres. It features some of the most popular artists like Kendrick Lamar and Stevie Wonder. The festival also takes place at Zilker Park which allows visitors to enjoy nature while they listen to some awesome tunes.
Known for its large crowds and high number of attendees, Austin City Limits is a great place to relax and enjoy a concert. It’s also located at Zilker Park which allows you to experience nature while you listen to some great music. The festival spans over two weekends from Friday through Sunday so it’s great if you want to go with a group of friends or even family members. If EDM is more your style, then Electric Daisy Carnival (EDC) may be right up your alley. This festival brings together fans of electronic dance music and features performers like Hardwell and David Guetta as well as some other DJs who bring their best beats.
ACL Music Festival - Texas
ACL has been a staple of Austin, Texas's music scene since 2002. The festival is split up into two weekends with different lineups, giving music lovers the opportunity to see their favorite acts more than once.
ACL is known for its diverse lineup and cutting-edge artists that are emerging on the scene. The festival doesn't stick only to one genre of music, but instead features everything from rap and hip hop to pop, rock, country and EDM.
Headliners for this year include Eminem, Kendrick Lamar, Arctic Monkeys and Travis Scott among others.
ACL has always been a place where artists can come experiment with new material or try out something a little different from what they usually do at their shows.
Sasquatch! Music Festival – Washington State
No festival experience is complete without the inclusion of Sasquatch! Music Festival. One of the best music festivals in America, Sasquatch! Music Festival takes place on Memorial Day weekend at The Gorge Amphitheatre outside of Seattle, WA. What makes this event so unique is its location: you'll be surrounded by mountains and will have a clear view from every angle. This event is also known for playing host to some of your favorite comedians as well as bands like The Strokes and LCD Soundsystem. If you're someone who wants an outdoor music festival with a mix of comedy and incredible views, then Sasquatch! Music Festival should be your next stop.
Shaky Knees – Georgia
One of the most exciting things about attending a music festival is being able to see live performances from some of your favorite artists. Shaky Knees is a music festival that has steadily grown over its four-year history, making it one of the premiere destinations for up-and-coming bands as well as established acts. Located at Centennial Olympic Park, Atlanta’s largest outdoor event space, Shaky Knees is an intimate gathering and features many different genres, including indie rock, folk rock and alternative country.
Another great thing about this festival is that it offers attendees numerous accommodations options. As festivals grow larger and larger they often become more crowded with less room to roam around.
Lucidity Festival – California
Lucidity Festival is a psychedelic trance festival held annually at Lake San Antonio and Lake Castaic, California. The event is an immersive, interactive experience that fuses music with art and science. Participants are encouraged to turn on, tune in, and drop out during this three-day festival where they can sleep next to the lake under a blanket of stars or camp inside one of the many circus tents onsite. The lineup for Lucidity Festival 2017 includes a range of artists such as G Jones & Eprom, Liquid Soul, Jay Tripwire, Mungo's Hi Fi (live), Astrix (live), Bluetech (live), Ott and more.