Music festivals are some of the year’s most exciting events, with many of the world’s top artists coming together to play at one venue for 3+ days. The USA is home to some of the best music festivals in the world, bringing in tens, if not hundreds, of thousands of people each year and generating billions of dollars of revenue. While the USA isn’t the only place in the world that hosts massive festivals, you’ll find more music festivals in the US than in any other country.
If you are trying to decide on which festival to attend this year this post is for you! In this article, I have rounded up 15 of the largest and most iconic music festivals in America!
15 Best Music Festivals in the USA
1. Coachella
- Location: Indio, California
- Attendance: 250,000+
- 2024 Ticket price: $500 to $680
- # of Days: 6 days (over 2 weekends)
Coachella is one of the most iconic festivals in the world and is the largest music festival in the USA by attendance. Tickets sell out every year far in advance, and the lineup is generally a wide variety of different pop, hip-hop, and electronic artists. Coachella is in Palm Springs, which is around a 2-hour drive from Los Angeles. Most Coachella festival goers choose to camp, as this is part of the “experience”. Coachella also is a great place to dress up and show off your quirkiest festival outfits.
This is the US festival that tends to have the most recognizable pop stars in the lineup, and it has almost become a coming-of-age event to attend. That said, Coachella is definitely one of the most expensive music festivals in the world.
Pros
- Massive lineup with extremely popular artists from a variety of different genres
- Tons of amazingly delicious food options are offered at the festival
- Craziest after-parties you’ll ever see at a music festival
- Popular festival to camp at
Cons
- Ticket prices are VERY high, not a budget-friendly music festival
- It can be extremely hot, in 2024, temps reached 98°F (36°C)
- It is crowded, as you should expect from such a popular festival
Trying to decide what to pack for a music festival? Check out my ultimate music festival packing list!
2. Lollapalooza
- Location: Chicago, Illinois
- Attendance: 400,000
- 2024 Ticket price: $150 to $409
- # of Days: 4
Lollapalooza is a massive 4-day music festival that takes place in Grant Park in Chicago, Illinois. Like Coachella, the festival is usually headlined by major pop and hip-hop artists, but something I like about Lollapalooza is that it also mixes in local and relatively unknown artists.
The festival truly caters to all music styles and is a great opportunity to see some of your favorite acts while also exploring new music. What is unique about this festival is that it is right in the middle of downtown Chicago, so you have full access to the city from the festival grounds.
That said, if you are used to attending camping festivals like Bonaroo or Coachella, Lollapalooza will be a bit of a change as you’ll have to go back to your hotel every night.
Pros
- Diverse lineup with artists in various genres
- Conveniently located in the middle of downtown Chicago
- Amazing food and beverage choices
Cons
- Early sound curfew at 10 pm due to the central location
- Food and drinks are expensive
- No camping
3. Austin City Limits
- Location: Austin, Texas
- Attendance: 400,000
- 2024 Ticket price: $380
- # of Days: 6 (over 2 weekends)
Austin City Limits (ACL) takes place in downtown Austin, Texas, over 2-weekends. The festival sees around 400,000 people each year, all crowded into Zilker Park. Like Lollapalooza, ACL is a city festival, so there is no camping, but, you’ll still feel pretty separated from city life as Zilker Park is a massive (and beautiful) space. There are tons of iconic musicians from Austin, so you’ll generally get a good mix of local and non-local acts for the fest.
ACL also has a wide variety of different genres. Most commonly, the festival mixes together country, pop, rock, hip-hop, and even EDM.
Pros
- Super varied lineup great place to discover some new music while also seeing your favorite bands
- Located in a very pretty park right across the lake from downtown Austin
- Food vendors serve delicious local food
Cons
- It can be horrendously hot, some years, you’ll see 100°F (37°C) days
- While it was once a fairly affordable festival, it is now nearly as expensive as the other festivals on this list.
- Can be very crowded at the main stages
4. Bonnaroo
- Location: Manchester, Tennesee
- Attendance: 80,000
- 2024 Ticket price: $
- # of Days: 4
Bonnaroo is a 4-day music festival in Manchester, Tennessee, about an hour’s drive from Nashville. The festival takes place on a 700-acre farm, so most festival-goers camp for the weekend on the festival grounds. One of the coolest things about Bonnaroo is that it is relatively remote, and while it can get crowded, there is much more open space than at other music festivals. This is also probably the US music festival on this list with the most varied genres. The festival is divided into several different genres throughout the 4 days with rap, EDM, rock, alternative, indie, and more!
Pros
- Probably the most iconic music festival in the USA to camp at
- Sets and afterparties essential go all night since you are far away from any cities or towns
- More open areas and is less crowded than other massive festivals
Cons
- Showers and toilets can be absolutely disgusting
- If you want to sleep, Bonnaroo may not be for you. Afterparties can go on all night.
- Bonnaroo is in the middle of summer, so it is generally VERY hot
5. South By South West
- Location: Austin, Texas
- Attendance: 300,000
- 2024 Ticket price: $150 for a music wristband, $945 a badge
- # of Days: $
South By South West is an incrediblyunique music festival because it takes place all over downtown Austin in over 90 venues. The festival always occurs during spring break over an entire week.
I grew up in Austin, and the city literally transforms into a music lover’s dream during spring break as thousands of artists come into the city and hundreds of thousands of festival-goers take to the streets. Going to SXSW is unlike the other festivals on this list because planning is critical. Since there are thousands of shows happening over the course of the 9-day festival, you have to do your research. There are also tons of free shows and events during this time, so even if you can’t afford a platinum badge, you’ll still likely see some great shows. So, be sure to sign up to learn about the free events that will happen in the city. SXSW is also a film festival, so if you enjoy movies, it is worth checking that out as well.
Pros
- Great way to discover new and emerging artists
- Tons of free events, so you don’t have to buy a wristband or badge
- Great way to network and meet other like-minded people
- There are always businesses handing out free food and products as a promotion. In fact, I almost never pay for food at SXSW.
Cons
- Since the festival takes place over the entire city, it is very difficult to navigate. You really need to plan ahead.
- Without a badge, it can be pretty tough to get into popular shows.
6. Electric Daisy Carnival
- Location: Las Vegas, Nevada
- Attendance: 400,000
- 2024 Ticket price: $440
- # of Days: 3
Electric Daisy Carnival (EDC) is the United States’ largest electronic dance music festival. The festival takes place at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway, a 25-minute drive from downtown Las Vegas. The festival features 9 stages with nearly 300 electronic artists playing over the 3-day festival. There are also plenty of other activities to explore, including pool parties, a small theme park, themed bars (including a karaoke bar), silent disco parties, and more! EDC channels its true Las Vegas self with extravagant performances, theatrics, and massive set pieces to make this one of the most enjoyable festivals in the USA. If you are an EDM fan or simply want to experience one of the best parties in the USA, then you should definitely head to Electric Daisy Carnival!
EDC is the perfect opportunity to dress up in some fun rave outfits!
Pros
- Massive lineup of the top EDM artists around the world
- Tons of other activities and events to keep you entertained all weekend
- Amazing live shows with high-budget effects and theatrics
- Camping is available, though you can also stay nearby in Las Vegas
Cons
- If you aren’t an EDM fan, this is probably not the best festival for you
- Tickets are expensive and sell out pretty fast
- If you don’t camp, your accommodation can be very expensive
7. Louder Than Life Festival
- Location: Louisville, Kentucky
- Attendance: 170,000
- 2024 Ticket price: $320
- # of Days: 4
If rock, heavy metal, hardcore, and alternative are your preferred genres, you will want to check out the Louder Than Life Festival in Louisville. Every year, the festival brings together the biggest names in rock and heavy metal music in a 4-day face-melting festival. One great this about this festival is that you can either camp or stay in a hotel nearby in Louisville. The lineup always includes tons of classic artists and is the premier rock music festival in the USA.
Pros
- Slightly cheaper ticket prices than other festivals
- Always has a great lineup with tons of famous rock, metal, and hardcore bands
- The Festival is located near the airport, so its perfect if you are flying in
Cons
- Small venue with mostly gravel ground, so can be very dusty
- Not a good festival for you if you aren’t a rock or metal fan
8. Stagecoach Festival
- Location: Indio, California
- Attendance: 100,000
- 2024 Ticket price: $500
- # of Days: 3
Calling all country music fans! Stagecoach festival takes place about 2 weeks after Coachella in the same venue. But this festival is explicitly for those wanting to hear country music. So, as you can probably imagine, this is the “Coachella” for country fans. Stagecoach is one of the biggest country music festivals in the world and has a little bit of something for everyone. Also, the food at this festival is to die for! Make sure you bring along your best and brightest country music garb!
Pros
- Best festival in the USA for country music fans
- The Festival also includes non-country artists, so it isn’t tied to just one genre
Cons
- The crowd can get pretty wild at the festival, as many people get extremely drunk
- Can be very hot. Drink lots of water!
9. New Orleans Jazz And Heritage Festival
- Location: New Orleans, Louisiana
- Attendance: 500,000
- 2024 Ticket price: $290 to $320
- # of Days: 10 days
The New Orleans Jazz Festival is by no means strictly a jazz festival, as you can easily see from glancing at the lineup. Hundreds of artists across many different genres come together to form one of the absolute best music festivals in the USA. The festival takes place over 10 days in New Orleans at the New Orleans Fair Grounds Race Course. Generally, the festival brings in more than half a million people, which is more than the number of people that live in New Orleans! Being a melting pot of different cultures, the NOJF also features cultural and heritage experiences, including amazing creole food, a Native American village, and a cultural exchange pavilion. And, of course, the music is simply wonderful!
Pros
- Amazing music across a multitude of different genres, one of the most diverse festivals in terms of genres
- Probably the best music festival food you will ever have
- More than just a festival, NOJF is also a unique cultural exchange opportunity
- The festival takes place in New Orleans, which is one of the coolest cities in the USA
Cons
- Accommodation can be hard to come by and expensive during the festival
10. Ultra Music Festival
- Location: Miami, Florida
- Attendance: 170,000
- 2024 Ticket price: $350
- # of Days: 3
Ultra Music Festival in Miami is one of the largest EDM fests in the world. This festival opens up the season for EDM and is the perfect place for hardcore fans, as many DJs will premier new music at Ultra. Due to the fact that the festival takes place in the middle of downtown Miami, the music stops around midnight, so don’t show up expecting all-night parties like at Electric Daisy Carnival. Ultra always has a massively impressive lineup and is a definite contender for the best electronic music festival in the USA.
Pros
- Ultra is the first EDM festival of the season, so it is a big event, and many DJs play new music
- Always has an impressive lineup, generally even better than EDC
- Very conveniently located in central Miami
Cons
- The Festival closes at midnight due to sound curfews
- Food and drinks are insanely expensive
11. Levitation/Austin Psych Fest
- Location: Austin, Texas
- Attendance: 20,000
- 2024 Ticket price: $195
- # of Days: 3
Previously known as the Austin Psych Fest, Levitation is a small psychedelic music festival in Austin, Texas, that has grown enormously since it was founded in 2008. This festival is structured very similarly to SXSW in that it takes place in the middle of downtown Austin and several small venues and bars act as the “stages”. However, Levitation is obviously MUCH smaller than SXSW.
Levitation is an independent music festival that, while still relatively small, always has an impressive lineup, with several famous bands playing the fest each year. For example, in 2024, the headliners were Alvvays, Courtney Barnett, Yellow Days, and Kurt Vile. That said, the festival still retains its individualistic and quirky personality, and the organizers do a great job of booking a mix of popular bands and undiscovered gems.
Pros
- Smaller festival where you can see awesome psych bands up close and personal
- The lineup gets better and better every year
Cons
- Due to the limited capacity, the festival sells out quickly each year
12. Governor’s Ball
- Location: Governor’s Island, New York
- Attendance: 100,000
- 2024 Ticket price: $359
- # of Days: 3
The best way to kick off your summer if you live in NYC is to attend the Governor’s Ball. This festival takes place on Governor’s Island, a small island in the New York harbor between Manhattan and Brooklyn. Gov ball is not nearly as massive of a festival as Lollapalooza or Coachella, but it is a perfect medium-sized fest. The fest almost always has an excellent lineup with a variety of genres and big names in pop, hip-hop, and rock. While I wouldn’t necessarily go out of my way to head to this festival, it is your best choice if you live on the East Coast.
Pros
- Always has a stacked lineup with some of the world’s biggest artists
- Super easily accessible from NYC
- Decent prices for food at the festival compared to other major music fests
Cons
- Hotels and Airbnbs are crazy expensive in NYC during the festival
- Smaller festival with fewer artists than some of the major ones in the USA
- Gov Ball is an all-ages festival, so there are lots of young (and drunk) high-school-age kids
13. Newport Folk Festival
- Location: Newport, Rhode Island
- Attendance: 30,000
- 2024 Ticket price: $286
- # of Days: 3
The most famous folk music festival in the country, The Newport Folk Festival in Rhode Island, has been around since 1959. This festival is for, well… Folk music fans! The lineup mostly consists of old-school and new-age folk, indie, and alternative. Keep in mind that this is one of the smallest festivals on my list. And as it is an incredibly famous event, it can be pretty competitive to get tickets.
Pros
- Relatively intimate shows with awesome tons of famous folk and indie artists
- The festival focuses mostly on smaller acts, making it a great way to discover lesser-known musicians
- There are also generally surprise guests that aren’t included in the lineup. In the past, Paul Simon, James Taylor, Dolly Parton, and Joni Mitchell have all made surprise appearances.
Cons
- Tickets can sometimes sell out in less than a minute
- Not a great festival if you aren’t into folk or indie
14. Pitchfork Festival
- Location: Chicago, Illinois
- Attendance: 60,000
- 2024 Ticket price: $250
- # of Days: 3
If you are looking for a more intimate and niche music festival in Chicago than the ultra-popular Lollapalooza, Pitchfork is likely your best choice. This is a much smaller festival that still has an impressive lineup. The Pitchfork lineup is admittedly more underground and niche, but that is never a bad thing! This festival, while still in central Chicago, takes place in Union Park, which is a much smaller venue than Lollapalooza’s Grant Park. Pitchfork is more of a festival for music enthusiasts rather than general pop music fans. Honestly, in my opinion, Pitchfork is a highly underrated music festival that should really be on the radar of more music lovers!
Pros
- Smaller festivals with fewer crowds than major events like Coachella, Lollapalooza, and Bonnaroo
- A wide variety of different genres with underrated and lesser-known artists
- You can easily walk to the different stages since the festival grounds are compact
- Food and alcohol is relatively inexpensive compared to other festivals
Cons
- If you are looking for big-name pop artists, you should consider Lollapalooza over Pitchfork
- It is a much lower energy festival, so not the best option if you are looking to party
15. Summerfest
- Location: Milwaukee, Wisconsin
- Attendance: 800,000+
- 2024 Ticket price: $28 to $130
- # of Days: 9 (3 weekends)
Last but certainly not least on my list of the best music festivals in the USA is Summerfest, the largest music festival in the world! This massive music-lovers dream takes place in Milwaukie over 9 days (over 3 weekends) in the middle of summer. More than 600 artists make up the lineup each year, so it is safe to say there is really no other festival like Summerfest in the USA. As expected, with so many different musicians and bands taking part in the festival, the lineup is super diverse and features artists from essentially every single genre. Additionally, Summerfest is one of the most accessible major music events as you can attend for just under $30 for a day pass!
Pros
- Very affordable at just $130 for a 9-day pass
- Massive variety of artists across many different genres and popularity levels
- Tons of food, drinks, and activities beyond music
Cons
- Can be very crowded, as should be expected with such a massive festival
- Due to the sheer amount of musical acts, it can be overwhelming to plan who you want to see perform
Which US music festival is at the top of your list?
There are honestly so many music festivals in the US. And many more are being created each year in new cities and states. The festival industry is booming, meaning music lovers now have a huge number of options to choose from when deciding which festivals to attend! I hope that this post will help you narrow down the best options for you. Most importantly, have fun, stay safe, and enjoy the music!
