The Best Festivals in America: Where and When to Go

Why "festival"?

Festivals are a great excuse to finally get together and go somewhere. But a true music lover won’t just go anywhere.

Bonnaroo, Woodstock, Knotfest — these are not just rock festivals, but entire legends! Go once, and you’ll remember it for life. How can you miss out? Read the article to find out where to go this summer, where your idols will be performing, and why Woodstock is about to shake the world again.

Rock festivals in the USA

Typically, the most exciting and interesting events abroad are connected to rock music. In this regard, the USA is one of the world leaders in providing quality performers for the global stage.

We present a list of the best rock and music festivals in America. They are so good that even if you don't listen to rock regularly, there's a high chance you will start. Let's go!

Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival

• Dates: Annually, in the second half of April;
• Location: Indio, California;
• Performers: Red Hot Chili Peppers, Radiohead, Guns N' Roses, and more.

Coachella is a mecca for all music lovers. One of the most famous and profitable festivals not only in California but also in the world, offering such a wide range of performers that it's hard to believe. Mainly, it's a mix of indie rock, electronics, top-notch pop, and rock scene classics. Just in recent years, Coachella has hosted Red Hot Chili Peppers, Beyonce, Muse, Drake, Radiohead, Outcast, Lady Gaga, Jack White, Guns N' Roses, AC/DC, and Eminem. And this is not all!

Tickets sell out like hot cakes in a Russian store in Brighton, so it's better to plan your trip to Coachella in advance.

Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival

• Dates: Annually, mid-June;
• Location: Manchester, Tennessee;
• Performers:  Pearl Jam, Arcade Fire, Kanye West, and more.

A four-day festival held in Manchester, Tennessee. A paradise for those who want to hear their favorite musicians in a jam format — lots of acoustics, lots of experiments, and always a friendly atmosphere despite the 10,000-strong annual audience. Bonnaroo is considered a place where the soul rests. And this is well justified not only by the format but also by the star lineup. Since 2002, The Strokes, Sting, Bob Dylan, Neil Young, Pearl Jam, Arcade Fire, Kanye West, James Brown, and others have performed at this festival.

The festival takes place in mid-June, but it's not as easy to get into as it is with Coachella. Tickets start at $50, excluding parking and camping. But isn't it worth it?

Knotfest

• Dates: Annually, October-November;
• Location: San Bernardino, California (sometimes the second day is in Japan);
• Performers: Slipknot, Korn, Deftones, Lamb of God, and more.

The largest event for fans of heavier music, hosted by the legendary Slipknot and their friends. And no, this doesn't mean chaos among the audience and guitar noise in your ears. Many people go there for the quality. This is a gathering of those who will never perform together again — they are all individually stadium-fillers. The variety of genres is also impressive — from rapcore to thick nu-metal. Some of the performers: Deftones, Limp Bizkit, Korn, Lamb of God, Danzig, and Slipknot themselves. Isn't that powerful?

The festival lasts 2-4 days and usually takes place in October-November. The location also changes — it started in Slipknot's home state of Iowa, but gradually moved to San Bernardino, California. Sometimes, the second day of the festival is held in Japan, so when buying tickets, you must pay close attention to the location.

Electronic music festivals

For those who can't imagine themselves without dancing and powerful beats, the USA hosts some of the largest and most vibrant electronic music festivals. These events attract millions of people, ready to immerse themselves in a world of light shows and wild rhythms.

Ultra Music Festival (UMF)

• Dates: Annually, March;
• Location: Miami, Florida;
• Performers: David Guetta, Martin Garrix, The Chainsmokers, and others.

Ultra Music Festival (UMF) is a festival and a cultural phenomenon that attracts hundreds of thousands of electronic music fans from around the world. Each UMF event is a grand musical show that envelops Miami with an incredible atmosphere. The festival is a unique fusion of dance music, light and video projections, and true spectacular theater. Unlike many other festivals that focus on one genre, Ultra Music Festival always offers a variety of styles: from house to trance and techno. On the stages of this festival, you can see the best DJs in the world performing their iconic tracks.

The festival takes place on a vast site in Miami at Bayfront Park, where visitors can enjoy not only music but also carefully crafted visual effects. Every year, Ultra Music Festival impresses with new technologies and stage designs, making it not just a musical event, but a true visual art experience. This is where both electronic music fans and lovers of stunning shows and bright impressions unite.

Electric Daisy Carnival (EDC)

• Dates: Annually, May;
• Location: Las Vegas, Nevada;
• Performers: Calvin Harris, Tiësto, David Guetta, and others.

Electric Daisy Carnival (EDC) is a true electronic fairy tale of Las Vegas, which gathers over 400,000 fans from around the world every summer. This grand event lasts for three days, filled with bright impressions, exciting performances, and incredible light shows. Since its inception in 1997, EDC has established itself as one of the largest events in the world of electronic music.

EDC gathers the most famous and influential DJs on its stages. Performers such as Calvin Harris, Tiësto, Marshmello, David Guetta, Armin van Buuren, Hardwell, and others create true musical spectacles, making hearts beat in rhythm with their bright and energetic compositions.

One of the unique features of EDC is its visual component. Huge stages covered in thousands of lights, projections, and massive screens create the illusion of a real cosmic show. Every evening, thousands of people become part of a fantastic world experience that spreads from the stage across the entire festival site.

Electric Zoo Festival

• Dates: Annually, September;
• Location: New York, New York;
• Performers: Armin van Buuren, Deadmau5, Skrillex, and others.

Electric Zoo is one of the largest and most vibrant electronic music festivals, which annually gathers thousands of EDM fans and all its sub-genres. This festival is rightfully considered one of the largest gatherings of dance lovers on the East Coast of the USA. Electric Zoo takes place in the heart of New York — on Roosevelt Island, which allows music fans to enjoy not only the performances but also the stunning view of the city.

Every year, Electric Zoo attracts a huge number of visitors who want to be part of this incredible music show. Stars of the global electronic scene, such as Armin van Buuren, Deadmau5, Steve Aoki, Calvin Harris, David Guetta, and many others, perform on its stages. These artists create magic, immersing the audience in an atmosphere of dancing and energy, which leaves unforgettable memories for a long time.

CRSSD Festival

• Dates: Annually in March;
• Location: San Diego, California;
• Performers: The Chemical Brothers, Major Lazer, Jamie xx, Carl Cox, and others.

CRSSD Festival is a popular electronic music festival held in San Diego. With its main focus on dance music, it attracts a huge number of EDM, house, techno, and other genre fans. CRSSD stands out among other festivals with its unique atmosphere, combining a beautiful coastal location, impressive artist lineup, and stylish design.

The festival takes place at a beautiful venue on the oceanfront, allowing attendees to enjoy not only the music but also the magnificent views. Here, the best global DJs and producers perform, and the atmosphere of friendliness and fun blends perfectly with the stunning seaside landscapes. Tickets for CRSSD Festival usually sell out quickly, so it is worth planning your trip in advance to attend this exciting event.

Other Music Events

The USA is known not only for its rock festivals and electronic music events but also for a wide variety of festivals in other musical genres. These events bring people together based on their interests, allowing them to enjoy the diversity of American culture and music.

Woodstock Music & Art Fair

• Dates: every 10 years, next date — 2029;
• Location: usually New York, but subject to change;
• Performers: all the most famous rockers and blues performers, such as Carlos Santana, Joe Cocker, and others.

Woodstock is a festival that is eagerly awaited like a miracle — with anticipation and excitement. The first one took place in 1969 in New York and became one of the most significant events in the history of music.

A documentary about it "Woodstock: 3 Days of Peace & Music" won the highest award at the American Academy of Cinema Oscar and brought Martin Scorsese into the world, while in culture, the festival is considered the final point of the hippie era and the beginning of the sexual revolution. The entry was free, and by the fourth day, half a million people gathered at the site. True icons of the generation performed — Janis Joplin, Jimi Hendrix, Carlos Santana, Joe Cocker, Jefferson Airplane, and many others. The crowd in front of the stage resembled the sea. The festival became iconic before it even started.

Since then, Woodstock has only been held on anniversaries of the first Woodstock — every 10, 20, 25, 30, and 40 years. The next 50th anniversary of the most massive event in the history of American music will be celebrated in 2019. Ticket reservations are not yet open, but organizers expect a complete sell-out in the first hour after the launch.

The festival takes place in August, but it's best to start preparing money, visas, and guarding your tickets as early as January. Participating in Woodstock is something you will truly brag about to your children and grandchildren in the future.

Summerfest

• Dates: Annually, last Thursday of June;
• Location: Milwaukee, Wisconsin;
• Performers: Britney Spears, Johnny Cash, Jay-Z, and others.

Summerfest is a true musical marathon — 11 days and 11 stages with musicians of various sizes and genres, from Johnny Cash to Britney Spears. During the festival, nearly 750 musicians perform on the stages. The total audience, just imagine, exceeds 1 million people.

In fact, people come to Summerfest not only for the music. Since it starts on the last Thursday of June and overlaps with Independence Day in the USA, there are pyrotechnic shows, theatrical performances, mobile amusement parks, and the largest handmade market in America.

The festival is held annually in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Tickets are inexpensive, and sometimes they are not even available, so it's best to check the festival website one or two months before the event. However, parking problems are almost guaranteed. Traffic jams start even before you get to Milwaukee, so regulars recommend arriving a day earlier and staying at local hotels near the concert venues.

Lollapalooza

• Dates: Annually, early August;
• Location: Chicago, Illinois;
• Performers: Metallica, Ariana Grande, Billie Eilish, and others;

Since its founding in 1991, Lollapalooza has attracted fans from all over the world, creating an atmosphere of creativity, unity, and unique musical experiences. For four days, Chicago transforms into the center of global music and cultural events, uniting fans of all genres: from rock'n'roll to electronic music, hip-hop, and indie. On the stages of Lollapalooza, the brightest stars of the global stage perform. Giants like Metallica, Ariana Grande, Billie Eilish, The Strokes, Travis Scott, and others become part of this grand event, which cannot be described in words. It’s a festival where, in four days, you can see both iconic artists and emerging stars. All musical directions merge into one wild atmosphere, allowing everyone to find something they like.

Lollapalooza is not just about concerts. The festival offers a unique experience of interacting with art and culture. Inspired by the tradition of social change, the organizers of the festival actively support charitable initiatives, environmental projects, and various cultural initiatives. This is the perfect place for those who are looking for not only music but also a full range of cultural and socially conscious events. The venue, located in Grant Park, provides space for creativity, freedom of expression, and interaction with people who share your musical interests.

Burning Man

• Dates: Annually, late August — early September;
• Location: Black Rock Desert, Nevada;
• Performers: Variety of musical genres — from hip-hop to EDM and alternative rock;

Burning Man is a whole culture and philosophy. This festival attracts hundreds of thousands of people who gather in the remote Black Rock Desert in Nevada to celebrate individuality, freedom, and creativity. The essence of the event is to create a unique atmosphere where each participant is not only a spectator but also an active creator. At Burning Man, there will be no boring stages with limited programs. Instead, the festival transforms into a city built entirely on the principles of freedom and creativity. Participants set up large installations, create art objects, and art cars that become part of the overall atmosphere. Exhibitions, light shows, performances, and even themed parties — all of this brings an indescribable sense of unity and joy.

While music plays an important role at Burning Man, the festival is more about how to express your individuality through art and participation in the collective creative process. From hip-hop and EDM to alternative rock, the variety of musical genres at the festival will satisfy every taste, but the main thing is the energy and creativity that permeates every corner of this incredible event.

Perhaps Burning Man can be called the most innovative and experimental festival on the planet. It breaks all traditional festival norms and invites everyone to head to the heart of the desert, where nothing is forbidden except harm to nature and personal injury. This is a place where freedom and creativity have no boundaries, and anyone can become part of a unique, unforgettable atmosphere.