Music festivals and summer have gone hand in hand since the 1960s. The only thing that’s changed in 2023 is that there are more incredible music festivals than ever. These events create the soundtrack to your summer, with the heat, sun, and sounds of some of your favorite artists all coming together to make memories you’ll never forget. The festivals are filled with music, art installations, food experiences, and—in one case—even a mini water park. What more could you ask for?
So grab your crew or your significant other and get ready to join the crowd at some of the best summer music festivals happening in the US this year. Find one close to you, grab your tickets (like now) and get ready to make memories. And don’t forget to stay hydrated through it all.
Where: New Orleans, Louisiana
When: Thursday, June 29 - Monday, July 3
The lowdown: Essence Festival of Culture is where the pages of Essence Magazine come to life. Panels, seminars, networking, and—of course—music come together to create the festival that has been dubbed “The Party with a Purpose.” Essence Magazine has been in the lives and homes of Black folks for decades, and this festival has been a staple in the community since 1995, with some of the biggest musical acts coming out to make each celebration more memorable than the last.
The lineup: Performers include Missy Elliott, Ms. Lauryn Hill, Megan Thee Stallion, Jill Scott, Gucci Mane, Wizkid, Muni Long, Kid Capri, Ice Cube, and more.
The cost: Three-day passes start at $214.50 per person. Buy yours here.
Where: Chicago, Illinois
When: Thursday, August 3 - Sunday, August 6
The lowdown: This four-day music festival turns Chicago’s Grant Park into a massive concert venue with over 150 performers. It’s been a mainstay in the city since 2006, and the festivities don’t end when the last performers hit the stage each evening. Every year there are hundreds of after-parties and pop-up shows where the artists give intimate performances or just dance into the night with their fans,
The lineup: Performers include Billie Eilish, Kendrick Lamar, the 1975, Lana Del Rey, Diplo, Yung Gravy, Carly Rae Jepson, the Red Hot Chili Peppers, Sylvan Esso, Kidd Kenn, and others.
The cost: Single-day passes start at $130 per person. Four-day passes start at $380 per person. Buy yours here.
Where: Queens, NYC
When: Friday, June 9 - Sunday, June 11
The lowdown: For the first time, this infamous New York City festival is in its new home at Flushing Meadows-Corona Park—if you’re a 90’s kid you might remember it from Men in Black. What started out as a one-day festival on Governors Island has evolved into a blend of music and food festival. Every year NYC’s top restaurants are in attendance with some of the most delish food the city has to offer and this year is no exception.
The lineup: Performers include Lizzo, Kendrick Lamar, Haim, Odesza, Diplo, Lil Nas X, Rina Sawayama, Phony Ppl, 070 Shake, Saba, and more.
The cost: Single-day passes start at $139 per person. Three-day passes start at $329 per person. Buy yours here.
Where: Manchester, Tennessee
When: Thursday, June 15 - Sunday, June 18
The lowdown: A music and arts festival centered around sustainability, wellness, and friendship, Bonnaroo is truly a festival for all. There are parades, yoga classes, a market to shop for crafts, and a huge water slide to escape the heat. Another great side of the festival is “Soberoo”, where sober festival goers who dig the music and vibes can connect, hang out and even attend meetings during the festival.
The lineup: Performers include Zeds Dead, Kendrick Lamar, Odesza, Liquid Stranger, the Foo Fighters, Three 6 Mafia, Lil Nas X, Korn, Sheryl Crow, Paramore, Franz Ferdinand, Big Freedia, AFI, Portugal. The Man, and more.
The cost: Single-day passes start at $175 per person. Four-day passes start at $360 per person. Buy yours here.
Where: Chicago, Illinois
When: Friday, July 21 - Sunday, July 23
The lowdown: A festival with a focus on alt-rock, hip-hop, and electro pop that’s held in Chicago’s Union Park, this is where a lot of indie artists come to shine. Surrounded by Chicago eats and treats, and easily accessible by the famous Chicago El train, it’s the perfect event to launch your summer festival season.
The lineup: Performers include the Smile, Leikeli47, King Krule, Yaya Bey, Bon Iver, Kelala, Koffee, Sen Morimoto, Ariel Zetina, Perfume Genius, Weyes Blood, and others.
The cost: Single-day passes start at $115 per person. Three-day passes start at $239 per person. Buy yours here.
Where: San Francisco, California
When: Friday, August 11 - Sunday, August 13
The lowdown: In its 15th year, this festival is held at an iconic location—San Francisco's Golden Gate Park—and boasts one of the best summer food experiences you could have. Over 90 Bay area restaurants complement the music and help you keep your energy up throughout the three-day festival. Add in the wine from surrounding California wineries and you have one of the best festivals of the summer.
The lineup: Performers include Janelle Monáe, Kendrick Lamar, Raveena, Nala, the Foo Fighters, Orville Peck, Trixie Mattel, Odesza, Orion Sun, Megan Thee Stallion, Mild Minds, Pretty Sick, Maggie Rogers, and many more!
The cost: Single-day passes start at $199 per person. Three-day passes start at $449 per person. Buy yours here.
Where: Miami, Florida
When: Friday, July 21 - Sunday, July 23
The lowdown: It’s a hip-hop lover's dream in one of the hottest places in the states. Every year thousands of hip-hop heads head over to Miami to discover new faves and get loud with their old ones. This year, Rolling Loud has expanded to include festivals in California in March and the Netherlands, Germany, and Portugal later this summer. Hit them all to win at festival bingo, but if you’re looking to stay stateside and catch some vibes then Miami is where it’s at.
The lineup: Performers include Playboy Carti, A$ap Rocky, Travis Scott, Glorilla, Ice Spice, Chief Keef, Sheck Wes, Snow Banks, City Girls, Offset, Coi Leray, Latto, Maiya the Don, Dej Loaf, and more.
The cost: Three-day passes start at $329 per person. Buy yours here.
Where: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
When: Saturday, September 2 - Sunday, September 3
The lowdown: Founded by Jay-Z in 2012 at Benjamin Franklin Parkway in Philly, the festival has become a Labor Day Weekend staple. It’s the perfect festival to close out your summer before the weather starts to turn cold. This year’s line-up has yet to be announced, but it’s best to get on your tickets now as last year’s headliners included Bad Bunny and Tyler, The Creator, and acts like Jazmine Sullivan, Kodak Black and Burna Boy were on the bill too.
The lineup: Headliners haven’t been announced yet but early bird tickets are on sale.
The cost: Early bird two-day passes start at $150 per person. Buy yours here.
Where: Washington, DC
When: Saturday, July 15 - Sunday, July 16
The lowdown: A Black-owned and founded music festival with the goal to highlight culture and progress in the Black community, Broccoli City is one of DC’s most popular music festivals and always includes homegrown big names and indie artists on the rise. Now in its 10th year, this is definitely one of the top music festivals of the year.
The lineup: Performers include Jazmine Sullivan, Brent Faiyaz, Tre’ Amani, Saucy Santana, Ice Spice, Glorilla, Lil Uzi Vert, Kodak Black, and more.
The cost: Two-day passes start at $189.50 per person. Buy yours here.
Where: Milwaukee, Wisconsin
When: Thursday, June 22 - Saturday, June 24; Thursday, June 29 - Saturday, July 1; and Thursday, July 6 - Saturday, July 8
The lowdown: Now in its 55th year, the world's largest music festival has been drawing crowds to the shores of Lake Michigan since the late ‘60s. This year, hundreds of musicians will perform on the event’s 12 stages, representing genres from pop, to rock, to reggae.
The lineup: Performers include Eric Church, Elle King, Dave Matthews Band, Trippie Redd, Imagine Dragons, Yung Gravy, Cypress Hill, the Pretty Reckless, Coi Leray, Tegan and Sara, Rayven, and more.
The cost: Single-day passes start at $26 per person. Nine-day passes start at $130 per person. Buy yours here.
Where: Las Vegas, Nevada
When: Friday, September 22 - Sunday, September 24
The lowdown: A festival dedicated to all things beautiful, this event features music, immersive art experiences, and even special performances from Cirque Du Soleil, Meow Wolf, Blue Man Group, and Magic Mike Live. But those who are really all about the tunes won’t be disappointed; there are tons of musical acts including plenty of big names. Whatever you’re into, this festival has all the vibes you won’t wanna miss this summer.
The lineup: Performers include the Killers, Kim Petras, Baby Tate, Yung Gravy, the 1975, Raye, Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Bebe Rexha, Chika, Rina Sawayama, Talk, Odesza, Night Tales, HoneyLuv, and more.
The cost: Single-day passes start at $165 per person. Three-day passes start at $395 per person. Buy yours here.
Where: Chicago, Illinois
When: Friday, September 15 - Sunday, September 17
The lowdown: This is the festival for the punk and alt lovers, and those of us who blasted all things emo in our rooms during our teen years. Founded in 2005, it serves as one of the closers to the summer festival season. Big name acts always make their way to this festival, ensuring it's worth the trip for anyone who is a fan of all things rock and metal.
The lineup: Performers include the Foo Fighters, Death Cab for Cutie, the Postal Service, the Cure, Queens of the Stone Age, the Mars Volta, Turnstile, Ani Difranco, and Tegan and Sara.
The cost: Three-day passes start at $289.98 per person. Buy yours here.
Where: Nashville, Tennessee
When: Thursday, June 8 - Sunday, June 11
The lowdown: The longest running country musical festival in the world is celebrating 50 years in 2023. Expect great music, great outfits, and fantastic food as the festival continues to bring together country fans from around the globe. This year’s big anniversary is sure to make for a special event, and you can expect surprises throughout the four day festival.
The lineup: Performers include Jason Aldean, Miranda Lambert, Little Big Town, Lily Rose, Kidd G, Tyler Booth, Keith Urban, Eric Church, Chapel Hart, and others.
The cost: Single-day passes start at $85.70 per person. Four-day passes start at $291 per person. Buy yours here.
Where: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
When: Friday, June 2 - Sunday, June 4
The lowdown: Philly has been getting a lot of well deserved extra love due to the breakout hit Abbott Elementary, and now you can visit the city of Brotherly Love by heading to the annual Roots Picnic—a celebration of Black love, Black culture, and Black music. This year there is so much incredible stuff going on, including a State Property Reunion and a celebration of Lauryn Hill's iconic album “The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill,” which is turning 25. There’s even a podcast stage to celebrate the other audio medium, and a comedy act by Dave Chappelle.
The lineup: Performers include Ms. Lauryn Hill, Ari Lennox, Syd, Black Thought, Eve, Mary Mary, City Girls, Busta Rhymes, Lil Uzi Vert, and more.
The cost: Single-day passes start at $99 per person. Two-day passes start at $189 per person. Buy yours here.
Where: West Hollywood, California
When: Friday, June 2 - Sunday, June 4
The lowdown: Tons of queer performers, musicians, drag artists, and even a Broadway fave or two will take the stage at this queer music festival to make West Hollywood Pride a bigger party then it already is. Add in DJs, dancing, and just the right amount of debauchery, and you get a fantastic festival where the LGBTQIA+ community can come together to be themselves.
The lineup: Performers include Orville Peck, Grace Jones, Santigold, Tinashe, Idina Menzel, Yung Bae, Carly Rae Jepsen, Passion Pit, Princess Nokia, and more.
The cost: Weekend passes start at $79 per person. Buy yours here.
Where: Kansas City
When: Monday, September 4 - Sunday, September 10
The lowdown: Have you ever dreamed of escaping to the forest to dance? To pop a tent and be surrounded by love, happiness, and celebration on the highest of levels? At Dancefestopia you’ll get just that. This one is for the outdoor types who want to connect with nature and their bodies alike—with some good tunes in the background, of course. Take a break from dancing to zipline, rock climb, or even just kick back in the lake on a floaty. Bring all the good vibes and a solid crew to the forest for an experience you won’t forget.
The lineup: Performers include Zeds Dead, Excision, Subtronics, Jantsen, Tape B, DMVU, A Hundred Drums, Bear Grillz, Borgore, Effin, Level Up, Reaper, Jaenga, Swarm and more.
The cost: Three-day passes start at $199 per person, Camping starts at $89 for three nights or $219 for seven nights. Buy yours here.
Shelli Nicole is a contributor for Thrillist.
