Are you ready to dive into your festival calendar for 2023? Featuring rock to hip-hop, electronic to jazz, USA music festivals are some of the best music festivals in the world. Whether you’re a fan of legendary headliners or up-and-coming artists, or just love to be immersed in the energy of a live performance, there’s something for everyone. Here are some of the best American music festivals to attend in 2023.
Burning Man Festival
Burning Man is more than just a music festival. It’s a week-long celebration of art, self-expression, and community in which tens of thousands of people gather in the Black Rock Desert of Nevada to create a temporary city that is completely self-sustaining. The lineup for August 27-September 4 is yet to be announced — keep an eye out for more information.
Lollapalooza
Lollapalooza is one of the most popular and well-known music festivals in the United States, known for its history and international lineup. This Chicago-based festival features an impressive roster of popular and emerging artists from various genres, including rock, pop, hip-hop, and electronic music. Keep your calendars open for August 3-6 to hear acts like Kendrick Lamar, Billie Eilish, and Odesza.
When We Were Young Festival
When We Were Young is a new festival that debuted in 2019 and has since become a fan favorite for its nostalgia-infused acts. This festival is unique in that it features mostly punk, emo, and alternative rock bands from the 2000s. This year’s festival will take place October 21-22, with a lineup including Blink-182, Green Day, and Rise Against.
Bonnaroo Festival
Bonnaroo is a four-day festival that will take place June 14-18 on a 700-acre farm in Manchester, Tennessee. The festival has a reputation for being one of the most laid-back and friendly festivals in the United States, known for including activities like meditation and yoga, plus opportunities to engage with numerous non-profit organizations. This year’s artist roster includes Foo Fighters, Paramore, and Lil Nas X.
Life is Beautiful Festival
Imagine downtown Las Vegas brought alive with top art, exquisite music, and delicious food. If that sounds like your kind of weekend, head over to Life is Beautiful. This year’s lineup features Kendrick Lamar, The Killers, and Odesza — the event will take place September 22-24.
Stagecoach Festival
Stagecoach Festival, dubbed “country music’s biggest party,” is a three-day country music festival in Indio, California, from April 28-30. Featuring some of the biggest names in country music, this year’s lineup includes Luke Bryan, Elle King, and — surprise — Diplo.
Outside Lands Festival
Outside Lands is a three-day festival that will take place in Golden Gate Park in San Francisco from August 11-13. Known to be the largest independently-owned music festival, Outside Lands features an impressive lineup of artists from a variety of genres. This year’s star acts include Megan Thee Stallion and Lana Del Rey.
Austin City Limits Festival
A two-weekend festival in Zilker Park in Austin, Texas, Austin City Limits features some of the biggest names in music. This year’s festival will take place at the beginning of October — the lineup is yet to be announced.
Summerfest
Held annually in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Summerfest is the world’s largest music festival, featuring over 800 acts across 10+ stages. This year’s festival will take place June 22-July 8 and feature groups like Imagine Dragons and Zac Brown Band.
Essence Festival
For R&B and soul fans, the Essence Festival is a must-attend event. Held in New Orleans, Louisiana, from June 29-July 3, the festival will feature some of the biggest names in the genre, including Missy Elliott and Lauryn Hill.
Louder Than Life Festival
If hard rock and heavy metal are more your style, Louder Than Life is the festival for you. Held in Louisville, Kentucky, on September 21-24, the festival will feature non-stop rock music, along with bourbon and gourmet food. This year’s headliners include Green Day and Foo Fighters.
Boston Calling Festival
Boston Calling is an annual three-day festival at Harvard Athletic Complex in Boston, Massachusetts. With a diverse lineup that spans multiple genres, Boston Calling will take place May 26-28 and feature musical acts like Alanis Morissette and The Lumineers.
Ultra Music Festival
For fans of electronic music, Ultra Music Festival is a can’t-miss event. Held annually in Miami, Florida, the festival features the biggest names in EDM, as well as up-and-coming artists. In addition to music, Ultra also features state-of-the-art light shows, pyrotechnics, and art installations. This year’s festival took place March 24-26 and included musical grands like Charlotte de Witte and Afrojack.
Something in the Water Festival
Something in the Water is a music festival held annually in Virginia Beach, Virginia. Founded by Pharrell Williams, the festival features a mix of hip-hop, R&B, and electronic music. This year’s edition took place April 28-30 with headliners including Arcade Fire, Skrillex, and Kid Cudi.
Governors Ball
A three-day music festival held annually on Randall’s Island in New York City, Governors Ball offers something for every music fan. This year, get ready to groove on June 9-11 with the likes of Lil Baby, Lizzo, and Rina Sawayama.
Firefly Music Festival
Firefly Music Festival is a four-day festival held in Dover, Delaware, with lineups ranging from indie rock to hip-hop to electronic. This year’s festival was canceled, but organizers reassured fans that the festival will return in 2024 with renewed energy.
Roots Picnic Festival
The Roots Picnic is an annual music festival held in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Founded by the Grammy-winning hip-hop band The Roots, the festival features a mix of hip-hop, R&B, and soul music. Clear your calendar for June 2-4 to listen to artists like Lauryn Hill and Diddy.
Electric Daisy Carnival
One of the most popular electronic dance music festivals in the world, Electric Daisy Carnival is known for its top-notch production, stunning visuals, and some of the biggest names in the music industry. This year, EDC Las Vegas is set to take place from May 19-21 and feature DJs such as Martin Garrix and Tiësto.
New Orleans Jazz Festival
If you’re looking for a festival that offers a unique sonic experience based on free-flowing experimentation, the New Orleans Jazz Festival is the one for you. This year, the festival took place over two weekends, April 28-May 7, at the Fair Grounds Race Course and featured some big names in the music industry, such as Leon Bridges and Mumford & Sons.
With so many great festivals to choose from, 2023 is set to be an amazing year for music lovers across the US. So, grab your friends and get ready to experience some of the best music festivals in America!
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