The Best Music Festivals in America

Eagles, Mount Rushmore, dollar bills and high blood pressure; that’s right we’re talking about America. More commonly known as the land of the free, America has possibly some of the best festivals in the world. From high and low they bring in tones of eager Americans to party in one spot and get absolutely feral. 

And while we may side-eye their shots with a ‘chaser’ method, they know how to party. And that’s why we have created a list of all the best music festivals in America. So crack open a cold one, and let the list bless your eyes and hopefully your ears. 

*cue some obnoxiously loud eagle noises*

 

 

 

Rolling Loud

Photo: rollingloud.com

When: Friday 13th - Sunday 15th December 2024 

Where: Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Florida

2024 lineup: TBA

The world's largest Hip-Hop festival is back again for 2024 and this time they're not allowing no rain or shine to interrupt their flow. With the new dates moving to December instead of their usual summer essence, but bringing the Christmas spirit to your front door America. Celebrating 10 years' worth of happy party people, expect all of your Christmas wishes to come true at one of the best music festivals in America.

The lineup is TBA, however, we know it will be stellar, especially after last year saw the likes of, Playboi Carti, Lil Yachty, Ice Spice, PinkPanthress and much more.

 

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Riot Fest 

Photo: riotfest.org

When: Friday 20th - Sunday 22nd September 2024

Where: RiotLand at Bridgeview in Illinois 

2024 lineup: Fall Out Boy, Beck, Layer, The Offspring, Sublime, Public Enemy, Dr Dog, St Vincent, Bright Eyes and loads more 

Riot Fest always comes through with unique, impressive lineups. Mixing rock, punk, alt. rock, metal and hip-hop, the festival keeps its lineups diverse, engaging, and powerful. But the festivities go beyond music. You can also find funfair rides, sideshow performers, such as chainsaw jugglers, and maybe even a butter sculpture.

This year they have a whopper of a lineup to keep you entertained from start to finished, with appeances from Fall Out Boy, Beck, Layer, The Offspring, Sublime, Public Enemy, Dr Dog, St Vincent, Bright Eyes and loads more, it's going to be one hell of a weekend!

 

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Lollapalooza

Photo: Lollapalooza / Facebook.com 

When: Thursday 1st - Sunday 4th August 2024 

Where: Grant Park in Chicago, Illinois

2024 lineup: Megan Thee Stallion, Hozier, SZA, Stray Kids, The Killers, Future x Metro Boomin, Blink 182 and many more

Another massive fest with multiple locations due to its popularity, Lollapalooza is a bucket list fest for sure. Prioritising great music over certain genres, Lolla’s lineups include mostly mainstream names, including those from hip-hop, pop, rock, electronic, RnB, and beyond. 

With around 400,000 attendees on the mark this year, Lolla is one of the world's biggest festivals, and it’s no surprise it attracts so many music fans when the lineups never miss. Especially as this year they have no other than the no.1 hot girl Megan Thee Stallion, Hozier, SZA, Stray Kids, The Killers, Future x Metro Boomin, Blink 182 and many more.

It's going to be a once-in-a-lifetime experience you can't miss out on.

 

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Burning Man

When: Sunday 25th August - Monday 2nd September 2024

Where: Black Rock Desert in Reno, Nevada

2024 lineup: N/A

The fest with the giant burning effigy has been prominent in pop culture for years now and has been referenced in all sorts, including The Simpsons and American Dad. So much more than a music festival, Burning Man is all about community, self-expression and appreciating art. 

A quick peek at their Instagram instantly reveals the “no boundaries” vibe. You can see stunning, intricate art pieces, mutant vehicles, trippy patterns, and a whole lot of dust in the air. If you plan on going, a balaclava over your mouth and nose might be a good idea. At Burning Man, there is no fixed lineup or schedule. But you can hear psychedelic-inspired genres, soul, jazz, hip hop, and electronic music. 

We could go on for days about Burning Man as it’s so interesting with so much history and symbolism, but we have to move on…

 

For more information on Burning Man click -here

 

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Austin City Limits 

Photo: Austin City Limits / Facebook.com 

When: Friday 4th - Sunday 6th October & Friday 11th - Sunday 13th October 2024

When: Zilker Park in Austin, Texas

2024 lineup: Tyler The Creator, Dua Lipa, Blink 182, Leon Bridges, Kehlani, Tyla, Barry Can't Swim, Chappell Roan, Still Woozy, Dom Dolla and loads more

Another one of America's biggest festivals, ACL takes place across two weekends with performances over eight stages. With out-of-this-world lineups, ACL almost always sells out. In fact, the festival sold out in record time for its 20th anniversary in 2021. It seems the Texan festival is just getting started.

This year 2024 has us drooling with anticipation as the lineup is full of many brilliant artists across many genres. Including, Tyler The Creator, Dua Lipa, Blink 182, Leon Bridges, Kehlani, Tyla, Barry Can't Swim, Chappell Roan, Still Woozy, Dom Dolla and loads more.

All of those huge talents were spread across just four years. Madness.

 

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Life is beautiful 

Photo: Life is Beautiful Festival / Facebook.com

When: Friday 27th - Saturday 28th September 2024

Where: Arts District, DTLV Las Vegas, Nevada

2024 lineup: Justice, Peggy Gou, LCD Soundsystem, Jamie XXX, Jungle, Thundercat and more

What is usually a three-day blowout has now been lowered to two, as Life Is Beautiful undergoes a swift makeover for 2024.  The longstanding Las Vegas festival announced major changes with the addition of a new site not far from the old one in Downtown Las Vegas. 

However, don't expect too much change as their Block Party will still have the same vibes as before, if not better.  In between watching the hottest artists in the game, you can still embrace the true beauty of downtown Las Vegas. Plus with no overlapping artists, there's no harm in embracing a bit of change, right? 

 

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Outside Lands

 

Photo: Outside Lands Music Festival / Facebook.com 

When: Friday 9th - Sunday 11th August 2024

Where: Golden Gate Park in San Francisco, California 

2024 lineup: Sabrina Carpenter, Post Malone, The Killers, Kaydranada, Grace Jones, Daniel Ceaser, Chris Lake, Jungle, Victoria Monet, TV Girl, Men I Trust (we could keep going but it might be easier to check out the poster!!)

Outside Lands is the largest independent music festival in the US and sees around 200,000 music lovers let loose on its grounds every year. If you’re curious about what’s in store for 2024, you're in luck as the lineup has been released and it's looking super juicy. With Sabrina Carpenter, The Killers, Kaydranada, Grace Jones, Daniel Ceaser, Chris Lake, Jungle, Victoria Monet, TV Girl, Men I Trust, it's going to be jam-packed with talent. Including a special country set from the amazing, Post Malone.

As the first major US festival to sell cannabis onsite (legally), you’re guaranteed an experience different to what any UK fest currently offers. But if that doesn’t sound like your scene, there’s plenty else to explore, including intimate night shows, art, award-winning dishes, beer, wine, eco-friendly causes, and more.

 

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Newport Folk Festival 

Photo: Newport Folk Festival  / Facebook.com 

When: Friday 26th - Sunday 28th July 2024

Where: Fort Adams State Park in Rhode Island

2024 lineup: Hozier, Adrianne Lenker, Bertha: Beautiful Drag, Billy Bragg, Britney Howard, Elle King and loads more

Looking for an American Music festival that is just wholesome? Well, then you're in the right spot as Newport Folk Festival is the plain definition. Priding themselves as being the festival where all is welcome, they also provide some of the best talent around within the folk and country genre. 

With a unique lineup full of music, and comedy including, Hozier, Adrianne Lenker, Bertha: Beautiful Drag, Billy Bragg, Britney Howard, and Elle King, expect nothing but upmost kindness and endless good vibes all weekend long!

 

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Inkcarceration Music & Tattoo Festival

Photo: Inkcarceration Music & Tattoo Festival  / Facebook.com 

When: Friday 19th - Sunday 21st July 2024 

Where: Ohio State Reformatory in Mansfield Ohio 

2024 lineup: Breaking Benjamin, Godsmack, Shinedown, The Offspring, Bad Omens, I Prevail, Of Mice & Men, Skillet, Sleeping with Sirens and many more

It's not every day you can say you've been to a festival that has the heaviest rock bands while also getting a tattoo. However, if you do want to be saying that then it may be wise to take a look into, Inkcarceration Music & Tattoo Festival. Their punny wit in their title adds to the sheer fun you're going to have as they unleash your wild side. Located near the Ohio State Reformatory, you can even get a tour and admission to the tattoo convention. 

Plus with camping, three stages and so much more you can guarantee to have a blast. Especially with rock legends gracing the stages from Breaking Benjamin, Godsmack, Shinedown, The Offspring, Bad Omens, I Prevail, Of Mice & Men, Skillet, and Sleeping with Sirens, just to name a few!

From where we're standing, it's no surprise that this American music festival will go down as every rocker's dream. 

 

For more information on Inkcarceration Music & Tattoo Festival click -here

 

 

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The fact is, there are so many unreal American music festivals. There's something for everyone and a change of scenery is always welcome. 

We hope we put you onto a festival you hadn’t heard of before, helped you decide which one you’re feeling in 2024, or just got you excited for the festival season. Now send the screenshot you took of that one festival to the group chat and get some plans sorted! 

 

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Check out our What's On Guide to discover even more rowdy raves and sweaty gigs taking place over the coming weeks and months. For festivals, lifestyle events and more, head on over to our Things To Do page or be inspired by the event selections on our Inspire Me page.

 

 

  

 

 

 Header: Life Is Beautiful / Facebook.com