The best music festivals in the U.S.

When: March 12–18, 2026

Where: Various venues, Austin, Texas

The first SXSW was held in 1987 and since then, the festival and conference has held steady as one of Austin’s—and the entertainment industry’s—most influential annual gatherings. For its 40th edition in 2026, the multiprong event shifted from its longtime HQ at the now-closed Austin Convention Center, instead dispersing across various Austin neighborhoods.

Despite the reformatted footprint and shortened schedule, SXSW 2026 featured major moments, including a keynote speech from film director Steven Spielberg, over 1,200 showcasing artists (Noah Kahan, Lola Young and BigXthaPlug among them) and a slew of hot-ticket movie and television premieres.

When: March 26–29, 2026

Where: Various venues, Knoxville, Tennessee

Named for the open-minded approach to listening it asks attendees to have, Big Ears regularly hosts contemporary classical music performances along with adventurous indie-rock, jazz, metal and electronic music. To list genres is almost antithetical to the spirit of the festival, which recognizes no such distinction in its omnivorous bookings.

For four days, Big Ears transforms Knoxville into a paradise for music of all kinds, taking over regal concert halls, intimate clubs and hushed churches, all of which are centrally located and within walking distance. For 2026, the lineup is absolutely stacked with legends, from David Byrne, Robert Plant and Laurie Anderson to John Zorn and Flying Lotus.

When: March 27–29, 2026

Where: Bayfront Park, Miami, Florida

Considered one of the best electric music events in the world, Ultra Music Festival is a three-day-long rave featuring EDM, techno and house music bumping from seven visually mind-blowing stages. Attendees are referred to as “Ultranauts” and come from around the globe to party along the waterfront in downtown Miami.

This year’s lineup includes Afrojack, Alesso B2B Martin Garrix, Armin Van Buuren, Carl Cox, Denniz Cruz B2B Seth Troxler, DJ Snake, Hardwell, John Summit, Major Lazer, Steve Aoki, Vintage Culture, a live performance by Boyz Noize and so many more. The 2026 fest also debuts the world’s first-ever zero-emission battery-powered stage as part of its Mission: Home sustainability program.

When: April 10–12 and 17–19, 2026

Where: Empire Polo Club, Indio, California

More than 100,000 music lovers make a pilgrimage to the Empire Polo Club during each weekend of Coachella, whether bound for campgrounds or shuttling over from golf resorts and mid-century modern homes. Though its bespoke dining experiences, hotel party scene and celebrity fashion moments may try to steal headlines, Coachella remains about the relaxed desert air euphoria of a well-curated music festival.

Considering the lineup, it’s no surprise that 2026 passes have completely sold out. Sabrina Carpenter, Justin Bieber, Karol G and Anyma comprise the top of the bill—and the rest reads like the Spotify playlist of our dreams: Disclosure, the XX, Turnstile, the Strokes, Givēon, Addison Rae, Young Thug, Kaskade, Iggy Pop and FKA Twigs are just a few of the highlights.

When: April 23–May 3, 2026

Where: Fair Grounds Race Course, New Orleans, Louisiana

One of the country’s longest-running music festivals, held annually since 1970, New Orleans’ beloved Jazz Fest is also one of the biggest. Nearly half a million people show up to take in a massive bill of jazz, blues, rock and roots music. Aside from the music, Jazz Fest platforms the pride of New Orleans culture via sprawling artisan marketplaces and food villages featuring the city’s finest.

While most festivals are content to book the same handful of reunited alt-rock bands making the rounds, Jazz Fest always boasts hall-of-fame caliber headliners. This year’s lineup goes well beyond jazz with names like Eagles, Stevie Nicks, Rod Stewart, Kings of Leon, Lainey Wilson, Teddy Swims, Lorde, Jon Batiste, the Black Keys, T-Pain, Raye, Nas and Earth, Wind & Fire, to name a few.

When: April 24–26, 2026

Where: Empire Polo Club, Indio, California

Stagecoach is Coachella’s cowboy-booted country cousin, located on the same grounds in Indio. Expect to hear both mainstream and indie country, bluegrass and folk music, plus a healthy dose of hip-hop and dance acts. This year’s line-up includes Cody Johnson, Bailey Zimmerman, Lainey Wilson, Riley, Green, Journey, Post Malone, Brooks & Dunn, Hootie and the Blowfish, Diplo, Pitbull, Ludacris and more.

Outside of the music, saddle up for interactive equine activations, BBQ via the Guy Fieri Smokehouse, air-conditioned line-dancing at Diplo’s HonkyTonk, a kids’ corral and a trading post where you can score a sweet pair of vintage boots, among other finds.

When: May 15–17, 2026

Where: Las Vegas Motor Speedway, Las Vegas, Nevada

The Electric Daisy Carnival, more commonly known as “EDC,” is the largest electronic dance music festival in North America, held every May at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway. With over 200 acts and more than 500,000 ravers in attendance, the event merges electronic dance music with mind-bending visual arts, ultra-high-tech stages and interactive installations.

The 2026 edition marks 30 years of EDC, and to celebrate, the fest has rolled out its most massive lineup yet: Charlotte de Witte, Chris Lake, Armin van Buuren, Martin Garrix, FISHER, John Summit, CosmicMEADOW, Underworld, San Holo, the Prodigy and Mau P—and that’s just a taste of the headliners.

When: May 22–24, 2026

Where: Napa Valley Expo, Napa, California

It wouldn’t be a true Wine Country event without an abundance of vino, gourmet food and a mid-fest massage (seriously). But BottleRock really sets itself apart by satiating both your flavor and sonic palettes—and the range of attractions doesn’t disappoint.

The 2026 lineup is solid: Lorde, Teddy Swims and Lil Wayne headline Friday; Foo Fighters, LCD Soundsystem and Zedd top the bill on Saturday; and Backstreet Boys, Sombr and Ludacris close out Sunday night. After the festival grounds close, explore the official aftershows around Napa and the Bay Area.

When: May 23–25, 2026

Where: Hart Plaza, Detroit, Michigan

Detroit’s Movement is the antithesis of the sprawling, sense-assaulting EDM mega-raves like Electric Daisy Carnival that come to mind when you hear the phrase “electronic music festival.” Launched in 2000 as the Detroit Electronic Music Festival and held downtown in the city that gave the world techno, the focus here is on music over spectacle with a lineup that mixes pioneers with next-generation innovators.

For 2026, the lineup brings together yet another edgy and eclectic mix, including Sara Landry, Carl Cox, Dom Dolla, Richie Hawtin, 999999999, ANNA, Barry Can’t Swim, DJ Harvey, Mochakk, KI/KI, Neil Frances, the Dare, Boys Noize and MCR-T, TEED, Claude Von Stroke, the Ritual with Anané & Louie Vega, DJ Minx and Detroit’s multi-hyphenate poet laureate, Jessica Care Moore.

When: September 19–21, 2025

Where: Piedmont Park, Atlanta, Georgia

Rock enthusiasts flock to Atlanta’s Central Park to enjoy more than 60 bands across four stages at Shaky Knees, and they're greeted with a rather eclectic range of up-and-coming, trending, and world-renowned musicians. This year, the festival has been pushed back from May to September, so the lineup is still under wraps. For an idea of what to expect, the 2024 festival featured Noah Kahan, Arcade Fire, Young the Giant, Weezer, Foo Fighters, Billy Idol, Queens of the Stone Age and more. 

When: September 25–28, 2025

Where: Various venues, Austin, Texas

Though it's switched its name back and forth a few times over the years, the gathering formerly known as Austin Psych Fest returns in 2025, shifting its dates from April to August. Regardless of its actual name, Levitation has become a big name on the Austin festival scene with lineups that span continents and generations of heady, experimental sounds. This four-day bacchanal is all about boundary-pushing and musical expression—a haven for gearheads, vinyl aficionados and anyone who appreciates a really trippy laser light show.

When: June 5–7, 2026

Where: Flushing Meadows Corona Park, Queens, New York

What began as a few tents among abandoned buildings and military barracks is now a staple festival, occupying a unique place among summer concerts in NYC. Gov Ball is the one local fest where you can catch hip-hop chart-toppers, tastemaker-approved buzz bands, left-field pop heroes and, yes, dance-commanding EDM overlords over three days and three stages.

Dubbed “New York’s biggest party,” Gov Ball’s 2026 lineup includes headliners Lorde, Baby Keem, Stray Kids, Kali Uchis, A$AP Rocky and Jennie, plus the Dare, Major Lazer, King Princess, Wet Leg, Geese, Freddie Gibbs & the Alchemist, Japanese Breakfast, Fcukers and dozens more.

When: June 11–14, 2026

Where: Great Stage Park, Manchester, Tennessee

The long-running, four-day Bonnaroo Music & Art Festival has a reputation as the funkiest of the modern major music festivals, from its backwoods Tennessee location on a 700-acre farm and its hedonistic on-site camping to the slightly hippie-fied lineups and signature all-star “superjam.”

Highlights from this year’s stacked lineup include Skrillex, Four Tet, Vince Staples, the Strokes, Griz, Turnstile, Yungblud, Rüfüs Du Sol, Teddy Swims, the Neighbourhood, Noah Kahan, Role Model, Kesha and more. Kesha is scheduled to lead the psychedelic-themed Superjam, titled “Kesha Presents: Superjam Esoterica: The Alchemy of Pop.”

When: June 18–20 • June 25–27 • July 2–4, 2026

Where: American Family Insurance Amphitheater, Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Taking place over nine days and three consecutive weekends, this whopper of a festival concludes with a literal bang, lighting up the lakefront with a 20-minute fireworks show commemorating America’s 250th birthday. As in previous years, the pop and country-leaning lineup features a whopping 600-plus artists across 14 stages spanning the 75-acre Henry Maier Festival Park.

Acts for 2026 include Garth Brooks, Megan Moroney, Don Toliver with SahBabii, Che, SoFayGo, sosocamo, Chase B, and Lelo, Carín León, Ed Sheeran with Myles Smith and Aaron Rowe, Cody Johnson with Jessie Murph, Post Malone with Carter Faith, Muse, Alex Warren, and Jelly Roll with Tyler Hubbard, among others.

When: July 24–26, 2026

Where: Fort Adams State Park, Newport, Rhode Island

Best known as the place where Dylan went electric (to the boos of angry folk traditionalists), Newport Folk’s been showcasing the changing face of Americana for nearly half a century. While the lineup usually has a healthy dose of acts that reflect its history of traditionalism, it also features rockers, R&B singers and electronics-assisted performances.

This year’s three-day event is already sold out, with confirmed performances, storytelling and workshops from the likes of Brandi Carlile, Ms. Lauryn Hill, Hayley Williams & Friends, Gillian Welch & David Rawlings, Hot Tuna, Lizzy McAlpine and Fruit Bats, with more expected to be announced.

When: July 30–August 2, 2026

Where: Grant Park, Chicago, Illinois

Founded as a touring festival by Jane’s Addiction frontman Perry Farrell in 1991, Lollapalooza has made Chicago its permanent home since 2005. The gargantuan event spans the entirety of Grant Park, subjecting more than 100,000 daily attendees to long walks between stages, porta-johns and beer tents. The reward for your sun-drenched slog? A veritable who’s-who of marquee festival acts, from hip-hop to indie rock and everything in between.

Four-day tickets to the festival have already sold out, but single-day passes are still available. You’ll want to snatch them up fast, considering the lineup: Lorde, John Summit, Charli XCX, the Smashing Pumpkins, Olivia Dean, Jennie, Tate McRae and the XX headline, with other exciting entries including Empire of the Sun, Zara Larsson, Disco Lines and many more.

When: August 7–9, 2026

Where: Golden Gate Park, San Francisco, California

In the years since its inaugural weekend back in 2008, Outside Lands has become a signature San Francisco event—and one of the most sought after music festivals in the world. Three days of dancing to dozens of bands and DJs across seven stages are punctuated by drinking, dining and, yes, marijuana-enhanced experiences that put traditional festival food to shame.

Do not forget to wear layers, and prepare to get dusty. The bands rock, the fog rolls in and it’s a long and awesome weekend. The stellar lineup for 2026 features headliners Charli XCX, Turnstile, Griztronics (Subtronics + Grizz), Labrinth, the Strokes, the XX, DJO, Dijon, Pinkpantheress, Rüfüs Du Sol, Baby Keem, Empire of the Sun and Death Cab For Cutie.

When: September 18–20, 2026

Where: Piedmont Park, Atlanta, Georgia

Rock enthusiasts flock to Atlanta’s picturesque Piedmont Park in the heart of downtown to enjoy more than 60 bands across four stages at Shaky Knees, and they’re greeted with a rather eclectic range of up-and-coming, trending and world-renowned musicians.

The 2026 headliners include the Strokes, Turnstile, Fontaines D.C., Geese, Twenty One Pilots, Pierce the Veil, the Prodigy, Pavement, Gorillaz, LCD Soundsystem and Wu-Tang Clan. Blood Orange, Jimmy Eat World, Peach Pit, Taking Back Sunday, Modest Mouse, Japanese Breakfast and Santigold feature, among others.

When: September 18–20, 2026

Where: Douglass Park, Chicago, Illinois

Forget about flower crowns and neon tank tops—Riot Fest is a place to show off your old high school jean jacket, plastered with patches and pins. Originally conceived as a punk-rock celebration, this three-day event has grown to welcome alternative rockers, hip-hop acts, electronic artists and more. You can also ride a Ferris wheel, eat funnel cake and see a sideshow—it’s kind of like a state fair with way better music. 

No acts had been officially confirmed for 2026 at the time of writing, but you can sign up for text messages to get the lineup first, and early bird tickets are currently on sale. (For last year’s 20th anniversary festival, Blink-182, Weezer, Green Day and Jack White were just a few of the rock legends to hit the stages.)

When: October 2–4 • 9–11, 2026

Where: Zilker Park, Austin, Texas

ACL takes place over two weekends and it’s easy to see why: Organizers need all the time in the world to stuff Zilker Park full of some of America’s biggest (and most eclectic) names. At the time of writing, no acts have been officially confirmed, but if previous years are any indication, it will be a musical extravaganza that’s worth making an effort to get to. (Attendees of the 2025 event were treated to Hozier, Luke Combs, Cage the Elephant, Sabrina Carpenter, the Strokes, Doechii, the Killers, John Summit, Feid and more.)

When: October 16–17, 2026

Where: Mana Wynwood, Miami, Florida

The "three points" of III Points music festival are music, art and technology, and though it’s more than a decade into its journey, this edgy late-night fest remains true to the original ethos. This is primarily an electronic music festival, but III Points skews decidedly more underground and indie than Ultra, with plenty of left-field acts, genre-bending legends and local talent sprinkled in.

Unlike most other fests in this guide, III Points starts late and ends late (much like Miami itself). Decked in tropi-goth fashion, attendees roam a futuristic urban jungle setting in the heart of Miami’s arts district. There are 11 different stages, from tiny clubs to warehouse raves and the main stage with its massive disco ball that hangs over the crowd. This year’s lineup is still TBA, but 2025 featured Darkside, Sean Paul, L’Imperatrice, Peggy Gou, Magdalena Bay, Mk.Gee, Turnstile and Black Coffee, among others.