The best music festivals in the U.S.

When: March 7–15, 2025

Where: Various venues, Austin, Texas

The first SXSW was held in 1987 and since then the festival has grown both in terms of attendance—by some counts, 280,000 people attended the 10-day festival in 2019—and in terms of influence: SXSW is Austin’s biggest revenue-producing event and one of the most important gatherings on the nation's entertainment calendar. The event is broken down into SXSW Music (with 2,000-plus acts performing across the city); SXSW Film & TV (with screenings of anticipated movies, panels and workshops); SXSW Comedy (a week of laugh-out-loud lineups including established and emerging talent), and the increasingly popular SXSW Interactive, which features speakers, panels and a pitch competition, SXSW Accelerator.

When: March 27–30, 2025

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 the city into a paradise for music of all kinds, taking over regal music halls, intimate clubs and hushed churches, all of which are centrally located and within walking distance. 

When: March 28–30, 2025

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 line-up includes Afrojack, Anyma B2B Solomun, Carl Cox, Dom Dolla + John Summit, Martin Garrix, Richie Hawtin, Tiesto and Zeds Dead, plus so many more. 

When: April 11–13 and 18–20, 2025

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. 

When: April 24–May 4, 2025

Where: Fair Grounds Race Course, New Orleans, Louisiana

One of the country’s longest-running music festivals, held annually since 1970, 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. 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 Pearl Jam, Dave Matthews Band, Luke Combs, Lil Wayne & The Roots, Lenny Kravitz and Kacey Musgraves, to name a few. 

When: April 25–27, 2025

Where: Empire Polo Club, Indio, CA

Stagecoach is Coachella's down-home, Cowboy-booted country music cousin. Located on the same grounds in Indio, Stagecoach is an outdoor festival featuring mainstream country, bluegrass, folk and alternative country. This year's line-up includes Zach Bryan, Brothers Osborne, Lana Del Rey, Jelly Roll, Sturgill Simpson, Nelly, Luke Combs, Midland, Sammy Hagar and more. 

When: May 16–18, 2025

Where: Las Vegas Motor Speedway, Las Vegas, NV

The Electric Daisy Carnival, more commonly known as "EDC," is the largest electronic dance music festival in North America and is held every May at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway. The event merges electronic dance music with visual arts and interactive installations. The 2025 line-up has yet to be announced, but the 2024 edition featured the likes of Deadmau5, Jamie Jones, Diplo, Sofi Tukker, Dillon Francis, Peggy Pou and over 200 more. 

When: May 23–25, 2025

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. Confirmed acts for 2025 include Green Day, Justin Timberlake, Noah Kahan and Khruangbin. 

When: May 24–26, 2025

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.

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 6–8, 2025

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. This year’s headliners include Tyler, the Creator, Benson Boone, Olivia Rodrigo, Feid, Hozier and Glass Animals.

When: June 12–15, 2025

Where: Great Stage Park, Manchester, Tennessee

Long-running Bonnaroo has a reputation as the funkiest of the modern major music festivals, from its backwoods Tennessee location 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 Luke Combs, Dom Dolla, Tyler, the Creator, John Summit, Glass Animals, Olivia Rodrigo, Avril Lavigne, Justice, Hozier, Vampire Weekend, Queens of the Stone Age and more.

When: June 19–21 • June 26–28 • July 3–5, 2025

Where: American Family Insurance Amphitheater, Milwaukee, Wisconsin

When Summerfest revealed around 100 headliners, they were just getting started. Taking place over three consecutive weekends, the lineup features a whopping 600+ artists across 12 stages spanning the 75-acre Henry Maier Festival Park. Acts this year include Def Leppard, Hozier, James Taylor, Lainey Wilson, The Killers, Megan Thee Stallion, Benson Boone, The Lumineers and more.

When: July 26–28, 2025

Where: Fort Adams State Park, Newport, Rhode Island

Best known as the place where Dylan went electric (before being cut off by 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 performances, storytelling and workshops from legends including Taj Mahal, Paul Simon, Joni Mitchell and Jeff Tweedy.

When: TBA

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. Though the 2025 festival dates and lineup haven't yet dropped, last year's event took place from August 1 through 4, with Chappell Roan and SZA topping the bill.

When: August 8–10, 2025

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. Three days of dancing to dozens of bands and yucking it up with A-list comics are punctuated by drinking and dining experiences that put traditional festival food to shame. (In previous years, there have been such things called "Cheese Lands" here, as well as a "Wine Lands" and Bubble Tea Party in a magical forest). 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.

When: September 19–21, 2025

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 2025 at the time of writing, but organizers have been dropping "clues" to tease what's expected to be an epic 20th-anniversary lineup. (Past years have seen My Chemical Romance, Portugal, The Man, Taking Back Sunday, Descendents, Jeff Rosenstock and more hit the stages.)

When: October 3–5 • 10–12, 2025

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 2024 were treated to Chris Stapleton, Blink-182, Leon Bridges, Dua Lipa, Khruangbin, Pretty Lights, Chapell Roan and more.) 

When: October 17–18, 2025

Where: Mana Wynwood, Miami, FL

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 other fests, 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.

When: TBA

Where: Hard Rock Stadium, Miami, FL

Miami leveled up its clout when it birthed Rolling Loud in 2015. Since then, the brand has become one of the biggest rap and hip-hop festivals in the entire country—even the world, expanding to a full weekend-long festival with just about every rapper you can think of having graced its stage: Future, Kendrick Lamar, Lil Wayne, Travis Scott, J. Cole, Lil Yachty, Gucci Mane and so many more. Nowadays, Rolling Loud shares the wealth with iterations in California and abroad in Austria and Thailand. The festival recently celebrated its tenth anniversary with a string of epic festivals that concluded in its hometown of Miami in December.