Remember the days when you and a group of college friends would pile into a car and hang out at music festival for the weekend – friends, laughter, and music – not a care in the world, except the upcoming finals. Those were the good days, right. With this list of 9 music festivals around the US you can relive one of those fabulously fun weekends.
Music Festivals in the U.S.
April 29 – May 1, 2016 Tom Lee Park, Downtown Memphis, Tennessee
Beale Street Music Festival is hailed as where the beats of rock-n-roll and blues music began. 2016 marks the 40th anniversary of the music festival that attracts music lovers from 50 states and over a dozen countries to this three-day multistage event on a 25 acre riverfront park overlooking the Mississippi River. Beale Street is known for the eclectic mix of blues, soul, contemporary rock, and modern talent.
New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival
April 22 – May 1, 2016 New Orleans, Louisiana
The New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival is one of the most renowned music festivals in the US. There are 12 stages with performances from over 120 musicians and artisans during the 10-day festival. Jazz Fest will celebrate its Belize roots and rhythms in 2016 with traditional Garifuna songs and dances. While in New Orleans check out these tours and must do foodie hangouts.
May 27 – 29, 2016 Napa Expo, 575 3RD St., Napa, California
To kick off the first taste of summer, Bottlerock celebrates wine, brew, food, and of course, music during this 3-day festival. There are over 80 artists performing for your listening pleasure in addition to a culinary stage that is featuring celebrated chefs, vintners and sommeliers that will be participating in entertaining performances and demos.
Punk Rock Bowling and Music Festival
May 28 – 30, 2016 Las Vegas, Nevada
This festival brings together music and bowling in one glorious gathering. This festival has the ingredients to be a truly unique and entertaining festival with loud punk music being blasted, scantily clad competitors, and an ever present cocktail waitress at your service in addition to other ‘surprise’ distractions all while you are competing for over $10,000 in prize money. In addition to bowling tournaments, there will be club shows, pool parties and poker games.
Taste of Country Music Festival
June 10 – 12, 2016 Hunter Mountain Ski Resort, Hunter, NY
Taste of Country Festival is the only multi-day camping country music festivals in the Northeast. This year marks its 4th year and brings some of country’s hottest stars like Annie Bosko, Kid Rock, Logan Brill, and Kenny Chesney. TOC Festival, situated in the Northern Catskills, is destined to become one of the top country music events in the U.S. with its wide range of supreme culinary delights, attractions, luxury accommodations, and powerhouse of country artists.
The Underground Music Showcase
July 28 – 31, 2016 Denver, Colorado
Now in its 16th anniversary, The Underground Music Showcase put on by the Denver Post is the biggest independent music festival in the Rocky Mountain region. The UMS is a highly regarded as the premier location to discover and sample the local independent music scene. The UMS is showcasing over 400 performers in 2016 in this non-profit event which benefits the Denver Post Community Foundation
September 2 – 4, 2016 Seattle, Washington
Bumbershoot Festival is one of North America’s largest contemporary music festivals drawing thousands of people from around the country. Bumbershoot lineup features performances from music, comedy, theatre, film, and visual arts, and dancers from around the country. With the diversity of this festival, there is something for every interest.
Austin City Limits Music Festival
September 30 – October 2, 2016 Zilker Park, Austin, Texas
Founded in 2002, the ACL Music Festival draws thousands of visitors each year to listen to the diverse music from genres of rock, indie, folk, country, hip hop, and electronic. ACL has eight stages in addition to culinary vendors who produce flavorful masterpieces, an art market, and an assortment of activities. ACL is a cashless festival, meaning that you can link your credit card to your wristband to pay for your drinks and at select vendors.
December 29 – January 1, 2017 South Lake Tahoe, California
Set in Lake Tahoe’s winter wonderland SnowGlobe Music Festival brings top of the line electronic dance music to this popular ski town. Snow globe is energetic and loud with neon lights and pyrotechnic displays. What better way to warm up on a cold winter weekend than by dancing to a pulsing beat outside in the snow.
That sounds like a lot of fun.