Summertime is coming, and it’s most definitely the most popular festival season every year. There are so many great summer festivals in America that it may seem as though the whole country is just one large festival. To help you discern which celebrations are worth your time and effort, we’ve compiled this list of the best summer festivals in America!
Coachella
Coachella is the music festival that all music festivals aspire to be, and it’s the perfect way to ring in the summer. Advertised specifically for the most trendy and elite attendees, Coachella tops many bucket lists and sells out year after year. Music genres range from hip hop to pop to rock and electronic, catering to all music lovers. This year’s headliners included Tame Impala, Childish Gambino, and Janelle Monáe.
However, it is notorious for its high prices so we wanted to discover the US cities that offer the cheapest breaks to Coachella, and how much you should be prepared to spend if you want to visit on a budget. Check out what the total cost of visiting Coachella would be – looking at the cost of flights and airport parking across all 50 states, alongside the cost of a ticket for the festival, how much you’d spend while you’re there on a budget, and overnight stays before and after.
Taste of Chicago
There is no better place for food connoisseurs than the Taste of Chicago. Every fourth of July, Chicago hosts one of the largest annual food festivals in the United States. The free admission is a great touch since there’s so much food, alcohol, crafts, and entertainment you’ll want to spend your money on instead.
Smithsonian Folklife Festival
Watch history come to life this June at Washington D.C.’s famed Smithsonian Museum. Immerse yourself in live demonstrations of cultural traditions from around the world and expand your knowledge with the educational programs taking place along the National Mall. With hands-on activities, the Smithsonian Folklife Festival is family friendly too.
Lollapalooza
Another Chicago mainstay, Lollapalooza takes place every summer at Grant Park. Despite it starting as a music festival, this event now spans multiple fields. You’ll discover the festival features delectable food, up-and-coming bands, unique crafts, and new non-profit organizations to support.
Los Angeles Food and Wine Festival
Enjoy some of the best food and drink in the country this August at the L.A. Food and Wine Festival. Meet celebrity chefs, sample scrumptious treats and enjoy music from popular entertainers for 5 glorious days.
Electric Daisy Carnival
Prepare for Vegas to get even crazier this May when the Electric Daisy Carnival comes to Sin City. Dance the night away to your favorite electronic act with neon lights and interactive displays giving the illusion of being transported to a whole new world. It’s one of the best festivals in summer time.
Burning Man
Burning Man is often considered the quintessential music festival, with others often imitating its culture. Held every summer in the middle of the Nevada desert, if you only have time to do one epic music festival this year, make it this one.
Route 66 Summer Fest
Head to Albuquerque, New Mexico in July for the most iconic road trip- complete with a festival honoring it. Spend the day eating great food, enjoying the requisite car show, or you could even decide to get married for $25 at a group wedding along the famous highway.
Taste of Colorado
This is not just a day event. The event features a 3-day long food festival, bringing joy to people’s taste buds for over 3 decades. Take the whole family to enjoy free admission, entertainment, a kid’s zone and more than enough vendors to keep everyone happy for the entirety of the weekend.
San Diego Comic Convention
This isn’t an annual festival, per se, but this world-famous convention should be mentioned. Anyone who has a love of comics, science fiction, fantasy or just plain people-watching will adore San Diego’s Comic-con this July. With so many celebrities (and those dressed just like them) in attendance, fans never leave disappointed.
