The Ultimate Guide to 2025’s Can’t-Miss Music Festivals

Trying to piece together an extensive summer-music itinerary? Or simply looking for an exciting option for one free weekend? Let us help. We’ve assembled a guide that includes more than 60 festivals and music events with details on who’s playing, when, where, and how to get tickets. We limited the list to mostly multiday U.S. engagements that feature high-profile performers, though there are a few blockbuster transatlantic jaunts sprinkled in.

The list is arranged in chronological order by start date. (Festivals with multiple dates are organized by the first calendar date.) Note that lineups are subject to change, which we’ll do our best to reflect below. Don’t forget your sunscreen and earplugs.

Are we missing something? Email us at festivals@vulture.com.

Coachella (April 11–13, 18–20)

Indio, CA

Genres/vibe: Rock, rap, pop, and EDM
Headliners and notables: Lady Gaga, Green Day, Post Malone, Travis Scott, Missy Elliott, Charli XCX, Megan Thee Stallion

In 1999, Coachella began as a discerning music fan’s version of that year’s ill-fated Woodstock. Since then, high-profile reunions like the Pixies and Outkast, an expansion to two weekends, pop superstars like Beyoncé topping the bills, and an Instagram-aided cultural cache turned it into the biggest American event of its kind. Post-pandemic, Coachella hasn’t instantly sold out like it did in its 20-teens peak, but it’s still the tone-setter of festival season, mixing big names with an eclectic undercard of rock and rap, plus late-night dance parties where acts like Billie Eilish might spin new tunes. Just don’t get caught off guard when the daytime desert heat vanishes faster than the $100 you budgeted for beers.

Don’t miss: Kraftwerk. The German electronic pioneers will put on a trippy, visually stunning extravaganza for this special 50th anniversary set.
Cost + ticket info: Three-day general-admission (GA) passes for the first weekend are sold out, but you can get the same ticket with shuttle-bus service for $779. Weekend-two GA tickets are still available for $599.

New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival (April 24–May 4)

New Orleans, LA

Genres/vibe: New Orleans music with everything that entails, plus rock, country, and rap.
Lineup highlights: Pearl Jam, Dave Matthews Band, Luke Combs, Lil Wayne and the Roots, Kacey Musgraves, Santana, John Fogerty

While this revered blowout is famed for showcasing the city’s many flavors of jazz, it’s also a place to find some incredible local funk, bounce, hip-hop, and blues. You can mainline — or second line — the best New Orleans has to offer all at once, now with mid-to-big-name rock and country acts filling out the bills.

Don’t miss: Local trumpeter/singer/Treme star/barbecue master Kermit Ruffins doing a tribute to Louis Armstrong.
Cost + ticket info: Single-day tickets are currently $89 for Thursdays and $119 for Friday to Sunday, while four-day passes start at $369.

Stagecoach (April 25–27)

Indio, CA

Genres/vibe: Country and western (also pop, rock, EDM, and rap).
Lineup highlights: Zach Bryan, Jelly Roll, Luke Combs, Lana Del Rey, Sturgill Simpson

Stagecoach is Coachella’s countrified sister fest. With fewer stages and attendees — and the ability to bring your own lawn chair if you’re not in a seated section — it’s a slightly lower-key weekend. But it’s still the world’s biggest country festival, and most people will be crowded at the Mane Stage or the Palomino tent, if they’re not hanging at Guy Fieri’s Smokehouse. That latter area isn’t just for eating: Jelly Roll, Shaboozey, and others will be there for cooking demos throughout the afternoons. And lest we give the impression that Stagecoach is all country, you’ll also find Diplo hosting his annual HonkyTonk with world-class DJs, plus late-night sets from T-Pain, Creed, and the Backstreet Boys.

Don’t miss: Nikki Lane, if you’re into the more outlaw side of country. (Check out her Josh Homme–produced Denim & Diamonds if you need convincing.)
Cost + ticket info: Three-day GA passes ($619) are sold out, but you can still get those wristbands plus shuttle service for $729.

Austin Psych Fest (April 25–27)

Austin, TX

Genres/vibe: Trippy rock inspired by Apocalypse Now and the sunnier side of psychedelia.
Lineup highlights: Dinosaur Jr., Kim Gordon, Explosions in the Sky, Darkside, Yo La Tengo, Godspeed You! Black Emperor

Much of the Austin weirdness that got sucked out of SXSW in recent years has found a home at Psych Fest, which goes heavy on fuzzy, droning, raga-inspired rock with some indie, shoegaze, and cumbia thrown in. Co-founded by members of the Black Angels, the festival changed its name to Levitation for a few years before splitting it into two events: the three-day Psych at the Far Out Lounge in the spring, then Levitation at multiple venues in September. At Psych, there are two stages with no overlapping sets while visual artists provide trippy lighting and video effects to enhance the experience. As for other enhancements, you’re on your own.

Don’t miss: La Luz’s brand of ’60s girl-group and psych-surf rock.
Cost + ticket info: Three-day passes run you $195 plus fees, while single-day tickets are $75.

Sonic Temple Art & Music Festival (May 8–11)

Columbus, OH

Genres/vibe: Metal — and hard rock that’s not considered metal for whatever reason.
Lineup highlights: Metallica, Linkin Park, Korn, Alice in Chains

Featuring more than 100 bands, Sonic Temple is a veritable who’s who of heavy acts, all congregating at Historic Crew Stadium, the home of Columbus’s Major League Soccer team. There’s one stage inside the bowl and three others located outside. Metallica is headlining both Friday and Sunday nights, playing unique sets for each. GA-pass holders can access everything, including seats in the stadium on a first-come, first-served basis.

Don’t miss: Jimmy Eat World, since they still rule and might be easier on your eardrums.
Cost + ticket info: Single-day tickets start at $160 plus fees while a four-day pass is $360.

Just Like Heaven (May 10)

Pasadena, CA

Genres/vibe: Indie rock that was huge during the subprime mortgage crisis.
Lineup highlights: Rilo Kiley, Vampire Weekend, Bloc Party, TV on the Radio, Slowdive

While high-profile SoCal-band reunions are usually Coachella’s domain, Just Like Heaven scored the biggest coup of the season when it announced Rilo Kiley as a headliner. The Jenny Lewis–led indie stalwarts are returning to the stage for the first time since 2008, making this one-day event a must-see for elder millennials. The schedule sees acts overlap less and less as the night progresses so you’ll barely miss any of the action — and it all ends at a reasonable 11 p.m.

Don’t miss: Panda Bear. The Animal Collective member’s new album, Sinister Grift, is the perfect mellow psychedelia for a sunny Pasadena afternoon.
Cost + ticket info: GA passes are $226 apiece.

EDC Las Vegas (May 16–18)

Las Vegas, NV

Genres/vibe: Every type of EDM you can imagine in a futuristic version of Caligula’s Rome.
Lineup highlights: Alesso, Tiësto, Excision, Sara Landry, Martin Garrix, RL Grime, Boys Noize, Svdden Death

Though there are multiple Electric Daisy Carnivals happening around the world every year, Vegas is the chief party. The three-day sweatathon takes place at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway, a sprawling complex that can fit 16 stages each catering to a different subgenre such as trance and Afro-house. There are more than 250 acts on the bill with most of the music going from 7 p.m. to 5 a.m.

Don’t miss: The Alison Wonderland B2B Kaskade set was a highlight of Coachella 2024, so make sure to catch this rare collab.
Cost + ticket info: Three-day passes start at $379, but it sold out quickly, so you’ll have to join the wait list or scalp.

Sand in My Boots (May 16–18)

Gulf Shores, AL

Genres/vibe: Bro country on the beach with bro-friendly acts from rock, rap, and EDM supporting.
Lineup highlights: Morgan Wallen, Post Malone, Brooks & Dunn, 2 Chainz, War on Drugs

Wallen’s Sand in My Boots is held on the Alabama beach that used to host Hangout Fest. With two main stages just steps from the Gulf of Mexico’s crashing waves, the event is more country than its predecessor but still has plenty of rap, EDM, and indie rock to keep things interesting. Swimsuits were the preferred outfit of many Hangout attendees and the party atmosphere gave that a feel akin to the old MTV Spring Break bacchanals, so we wouldn’t expect anything different from Wallen’s iteration. Perhaps this is the “God’s country” he wanted to get back to after SNL, a place where you can take a dip in the water if the bathroom lines are too long.

Don’t miss: Future Islands, for front man Samuel T. Herring’s stage presence alone.
Cost + ticket info: The festival is sold out, but you can join the wait list for GA weekend passes starting at $549. Or, try the secondary market.

Boston Calling (May 23–25)

Cambridge, MA

Genres/vibe: A college spring-fling concert on steroids, plus a lot of Sox hats.
Lineup highlights: Luke Combs, Fall Out Boy, Dave Matthews Band, Avril Lavigne, Vampire Weekend, Sheryl Crow, Megan Moroney, Public Enemy

Now in its 12th year, Boston Calling is trying something new with its layout this May. The two main stages are gone, replaced by a single rotating one inside Harvard Athletic Complex that will, according to organizers, allow for better views across the grounds. The festival is also bringing back its air-conditioned indoor space for hydrating and recharging, making this Memorial Day experience less of a heat-stroke risk. Another tweak for 2025 is that you can buy two-day passes, allowing you to take Sunday off or skip Friday’s country headliners.

Don’t miss: Remi Wolf, whose youthful genre-hopping will give a jolt to a fest that’s heavier on long-ago hits.
Cost + ticket info: One-day admission starts at $176 while the full weekend will set you back $358.

BottleRock Napa Valley (May 23–25)

Napa, CA

Genres/vibe: An event where you’ll learn which grapes pair best with “Caress Me Down.”
Lineup highlights: Green Day, Justin Timberlake, Noah Kahan, Khruangbin, Benson Boone, Sublime, E-40

Oenophiles and audiophiles collide in Northern California at BottleRock. Beyond the stellar lineups, Napa’s premier fest goes heavy on local food and wine, adding a classier feel to the sweaty day drinking. Food Network viewers are also bound to see familiar chefs doing cooking demos around the grounds — all in all, it’s great for people who aged out of Coachella. If nothing else, you can yell out “this is going to ruin the terroir!” during Timberlake’s set.

Don’t miss: Ice Cube. Just to see the Compton legend rapping about street life while Northern Californians sip too-warm merlot.
Cost + ticket info: One-day passes are $233 while the full weekend costs $456.

Punk Rock Bowling (May 24–26)

Las Vegas, NV

Genres/vibe: Tatted young’uns and veteran punks who still treasure their early Social D cassettes.
Lineup highlights: Social Distortion, Peter Hook & the Light, Cock Sparrer, Gang of Four, Frank Turner, Laura Jane Grace

Celebrating 25 years in the gutters, Punk Rock Bowling is focused more on the traditional sounds of the genre, not the poppier stuff, with some ska and folk thrown in for good measure. Each of the three days features 14 bands across two stages with no set overlaps. Attendees can also enter the fest’s bowling tourney, which is held at a different location, costs $220 for a four-person team, and is for amateurs only. The music ends at 10 p.m. each day, leaving you the rest of the night to attend the many after-shows — this year’s slate includes Bob Mould, Teenage Bottlerocket, and Hot Water Music playing clubs around Sin City.

Don’t miss: The Pietasters. The ska-soul stalwarts sure know how to throw a swinging party.
Cost + ticket info: Single-day tickets are $110 plus fees while the cheapest available three-day pass costs $350. Bowling is $220 per four-person team.

Railbird Music Festival (May 31 & June 1)

Lexington, KY

Genres/vibe: CBGB — as in country, bluegrass, and blues, the genres the famed NYC punk club are named for.
Lineup highlights: Lainey Wilson, Jelly Roll, Bailey Zimmerman, Shaboozey, Riley Green

Leaning heavily on country and bluegrass, this regional fest got a big upgrade a few years ago when it moved to the Red Mile, a horse-racing track in the middle of Lexington. The bigger downtown venue cut down on lines and crowding issues, allowing the 40,000-plus fans more space to chill out as they enjoy artists on three stages and avail themselves of southern cuisine and a solid selection of Kentucky bourbon.

Don’t miss: Christone “Kingfish” Ingram. The 26-year-old Mississippi bluesman will shred that racetrack.
Cost + ticket info: One-day admission goes for $150 while the weekend passes start at $245.

Roots Picnic (May 31 & June 1)

Philadelphia, PA

Genres/vibe: A local Philly party where 30,000 people show up for rap, soul, doo-wop, and, more.
Lineup highlights: D’Angelo, Meek Mill, Lenny Kravitz, Glorilla, Miguel, Latto

The Roots’ annual celebration of Black music and culture has the feel of a neighborhood event. Held at the Mann Center in Philly’s Fairmount Park, the artists, food, and vendors are all curated by the hip-hop group, giving the fest a sense of cohesion that most similar events lack. The music takes place on two stages that feature an array of great rap, R&B, soul, and more.

Don’t miss: The J. Period Live Mixtape, an annual standout that’s part DJ set, part free-flowing MC showcase, with Black Thought, Pusha T, and 2 Chainz taking the mics this year.
Cost + ticket info: Three-day passes start at $225.

Primavera Sound (June 5–7)

Barcelona, Spain

Genres/vibe: Coachella on a mild sedative with cheaper concessions and fewer annoying Americans
Lineup highlights: Sabrina Carpenter, Charli XCX and Troye Sivan, Chappell Roan, Haim, LCD Soundsystem, FKA Twigs, Fontaines D.C.

Primavera Sound is an easy sell: around 150 acts on 15 stages over three days at a seaside park in Barcelona, with music running from late afternoon until 6 a.m. Drawing nearly half a million people, it’s one of the biggest fests in the world. But despite its size and stacked lineups, Primavera maintains a relaxed atmosphere where you can mosey around the grounds and enjoy beers for a reasonable €5.

Don’t miss: The Jesus Lizard, if only to get a dose of heavy weirdness before catching Haim, Clairo, and Sabrina.
Cost + ticket info: GA passes run €350 ($386 USD) and single-day tickets are €135 ($148), but you’ll have to sign up for the wait list.

Governors Ball (June 6–8)

New York, N.Y.

Genres/vibe: Rap, pop, rock, and EDM enjoyed by lifelong tristaters and recently arrived 20-somethings whose NYC dreams have yet to be crushed.
Lineup highlights: Tyler, the Creator; Olivia Rodrigo; Hozier; Benson Boone; Feid; Glass Animals

Governors Ball went from one NYC island (Governors, see) to another (Randall’s) before moving to Queens, where it finally settled in closer to the subway. Five dozen acts will perform across three stages, and while the top-line artists are, of course, stars, a large portion of the undercard is more varied, providing plenty of opportunities for discovering the headliners of the future.

Don’t miss: Car Seat Headrest. Front man Will Toledo’s health limits the number of shows the band can play, so this is a rare chance to see them perform their sprawling new album, The Scholars.
Cost + ticket info: Single-day tickets start at $169 with no fees, two-day passes are $339, and there’s a wait list for the full weekend at $359.

Bonnaroo (June 12–15)

Manchester, TN

Genres/vibe: Rock (jam, indie, heavy, punk, etc.), Americana/folk/bluegrass, rap, country, EDM, etc., with peace, love, and full-body wipes.
Lineup highlights: Luke Combs; Tyler, the Creator; Olivia Rodrigo; Hozier; Avril Lavigne; Glass Animals; Queens of the Stone Age; Justice

While its lineups aren’t stacked with jam bands and folk acts like the early days, Bonnaroo is still the closest thing you’ll get to Woodstock from any of the big-name American festivals. Situated on hundreds of acres of Tennessee land colloquially known as “The Farm,” camping is an integral part of the Bonnaroo experience, both for the communal atmosphere and the ability to bring in your own food (and, within generous limits, booze). Hygiene must be sacrificed, but the festival is more about having a good time than looking or smelling good.

Don’t miss: MJ Lenderman. The guitar hero isn’t playing too many festivals, and Bonnaroo’s jammy nature should foster some brain-rattling solos from the Manning Fireworks mastermind.
Cost + ticket info: One-day passes start at $169 and the four-day GA costs $455. The cheapest camping option starts at $99.

Warped Tour (June 14 & 15, July 26 & 27, November 15 & 16)

Washington, D.C.; Long Beach, CA; Orlando, FL

Genres/vibe: Pop-punk fans who are either about to graduate high school or about to attend their 25th class reunion.
Lineup highlights: Avril Lavigne, All Time Low, Bowling for Soup, 311, A Day to Remember, the Aquabats, Pennywise

Warped Tour used to be a traveling punk-rock circus featuring a day-care center where young attendees could drop off their parents. While that version of the show is dead, the festival is celebrating its 30th anniversary with a trio of two-day festivals in D.C., SoCal, and Florida, each featuring between 90 and 130 acts.

Don’t miss: Dropkick Murphys, who always deliver a knockout show and are sure to talk some shit about Trump.
Cost + ticket info: Passes start at $249.98, but D.C. and Long Beach are sold out so you’ll have to join the wait list.

Summerfest (June 19–21, June 26–28, July 3–5)

Milwaukee, WI

Genres/vibe: Family fun with a wide array of acts.
Lineup highlights: Megan Thee Stallion, the Killers, James Taylor, Hozier, Lainey Wilson, Def Leppard, Japanese Breakfast, the Isley Brothers, Cake, Ginuwine

Milwaukee’s Summerfest is a cross between a traditional, multi-artist show and a summer-concert series — one packed into three weekends across 12 stages. The upshot is that for a very reasonable fee, you get a GA pass to the 75-acre Henry Maier Park to see 600 or so bands play smaller outdoor stages backdropped by Lake Michigan. The downside is that to see headliners at American Family Insurance Amphitheater, the festival’s main stage, you’ll have to buy a separate, pricier ticket that includes access to the rest of the events. We also have to shout out Summerfest’s infrastructure: All the stages and most amenities are permanent fixtures, so you’ll notice better sound and toilets than you’d get at festivals temporarily built on farmland.

Don’t miss: Billy Corgan and the Machines of God, because they’re playing Smashing Pumpkins songs and Billy should thrive in the familiar comforts of the upper Midwest.
Cost + ticket info: GA passes are $30 for a single day, $63 for a three-day weekend, and $130 for all nine days. Amphitheater tickets start at $75.

Telluride Bluegrass (June 19–22)

Telluride, CO

Genres/vibe: String instrument virtuosity amid breathtaking mountain views.
Lineup highlights: Jason Isbell, Alison Krauss, Lake Street Dive, Gillian Welch

As far as festival sites go, it doesn’t get much better than Telluride. But acquiring tickets and finding lodging? Much less relaxing, unless you plan far in advance. With a capacity of 12,000 people a day, Telluride Bluegrass sells out quickly, as do places in town to stay. If you manage to get those details sorted, you’ll be rewarded with one of the chillest, most picturesque concert experiences of your life. As a bonus, the festival invites unsigned groups to perform for judges and fans, with the winner getting money and a slot on the main stage next year. Past winners include the Dixie Chicks and Greensky Bluegrass, so it’s far more than a novelty talent show.

Don’t miss: Ken Pomeroy, the Cherokee singer-songwriter from Oklahoma who caught a big break when songs from her upcoming LP, Cruel Joke, were featured in FX’s Reservation Dogs.
Cost + ticket info: Single-day tickets start at $130, fees included, while the four-day pass is $405.

Glastonbury (June 25–29)

Pilton, U.K.

Genres/vibe: Imagine Woodstock as a nation-state that’s mostly British.
Lineup highlights: The 1975, Neil Young, Olivia Rodrigo, Charli XCX, Rod Stewart, the Prodigy, Doechii, Alanis Morissette

If some of the bigger American festivals overwhelm you, brace yourself for Glastonbury and its five days of camping, 2,000 acts, 100 or so stages, and all-night noise. Held for 40-plus years on over 1,000 acres of farmland, the event is like a small city with distinct areas that range from acoustic sets to wild dance parties. First-timers should do research beforehand, but we’ll offer up one tip: Camp somewhere uphill so you don’t get flooded in the likelihood that it rains.

Don’t miss: Kneecap. The Northern Irish rappers deliver blistering sets and social commentary that’ll make you want to throw a brick at or through someone or something.
Cost + ticket info: The GA passes cost £378.50 (around $490 USD) but are sold out, so you’ll have to wait for the official resale or risk going with a “tout,” as Glasto organizers refer to scalpers.

Newport Folk (July 25–27)

Newport, R.I.

Genres/vibe: People of all ages who enjoy activities ranging from protesting to yachting.
Lineup highlights: Jeff Tweedy, Jessica Pratt, MJ Lenderman, Waxahatchee, Julien Baker & Torres, Michael Kiwanuka, Kim Deal, Kevin Morby

The 2025 edition of Newport Folk sold out in under a minute, weeks before any performers were announced. That’s not unusual for the annual celebration of roots music and singer-songwriters. Newport Folk is divided among four stages in Fort Adams State Park where, if you’re lucky, you’ll enjoy a calming coastal breeze. The headliners go on at 6:30 p.m., so you’ll have the rest of the night to catch the separately ticketed after-shows around town.

Don’t miss: Kim Deal, who’ll perform songs from her 2024 solo debut, Nobody Loves You More, as well as some classic Breeders ones.
Cost + ticket info: Day passes cost $116.39 while the full weekend is $286.34, all fees included. It’s sold out, but you can join the wait list.

Lollapalooza (July 31–August 3)

Chicago, IL

Genres/vibe: Deep-dish pizza with a dash of Gen-X nostalgia and a generous topping of 20-somethings who might remember half of the fest, if they’re pacing themselves.
Lineup highlights: Olivia Rodrigo; Tyler, the Creator; Sabrina Carpenter; Rüfüs Du Sol; Luke Combs; Twice; A$AP Rocky; Korn; Gracie Abrams; Doechii

The boss of all bosses when it comes to Chicago music festivals, Lollapalooza evolved from a ’90s alternative tour to a Windy City–based event in 2005, with international versions beginning in Chile in 2011. Now you’ll find more than 170 acts playing on eight stages in Grant Park on Lake Michigan. It’s big but simple to navigate, and the nighttime skyline makes for an incredible backdrop to the A-list sets.

Don’t miss: Doechii. Yeah, it’s weak to put a top-billed act here, but seeing her during her breakout moment in front of the rap-loving Chicago crowd should make this a monumental set. 
Cost + ticket info: Single-day tickets start at $189 with no fees while the four-day pass is $415. Both are in wait-list mode now.

Osheaga (August 1–3)

Montreal, QC

Genres/vibe: A more intimate Lolla on a beautiful island with a slightly European feel.
Lineup highlights: The Killers; Tyler, the Creator; Olivia Rodrigo; Doechii; Gracie Abrams

Held at the the gorgeous Parc Jean-Drapeau on St. Helen’s Island, Osheaga often boasts similar lineups to the biggest American fests with a crowd about half the size. Unlike many concerts this big, it’s not just in an open field — walking between the six stages will take you down winding paths, with plenty of trees for finding some shade. It’s easy to reach by metro and, best of all, it offers poutine.

Don’t miss: Jorja Smith’s unique blend of soul, R&B, and rap should make for a diamond set in the not-so-rough roster.
Cost + how to buy: Single-day tix are $122 USD with fees included and the full weekend starts at $293.

Newport Jazz (August 1–3)

Newport, R.I.

Genres/vibe: Extremely similar to Newport Folk but with far more saxophones and people who like listening to them solo for five minutes or more.
Lineup highlights: TBD

Started in 1954, Newport Jazz branched out from its namesake genre in ’58 to include the likes of Pete Seeger and the Kingston Trio. Organizers quickly noted the demand for more folkies, starting Newport Folk in 1959 to avoid cross-contamination between these purist fan bases. After experimenting with some rock acts, like Led Zeppelin headlining in ’69, and temporarily moving to New York, Newport Jazz returned to its Rhode Island roots in the ’80s, taking place at the same venue as the folk fest with a similarly chilled-out feel. The event has become less staid over the years but hasn’t strayed too far into rock and rap territory, leaving the more eclectic bookings for the folk side. Last year’s bill included Andre 3000, Nile Rodgers and Chic, Elvis Costello, Brittany Howard, and Kamasi Washington alongside Sun Ra Arkestra and Meshell Ndegeocello, so you can expect a similar jazz-based/influenced slate in ’25.

Don’t miss: TBD
Cost + ticket info: Prices have yet to be announced, but 2024’s edition charged $312.09 for the full weekend and $111.24 for a single day.

Outside Lands (August 8–10)

San Francisco, CA

Genres/vibe: Nostalgia for Haight-Ashbury meets taxable weed.
Lineup highlights: Tyler, the Creator; Hozier; Doja Cat; John Summit; Anderson .Paak and the Free Nationals; Gracie Abrams; Glass Animals; Doechii; Jamie xx

The preeminent Bay Area fest takes place at Golden Gate Park, a spacious spot that hosts seven stages and more than 100 acts. Beyond the usual staples — world-class headliners, diverse support acts, lots of food — Outside Lands offers up a bit of local pride, including the Dolores Stage, an open-air dance tent that celebrates San Francisco’s queer and trans nightlife scenes.

Don’t miss: Big Freedia with the San Francisco Gay Men’s Chorus might be the most powerful bounce set you’ll ever see.
Cost + ticket info: Only three-day passes are on sale now, starting at $529, with single-day passes likely to become available later based on last year’s rollout.

Reading-Leeds (August 21–24)

Reading and Leeds, U.K.

Genres/vibe: A less-intense Glastonbury with fewer non-music diversions.
Lineup highlights: Chappell Roan, Travis Scott, Bring Me the Horizon, Hozier

Reading and Leeds are two separate festivals held the same weekend with the same artists separated by about 160 miles, roughly the distance between Philly and D.C. The weekend sees around 100,000 fans daily at both sites, many of them opting to camp there, and more than 100 acts on the bill. There are slight differences between the two — for one, Leeds doesn’t have a curfew, which results in later nights — but both are institutions, so either way you can’t go wrong. Unless you buy tickets for Reading and show up at Leeds — then you’ve gone wrong.

Don’t miss: Reading-Leeds favorites Bloc Party are celebrating the 20th anniversary of Silent Alarm with full-album sets at each city.
Cost + ticket info: Day passes are £125 ($161 USD) and weekenders run £325 ($421) with camping included.

Riot Fest (September 19–21)

Chicago, IL

Genres/vibe: A carnival for and by people with Misfits tattoos.
Lineup highlights: TBD

Riot certainly has the most personality of the fests on this list, particularly with its hilariously snotty online presence and self-deprecating motto of “Riot Fest Sucks.” The irreverent punk blowout at Douglass Park is known both for its excellent lineups, which often feature surprising reunions and full-album sets from veteran acts, and all the non-music fun you can have, with carnival rides, arcade games, skate ramps, and the RiotLand chapel, where 44 couples got legally married in 2024.

Don’t miss: TBD
Cost + ticket info: Three-day passes are selling now at a discounted $260, with prices rising soon.

Shaky Knees (September 19–21)

Atlanta, GA

Genres/vibe: Rock fans from the South who like music beyond southern rock.
Lineup highlights: Deftones, My Chemical Romance, Blink-182, Alabama Shakes, Black Keys, “Weird Al” Yankovic

Kudos to the bookers of Shaky Knees, as this rock-centric lineup is one of the best bills of the summer. With four stages spread out over Piedmont Park, you’ll likely have two bands performing at all times until the headliners, so there will be conflicts, just not nearly as bad as some of the larger festivals. Shaky Knees also programs separately ticketed after-shows at local venues — last year’s lineup included the likes of Interpol, Miike Snow, and Dinosaur Jr., so try not to go too hard during Weird Al so you can conserve energy.

Don’t miss: Scowl. Led by the banshee wails of Kat Moss, the Cali punks’ new album, Are We All Angels, is one of the year’s best in any genre.
Cost + ticket info: One-day tickets start at $160 with no fees while the whole weekend costs $350.

When We Were Young (October 18–19)

Las Vegas, NV

Genres/vibe: People for whom Enema of the State was a formative album.
Lineup highlights: Blink-182, Panic! At the Disco, Weezer, Avril Lavigne, the Offspring

This two-day affair at the Las Vegas Festival Grounds welcomes roughly 50 emo and pop-punk bands across five stages. Helpfully, the lineups are identical for both days, giving you the opportunity to see acts with overlapping sets — or just double up on your favorites.

Don’t miss: The Gaslight Anthem, who played their landmark album, The ’59 Sound, in full on the Flogging Molly cruise earlier this year. Maybe they’ll do that again?
Cost + ticket info: Saturday tickets are sold out, but Sunday passes start at $425.

Austin City Limits (October 3–5, 10–12)

Austin, TX

Genres/vibe: Thanks to its heritage, this is the fest for passionate live-music fans, many of whom worship at the altar of Stevie Ray Vaughan.
Lineup highlights: TBD

Originating in 2002 from the live-performance TV show of the same name, Austin City Limits can now claim the crown as the city’s marquee music festival. Held at Zilker park just across the Colorado River from downtown, ACL is all about top-tier lineups and ridiculously good food. The sound at Zilker is excellent, and the acts are generally the same for both weekends of the event. Just keep one thing in mind: Austin days can be scorchers, even in October, so don’t leave your sunblock at home.

Don’t miss: TBD
Cost + how to buy: Three-day GA passes start at $320, fees included.

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