The Top 10 Music Festivals In The US
1. Coachella (Indio, CA)
The most iconic music and arts festival, drawing massive headliners, influencers, and global crowds.
2. Lollapalooza (Chicago, IL)
Held in Grant Park, it’s a city festival with a mix of alternative, hip-hop, EDM, and rock.
3. EDC Las Vegas (Las Vegas, NV)
One of the largest electronic dance music festivals in the world, known for lights, costumes, and all-night energy.
4. Escape Halloween (San Bernardino, CA)
A Halloween-themed EDM festival with immersive stages, eerie vibes, and top-tier DJ lineups.
5. Bonnaroo (Manchester, TN)
A four-day camping festival with a mix of jam bands, hip-hop, indie, and EDM, plus comedy and wellness.
6. Outside Lands (San Francisco, CA)
Music meets food and wine in Golden Gate Park—great lineups with a chill West Coast vibe.
7. Rolling Loud Miami (Miami, FL)
The biggest hip-hop festival in the country, bringing together nearly every major rap act.
8. Ultra Music Festival (Miami, FL)
A premier destination for electronic music lovers, kicking off Miami Music Week every March.
9. Stagecoach (Indio, CA)
The country music counterpart to Coachella, with major Nashville stars and western flair.
10. Austin City Limits (ACL) (Austin, TX)
A two-weekend festival with eclectic lineups spanning multiple genres, set in Zilker Park.
HOW TO PREPARE FOR THESE FESTIVALS
1. COACHELLA (Indio, CA)
Tickets:
Go on sale about 9 months in advance (usually in June for the following April).
Buy directly from Coachella’s website or verified resale via Lyte closer to the event.
You can do payment plans.
What to Expect:
Two weekends with nearly identical lineups.
Fashion forward crowd, lots of walking, desert heat during the day and cold at night.
Celebrity sightings and major headliners.
What to Bring:
Bandana (dust), portable phone charger, sunscreen, water bottle, hat, layered clothing.
Comfortable shoes.
2. LOLLAPALOOZA (Chicago, IL)
Tickets:
Early bird and general sales begin in spring (March–April).
4 day and single-day passes are available.
Use the official website or Ticketmaster resale.
What to Expect:
Urban setup in Grant Park—expect crowds, hot weather, and long security lines.
Variety of music genres, aftershows in nearby clubs.
What to Bring:
Refillable water bottle, poncho (rain is common), portable fan, clear bag (per rules), ID.
3. EDC LAS VEGAS (Las Vegas, NV)
Tickets:
Sells out fast—buy as soon as it drops (around August for the next May).
Payment plans are available.
What to Expect:
All night festival (sunset to sunrise) with carnival rides, massive stages, and themed art.
It’s a rave—expect kandi, LEDs, and wild costumes.
What to Bring:
Earplugs, hydration pack, comfortable rave gear, chapstick, sunglasses for sunrise.
Don’t forget your shuttle or parking pass.
4. ESCAPE HALLOWEEN (San Bernardino, CA)
Tickets:
On sale via Insomniac’s site in summer for the October fest.
Two day GA and VIP passes.
What to Expect:
Halloween-themed production with haunted mazes, actors, and immersive setups.
Harder styles and bass-heavy lineups.
What to Bring:
Costume (not optional), portable charger, ID, rave shoes, hydration pack.
Insomniac app for set times and map.
5. BONNAROO (Manchester, TN)
Tickets:
Go live around January; payment plans available.
Includes camping; car camping pass required.
What to Expect:
4 day camping experience.
Massive community vibe, lots of late night sets and surprise shows.
What to Bring:
Tent, tarp, shade structure, solar shower, portable fan, plenty of water and snacks, boots.
Headlamp and earplugs are lifesavers.
6. OUTSIDE LANDS (San Francisco, CA)
Tickets:
Sells out fast—buy early (usually March).
Single-day and weekend passes.
What to Expect:
Foggy weather, upscale food and wine, laid back crowd.
Music ends by 10 PM—afterparties in SF are common.
What to Bring:
Warm clothes (layers!), picnic blanket, clear backpack, sunglasses, refillable bottle.
7. ROLLING LOUD MIAMI (Miami, FL)
Tickets:
Early bird drops late in the year prior.
Resale available on Ticketmaster.
What to Expect:
Heavy-hitting rap lineup, intense crowd, and packed GA areas.
Often chaotic, prepare for delays and last-minute changes.
What to Bring:
ID, bandana, sneakers (no slides), phone pouch, cashless payment option, hydration pack.
8. ULTRA MIAMI (Miami, FL)
Tickets:
Early access sells out in a flash (summer for March fest).
Multi-tier pricing—buy early for the best price.
What to Expect:
Downtown setting at Bayfront Park.
Massive EDM acts, very international crowd.
What to Bring:
Sunscreen, earplugs, backup phone charger, small clear bag, sunglasses, hydration pack.
9. STAGECOACH (Indio, CA)
Tickets:
Usually drops around the same time as Coachella.
RV or tent camping options.
What to Expect:
Country music, cowboy hats, and a more relaxed desert vibe.
Line dancing and BBQs galore.
What to Bring:
Western wear, boots, straw hat, sunscreen, camping gear (if staying on site).
10. AUSTIN CITY LIMITS (ACL) (Austin, TX)
Tickets:
Two weekends, on sale around May.
Single and full weekend passes.
What to Expect:
Diverse lineup, family friendly, great food trucks.
Set ends around 10 PM, then head into Austin nightlife.
What to Bring:
Poncho, portable charger, sunglasses, sunblock, refillable water bottle, light blanket.
If you want to save money on your way to the festival and take more trips, check out our Travel Stacking Guide located here -