Best Summer Music Festivals in the US 2026

Summer in the US means festival season. From coast to coast, hundreds of music festivals bring together millions of fans for weekends of unforgettable live music. Here are the biggest and best festivals to plan for in 2026.

Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival

Held in Indio, California, over two weekends in April, Coachella is arguably the world's most famous music festival. The Empire Polo Club grounds host around 125,000 fans per day across multiple stages. The festival is known for surprise guests, art installations, and setting fashion trends. Tickets sell out within hours of going on sale.

Lollapalooza

Taking over Grant Park in Chicago every August, Lollapalooza features over 170 acts across four days. Founded by Jane's Addiction frontman Perry Farrell in 1991 as a touring festival, it found its permanent home in Chicago in 2005. The festival draws over 400,000 attendees annually.

Bonnaroo

Located on a 700-acre farm in Manchester, Tennessee, Bonnaroo is a four-day camping festival known for its jam-band roots and eclectic lineups. The SuperJam, where artists from different genres collaborate on stage, is a highlight unique to Bonnaroo.

Austin City Limits

Austin hosts ACL Festival over two weekends in October at Zilker Park. With the Austin skyline as a backdrop, ACL mixes mainstream headliners with the city's legendary independent music scene. The festival takes its name from the longest-running music show in American TV history.

Electric Daisy Carnival

Las Vegas Motor Speedway hosts EDC every May, the largest electronic music festival in North America. Over 500,000 fans attend the three-night event, which runs from dusk until dawn and features elaborate stage designs, carnival rides, and fireworks.

Governors Ball

Held in Flushing Meadows, Queens, New York's premier music festival brings three days of diverse music to the city every June. The festival has grown from a small event on Randall's Island to a major fixture on the US festival calendar.

Outside Lands

San Francisco's Golden Gate Park hosts Outside Lands every August. The festival is known for its food and wine program alongside the music, and the foggy San Francisco setting gives it a unique atmosphere. San Francisco's natural beauty makes this festival truly special.

Getting Festival Tickets

Most festivals sell out quickly, but fans often sell spare tickets closer to the date when plans change. Check Tickets9 for face-value festival tickets from fans who can no longer attend.