Maxime Bhm on UnsplashSummer is months away at this point, but that doesn’t mean you can’t start preparing for three or four months of non-stop fun. Of course, we mean preparing financially as well as physically, as summer festivals are no longer the budget-friendly events they once were.

If you’re able to make the time, why not spend the best months of the year completely engrossed in fun, friends, and the beautiful act of sharing music? 

Lollapalooza

Located in the windy city, Chicago's Lollapalooza fest is one of the biggest events of the year. It usually happens sometime in the end of July or beginning of August, and often secures the biggest artists across multiple genres. Last year, featured artists included Tyler, The Creator, Olivia Rodrigo, Korn, Sabrina Carpenter, and A$AP Rocky. 

Bonnaroo

Manchester’s art & music festival will take place from June 11 to June 14 in 2026. The Tennessee-based festival occurs on a 700-acre farm and offers camping options for those who like to rough it. The 2025 lineup included Luke Combs, Glass Animals, Avril Lavigne, Hozier, and Vampire Weekend. 

Summerfest

Wisconsin’s most populous city boasts 9 days of music on the coast of Lake Michigan, with local and famed artists alike. The festival starts the weekend of June 18th and ends on July 4th, making it the perfect option between Lollapalooza and Bonnaroo. Their 2026 lineup already includes Garth Brooks, Ed Sheeran, Post Malone, and Louis Tomlinson. 

Governors Ball

The big apple’s annual shindig happened between June 5-8 of this year, and usually keeps to the timeframe of early June. Last year, Flushing Meadows hosted Benson Boone, T-Pain, Wallows, Mt.Joy, and Clairo, just to name a few. Not to mention, the festival also hosts bonfire sessions, a Hot Ones partnership, and a Grey Goose lounge. 

Electric Daisy Carnival

Colin Lloyd on Unsplash

This EDM-focused festival is one of Las Vegas’s biggest events of the year, often blending art, music, and some classic carnival fanfare. It will be taking place between May 15-17 of 2026, at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway, and will also be celebrating its 30th anniversary. Last year, the festival had hundreds of electronic artists, including Afrojack, Martin Garrix, Yellow Claw, and Simfonik. 

New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival

Occurring from April 23 to May 3 next year, Louisiana’s 2nd-largest music festival is a celebration of the state’s unique culture, with a gorgeous array of food, art, showcases, parades, and a dance-focused atmosphere. A plethora of brass bands, jazz orchestras, and hundreds of national and international artists will be featured next year. 

Outside Lands

This 3-day festival is held annually in San Francisco's Golden Gate Park and holds the title of the largest independently-owned music festival in the United States. Next year, the festival will take place from August 7-9. While the lineup for next year hasn’t been released, featured artists from last year included Doja Cat, Doechii, Bleachers, Anderson Paak, and Ludacris.

The best part of these festivals is that they all take place on different weekends through the summer months, so you can traverse the states to your heart's content and take in all kinds of music, culture, and fun. This list doesn’t even begin to scratch the surface of how many festivals take place in America, so you can even plan your own great American road trip and hit a new city every single weekend.