Witnessing live music, watching an artist perform, and screaming back your favorite lyrics to a song alongside other fans is an incomparable experience. Attending a music festival is the perfect opportunity to not just watch one or two artists perform live but also see other first-class acts and the hottest talents take the stage before thousands of people.
As we thread into the music festival season, we take a look at some of the major music festivals in North America, from Coachella to Lollapalooza!
Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival
Where: California, US
When: April 12 – 14, and April 19 – 21, 2024
Coachella is undoubtedly among the most popular music festivals in the world. With Blackpink, Bad Bunny, and Frank Ocean as the headliners this year, this music festival drew over 1,25,000 people from everywhere. Started in 1999, The Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival has hosted some of the biggest artists and greatest performers on the planet, including Beyoncé, Swedish House Mafia, Rage Against the Machine, Jay-Z, Ariana Grande, Dr Dre, Billie Eilish, and more.
Many celebrities, actors, musicians, models, and influencers also flock to this festival, which offers music from genres such as pop, EDM, rock, indie, and hip-hop. Attendees can enjoy the music coming from many stages and see art installations and sculptures. Coachella will be held across two weekends next year from April 12 – 14 and April 19 – 21, 2024.
The New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival
Where: Louisiana, US
When: April 26 – 29, 2024 and May 2 – 5, 2024
The New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival was held from April 28 – 30 and May 5 – 7 this year. It saw performances from Lizzo, Ed Sheeran, Jon Batiste, The Lumineers, Mumford & Sons, Beninese-French singer-songwriter Angélique Kidjo, Big Freedia, and English jazz-pop singer-songwriter Jamie Cullum.
Dumpstaphunk, Puerto Rican rapper and singer Farruko, Santana, Grammy-winning Jamaican reggae band Morgan Heritage, Buddy Guy, and New Orleans-based brass ensemble The Soul Rebels also hit the festival stage this year.
The 2024 dates for the festival are yet to be announced. In 2014, the festival celebrated its 45th anniversary with artists including Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band, Public Enemy, rock band Alabama Shakes, Eric Clapton, Canadian indie rock band Arcade Fire, and Christina Aguilera taking the festival stage. The New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival welcomed over 460,000 people at this year’s festival.
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Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival
Where: Tennessee, US
When: TBA
The Bonnaroo Festival started in 2002 and drew in about 70,000 music lovers that year. It is a four-day festival to enjoy incredible music, meet new people, make friends, and be happy! In addition to music, you can also attend yoga sessions and talks, meditate, go to surprise dance parties, and more. 150+ acts head to Bonnaroo to put on a great show for the attendees. This year, the festival was held from June 15-18 in Manchester, Tennessee, US.
The finest artists from genres including hip-hop, indie, metal, and pop take the Bonnaroo stage. Canadian electronic music duo Zeds Dead, Kendrick Lamar, Swedish-born electronic musician Liquid Stranger, Foo Fighters, and electronic music duo Odesza were the headliners at this festival this year. Some of the dance music acts that got behind the deck at Bonnaroo 2023 were GRiZ, Alesso, Subtronics, Bob Moses, Sofi Tukker, and more. Rina Sawayama, Paramore, English singer-songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist Jacob Collier, Portugal The Man, Lil Nas X, Baby Keem, and Girl in Red have all performed at Bonnaroo 2023.
Lightning in a Bottle
Where: California
When: May 22 – 27, 2024
Get ready to be mesmerized by the live painting, musicians and artists on stage, visual performers, live art, fire dancers, and more at Lightning in a Bottle! Party like you have never before at this festival that offers house, folk, techno, pop, hip hop, and bass music. Grab your chance to attend discussions with experts from over 150 talks and see the sculptures and installations.
That’s not all! You can also pick up a skill and go on adventures at Lightning in a Bottle. Some of the first-class acts that have played at this festival are Disclosure, Sofi Tukker, Black Coffee, Anderson .Paak, and Richie Hawtin, Jhené Aiko, Four Tet, Monolink, Odesza, and Flume.
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Hangout Music Festival
Where: California
When: May 17 – 19, 2024
Dance your hearts out at the beach clubs, get hitched if you’d like, play volleyball with your friends, and hit the rink! The Hangout Music Festival in Gulf Shores offers many opportunities to have fun! You can hang out at the beach, make some s’mores, spend quality time with your friends, listen to the sound of the waves, and relax.
The Hangout Music Festival was held from May 19 – 21 this year. SZA, Paramore, Skrillex, Red Hot Chilly Peppers, Australian singer-songwriter and rapper The Kid LAROI, Lil Nas X, Calvin Harris, and Flume were tapped to headline the 2023 edition of this festival. Sabrina Carpenter, GloRilla, Swedish singer-songwriter Tove Lo, and singer-songwriter and rapper Ashnikko were also on the bill.
Electric Zoo
Where: New York, US
When: September 1 – 3, 2023
Started in 2009, Electric Zoo is an electronic music festival set to be held from September 1 – 3 this year. It takes place annually over the Labor Day Weekend in NYC. The festival has booked Kx5, Australian DJ/producer Alison Wonderland, Zedd, French DJ/producer Madeon, and Tiësto to exhibit their skills before the audience. Electric Zoo opened its doors to more than 100,000 people in 2022.
Some of the biggest names from the dance music realm take the Electric Zoo stage each year. The Chainsmokers, Camelphat, Major Lazer, Cloonee, Marshmello, Nic Fanciulli, Ngtmre, and The Blessed Madonna are among the acts that will head to NYC this September for Electric Zoo 2023. Revelers can also enjoy b2b sets from Volaris and Paige, Dubfire and Ilario Alicante, Zeds Dead and GRiZ, and Nora En Pure and Franky Wah.
Northern Nights Music Festival
Where: California, US
When: July 19 – 21, 2024
With state-of-the-art sound, lighting, and stage production, the Northern Nights Music Festival takes place on the third weekend in July. The three-day celebration of music, art, and local culture will be held from July 19 – 21 next year. Scheduled to take place at Cook’s Valley Campground on the South Fork Eel River, the jaw-dropping area has the perfect space for yoga and meditation for festival-goers. This year, the festival tapped G Jones, Los Angeles-based DJ/producer TOKiMONSTA, Belgian DnB producer/musician Netsky, Colorado-based electronic hip hop and jazz music duo Big Gigantic, Mura Masa, and Dr. Fresch as headliners for its 10th edition.
San Diego DJ/producer GUDFELLA, English singer-songwriter Bipolar Sunshine, Paper Idol, High Step Society, Megan Hamilton, and Denver-based DJ/producer NotLö, among other thrilling acts, took the Northern Nights Music Festival stage. Take a dip, chill by the water, and indulge in organic food offerings, as well as regional craft brews and wines. There will be local non-profit vendors, and revelers can also enjoy local and global arts and crafts at the festival. Your visit to the Northern Nights Music Festival can also help contribute to a good cause! A portion of the proceeds from the Northern Nights Music Festival ticket and beverage sales goes to the Mendocino and Humboldt school districts, environmental groups, and non-profits.
Northern Nights Music Festival: Website | Instagram
Outside Lands
Where: San Francisco, US
When: August 11 – 13, 2023
Outside Lands – a music, arts, and food festival, has attracted over 200,000 festival-goers in the past. This year, the three-day festival will take place from August 11 – 13 at Golden Gate Park in San Francisco. Get delicious food from 95+ restaurants, sip on cocktails, and explore wine from 35+ wineries and beer from 30 breweries.
Grammy-winning rapper Kendrick Lamar, Odesza, and the renowned rock band Foo Fighters will headline Outside Lands 2023. Zedd, Willow, Diesel (Shaquille O’Neal), singer-songwriter Ethel Cain, Janelle Monáe, and Interpol are some of the artists who will be taking the Outside Lands stage on Day 1.
The second day of the festival will see performances from Fisher, Indonesian singer-songwriter Niki, Lana Del Rey, Palestinian DJ/producer Sama’ Abdulhadi, Mariah The Scientist, and many more thrilling artists. Megan Thee Stallion, Filipino-English singer-songwriter beabadoobee, Lil Yatchty, Cigarettes After Sex, and 1975 will hit the Outside Lands stage on the final day of the 2023 edition of the festival.
Summerfest
Where: Wisconsin, US
When: June 20 – 22, June 27 – 29 and July 4 – 6, 2024
Summerfest took place across three weekends this year from June 22 – 24, June 29 – July 1, and July 6 – 8. Imagine Dragons, indie rock band Lord Huron, Elle King, Earth, Wind & Fire, Sheryl Crow, DJ duo Lost Kings, Sean Paul, and Dutch DJ/producer Sam Feldt, are among the artists that were on the Summerfest roster. First held in 1968, Summerfest celebrated its 55th-anniversary last year.
This festival features twelve stages of incredible live music and hosts some of the finest talents on the planet! There are hundreds of vendors you can shop from at the marketplace, and it also offers immersive experiences. To make the most of their time at Summerfest, festival-goers can purchase merchandise, take home a caricature, and also get their faces painted!
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Lollapalooza
Where: Chicago, US
When: August 3 – 6, 2023
An estimated 400,000 people flocked to Chicago to see some of the hottest artists perform at Lollapalooza in 2022! Last year, J-Hope of BTS made history as the first Korean artist to headline a major music festival in the US. In addition to the US, Brazil, France, Chile, Sweden, Germany, and Argentina have hosted Lollapalooza, with the latest being India.
Lollapalooza 2023 will be held from August 3 – 6 this year. Billie Eilish, Kendrick Lamar, Lana Del Rey, K-Pop group Tomorrow X Together, Karol G, Red Hot Chilli Peppers, Odesza, and The 1975 have been announced as headliners for the 2023 edition of the festival. English electronic music duo Gorgon City, Solardo, Australian house music producer Dom Dolla, Alan Walker, Fred Again, and Afrojack are some of the exciting dance music acts that will head to Chicago next month for Lollapalooza. South Korean girl group NewJeans, Jessie Reyez, Magdalena Bay, Carly Rae Jepsen, Joey Bada$$, and FOALS are also on the bill.
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Shambhala Music Festival
Where: British Columbia, Canada
When: July 26 – 29, 2024
Dubbed as “Canada’s premier electronic music and arts festival,” the Shambhala Music Festival brings more than 200 coolest dance music talents to a 500-acre farm in Salmo to perform across six stages. The four-day music festival was held from July 21 – 24 this year with a line-up featuring English DJ/producer Sub Focus, John Summit, Goldie, Canadian electronic music trio Black Tiger Sex Machine, Wilkinson, French DJ/producer Tchami, Skream, and more.
“Expect to be delighted and enthralled as we present a very special edition of Shambhala Music Festival in 2024? Prepare for mind-blowing surprises, as well as the Shambhala you’ve come to know and love: Six uniquely themed stages. Farmily-run. No corporate sponsorship. Powered by Shambhalove,” Shambhala wrote while revealing the 2024 dates of the festival. Shambhala Music Festival is scheduled to return next July 26 – 29.
Escapade Music Festival
Where: Ottawa, Canada
When: TBA
The Escapade Music Festival is a celebration of electronic dance music in Canada’s capital city, Ottawa. deadmau5, Zedd, English DJ/producer Jonas Blue, Timmy Trumpet, Rezz, and Kygo were all recruited for the Escapade Music Festival 2023, which took place from June 23 – 25 this year.
British trance music producer Gareth Emery, Andrew Bayer, Sigala, Chris Lake, and Sosa also got behind the deck at this music festival, along with Boogie T, Dutch DJ/producer Oliver Heldens, Canadian DJ/producer Whipped Cream, and Zomboy. Escapade Music Festival was first held in 2010 and the event saw 3000 attendees, whereas more than tens of thousands of people gathered at this music festival in Ottawa in 2023.
The Governors Ball Music Festival
Where: New York City, USA
When: TBA
Get ready to show off your best moves to music coming from 60+ artists across three stages at The Governors Ball! From cultural cuisines to food from top-tier restaurants in New York City, you can have it all at this festival in the serene greenery that is Flushing Meadows, Corona Park. The Governors Ball 2023 took place last month from June 9 – 11.
The ‘About Damn Time’ hitmaker Lizzo, Odesza, and Kendrick Lamar headline this three-day music festival. South Korean girl group Aespa, Ice Spice, British rapper Central Cee, Haim, Lil Baby, Tems, Omar Apollo, FINNEAS, and PinkPantheress were also on the line-up.
Montreal International Jazz Festival
Where: Quebec, Canada
When: June 27 – July 6, 2024
This one is for jazz lovers! The Montreal International Jazz Festival celebrated its 25th anniversary in 2002, which drew 1,913,868 people to Quebec. It earned a Guinness World Record for the largest jazz festival at the time.
The 2023 Montreal International Jazz Festival took place from June 29 to July 8 this year and saw top talents Robert Plant & Allison Krauss, Australian singer-songwriter Vance Joy, George Benson, Mexican jazz, folk, and pop-rock singer-songwriter Natalia Lafourcade, DJ Premier & The Badder Band, and more grace the festival stage.
The 44th edition of Montreal International Jazz Festival will be held at the Quartier des Spectacles. From June 27 – July 6, 2024, the festival will mesmerize hundreds of thousands of attendees.
Electric Daisy Carnival
Where: Las Vegas, US
When: May 17 – 19, 2024
Immerse yourself in the positive vibes at EDC Las Vegas, where the sound, pyrotechnics, technology, stages, interactive art installations, thrilling rides, and marvelous design elevate the festival experience. Electric Daisy Carnival Las Vegas hosted over 5,20,000 festival goers this year. The 2023 music festival was held from May 19 – 21. They also bring top talents from the dance music realm with circus performers, dancers, aerialists, and stilters being a part of your experience.
EDC Las Vegas welcomed Dr Phunk, Australian house music DJ/producer Sonny Fodera, Brennan Heart, Ferry Corsten, and Netsky last year. Kaskade, Martin Garrix, Imanu, Above & Beyond, Yotto, Alison Wonderland also set the DEC stage ablaze. Pauline Herr, Tom & Collins, Paco Osuna, Marten Horger, Justin Hawkes, and Armin van Buuren also played at this festival. The line-up for the 2024 festival is yet to be announced but one thing is certain it won’t disappoint you! EDC Las Vegas returns in May 2024.
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Ultra Music Festival
Where: Florida, US
When: March 22 – 24, 2024
Ultra Music Festival is an electronic music festival that was founded in 1999. It often takes place in March in Miami, Florida. The crowds put their hands up to Charlotte de Witte, Gryffin, Martin Garriz, Zedd, Afrojack, Frank Walker, and Endless Summer’s (Sam Feldt B2B Jonas Blue) music on the first day of Ultra Music Festival this year. Hardwell, Nicky Romero, Syn Cole, Armin van Buuren, Alesso, and Tiësto took charge of the festival’s main stage on Day 2!
The 2023 Ultra Music Festival was held from March 24 – 26 and its final day saw David Guetta, Vini Vici, Swedish House Mafia, Timmy Trumpet, and more deliver mind-boggling sets. More than 160,000 people visited the Ultra Music Festival this year.
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