t’s that time of the year already: summer is just around the corner, your favorite artists are hitting stages all over the country and the time to buy tickets is now! Whether you want to see performances by indie rock legends or this year’s hottest names in rap, there’s a festival out there for you. The events mentioned on this list are only a fraction of the large-scale music festivals you can attend all over the United States, but they’re definitely worth checking out if you’re looking for the chance to see dozens of artists you know (and some you definitely should know!) all in one place.
Lollapalooza
When: August 1 – 4
Where: Chicago, IL
This year’s Lollapalooza lineup features headliners like The Strokes, Childish Gambino, Ariana Grande, and The Chainsmokers, with dozens of other favorites to make every minute of this 4-day music festival something worth seeing. A solid choice for those who love a variety of genres, Lollapalooza performances include (but are in no way limited to) alternative and heavy rock, hip hop, and electronic music. General admission for all four days will set you back $340, while the platinum pass costs a whopping $4,200 but grants you access to Platinum Lounges that serve signature cocktails, wine and champagne, on-stage viewing at the main stages and golf cart transportation all over the festival grounds.
Governors Ball
When: May 31 – June 2
Where: New York, NY
The Governor’s Ball is a three-day long, multi-stage contemporary festival based out of Randall Island’s Park in New York City. Fans of indie rock, hip hop, and EDM are not only limited to seeing their favorite artists but can also enjoy local restaurants and food trucks as well as an array of games and activities on-site. Tickets can be bought for one or three days, with general admission for the whole festival starting at $305 and Platinum memberships close to $2,200. At the Governor’s Ball, a Platinum Pass grants you exclusive on-stage viewing for all of your favorite bands, access to the backstage bars as well as tokens for any on-site food vendor. Unfortunately, there are only 100 of these high-roller membership cards available, so make sure to buy them before they run out!
Woodstock 50
When: August 16 – 18
Where: Watkin’s Glen, NY
One festival that’s attracting huge amounts of attention this year is Woodstock 50, organized by the original Woodstock 1969 co-founder Michael Lang. From August 16 – 18 at Watkins Glen, NY, the festival comes with a stacked lineup featuring the likes of Santana, The Killers, Jay-Z, The Black Keys and Cage the Elephant. Although for undisclosed reasons, ticket sales (which were supposed to begin last Monday) have been temporarily delayed, Lang assures everyone that rumors of a cancellation are exactly that – just rumors. You can subscribe to the Woodstock 50 newsletter on their website for any updates on when the tickets (and their prices) will be available.
Rolling Loud
When: May 10 – 12
Where: Miami Gardens, FL
Rolling Loud celebrates its 5th anniversary this May, expanding from two to three days with headliners like Migos, Travis Scott and Kid Cudi creating a lot of buzz. Playing out of the Hard Rock Stadium for their 2019 edition, this self-proclaimed “largest hip-hop concert in the world” has plans to expand internationally, from North and South Carolina all the way to Europe and Japan! Those who are looking for a VIP experience are out of luck – tickets just sold out. However, general admissions are still available for all 3 days (though they’re selling out fast), with a price tag starting at $339 for the basic package.
FireFly Music Festival
When: June 21 – 23
Where: Dover, DE
This annual music extravaganza, from the woodlands of Dover, Delaware, is the East coast’s largest music and camping festival. It’s hard to beat on-site camping, genre-defying live performances, and a unique food and drink experience, especially when the lineup comes packed with artists like Post Malone, Panic! At the Disco, Vampire Weekend and Zedd. Whether you spend your time at the on-site brewery, the silent disco between the trees, the hammock nook or walking through the fluorescent art-filled Pathway that connects the stages, you’re sure to have a one-of-a-kind experience. Tickets for this event start at $309 for general admission and climb to a staggering $7,199 for the weekend “Super Duper VIP” passes. The latter will earn you two VIP weekend tickets, lodging at the Dover Downs Hotel & Casino for all three nights, gold-cart travel between locations, a full breakfast buffet and everything else you need for the ultimate festival experience.