Ultimate Guide to the 2026 Summer Music Festivals: Top Events You Can’t Miss

Grab some sunscreen and fire up those group texts: Music festival season has arrived. It began last month with Coachella and Stagecoach in Indio, Calif., and will soon be in full wristband-tan swing. And from this weekend’s massive Electric Daisy Carnival in Las Vegas and heavy metal pilgrimage to (checks notes) Columbus, Ohio, for Sonic Temple, to Austin City Limits in Texas in early October and everything in between, we’ve got you covered!

Here’s what you need to know about this year’s biggest and best festivals, including ticket information, headliners, under-the-radar acts to see if you’re going and where to stream if you’re not — all right here.

Rock on!

Sonic Temple

Dust off your devil’s horns! The four-day festival in Columbus, Ohio, features over 140 bands, with some of the biggest names in hard rock and heavy metal performing across five stages. This year’s headliners include My Chemical Romance, Shinedown, Tool and Megadeth, which is on a farewell tour.

🗓️ When: May 14-17

🌎 Where: Historic Crew Stadium in Columbus, Ohio

🎸 Headliners: My Chemical Romance, Shinedown, Tool, Megadeth, Godsmack, Public Enemy, Bush

🕶️ Don’t miss: Novelists, Zakk Sabbath

⚡ Full lineup: Click here 👈

🎟 Tickets: $199-$2,318

EDC Las Vegas

The Electric Daisy Carnival, or EDC in EDM parlance, is a massive electronic dance music festival, attracting nearly half a million fans annually to the Las Vegas Motor Speedway for dusk till dawn sets from the world’s biggest DJs and producers. To celebrate its 30th anniversary, EDC will kick off this year’s 3-day dance music marathon with a parade on the Las Vegas strip. Rave on!

🗓️ When: May 15-17

🌎 Where: Las Vegas Motor Speedway

🎸 Headliners: Steve Aoki, The Prodigy, The Chainsmokers, Tiësto, Porter Robinson, Paul van Dyk, Armin Van Buuren

🕶️ Don’t miss: Charlotte de Witte, Alison Wonderland, San Holo, Peggy Gou

⚡ Full lineup: Click here 👈

🎟 Tickets: $846-$2,147

Bottlerock

Memorial Day weekend. Wine country. Some of the biggest names in rock, pop and hip-hop. What could be better? Billed as the “first taste of summer,” Bottlerock returns to Napa Valley, Calif., for its 12th year, with 80 artists spread across three days. Among them: Foo Fighters, LCD Soundsystem, Lorde, Lil Wayne and the Backstreet Boys. Some old-school hip-hop legends — Busta Rhymes, Treach from Naughty by Nature and Rev Run from Run DMC — are on the bill too.

🗓️ When: May 22-24

🌎 Where: Napa Valley Expo, Napa, Calif.

🎸 Headliners: Foo Fighters, Lil Wayne, Lorde, LCD Soundsystem, Backstreet Boys, Sombr, Ludacris

🕶️ Under-the-radar: the Heavy Heavy, Del Water Gap, Folk Bitch Trio

⚡ Full lineup: Click here 👈

🎟 Tickets: $299-$10,995

Movement

As one of the first electronic dance music festivals in the United States, visitors come from all over the world to celebrate techno in the city of its birth. Celebrating its 20th year, Movement puts an emphasis on the rich musical heritage of Detroit, with some of the city’s most adroit DJs, producers and rising stars performing alongside bigger acts.

🗓️ When: May 25-57

🌎 Where: Hart Plaza in Detroit

🎸 Headliners: Carl Cox, Carl Craig, Dom Dolla, Green Velvet

🕶️ Don’t miss: Neil Frances, Mija

⚡ Full lineup: Click here 👈

🎟 Tickets: $227-$533

Roots Picnic

Hosted by Philadelphia hip-hop legends the Roots, the two-day event has been held in their hometown since 2008. It’s been dubbed as one of hip-hop’s greatest festivals for good reason: In addition to consistently stacked lineups, the headliner typically performs with the house band. This year it’s Jay-Z!

🗓️ When: May 30-31

🌎 Where: Belmont Plateau in Philadelphia

🎸 Headliners: Jay-Z and the Roots, Erykah Badu, T.I., Kehlani, Brandy

🕶️ Don’t miss: De La Soul, Bilal

⚡ Full lineup: Click here 👈

🎟 Tickets: $250-$1,499

The Governors Ball

Now in its 16th year, Governors Ball (or Gov Ball) is pulling out all the stops with 60 bands on three stages for three days. It’s the event’s fourth iteration at Flushing Meadows Corona Park, which has plenty of room to move between sets from an eclectic lineup of performers, including Lorde, A$AP Rocky and Wet Leg.

🗓️ When: June 5-7

🌎 Where: Flushing Meadows Corona Park, New York City

🎸 Headliners: Lorde, Kali Uchis, A$AP Rocky

🕶️ Don’t miss: Wet Leg, Japanese Breakfast, Fcukers

⚡ Full lineup: Click here 👈

🎟 Tickets: $179-$1,499

Bonnaroo Music & Arts Festival

For over 20 years, hordes of music fans have made the trek to a 700-acre farm in Manchester, Tenn., for Bonnaroo, a summer music festival staple known for its consistently eclectic lineups. And this year’s four-day festival features a little something for everyone, from headliners like the Strokes, Noah Kahan and Teddy Swims to lesser-known acts like Geese, Sidepiece and Mt. Joy, plus something called Superjam Esoterica.

🗓️ When: June 11-14

🌎 Where: Manchester, Tenn.

🎸 Headliners: the Strokes, Noah Kahan, Skillrex, Rüfüs Du Sol, Teddy Swims

🕶️ Under-the-radar: Mt. Joy, Geese, Rainbow Kitten Surprise

⚡ Full lineup: Click here 👈

🎟 Tickets: $175-$27,500

Telluride Bluegrass Festival

The country’s premier bluegrass festival has been drawing thousands of fans to the picturesque mountain town of Telluride for more than 50 years. Tedeschi Trucks Band, Greensky Bluegrass and Larkin Poe headline the 2026 main stage lineup. Pro tip: If you get a chance, take the free gondola for some incredible views.

🗓️ When: June 18-21

🌎 Where: Telluride, Colo.

🎸 Headliners: Tedeschi Trucks Band, Larkin Poe, Greensky Bluegrass

🕶️ Don’t miss: Chris Thile, Punch Brothers, the Infamous Stringdusters

⚡ Full lineup: Click here 👈

🎟 Tickets: $135-420

Electric Forest

This whimsical festival is held in a forest in Michigan, where you’ll be listening to some of electronic dance music’s biggest names along with nearly 40,000 like-minded EDM lovers. Expect colorful costumes and stage designs that make you feel like you’re in a fairy tale. Did we mention it’s in a forest?

🗓️ When: June 25-28

🌎 Where: Rothbury, Mich.

🎸 Headliners:  Kaskade, Passion Pit, Griz

🕶️ Under-the-radar: Rio Kosta, Deadtronica, Side Piece

⚡ Full lineup: Click here 👈

🎟 Tickets: $600-$13,700

Beyond Wonderland

If the Alice in Wonderland theme doesn’t appeal to you, then perhaps multiple weekends of EDM artists encompassing a range of genres — house, trance, dubstep and ambient — will.

🗓️ When: June 6-7 and June 26-28

🌎 Where: Northerly Island, Chicago; Gorge Amphitheater, George, Wash.

🎸 Headliners: Zedd, Tiesto, Felix Da Housecat, Kaskade

🕶️ Don’t miss: Angrybaby, San Holo

⚡ Full lineup: Click here 👈

🎟 Tickets: $220-$372

Wilco’s Solid Sound Festival

The Chicago-based rock band that helped pioneer the alt-country movement has been curating its multi-day Solid Sound festival on the campus of the MassMOCA art museum in North Adams, Mass., for more than a decade. This year’s edition features the Breeders, Billy Bragg, Wilco frontman Jeff Tweedy & Friends and, of course, Wilco. That’s in addition to art exhibitions, live painting, John Hodgman’s “Comedy Cabaret” and a pop-up vinyl record fair.

🗓️ When: June 28-30

🌎 Where: MassMOCA in North Adams, Mass.

🎸 Headliners: Wilco, Billy Bragg, the Breeders, Gang of Four

🕶️ Under-the-radar: Hannah Cohen, Elizabeth Moen, Sharp Pins

⚡ Full lineup: Click here 👈

🎟 Tickets: $157-$4,678

Willie Nelson’s Fourth of July Picnic

The 93-year-old (!) singer-songwriter will bring his Fourth of July Picnic to Austin, Texas, on Independence Day. This year’s picnic features a star-studded lineup that includes Wilco, Billy Strings and Sheryl Crow.

🗓️ When: July 4

🌎 Where: Germania Insurance Amphitheater, Austin, Texas

🎸 Headliners: Willie Nelson, Wilco, Billy Strings, Sheryl Crow

🕶️ Under-the-radar: Lily Meola

⚡ Full lineup: Click here 👈

🎟 Tickets: $30-$589

Minnesota Yacht Club

Now in its third year, this relative newcomer on the festival circuit takes place on an island park along the Mississippi River in the heart of downtown St. Paul. In addition to music fest staples like the Lumineers, the Black Keys and the Strokes, this year’s lineup will make you feel like you’re back in the late ‘90s and early aughts, with Matchbox Twenty, Dashboard Confessional, Marcy Playground, the All-American Rejects, Semisonic and the Fray. Nostalgia!

🗓️ When: July 17-19

🌎 Where: Harriet Island Regional Park, St. Paul, Minn.

🎸 Headliners: the Lumineers, the Black Keys, the Strokes, Matchbox Twenty

🕶️ Don’t miss: Lord Huron, Lucy Dacus, Night Moves

⚡ Full lineup: Click here 👈

🎟 Tickets: $155-$2,300

Mosswood Meltdown

Hosted by filmmaker and self-described “pope of trash” John Waters, this annual punk music festival will bring several big-name acts to Oakland’s Mosswood Park, including indie rock legends Pavement, Iggy Pop and Bikini Kill.

🗓️ When: July 17-19

🌎 Where: Mosswood Park in Oakland, Calif.

🎸 Headliners: Pavement, Iggy Pop, Bikini Kill

🕶️ Don’t miss: Vivian Girls, Mannequin Pussy

⚡ Full lineup: Click here 👈

🎟 Tickets: $99-$399

Levitate Music and Arts Festival

Now in its 13th year, Levitate prides itself on creating a family-friendly atmosphere with a focus on community and the environment. This year’s headliners include Caamp and Alanis Morissette.

🗓️ When: July 18-19

🌎 Where: Marshfield Fairgrounds, Marshfield, Mass.

🎸 Headliners: Alanis Morissette, Caamp

🕶️ Under-the-radar: Daniel Donato’s Cosmic County, Surfer Girl

⚡ Full lineup: Click here 👈

🎟 Tickets: $159-599

Newport Folk Festival

The Newport Folk Festival has come a long way since 1965, when Bob Dylan performed a groundbreaking electric set to a booing audience. Now fans expect the unexpected — even demand it — from a lineup that literally spans all genres, not just folk. And the fan base is fiercely loyal: The festival sells out before artists are even announced.

🗓️ When: July 24-26

🌎 Where: Fort Adams State Park, Newport, R.I.

🎸 Headliners: Cat Power, Courtney Barnett, Brandi Carlisle, the Lumineers, Lauryn Hill

🕶️ Under-the-radar: Fruit Bats, Strongboi, Wednesday

⚡ Full lineup: Click here 👈

🎟 Tickets: $120-$316

Lollapalooza

Nearly 400,000 set out to Chicago in the scorching heat of every summer for one of the world’s biggest and longest-running music festivals. It’s now in its 22nd year at Grant Park, and more than 160 (!) acts — rock, punk, pop and plenty of electronica — will perform over four days. Stay hydrated!

🗓️ When: July 30-Aug. 2

🌎 Where: Grant Park, Chicago

🎸 Headliners: Lorde, Charli xcx, the Smashing Pumpkins, Olivia Dean, Tate McRae

🕶️ Under-the-radar: Kim Theory, New Constellations, Snacktime

⚡ Full lineup: Click here 👈

🎟 Tickets: $185-$29,000

Pickathon

The annual four-day music festival on the 80-acre Pendarvis Farm in Happy Valley, Ore., just outside Portland, bills itself as a “temporary city built in the woods,” where festivalgoers are encouraged to discover rising artists across an array of genres. This year’s edition features a lineup that “balances discovery with icons,” including Steve Earle, Shakey Graves and Marcos Valle.

🗓️ When: July 30-Aug. 2

🌎 Where: Pendarvis Farm, Happy Valley, Ore.

🎸 Headliners: Built to Spill, Steve Earle, Shakey Graves, Marcos Valle

🕶️ Don’t miss: Hannah Frances, Quasi, The Womack Sisters

⚡ Full lineup: Click here 👈

🎟 Tickets: $152-$1,840

Newport Jazz Festival

Now in its 72nd year, the Folk Festival’s older cousin has even more of a storied history, drawing genre-bending jazz, blues and rock artists to the picturesque Fort Adams State Park overlooking Newport Harbor. Few festivals can say they have had Miles Davis, James Brown and Led Zeppelin on the same stage, but this one can.

🗓️ When: July 31-Aug. 2

🌎 Where: Fort Adams State Park, Newport, R.I.

🎸 Headliners: Hernie Hancock, Kamasi Washington, Robert Glasper, Gary Clark Jr., Vulpeck

🕶️ Don’t miss: Flea and the Honora Band, Chicago Underground Duo

⚡ Full lineup: Click here 👈

🎟 Tickets: $119-$316

Outside Lands

Held annually in San Francisco’s Golden Gate Park, this three-day festival draws some of the world’s biggest indie music performers. This year’s lineup has a little something for everyone — rock, pop, R&B and plenty of electronica.

🗓️ When: Aug. 7-9

🌎 Where: Golden Gate Park, San Francisco

🎸 Headliners: Charlie xcx, the XX, the Strokes, Death Cab for Cutie

🕶️ Under-the-radar: Automatic, Billie Marten, Rio Kosta

⚡ Full lineup: Click here 👈

🎟 Tickets: $269-$5,299

Grand Point North

Held at Burlington, Vt.’s picturesque Waterfront Park along Lake Champlain, the festival was founded in 2011 by Vermont-born rocker Grace Potter and features national headliners and rising local artists alongside Potter and her band, the Nocturnals. After a pandemic hiatus, it returned in 2024. This year’s lineup has yet to be announced.

🗓️ When: Sept. 18-20

🌎 Where: Waterfront Park, Burlington, Vt.

🎸 Headliners: TBA

🕶️ Under-the-radar: TBA

⚡ Full lineup: Click here 👈

🎟 Tickets: $TBA

Shaky Knees Festival

This three-day indie music festival, which has moved around Atlanta since its inception in 2013, is returning to Piedmont Park for the second straight year. The 2026 lineup features more than 50 acts, including headliners the Strokes, Pavement, Twenty One Pilots, Gorillaz, LCD Soundsystem and Wu-Tang Clan, as well as Blood Orange, Santigold and Dave Grohl’s daughter Violet Grohl.

🗓️ When: Sept. 18-20

🌎 Where: Piedmont Park in Atlanta

🎸 Headliners: Gorillaz, Wu Tang Clan, the Strokes, Pavement

🕶️ Don’t miss: Violet Grohl, Santigold

⚡ Full lineup: Click here 👈

🎟 Tickets: $175-$7,999

Sea.Hear.Now Festival

The annual festival on the beach and boardwalk in Asbury Park, N.J., bills itself as a celebration of live music, art and surf culture with a focus on ocean sustainability. It even features a professional surfing competition in addition to some big-name acts. This year’s headliners include Mumford & Sons, the Strokes and Moby.

🗓️ When: Sept. 19-20

🌎 Where: Asbury Park, N.J.

🐠 Headliners: Mumford & Sons, the Strokes, the Offspring, Goo Goo Dolls

🕶️ Don’t miss: The War on Drugs, Fontaines D.C., Kim Gordon

⚡ Full lineup: Click here 👈

🎟 Tickets: $180-$11,500

Bourbon and Beyond

This celebration of Americana, blues, country and rock — and of course, bourbon — has quickly become one of the biggest music festivals in the country. It had more than 200,000 attendees last year, and the 2026 edition figures to be even bigger, with over 100 artists slated to perform across four days.

🗓️ When: Sept. 24-27

🌎 Where: Kentucky Exposition Center, Louisville, Ky.

🐠 Headliners: Foo Fighters, Queens of the Stone Age, Dave Matthews Band, Chris Stapleton, Mumford & Sons, Kacey Musgraves, Goose

🕶️ Under-the-radar: Palmyra, S.G. Goodman, Yachtley Crew

⚡ Full lineup: Click here 👈

🎟 Tickets: $197-$2,360

Oceans Calling

Hosted by actor Jason Biggs, the send-off-to-summer weekend festival on the Ocean City, Md., boardwalk is also leaning into late-’90s nostalgia with a lineup that includes the Dave Matthews Band, Hootie & the Blowfish, Gwen Stefani, Liz Phair, Everlast, Everclear, Matchbox Twenty, Third Eye Blind, 311, Shaggy, Yellowcard, O.A.R., OKGO and Hanson (yes, that Hanson).

🗓️  When: Sept. 25-27

🌎  Where: Ocean City, Md.

🎸 Headliners: the Dave Matthews Band, Hootie & the Blowfish, Gwen Stefani, Mumford & Sons, Matchbox Twenty

🕶️ Don’t miss: My Morning Jacket, Corinne Bailey Rae, Cory Wong

⚡ Full lineup: Click here 👈

🎟 Tickets: $179-$7,500

Country Calling

The offshoot of Oceans Calling will again bring more than two dozen country music acts to the same Ocean City Boardwalk, with Chris Stapleton, Miranda Lambert, Lainey Wilson, Rascal Flatts and Dierks Bentley headlining the two-day event.

🗓️ When: Oct. 2-3

🌎 Where: Ocean City, Md.

🎸 Headliners: Chris Stapleton, Miranda Lambert, Lainey Wilson, Rascal Flatts and Dierks Bentley

🕶️ Don’t miss: Brothers Osborne, Noeline Hoffman

⚡ Full lineup: Click here 👈

🎟 Tickets: $169-$6,000

Austin City Limits

Like Coachella, Austin City Limits has grown to two weekends, showcasing hundreds of bands on various stages spread out across Austin’s Zilker Park. And don’t let the calendar fool you: It can get dang hot in Hill Country in October.

🗓️ When: Oct. 2-4 and Oct. 9-11

🌎 Where: Zilker Park, Austin, Texas

🎸 Headliners: Lorde, Kings of Leon, Skillrex, Charli xcx, the XX, Twenty One Pilots, Rüfüs Du Sol

🕶️ Don’t miss: Parcels, Saint Motel, Lykke Li, Houndmouth

⚡ Full lineup: Click here 👈

🎟 Tickets: $365-$5,800