5 Music Festivals to Attend This Summer

This summer, there are many great events and festivals happening throughout the United States. Some of these music festivals take place on the shores of lakes or rivers while others are in city parks and public spaces.

Attend a music festival and make it a part of your summer vacation. Let us take you across five locations with lots of dancing, performing and food sampling.

1. Summerfest, Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Summerfest 2016 will be open from June 29 to July 10 from noon to midnight each day, except on July 4th. It is known as The World’s Largest Music Festival and the line up for 2016 includes stars like Paul McCartney (July 8), Sting and Peter Gabriel (July 10), Selena Gomez (June 29) and Luke Bryan (July 7).

You can fly into Milwaukee’s General Mitchell International Airport (MKE), located only nine miles from the city center or to Chicago O’Hare Airport (ORD), which is about 80 miles from Milwaukee.

This 11-day festival has 11 stages, 800 acts and 1,000 performances each year. Enjoy live music, great food, cold beer and interactive exhibits at Henry Maier Festival Park on the shores of Lake Michigan.

Information: Summerfest

2. Vertex Festival, Colorado

If you like natural beauty, live music, and the festival culture, you must get to Vertex Festival in Colorado. Vertex’s venue is a rangeland at the foot of the Continental Divide, surrounded by snowcapped 14,000-foot Collegiate Peaks. It’s the best place for those who love diverse music and mountain adventure.

Vertex is a 2-day event from August 5 to 7, and this year’s line up includes Alabama Shakes, Trey Anastasio Band, Graham Nash, The Revivalist, and Odesza.

Aspen County Airport (ASE) is the closest airport to the venue in Buena Vista. Buena Vista is about 146 miles from Denver International Airport (DEN).

Information: Vertex

3. Panorama, Randall’s Island, NY

If you are planning a trip to New York City, you may want to schedule a day at the Panorama music festival in Randall’s Island, NY. For transportation, you have the options of taking ferries, public buses or shuttles from Manhattan to Randall’s Island. The island has parking facilities for those who prefer to self-drive. All vehicular access is via the RFK Triborough Bridge with a toll of $8 per vehicle.

The music festival is located at Randall’s Island Park from July 22 to 24. The line-up for this year includes Alabama Shakes, Kendrick Lamar, and Kurt Vile & The Violators.

Information: Panorama
About New York City: 10 Free Things to Do in NYC, 10 Must See Landmarks in NYC and NYC Shopping Guide.

4. Lollapalooza, Chicago

Chicago’s Lollapalooza music festival is entering its 25th year this year. The fun begins on July 28th and ends on the 31st. The festival takes place in Grant Park, a 115-acre large historical park located between Downtown Chicago and Lake Michigan. Attendees can enjoy the fun each day from 11 am to 10 pm.

Besides energizing live music, Lollapalooza offers top-notch pop-up eateries from Chicago’s favorite restaurants.

Information: Lollapalooza

5. Lockn' Music Festival, Arrington, VA

Love camping and live music? Then you must attend the Lockn’ Music Festival in Arrington, VA. Arrington, not to be confused with Arlington, is located 108 miles from Richmond VA and 154 miles from Washington DC.

The annual music festival happens this year from August 25-28 with a line-up including Phish, Ween, and Circles Around the Sun. The best thing about this festival is the campsite availability for families. You can bring your car or RV and camp at the designated camp sites.

Information: Lockn’ Music Festival

Have you been to any of these music festivals? How was it? Please share.