2016 Spring – Early Summer Festival Guide
There are more festivals now then ever, and making a decision about which one or ones to spend your hard-earned money and vacation time on can be overwhelming. Luckily for you, we’re here to put all the information you need in one place so you can make your summer planning easier then ever. Below is a guide to festivals small and large across the country that are taking place this March-June along with some important info about them. Make sure to keep an eye out for our Summer-Fall list coming soon!
Aura Music & Arts Festival: Live Oak, Florida 3/3-3/5
The AURA Music and Arts Festival returns to the Spirit of the Suwannee Music Park in Live Oak FL for the seventh time March 3-5. AURA has always centered around funk and jamtronic music, but there is always so much more. The 2016 edition boasts headliners The Disco Biscuits, Snarky Puppy, Thievery Corporation, The Werks, ALO, The New Deal and Pink Talking Fish. There are lots of bands familiar to SoSMP fans such as Greenhouse Lounge, The Fritz, Particle and The Mike Dillon, plus plenty of first-timers such as Backup Planet and Broccoli Samurai. And don’t forget the late-night Silent Disco, plus the daytime Eno Lotus Lounge!
Okeechobee Music & Arts Festival 2016: Okeechobee, Florida 3/4-3/6
The inaugural Okeechobee Music & Arts Festival is kicking off this year in sunny south Florida, March 3-6. Founded by festival veterans, including former Bonnaroo organizer Paul Peck, this new festival is bringing the heat for it’s first go-around. Taking place on 800 sprawling, lush acres of Florida land, OMF boasts a beach, several stages, and a schedule of music and activities running 24-hours a day surrounded by glorious camping land! Headliners include Mumford and Sons, Kendrick Lamar, Skrillex, Robert Plant and the Sensational Space Shifters, Bassnectar, Daryl Hall & John Oates, ODESZA, The Avett Brothers, and many other genre-spanning artists. Add to that the Powow! – a collaboration by a multitue of artists including Miguel, Arcade Fire frontman Win Butler, John Oates, Kamasi Washington with Preservation Hall, Soulive / Lettuce’s Eric Krasno and Neal Evans, as well as Chris Karns on turntables… and you never know who else might show up! Tickets are still on sale for this one, but it’s coming up quick so don’t wait!
CRSSD: San Diego, California 3/5-3/6
CRSSD Festival will be held for the third time in 12 months at San Diego’s Waterfront Park. The event features techno and underground house for two days of sun and music. This installment includes performances by Odesza, Chet Faker, Loco Dice, Tale of Us and more than two dozen other acts. The event does not offer camping, as it takes place in the city, and they have also changed it to be a 21+ event. Tickets are available now through TicketFly.
SXSW: Austin, Texas 3/11-3/20
The legendary music, film and interactive festival SXSW will be celebrating its 30th birthday this year. The SXSW Music Festival is one of the largest and most influential global music events of the year, taking over Austin venues and showcasing artists ranging from the unsigned to superstars across all genres. At SXSW 2015, more than 30,000 music industry professionals and musicians took in six nights of performances in over 100 downtown venues, with a lineup featuring 2,200 acts from 62 foreign countries. While the whole event spans ten days, the music segment will take place from 3/15-3/20. As it goes with city festivals, there’s no camping, but there are many great hotels to chose from. Some highlights from this year’s lineup include Crystal Castles, Micachu and the Shapes, Alex G, Downtown Boys, Har Mar Superstar, Hinds, and Pure Bathing Culture. Tickets are available now through their website. The full schedule will be live in February, and you never know who may drop in for a surprise set!
BUKU Music & Arts Project: New Orleans, Louisiana 3/11-3/12
In a nutshell, BUKU Music + Art Project is a quirky boutique event that delivers a big festival punch without compromising its underground house-party vibe. Tucked right in the heart of New Orleans’ burgeoning Warehouse District, BUKU’s intimate post-industrial setting fits perfectly with the festival’s fusion of relevant EDM, hip-hop and indie rock. Just a short walk from the French Quarter, there is a plethora of hotels to choose from, and some even offer special packages for festival attendees. This year’s BUKU will see performances from Pretty Lights Live Band, Kid Cudi, Crystal Castles, Fetty Wap, Griz, A$AP Ferg and many more. Tickets are available now through TicketFly.
McDowell Mountain Music Festival: Phoenix, Arizona 3/11-3/13
McDowell Mountain Music Festival is Arizona’s 100% non-profit music festival. Designed to promote three elements – community involvement, corporate participation and charity – McDowell Mountain Music Festival exists to support, entertain and educate the community, the arts and families throughout the state. All of the proceeds from the Festival will benefit two local, family-based, non-profits: Phoenix Children’s Hospital Foundation and UMOM New Day Center. This year will be the 14th year of McDowell Mountain Music Festival taking over Margaret T. Hance Park in downtown Phoenix, and the festival will see performances from Beck, Kid Cudi, The Avett Brothers, Porter Robinson, Animal Collective and many more. There are a number of hotels in the area that are close and will allow you to explore Phoenix while being close to the festival; tickets are available now through their website.
Gasparilla Music Festival: Tampa, Florida 3/12-3/13
The 2016 festival will take place in Curtis Hixon Riverfront Park and Kiley Garden Park in Downtown Tampa on March 12th & 13th and will feature musical acts from a wide variety of genres on several stages and cuisine from the region’s top restaurants. This year’s eclectic lineup includes Erykah Badu, MS MR, Houndmouth, Talib Kweli, Greensky Bluegrass and many more. Tickets and hotel accommodations are available through the festival’s website.
Suwannee Spring Fest: Live Oak, Florida 3/17-3/20
Suwannee Springfest celebrates twenty years of kicking off the spring festival season at the beautiful Spirit of the Suwannee Music Park. The festival brings some of the best in bluegrass, Americana, and roots music to multiple stages in the midst of a friendly, family-style environment and encourages attendees to bring their acoustic instruments to join in on the fun with some campground pickin’. This year’s stellar lineup includes the legendary songwriter John Prine, Brandi Carlile, Railroad Earth, The Del McCoury Band, Keller Williams Grateful Grass, Infamous Stringdusters among many more. Camping in a stunning natural setting of moss-draped oak and cypress trees nestled in 800 acres on the shady banks of the historic, tea-colored Suwannee River is included with your ticket, which you can get through their website.
Serenity Gathering: Idyllwild, California 3/17-3/20
Serenity Gathering is a conscious gathering focused on art and music at the Lake Hemet Campground in Idyllwild, CA. You can expect an array of workshops, activities, and art installations throughout the entire weekend while you dance to a lineup featuring major and up-and-coming artists such as Sphongle, Nahko & Medicine for the People, Emancipator and more. All festival tickets include car camping and are now available through the festival’s website.
Beyond Wonderland: San Bernardino, California 3/18-3/19
Beyond Wonderland returns to Southern California Friday, March 18, and Saturday, March 19, at the San Manuel Amphitheater & Grounds in San Bernardino, CA. There, headliners will be swept away into a beautiful dreamscape of incredible music across four stages, interactive art installations, roaming performers and much, much more. Alesso, Carnage, Dada Life, Bro Safari and many more will take the stage at Beyond Wonderland. Tickets are available now; car and tent-only camping is available for an additional cost that can be added to your purchase through their website.
Ultra Music Festival: Miami, Florida 3/18-3/20
Ultra Music Festival has been a staple in the Miami EDM culture since its inception in 1999; it has grown from a small one-day festival to a 3-day affair that people from all over the world travel to. At this year’s installment, fans will be able to see Avicii, Hardwell, Purity Ring, Armin Van Burren, Kygo and many more EDM acts. The festival falls during Miami’s annual Winter Music Conference, so the city is packed with events surrounding the prime downtown location of Ultra. GA tickets are currently sold out, but you can always try your luck with Stubhub or go big and get VIP which is still available through their website.
Fools Paradise Music Festival: St. Augustine, Florida 4/1-4/2
Lettuce, Purple Hatters Productions, and Live for Live Music are coming together to put on the inaugural year of Fool’s Paradise, a funk-fueled beach extravaganza taking place right in the heart of St. Augustine. The two-day destination event will feature two explosive sets from Lettuce, GRiZ,Chris Robinson’s Soul Revue ft. George Porter Jr., Ivan Neville, Nikki Glaspie & Eric Krasno. The festival will also feature a special collaboration from Lettuce and GRiZ. There will be genre-bending music, artist-led excursions, musical workshops, and explorative activities all weekend. With music all day and night, there will be camping options and hotel packages available which are available along with tickets on their website.
Euphoria Music Festival: Austin, Texas 4/7-4/10
Euphoria is one of the most exciting EDM events in Texas. This year they’ll be ringing in 5 years and have put together a killer lineup to celebrate that includes Bassnectar, STS9, Tycho, Dillon Francis, Above & Beyond and so many more. This year, Euphoria will be opening the gates a day early to allow campers to stake claim on their home for the next four days. With this added day comes the Thursday night New Moon Pre-Party, exclusive to all four-day campers and featuring a special set by The Polish Ambassador. Tickets are available through their website.
Wanee Music Festival: Live Oak, Florida 4/14-4/16
The Wanee Music Festival was the baby of The Allman Brothers before the group played its farewell concerts. Last year, the torch was passed to Widespread Panic, and the 2015 fest was a huge success. Make no mistake: the Allman Brothers’ influence still radiates throughout the fest, with the Gregg Allman Band, Gov’t Mule, Les Brers featuring Butch Trucks & Jaimoe, Jaimoe’s Jasssz Band, Oteil & Friends, and Warren Haynes and the Ashes & Dust Band front and center. Throw in two days of Umphrey’s McGee plus Soulive, Kung Fu, and Dumpstaphunk’s Earth, War, & Power, and you’ve got yourself a party. In addition to the April 14-16 dates, there is Happy Hour Wednesday (April 13) headlined by The New Mastersounds.
The Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival: Indio, California 4/15-4/17 & 4/22-4/24
Held at the Empire Polo Club in Indio CA, Coachella has become so popular they sell out two weekends often before they even drop a lineup. This year’s lineup boasts performances from LCD Sound System, Guns N’ Roses, Calvin Harris, Ice Cube, Major Lazer, Beach House, M83 and more. Being so close to LA, Coachella has become notorious for its celebrity attendees, outrageous VIP packages and crazy Palm Springs hotel parties, but there’s more than meets the eye. The festival offers car and tent-only camping for a mass of dedicated attendees who are there for more than just the fashion. Since as we mentioned before, it’s completely sold out; you can find tickets and camping passes through Cash Or Trade.
New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival: New Orleans, Louisiana 4/22-5/1
Founded in 1970, New Orleans Jazz Fest has become a staple not only in the Big Easy but for festival lovers around the world. Jazz Fest is held for two weekends every year at the Fair Ground Race Course from 11 am – 7 pm daily. If you’re wondering why the festivities end so early, it’s because they spill out into Bourbon Street where artists play small and intimate shows at bars down the strip. This year’s installment includes Stevie Wonder, Pearl Jam, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Neil Young + Promise of the Real, Snoop Dogg, Paul Simon, Steely Dan, Beck, Van Morrison, Trombone Shorty and New Orleans Avenue along with many many more. You can’t camp, but you can find a number of amenities along with tickets and the entire lineup at the JazzFest website.
SweetWater 420: Atlanta, Georgia 4/22-4/24
SweetWater 420 is put on by The SweetWater Brewing Company in Centennial Olympic Park in Downtown Atlanta. The festival always offers an eclectic mix of artists, and this year is no different. Kid Rock, Ben Harper & the Innocent Criminals, Bastille, Ludacris and The Disco Biscuits will take the stage this year along with many more. Due to its prime urban location, your best bet at accommodations is booking a hotel in advance. Tickets and full lineup information can be found on their website.
Full Moon Gathering: Live Oak, Florida 4/22-4/23
Full Moon Gathering is the creation of the powerhouse DJ Tipper. Since this year will being the first, Tipper is pulling out all the stops. The weekend will feature performances by Tipper, Shpongle with a sunrise on Sunday morning, Crunch, Lusine, Evac, Bogtrotter and Medsin. All tickets include primitive camping. The Spirit of the Suwannee Music Park is over 700 acres of spacious and shaded camping areas. Primitive camping is on a first-come, first-served system. There is plenty of room for your car at your campsite.
NOLA Crawfish Festival: New Orleans, Louisiana 4/25-4/27
The first-ever NOLA Crawfish Festival will welcome some of New Orleans’ finest musicians, food, and craft beer at the NOLA Brewery and Tap Room. Coinciding with Jazzfest, the festival will bring together a trifecta of Southeast Louisiana perfection: the absolute best crawfish, live music, and beer the city has to offer. Some highlights of the lineup include George Porter Jr., Jon Cleary, Nigel Hall, special guest Anders Osborne along with many more. The festival will run from 3 PM-10 PM each day. Attendees can enjoy over 5,000 pounds of hot boiled crawfish prepared on-site by Chris “Shaggy” Davis and his NOLA Crawfish King staff, 20+ original varieties of ice-cold beer tapped straight from the source, and a specialty brew created just for the event. The three-day event will conclude with the Ultimate Crawfish Cook-Off, where twenty teams will compete for the best crawfish boil determined by a panel of NOLA celebrity judges. Just like Jazzfest, there is no camping available, but the city has a lot of hotels to offer, tickets are available now through their website.
Beale Street Music Festival: Memphis, Tennessee 4/29-5/1
Now in its 39th year, Beale Street has become a summer staple in Downtown Memphis. Over the past decade the festival has attracted over 1.1 million music fans to the multistage three-day event, best known for its eclectic mix of contemporary rock, blues, soul and modern talent and its musically inspired setting. The festival is held in a beautiful 25-acre riverfront park at the foot of historic Beale Street overlooking the mighty Mississippi River. The lineup is huge, with headliners Beck, Neil Young & Promise of the Real, Paul Simon, Weezer, and Modest Mouse! Music ranges from Lucinda Williams to Panic! at the Disco. Early bird tickets and hotel information are available for a great price through their website!
Levitation: Austin, Texas 4/29-5/1
Formerly known as Austin Psych Fest, Levitation will be celebrating its 9th installment this year at Carson Creek Ranch in Austin. The festival covers an eclectic and expansive range of sounds, anchored by the group’s love of 1960s psychedelic rock and experimental music. Some highlights from this year’s lineup are Ween, Animal Collective, Flying Lotus and Courtney Barnett. Limited camping is available in a wooded area across Carson Creek from the main festival grounds; the campgrounds feature a stage with exclusive performances before and after the main festival operating hours and a general store, as well as food & drinks selections. The campgrounds also host activities such as yoga, collaborative art projects and more. There are also many hotels close to the venue where you can stay if you decide camping isn’t your thing. Tickets and camping passes are on sale now through the festival’s website.
Joshua Tree Spring Festival: Joshua Tree, California 5/12-5/15
Joshua Tree Music Festival Spring Fest is the first of two installments of independently produced music festivals that are held annually in the shadows of the infamous Joshua Tree National Park. They are two (of the very few) multi-day campout music festivals in Southern California featuring live music. Music lovers of all ages enjoy this phenomenal live music in an intimate setting and magical surroundings. The spring festival features an eclectic line up of performers; dance-world-electro-funk’n groove. The fall fest differs musically with artists of the more rootsicana-newgrassy-folkadelic realms. The two different musical stylings create distinct audiences at the festivals, but many folks do attend both. The Spring 2016 lineup includes Dumpstaphunk, DakhaBrakha, Tyler Bryant & the Shakedown, The Main Squeeze, Sunsquabi, All Good Funk Alliance, Dam-Funk, Trevor Green & more. Camping and free showers are included with the price of your ticket!
EDC NYC: New York, New York 5/12-5/13
EDC NYC is returning to Citi Field for two days of full-scale carnival rides, interactive art installations, playful performers, and the biggest artists in electronic music. EDC New York will also host its four now-iconic stages—kineticFIELD, circuitGROUNDS, cosmicMEADOW, and neonGARDEN—each displaying their own unique production and scenic elements. This year Dillon Francis, David Guetta, Kaskade, Adventure Club, Bro Safari and more will take the stage. The event is 18+, tickets and hotel options are available now.
Shaky Knees Music Festival: Atlanta, Georgia 5/13-5/15
The 4th Annual Shaky Knees Music Fest will take over Centennial Olympic Park & International Plaza in downtown Atlanta with 5 stages and more than 75 bands; Shaky Knees is a dream. Since its inception in 2013, Shaky Knees has featured a diverse lineup ranging from world-renowned acts to up-and-coming artists. This year’s festival will feature Jane’s Addiction, My Morning Jacket, Florence + The Machine, The Decemberists, The 1975, Houndmouth, Against Me! and many more. The festival has teamed up with Hotel for Hope to offer special packages to attendees; more information along with tickets can be found through the festivals website.
Domefest: Bedford, Pennsylvania 5/19-21
Domefest will be celebrating their first year at a new location in 2016, moving from West Virginia to Bedford, Pennsylvania. Presented by Groovehouse Productions and Pigeons Playing Ping Pong, the 7th annual Domefest is sure to be a highlight in the world of intimate small-scale summer festivals. This year’s lineup boasts 3 sets of Pigeons Playing Ping Pong, Big Something, Splintered Sunlight, Aqueous x2, Elm x2, Broccoli Samurai, Lespecial, Mister F, Shwiz and many more that will be announced closer to the date. Along with the amazing music, there will be many workshops to fill your weekend with including glass blowing, yoga, hooping, aerial dancing and much more. Camping is included in the ticket price, which includes a space for one tent and a parking spot on site.
Moogfest: Durham, North Carolina 5/19-5/22
Moogfest is a tribute to Dr. Robert Moog and the profound influence his inventions have had on how we hear the world. Over the last sixty years, Bob Moog and Moog Music have pioneered the analog synthesizer and other technology tools for artists. By day, Moogfest is a platform for conversation and experimentation. This mind-expanding conference attracts creative and technology professionals for three days of participatory programming in Durham, North Carolina. Each evening, Moogfest presents cutting-edge music in venues throughout the city. Performing artists include early pioneers in electronic music alongside pop and avant garde experimentalists of today. Highlights from this year’s musical lineup includes ODESZA, Grimes, Miike Snow, Gary Numan, GZA, Explosions in the Sky and many more. Moogfest has partnered with several hotels in Durham, none more than a fifteen-minute drive from downtown. More information about hotels and tickets is available through their website.
Orange Blossom Jamboree: Brooksville, Florida 5/19-5/22
Conventional wisdom holds that, if Florida were somehow cut off from the rest of the continent, the music scene wouldn’t suffer at all. Orange Blossom Jamboree is a four-day celebration of Florida music. there is such competition to get on the bill given the amazing talent in the Sunshine State; two weekends still wouldn’t be enough. This year’s OBJ features 63 bands and performers, including Suénalo, Shak Nasti, The Applebutter Express, Savi Fernandez Band, Come Back Alice, Bobby Lee Rodgers, S.P.O.R.E., Flat Land, and Crazy Fingers. And the Bath Salt Zombies present Cirque du Zombé! The fest is held at the cozy Sertoma Youth Ranch in Dade City FL.
Hangout Music Festival: Gulf Shores, Alabama 5/20-5/22
What makes The Hangout Festival unique is its breathtaking location on the Gulf Shore of Alabama. With two main stages right on the beach and a plethora of smaller stages and activities along the strip, you may find yourself wondering if you’re on a tropical vacation until you stumble upon your favorite band rocking out on the beach. This year’s installment will feature performances by The Weeknd, Calvin Harris, Florence + The Machine, Alabama Shakes, Lenny Kravitz, Cage The Elephant, Big Grams, The Neighbourhood, Courtney Barnett, Nahko and Medicine for the People and many more. Before buying your ticket, make sure to book a condo or beach house that has a special partnership with the festival, and grab your shuttle pass!
Shaky Beats Festival: Atlanta, Georgia 5/20-5/22
Shaky Beats Music Festival is a brand-new, 18+, beat-driven event from the same people who brought you Shaky Knees Music Festival. The first-EVER Shaky Beats Fest will be at the same location as it’s sister festival in Atlanta’s Centennial Olympic Park. Featuring over 40 top-notch electronic, indie and hip-hop acts across three stages, the inaugural year of Shaky Beats will have you hooping and dancing the night away. The inaugural lineup features ODESZA, Major Lazer, Big Gigantic, NAS, Porter Robinson, Carnage and many more. Hotel packages and tickets are available through the festivals website.
Susquehanna Breakdown: Scranton, Pennsylvania 5/20-5/21
A family-friendly gathering in a picturesque location, Susquehanna Breakdown will present a variety of musical acts including RailRoad Earth, The Infamous Stringdusters, Twiddle, Fruition, Pappy & Friends and of course Cabinet along with craft and food vending and much more! Festivals past have featured a brilliant collection of Americana, roots, bluegrass, funk, jam, and folk artists. Enhancing the musical aspect of the festival, previous events have offered a farmers’ market, concert poster art gallery, and kids’ activity area as well as a host of vendors who kept fans occupied all throughout the day. Tickets are available now through the festival website.
Lightning In A Bottle: Bradley, California 5/25-5/30
Lightning in a Bottle is a transformational festival presented by The Do LaB. The Do LaB seeks to promote sustainability, social cohesion, personal health and creative expression. Lightning in a Bottle is a place they created to see all of those flourish. Lightning in a Bottle is an eclectic mix of music, art, and culture. In addition to music performances, the event also features guest speakers, visual and interactive art installations, yoga classes, group meditation, and other attractions the organizers have even added an additional first day with no music so attendees can get acclimated to the environment and enjoy these activities. When the music does start attendees are in for sets from Chet Faker, Grimes, Jamie XX, Big Gigantic, Nahko and Medicine for the People and many more. Camping is included in your ticket; be sure to keep in mind that LIB is the only United States festival to win the “Outstanding Award” from A Greener Festival, five years in a row, so leave your site just as it was when you arrived!
DelFest: Cumberland, Maryland 5/26-5/29
DelFest has been going strong since 2008. It was born from the desire to create a family-friendly music festival celebrating the rich legacy of McCoury music by providing a forum for world-class musical collaborations while also exposing fresh new talent. This year’s lineup features The Travelin’ McCourys, Tedseschi Trucks Band, Bruce Hornsby & The Noisemakers, Greensky Bluegrass, Keller Williams and many more exciting acts. On site you’ll find incredible music all day long on the Grandstand Stage, intimate Artist Playshops, Late Night Shows, a fun-filled Kids’ Area, a quality Art & Craft Faire, delicious food and drinks, plentiful camping space and RV hookups, and much more. All multi-day passes include on-site walk-in camping, but it is important to note that parking is not included! You can find tickets and more information through their website.
Rooster Walk: Martinsville, Virginia 5/26-5/29
From funk to folk, blues to bluegrass, and jambands to jazz, the eighth annual Rooster Walk Music & Arts Festival will have something for just about every music lover. The festival will feature more than 40 bands of varying genres such as Lettuce, Sam Bush Band, The Revivalists, Perpetual Groove, The Motet and more; plus lots of kids’ activities, camping, arts, crafts and food. Camping is not included in your ticket, but you can just think of the additional charge as another donation to the Penn-Shank Memorial Endowment Scholarship for seniors at Martinsville High School, which Rooster Walk donates all its proceeds to.
Sasquatch! Music Festival: Quincy, Washington 5/27-5/30
Created by Adam Zacks in 2002, the festival’s incredible lineups have featured a mix of established and emerging artists at the breathtaking Gorge Amphitheater on the cliffs overlooking the Columbia River (George WA), making this festival an international destination as well as a uniquely Pacific Northwest mainstay. Over 120 artists will take the stage this year including The Cure, Florence & The Machine, Disclosure, Major Lazer, Alabama Shakes and many more. You can grab your camping and festival passes through the festivals Live Nation.
Boston Calling: Boston, Massachusetts 5/27-5/29
Boston Calling is a twice-a-year festival that takes over City Hall Plaza in the heart of Boston, curated by The National’s guitarist Aaron Dessner since its inception in 2012. This year Dessner will take the stage with Lisa Hannigan; the festival will also see performances from Sia, Disclosure, Hiam, ODESZA, City & Colour, Courtney Barnett and many more. The spring 2016 edition will mark the debut of an intimate third stage for comedy and other performances, which will be announced in the near future. An expanded beverage program will include selections from local group Wine Riot and a custom Boston Calling beer courtesy of a guest European brewer. You can find ticket and hotel information on their website.
MAYfest: Cold Spring, New York 5/27-5/29
Catskill Chill Music Festival and SkyBaby Yoga & Pilates Studio have come together for the second annual MAYfest a Music, Arts, and Yoga festival. You can expect performances from Trevor Hall, Turkuaz, and a unique collaboration between Pink Talking Fish and American Idol finalist Elise Testone. Festival-goers will immerse themselves in their yoga practice, their love for music and their desire to explore a creative side. “MAYfesters” design their own experience by pre-registering for sessions online. You can find more information about classes and instructors through the MAYfest website. Primitive camping is included with your ticket purchase, and there are also cabins for rent!
Bottlerock: Napa, California 5/27-5/29
Bottlerock will take to Napa Valley on Memorial Day Weekend again this year, boasting a slew of major acts, including Red Hot Chili Peppers, Florence + the Machine, and Stevie Wonder, Death Cab for Cutie, Lenny Kravitz, Grouplove, The Lumineers and more. This festival is known for gourmet food from the Napa Valley’s finest chefs and restaurateurs, craft beer, specialty cocktails and of course dozens of wine cabanas. While there is no camping on-site, there are plenty of accommodations close by including hotels, house rentals and campgrounds. 3-day GA and VIP passes are sold out, but you can try your luck on Cash or Trade or go for a 1-day pass.
Summer Camp Music Festival: Chillicothe, Illinois 5/27-5/29
Since its start in 2001, Summer Camp has grown to a major weekend long event that sees over 20,000 attendees and 100 bands. What sets Summer Camp apart from other summer festivals is exactly what you would think: it’s like a grown-up summer camp. Attendees can play kickball every morning, participate in the annual Summer Camp Color War and even be a part of musical workshops which feature headlining musicians sharing their crafts, techniques and theory. This year’s lineup is truly something special, featuring 3 days of Moe. and Umphrey’s McGee, Tom Petty’s Mudcrutch, Big Grizmatic (Big Gigantic, Griz & Gramatic), STS9, The Roots and more. And of course in true camp fashion, camping is included in the price of your ticket.
California Roots: Monterey, California 5/27-5/29
California Roots features a Reggae-based festival that takes place at the Monterey County Fairgrounds in Monterey, California. The historic site was home to the Monterey Pop Festival in 1967 where Jimi Hendrix set his guitar on fire. The 3-day event features staples and newcomers from all spectrums of the Reggae genre; highlights from this year include Slightly Stoopid, Damian Marley, Stephen Marley, Rebelution, The Expendables, Pepper, Tribal Seeds, The Green and many more. While camping is not available on-site, the festival has partnered with a campground close to the grounds and will provide shuttles to and from all weekend. You can find tickets through their website.
Movement Electronic Music Festival: Detroit, Michigan 5/28-30
The Movement Electronic Music Festival is a three-day event held during Memorial Day weekend inside Hart Plaza, Detroit’s legendary riverfront destination. More than 100 of electronic music’s most illustrious artists, local heavyweights and pioneering legends make their way to the birthplace of techno for this legendary event. Phase one of the lineup features Kraftwerk 3-D, Boys Noize, Caribou, Get Real: Green Velvet & Claude Von Stroke and Kevin Saunderson among many others. Downtown Detroit isn’t the best spot to set up a tent, but there are plenty of hotels in the area. You can grab tickets through their website.
Governors Ball: New York, New York 6/3-6/5
Governors Ball is easily New York’s premier music festival, bringing major acts and thousands of people to Randall’s Island the first weekend in June every year. The fest is one of the only independently run in the market, meaning the organizers have full reign of what goes on. They team up with other NYC-centric companies to make this festival a New Yorker’s dream. There are food local vendors curated by Infatuation (hello ramen burger and momo fuku), art installations created by NYC-based artists, and plenty of photo ops, all of this is of course surrounded by some amazing acts that span across all genres. This year Kanye West, The Strokes, The Killers, Beck, Death Cab For Cutie, Bloc Party, Gary Clarke Jr., Big Grams and more will take the stage. Camping is a no-no in the city that never sleeps, but you can find lots of hotels around the city. Tickets are still available but are predicted to sell out, so grab them fast!
The Untz Festival: Mariposa, California 6/3-6/4
The Untz, a popular EDM website and forum, is hosting its first-ever festival this year. After months of teasing the possibility, The Untz team finally put all the pieces together to cultivate a sound that is uniquely their own and also fits the sensibilities of their audience. The festival will have four stages, including two indoor late-night stages that go all night long, and a special pre-party on June 2. As stone cold experts in the field of EDM, you can expect cutting-edge, up-and-coming acts such as Desert Dwellers, The Werks, Kalya Scintilla + Eve Olution, Wick-It The Instigator, Mr. Bill, Illenium and Fractal with more artists to be added. All tickets include walk-in camping; however every vehicle will need to have a parking pass purchased as well.
Bunbury Music Festival: Cincinnati, Ohio 6/3-6/5
Taking place at Sawyer Point Park & Yeatman’s Cove on the banks of the Ohio River, Bunbury combines the beauty of Cincinnati with top-notch acts. This year’s lineup includes The Killers, Florence + The Machine, Mudcrutch, Tears For Fears, Hiam, Ice Cube, Of Monsters And Men, Umphrey’s McGee and many more. The festival is going cashless this year, you’ll be able to pre-load your wristband with your debit card and make purchases throughout the festival. Early bird tickets and are on sale now, and hotel rooms are available through Hotels for Hope.
Mountain Jam: Hunter Mountain, New York 6/3-6/5
Mountain Jam is a fantastic festival tucked away in upstate New York put on by the legendary Radio Woodstock and Warren Haynes. Sitting atop the Hunter Mountain ski resort, this festival is truly a unique experience. The Lodge provides fans with 24-hour access to indoor bathrooms, a large full-service bar and food services; the Sky Ride provides a fun and unique opportunity for fans to take in the beautiful views of the Catskill Mountains while watching the music. Camping is encouraged, but there are hotels and other lodging options near by. This year’s lineup features Beck, Wilco, The Avett Brothers, Gov’t Mule, Umphrey’s McGee, Brandi Carlile, Gary Clark Jr. and many more. Tickets and VIP packages are available through their website.
Roots Picnic: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 6/4
Curated and hosted by the native hip hop group The Roots, Roots Picnic will take place for the 9th time at Festival Pier at Penn’s Landing on the Delaware River Waterfront. The one-day event will feature a stacked bill with performances by Future, Usher backed by The Roots, Leon Bridges, The Roots, Swizz Beats, DMX and more. This event is the perfect way to kick off your summer and explore the beautiful city of Philadelphia while getting to see The Roots do a hometown show. Tickets are available now through Ticketmaster, and there are plenty of hotels in the area.
Free Press Summer Fest: Houston, Texas 6/5-6/6
The annual Free Press Summer Festival in downtown Houston, Texas, is a celebration of indie music and art with eight different stages hosting 160+ live performances from buzzworthy emerging acts and fan favorites. Other attractions include awe-inspiring fireworks displays, fun paint slides, provocative art installations, music demonstrations and artistic workshops. This year’s lineup will drop March 1st but past performers at FPSF include Jack White, Lauryn Hill, Vampire Weekend, Snoop Dogg, Bassnectar, Willie Nelson, Zedd, Weezer and the Flaming Lips. You can grab your blind-faith tickets now!
Northside Festival: Brooklyn, New York 6/6-6/12
For seven days every June, over 100,000 creative and cultural trendsetters meet in Brooklyn to uncover the future of music, innovation and content. With over 400 bands, 150 speakers and 100 content creators, attendees leave being able to say “I saw it at Northside first.” Northside Festival spans all of Williamsburg and Greenpoint, encompassing a constellation of venues – small clubs, epic outdoor spaces like McCarren Park, boutique hotels, local movie theatres and more. Early bird badges are available now; we’ll update with lineup and speaker announcements as they are released.
Bonnaroo: Manchester, Tennesee 6/9-6/12
There’s a reason why people call Bonnaroo home; the four-day event takes place on 700 acres of beautiful farm land in rural Tennessee filled with some of the best festival attendees in the country. The festival has grown from a small jam-heavy event to a massive genre spanning spectacle that features a plethora of stages and tents, a comedy club, movie theatre, silent disco, beer garden, workshops, a water oasis and so much more. The festival is celebrating 15 years of magic this go-around, and they’ve provided quite the lineup to celebrate. Some highlights of this milestone year include Pearl Jam, Dead & Co., LCD Soundsystem, Ween, Tame Impala, and many more. This is guaranteed to be one for the books, with surprises around every corner! And don’t forget — we are still waiting on additions, comedians, and the Super Jam! In an effort to promote carpooling and more room for camping, every car will now need to purchase a camping pass for an additional fee. Tickets, VIP and camping packages are available now.
Disc Jam Music Festival: Stephentown, New York 6/9-6/12
Disc Jam continues to evolve and grow a little more with each passing year. It embodies what is truly beautiful and memorable about the grass-roots festival experience. The fun goes from June 9th-12th at Gardner’s Farm in Stephentown, NY and no, you don’t need to play or enter the Disc Golf tournament to attend (but why wouldn’t you?) This year’s initial lineup features 2 nights of Dopapod, Electron, Kung Fu, TAUK, Pink Talking Fish, Consider the Source, Gubbulidis (Mihali & Gubb of Twiddle), Teddy Midnight and more, with more to be added. This festival is sure to please any grassroots lover with its intimate feel, great community and eclectic mix of bands. Camping is included in the price of your ticket, which you can purchase now.
Mysteryland: Bethel Woods, New York 6/10-6/13
Mysteryland dates back to 1993 and is now the world’s longest-running (electronic) music, culture and art festival. With a clear focus on culture, art, talent, creativity and sustainability, Mysteryland landed in the USA in 2014 on the original grounds of Woodstock in Bethel, New York. As is the trend with many EDM festivals, the event is 19+ for general admission day visitors, with the VIP areas and the onsite Holy Ground campgrounds remaining at 21+. This year’s lineup features ODESZA, Skrillex, Bassnectar, The Chainsmokers, Zeds Dead and many more. Ticket and camping packages are available now.
Firefly: Dover, Delaware 6/16-6/19
This year’s Firefly will once again take place at The Woodlands at Dover International Speedway in Dover, Delaware. Firefly has quickly grown to be one of the East Coast’s top festivals, and this year’s lineup certainly shows they are ready to fight to keep that title. Mumford & Sons, Kings Of Leon, Florence + The Machine, Blink-182, Death Cab For Cutie, M83, Major Lazer, Earth Wind & Fire, Fetty Wap, Moon Taxi and Elle King plus many more will keep The Woodlands alive all weekend. Tickets along with camping and hotel packages are available now.
Telluride Bluegrass Festival: Telluride, Colorado 6/16-6/19
The Telluride Bluegrass Festival is a weekend celebration of Americana roots music where artists are encouraged to push the limits of their genre. Collaborations between the best of the best are often the highlights of each year’s festival. The festival is a weekend of uncommon musical riches: main stage performances in Town Park throughout the day, intimate masters workshops on the Elks Park stage on Main Street in downtown, prestigious band and songwriting contests, late-night Nightgrass concerts at every indoor venue in town, and jam sessions on sidewalks and throughout the campgrounds. This year the festival will host Sam Bush Band, Neil Finn, Emmylou Harris, Josh Prine, Béla Fleck & The Flecktones, Yonder Mountain String Band among many more great acts. Tickets are available now along with camping and hotel accommodations.
Mad Tea Party Jam: Artemas, Pennsylvania 6/16-19
Mad Tea Party Jam is back for its 5th year, this time at a new location of Four Quarters Interfaith. The laid back jam-centric festival features multiple stages, live artists, a transformative art gallery, art installations, late-night music, fire performers, costume contests with prizes and hoop troupe performers so there is guaranteed adventure around every corner. This year the festival will get some special sets from Papadosio x2, Twiddle x2, TAUK x2, Desert Dwellers, Consider The Source Radiohead set, Aqueous x3 and Big Something x3 along with many more. Camping is included with your ticket the new home boasts shaded camping, showers, flushing toilets and swimming holes!
SONIC BLOOM: Rye, Colorado 6/16-6/19
SONIC BLOOM is a 4-day camping festival that will bring electronic music, dance, art and human performance together for an unforgettable weekend. This year Tipper, Bonobo, The Opiuo Band, EOTO, Michael Merent & the Pretty Fantastics, Nightmares on Wax along with many more will take the stage. Along with music, SONIC BLOOM offers multiple art instillations, live painting and workshops to keep you inspired all weekend long. All tickets come with walk-in camping included but you need to purchase a parking pass separately.
Purple Hatters Ball: Live Oak, Florida 6/17-6/18
The Purple Hatter’s Ball has moved from its usual May weekend to June 17-19, but the music and the reason for the festival have not changed. The festival was organized to celebrate the life of Rachel Morningstar Hoffman, a regular Spirit of the Suwannee attendee (who wore a purple hat), who was murdered during a botched police sting in which she was an unwilling participant. The joy of celebrating her life permeates the festival, this year with headliners The Floozies, Papadosio, The Polish Ambassador, The Mantras, the Roosevelt Collier Band, and Dubconscious (they were Rachel’s favorite band and have played every PHB). Camping at the glorious Spirit of the Suwannee Music Park is a sheer delight.
EDC Las Vegas : Las Vegas, Nevada 6/17-6/19
EDC has become a staple in the electronic community, touring around cities all over the world. EDC Las Vegas is where it all began 20 years ago, the most premier EDM festival in the country takes over Las Vegas every year for all night ragers. What makes this such an incredible electronic festival is the timing of the event; doors open at 5p.m and the event runs well into the night ending at 5:30am. This not only lets all the performers light shows take full effect but also reduces the risk of overheating in the Las Vegas sun. The festival includes an array of attractions, full-sized carnival rides, art installations and hundreds of performers. No longer simply an electronic music festival, EDC has become a one of a kind entertainment experience that combines the worlds most renowned dance music talent, with leading-edge production. There’s no camping options but EDC has a plethora of travel and lodging options for you, including private helicopter charters. Tickets are available now!
What The Festival: Dufur, Oregon 6/17-20
Join the progressive, immersive rave at What The Festival, complete with electronic music, a splash pool and camping near Mt. Hood National Forest featuring performances by Thievery Corporation, Bonobo Dj Set, Lettuce, Claude Vonstroke, Mr. Carmack, Jai Wolf and more. On top of music What The Festival offers a hookah lounge, multiple large-scale art installations, a silent disco that touts the largest disco ball in the Pacific North West, flow and movement workshops, a cinema that features independent films, a spa and an Asian tea and miso lounge. Tickets and camping passes are available now.
ROMP Fest: Owensboro, Kentucky 6/22-6/25
ROMP Festival is the bluegrass and Americana music fest known for its incredible line-ups, friendly camping atmosphere, and easy access to artists is returning to the beautiful Yellow Creek Park. This year will feature performances from Old Crow Medicine Show, Del McCoury Band, Sam Bush Band, Jerry Douglas presents The Earls of Leicester, Infamous Stingdusters along with many more. In addition to the music the festival offers original arts and crafts, farm-to-table healthy food vendors, and professionally-led children’s activities, artist-led instrument workshops and much more. ROMP, an annual fundraising event, supports the International Bluegrass Music Museum. Located in the RiverPark Center Complex in Owensboro, the Bluegrass Museum is the world’s only arts institution dedicated to the preservation of the international history of bluegrass music. Tickets are available now!
Frendly Gathering: Timber Ridge, Vermont 6/23-6/25
Frendly Gathering is a special festival curated by Twiddle that takes place in their home state of Vermont. With the venue’s capacity set at 3,000 people, attendees can be guaranteed an intimate experience, short lines, and becoming apart of one single Frendly family. Music, workshops, and activities serve as catalysts to ensure a true bonding experience and to leave people inspired and motivated to carry the motto, “there is no I in Frends.” The festival features 4 stages, skateboard ramp, yoga workshops, swimming, disc golf, camping, hiking and so much more. 2016’s lineup has not been released yet, but tickets are on sale now.
Electric Forest: Rothbury, Michigan 6/23-6/26
Electric Forest Festival is a four-day multi-genre event, with a focus on electronic and jam band genres, held in Rothbury, Michigan, at the Double JJ Resort. The original event was called Rothbury Festival, debuted in 2008, and focused on jam bands and rock bands. Since the change in name and shift in genre-focus, Electric Forest has catapulted to being a premier summer festival- selling out the past two years before the lineup was even released. This years lineup features String Cheese Incident x3, Bassnectar, Major Lazer, STS9, The Disco Biscuits, Beats Antique along with many more. Tickets and camping are completely sold out, but Cash or Trade probably has your back.
High Sierra Music Festival: Quincy, California 6/30-7/3
The 26th annual High Sierra will once again take place in the picturesque fairgrounds in Quincy, California. The festival features an eclectic mix of some of the most famous national and international names in jam, newgrass and funk along with parades, movement classes, art instillations, late night shows and intimate artist playshops. This years installment will feature Ben Harper & the Innocent Criminals, Tedeschi Trucks Band, Thievery Corporation, Joe Russo’s Almost Dead, Dr. Dog, Greensky Bluegrass and many more. Camping is included in the price of your ticket, which you can purchase now.
Great Outdoors Jam: TBA, Florida 6/30-7/3
The third annual Great Outdoors Jam is nestled in the intimate confines of Maddox Ranch in Lakeland FL. The four-day fest features dozens of Florida’s best musical exponents and many national acts. Last year’s edition included The Fritz, Pigeons Playing Ping Pong, The Hornitz, and Big Something. Camping is included in the ticket price, and there are showers and food vendors on site. With two side-by-side stages, you don’t have to miss a single note! Tickets are a true bargain.
Highberry: Ozark, Arkansas 6/30-7/4
Highberry is a self proclaimed Grateful Dead Oriented Music Festival has found a new home at Mulberry Mountain for its 7th year. The grounds at Mulberry have given many festivals an incredible location that their attendees love- and we’re sure Highberry will be no different. This year’s lineup features Yonder Mountain String Band, Keller Williams, Papadosio, Dopapod, Kung Fu, Desert Dwellers and many more. As of right now, it appears camping will be included in the price of your ticket– but we’ll be sure to update that as soon as solid info becomes available.