Spring seems to have finally shown itself, and even if there is still a little snow left hanging around, it’s definitely time to start thinking about warmer activities. Spring, and especially summer, are the times when the mind turn towards fun, travel, and good times. Once those long, hot days hit, there’s nothing better than a road trip, and a music festival. So, in preparation for the coming vacation season, here are our 10 ten North American music festival vacation cities.
But before we begin, there’s a couple things to keep in mind:
- This isn’t a David Letterman Top 10; these are in no particular order.
- The festivals listed are not meant to be a full list. Each one could take an entire article by themselves, this is just to give you a taste of what is offered.
Toronto, Ontario
Yes, I’m starting with my hometown. What can I say? I’m biased. It shouldn’t come as much of a surprise that Canada’s largest city is also home to a huge selection of music festivals of every genre. Toronto plays host to both North by Northwest and Canadian Music Week, two massive showcase festivals, and with the city council moving towards making Toronto Canada’s “Music City,” the number to musical events is sure to grow even greater
Toronto Festivals
New York, New York
New York’s landmarks, museums, restaurants, and nightlife, its music scene can often be overlooked by vacationers. This is a gross oversight, thanks to the Big Apple’s year round concerts. It’s taken a little while for New York to catch up to some other cities when it comes to big festivals, due in no small part to the simple fact that there is very little space in the crowded city. But catching up they are, with creative solutions to the space problem like holding them on Governor’s Islands, and an explosion of festivals in Brooklyn.
New York Festivals
Austin, Texas
Considered by many to be the music festival capitol of North America, Austin, Texas is home to a festival season that boasts the often imitated but never duplicated South by Southwest, and the gigantic Austin City Limits. The “Keep Austin Weird” sentiment is alive and well in the city’s festivals, ranging from Americana, to the obscure, to the just plane fun. Austin should definitely make the short list for any traveler looking for an incredible music festival experience.
Austin Festivals
Montreal, Quebec
If you’re in the mood for somewhere a just touch more exotic, but you don’t want the headache of traveling overseas, consider Montreal’s festival season. The vibrant and multicultural city is home to festivals of every shape, size, and genre, adding just a touch of French style to pop, metal, jazz, and even electronica. Montreal’s festival season is proud to host both relatively small events, like the punk festival Pouzza Fest, and mega-fests like Osheaga.
Montreal Festivals
San Francisco, California
San Fran may be a bit of a sleeper on your list of music cities, but the locals will tell you not to under estimate the Golden Gate. The City by the Bay has a long history of music festivals, with a handful of events marking 20+ years running this season, including the San Francisco Jazz Festival which will be celebrating its 33rd season this year. With a musical menu as diverse as the city’s inhabitants, you’ll want to go for the sun, but you’ll want to stay for the fun.
San Francisco Festivals
Chicago, Illinois
Blanketed under the cold, icy winter that blows in off the Great Lakes, Chicago likes to shake those flakes off in the summer, and party down. The festival season is a little shorter than its more southern counterparts, but don’t let that dissuade you from a visit; they make the most of the short time they have. Lollapalooza ended its traveling ways to settle in Chicago, and Pitchfork has made the Windy City a veritable Hipster Haven.
Chicago Festivals
Los Angeles, California
The second city from California on our list, L.A.’s festival season is usually dominated by Coachella, but it is home to a ton of festivals that run throughout the year. The draw of the city, with its glitz, glam, and celebrity sightings brings in a constant flow of new and exciting sounds. With this much talent flowing through the city, Los Angeles will never go without an amazing festival season.
Los Angeles Festivals
Miami, Florida
Miami may not be a city you immediately think of when considering festival desitination, but maybe it should be. The southern city kicks off its festival season with two full weekends of Ultra, one of the preeminent electronic dance music festival in the world. But if you’re not a fan of electronica, have no fear, there’s something for everyone thanks to Miami being the gateway for pretty much every music festival cruise.
Miami Festivals
Nashville, Tennessee
Would you expect anything less from the United States’ Music City? Nashville has long been the host city for some big, always reliable festivals, like The Americana and the CMA Music Festival, but the city comes by its nickname honestly, so expect new festivals to pop up every year. And if the city doesn’t have enough to offer you on its own, the massive, 80,000+ strong Bonnaroo festival is a short drive away.
Nashville Festivals
New Orleans, Louisiana
There is no better place to end this list than New Orleans. A city seemingly molded from music given physical form, the Cajun capitol has a year long festival season, busting at the seems with all the talent. Even if you can’t make it for Mardi Gras, you’ll be able to sample the local cuisine, culture, and music any time of year.
New Orleans Festivals
