USA TODAY 10Best
10 best music festivals across the US to attend in 2023
Best Music Festival (2023)
Each year, more and more music festivals are joining the lineup, expanding and diversifying the event circuit in the United States. To find the best, our panel of music festival aficionados hand-picked essential festivals from coast to coast, where music fans can enjoy several artists (and even genres) in one place. Then, readers voted for their favorites. Here are the 10 best music festivals in the U.S. for 2023.
- Musikfest - Bethlehem, Pennsylvania
- New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival - New Orleans, Louisiana
- Boston Calling Music Festival - Boston, Massachusetts
- Electric Daisy Carnival - Las Vegas, Nevada
- Tin Pan South Songwriters Festival - Nashville, Tennessee
- Outside Lands - San Francisco, California
- Life Is Beautiful Music & Art Festival - Las Vegas, Nevada
- Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion - Bristol, Tennessee and Bristol, Virginia
- FloydFest - Floyd, Virginia
- Made in America - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Photo courtesy of Jesse Faatz Photography / Musikfest
No. 10:
MusikFest was founded in 1984 with 295 performances on six stages. Today, this event in the town of Bethlehem has grown to include 500-plus shows on 17 stages over the course of 10 days, with some 900,000 music lovers in attendance each year. Past headliners have included The Chainsmokers, Lady Antebellum, Brad Paisley and Goo Goo Dolls.
Photo courtesy of Jacqueline Marque
No. 9:
The New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival celebrates the music, art and culture of this one-of-a-kind American city. Since its inception in 1970, it has drawn locals and tourists from around the country and the world. Held at the Fair Grounds Race Course, this spring festival's lineup is usually announced by mid-January. Look for local favorites, such as the Preservation Hall Jazz Band, to join headliners like Ed Sheeran.
Photo courtesy of Alive Coverage / Boston Calling
No. 8:
Held at the Harvard Athletic Complex, Boston Calling Music Festival is a multi-day, multi-stage, outdoor event featuring live music from diverse genres such as rock, hip-hop and indie. Previous performers include Jack White and Metallica. An array of local restaurants set up shop, making it a good place to sample Boston's local cuisine. This rain-or-shine festival takes place over Memorial Day Weekend, with all ages welcome and children under 10 admitted free.
Photo courtesy of Alex Perez for Insomniac Events
No. 7:
Electric Daisy Carnival, or EDC, is the largest electronic dance music festival on the continent, held each May at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway. Music is complemented by carnival-themed attractions and multi-sensory experiences, including rides, art installations and circus performers.
Photo courtesy of NSAI / Sydney Zuyus
No. 6:
Nashville's connection to music is unparalleled. It's known as the country music capital of the world, though a variety of musical genres feel at home here. Tin Pan South is the world's largest songwriter festival. Dedicated to songs and those who write them, the festival digs deep into the songwriting process. Songwriters may attend seminars on topics like dealing with rejection or join a symposium where their work is critiqued. Songwriter in the round shows are held at venues around town, a potential opportunity to hear tomorrow's next big thing. 10Best Contributor Marla Cimini calls it: "One of my personal favorites."
Photo courtesy of Jeremy Cohen / Outside Lands
No. 5:
The Outside Lands Music and Arts Festival takes place in San Francisco’s Golden Gate Park every August. The festival began in 2008 and has since earned a reputation for its eco-friendly efforts, like solar-powered stages. The 200,000-plus attendees enjoy music, along with beer, wine, art and more.
Photo courtesy of Life is Beautiful Music & Art Festival
No. 4:
Life Is Beautiful, a three-day festival, attracts more than 170,000 attendees and top talent, like Lorde, Blink-182, Muse, Wiz Khalifa, The Lumineers, Major Lazer, Arcade Fire, Duran Duran and Childish Gambino. Alongside several stages of live music, festivalgoers can enjoy dance parties, performances from comedians and drag queens, and multiple city blocks of art by local and international artists.
Photo courtesy of SolStock // Getty Images
No. 3:
Home to the Birthplace of Country Music Museum, Bristol has a rich musical heritage. The annual Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion is held over three days, embracing the best of Appalachian music. The festival honors the 1927 Bristol Sessions, seminal country music recordings made here that continue to influence today's sound. 10Best contributor Jacky Runice says: "Held in historic Bristol along the TN/VA border, the fest is for fans of authentic Appalachian roots music."
Photo courtesy of Dave Parrish
No. 2:
FloydFest is all about live music, with outdoor adventure options and a healthy dose of craft libations dropped in for good measure. An eclectic range of musical acts, from bluegrass to reggae, perform during this multi-day, multi-stage summertime event. With the possibility to mountain bike and hike, the great outdoors is definitely not an afterthought. Many guests camp on-site, creating a community feel. It's all very family-friendly. 10Best contributor Jacky Runice shares: "Floyd, a must-see stop on The Crooked Road, Virginia's Heritage Music Trail, offers this wonderful American Roots music fest annually in the Blue Ridge Mountains."
Photo courtesy of Greg Noire
No. 1:
Made in America is held along Philadelphia's Benjamin Franklin Parkway over Labor Day weekend. Curated by Jay-Z, headliners have included Bad Bunny and Tyler, the Creator. Over a dozen performers take the stage annually, including numerous hometown artists. Food trucks come from near and far, so bring your appetite.
About 10Best Readers' Choice Awards
Nominees are submitted by a panel of experts. 10Best editors narrow the field to select the final set of nominees for the Readers’ Choice Awards. Readers can vote once per category, per day. For any questions or comments, please read the FAQ or email USA TODAY 10Best.
The Experts
Corinne Whiting
Corinne hails from the other Washington, where she... Read More
Corinne hails from the other Washington, where she caught the travel bug early on. Corinne studied abroad in Strasbourg, France (undergrad) and in Edinburgh, Scotland (graduate school). She's backpacked around Australia, taught English in Argentina and explored (so far!) countries from Cambodia and Egypt to Turkey and China. Corinne served as associate editor at Where magazine for five years; as a freelancer, she now writes for publications like National Geographic Traveler and Amtrak's OnTrak. Here in the lovely Northwest, she's attempting to debunk the rain myths, up her coffee and live music quotient and find her Zen near/on the water.
Corinne Whiting
Corinne hails from the other Washington, where she caught the travel bug early on. Corinne studied abroad in Strasbourg, France (undergrad) and in Edinburgh, Scotland (graduate school). She's backpacked around Australia, taught English in Argentina and explored (so far!) countries from Cambodia and Egypt to Turkey and China. Corinne served as associate editor at Where magazine for five years; as a freelancer, she now writes for publications like National Geographic Traveler and Amtrak's OnTrak. Here in the lovely Northwest, she's attempting to debunk the rain myths, up her coffee and live music quotient and find her Zen near/on the water.
Dynie Sanderson
Dynie is the creator of NapaFoodGalTravels and has... Read More
Dynie is the creator of NapaFoodGalTravels and has been a food, wine and travel journalist and digital influencer living and indulging in life in the Napa Valley and around the world for over 25 years. She was founder, publisher and editor of GuestWest Magazine, Napa Valley’s first luxury lifestyle magazine; Food and Flavor Editor for Napa Valley Life Magazine and contributor to a variety of food and wine publications. Always seeking out the next wine region or food and wine festival to experience around the US and around the world to add to “Dynie’s Delicious Destinations.” Follow NapaFoodGal on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.
Dynie Sanderson
Dynie is the creator of NapaFoodGalTravels and has been a food, wine and travel journalist and digital influencer living and indulging in life in the Napa Valley and around the world for over 25 years. She was founder, publisher and editor of GuestWest Magazine, Napa Valley’s first luxury lifestyle magazine; Food and Flavor Editor for Napa Valley Life Magazine and contributor to a variety of food and wine publications. Always seeking out the next wine region or food and wine festival to experience around the US and around the world to add to “Dynie’s Delicious Destinations.” Follow NapaFoodGal on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.
Jacky Runice
Born in Bucktown when bulletproof was a home... Read More
Born in Bucktown when bulletproof was a home safety choice and not a coffee order, Jacky Runice has been knocking around Chicago as a professional print, online and broadcast journalist and editor specializing in separating the riff from the raff in culture, entertainment, food, travel and pure unadulterated fun. Jacky is a member of the International Food, Wine & Travel Writers Association (IFWTWA). In her best Chicagoese, Jacky asks, "Who has the time or money to blow on hotels, attractions, restaurants, exhibits and activities that blow?"
Jacky Runice
Born in Bucktown when bulletproof was a home safety choice and not a coffee order, Jacky Runice has been knocking around Chicago as a professional print, online and broadcast journalist and editor specializing in separating the riff from the raff in culture, entertainment, food, travel and pure unadulterated fun. Jacky is a member of the International Food, Wine & Travel Writers Association (IFWTWA). In her best Chicagoese, Jacky asks, "Who has the time or money to blow on hotels, attractions, restaurants, exhibits and activities that blow?"
Marla Cimini
Marla is an award-winning writer with a passion... Read More
Marla is an award-winning writer with a passion for travel, music, surfing and culinary adventures! An avid globetrotter and guidebook writer, she has covered topics such as the Hawaiian islands (including food trends and luxury beachfront resorts), as well as European getaways and global destinations. Her articles have appeared in many publications worldwide, including USA Today. Marla lives in New Jersey (Philadelphia area) and is a frequent visitor to Hawaii and Southern California, and often covers those destinations. Her travel website is: www.marlacimini.com
Marla Cimini
Marla is an award-winning writer with a passion for travel, music, surfing and culinary adventures! An avid globetrotter and guidebook writer, she has covered topics such as the Hawaiian islands (including food trends and luxury beachfront resorts), as well as European getaways and global destinations. Her articles have appeared in many publications worldwide, including USA Today. Marla lives in New Jersey (Philadelphia area) and is a frequent visitor to Hawaii and Southern California, and often covers those destinations. Her travel website is: www.marlacimini.com
Melanie Reffes
Melanie Reffes is a seasoned travel journalist... Read More
Melanie Reffes is a seasoned travel journalist specializing in the Caribbean. She is often circling the globe in search of a good story or racing through airports trying to make a flight. Melanie is a contributor to USA TODAY Travel and CaribbeanTravel.com, she covers the Caribbean for Montreal's The Suburban newspaper and she is the author of the blog The Caribbean Romance Report on MarryCaribbean.com and a contributor to the travel aviation publication Captain Jetson (captainjetson.com). When she's not taking five the under a palm tree, you'll find her at home on the sunny island of Montreal. Follow her on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook.
Melanie Reffes
Melanie Reffes is a seasoned travel journalist specializing in the Caribbean. She is often circling the globe in search of a good story or racing through airports trying to make a flight. Melanie is a contributor to USA TODAY Travel and CaribbeanTravel.com, she covers the Caribbean for Montreal's The Suburban newspaper and she is the author of the blog The Caribbean Romance Report on MarryCaribbean.com and a contributor to the travel aviation publication Captain Jetson (captainjetson.com). When she's not taking five the under a palm tree, you'll find her at home on the sunny island of Montreal. Follow her on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook.
Shana Clarke
Shana Clarke is a freelance journalist based in... Read More
Shana Clarke is a freelance journalist based in New York City. She focuses on wine, sake, travel, and wellness. Her work regularly appears in a variety of consumer and trade publications, including NPR, Fortune, Wine Enthusiast, Playboy, HuffPost, Hemispheres, Vice Munchies, and SevenFifty Daily, among others. She is also the Wine Editor for inside.com. Shana holds a Level 3 Advanced Certification from Wine & Spirits Education Trust, served as a judge and sommelier mentor at the TEXSOM International Wine Awards, and is a Certified Sake Sommelier.
Shana Clarke
Shana Clarke is a freelance journalist based in New York City. She focuses on wine, sake, travel, and wellness. Her work regularly appears in a variety of consumer and trade publications, including NPR, Fortune, Wine Enthusiast, Playboy, HuffPost, Hemispheres, Vice Munchies, and SevenFifty Daily, among others. She is also the Wine Editor for inside.com. Shana holds a Level 3 Advanced Certification from Wine & Spirits Education Trust, served as a judge and sommelier mentor at the TEXSOM International Wine Awards, and is a Certified Sake Sommelier.
10Best Editors
USA TODAY 10Best provides users with original,... Read More
USA TODAY 10Best provides users with original, unbiased and experiential travel coverage of top attractions, things to see and do, and restaurants for top destinations in the U.S. and around the world.
10Best Editors
USA TODAY 10Best provides users with original, unbiased and experiential travel coverage of top attractions, things to see and do, and restaurants for top destinations in the U.S. and around the world.
