Spring is finally here and as the flowers start to bloom, so does the music festival scene.
From now until the end of the year, dozens of events across the country will compete for your time and hard-earned money. And with so many festivals to choose from, and let’s face it – not a big enough budget to go around – the predicament can get real. Don’t worry! We’ve got you covered.
No matter what genre you gravitate towards—country, rock, 90’s tunes, EDM, hip-hop, or plain happy songs—there is guaranteed to be a music festival lineup that will adequately quench your music thirsts. We’ve gathered a list of 2020’s most highly-anticipated music festivals and the artists you can expect, to help you plan your next trip.
ULTRA Music Festival
Who: Flume, Gesaffelstein, Laserface by Gareth Emery, Major Lazer, Gryffin, Madeon, Sofi Tukker, Zedd, Above & Beyond, Afrojack, David Guetta, Martin Garrix and more
When & where: March 20 to 22, FPL Solar Amphitheater at Bayfront Park – Miami, FL
In need of some EDM-exclusive-fest? Make it one of the absolute best at ULTRA Miami 2020. Taking place annually since 1999, Ultra is like a non-stop rave featuring only the best in electronic. And, it’s set in Miami, which is essentially EDM-central. In addition to the flagship event, Ultra Worldwide has expanded the event brand to countries in South America, Europe, and Asia.
Only less than a month left until the festival. Grab your passes here.
Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival
Who: Rage Against the Machine, Travis Scott, Frank Ocean, Calvin Harris, Big Sean, Lewis Capaldi, Charlie XCX, Flume, 21 Savage, Lana Del Rey, Lil Nas X and more
When & where: April 10 to 12 and 17 to 19, Empire Polo Field – Indio, CA
One of the music festival season openers in the USA, Coachella is California’s glam, glitzy and palm-tree-peppered music fest. The Indio desert becomes a glamorous hive of the hottest artists attended by approximately a hundred thousand attendees every year. I mean, who wouldn’t want to? With such an amazing lineup of performers, stunning art installations that vary each year, and just the overall eclectic vibe of the two-weekend event, Coachella is definitely at the top of every festival-goer’s bucket list.
Week 1 or 2 or BOTH? Get your passes here.
Stagecoach Festival
Who: Carrie Underwood, Thomas Rhett, Eric Church, Lil Nas X, Alan Jackson, Dan + Shay, Billy Ray Cyrus, Brett Young and more
When & where: April 24 to 26, Empire Polo Field – Indio, CA
Whoever said country music festival is already past its peak is terribly mistaken! Stagecoach, Coachella’s sister fest, is returning for the 13th time in Indio and it’s definitely better than ever. Setting an attendance record of 80,000 in 2019, the number is anticipated to increase a few more thousands this year. So get your cowboy boots and hats ready and expect a solid lineup of performances from headliners Carrie Underwood, Thomas Rhett, and Eric Church. Alongside these hitmakers is a variety of festival acts like Lil Nas X, Alan Jackson, Dan + Shay, Billy Ray Cyrus, Brett Young, among others.
Get your festival tickets here.
The Governors Ball Music Festival
Who: Tame Impala, Flume, Missy Elliot, Vampire Weekend, Miley Cyrus, Stevie Nicks, Solange, Carly Rae Jepsen, Summer Walker, Khruangbin, Portugal. The Man and more
When & where: June 5 to 7, Randalls Island – New York, NY
Governors Ball Music Festival occupies a unique place among summer concerts in NYC. For fans, summer doesn’t officially kick off in the city until Gov Ball commences on Randall’s Island. Reflective of its hometown, the event is a bona fide big-tent music festival featuring a diverse lineup across all genres. Now on its 10th anniversary, this year is full of internationally-renowned names alongside fiery up and comers. This unforgettable weekend in the making also calls for loads of epic throwbacks with early aughts indie rockers Vampire Weekend, Stevie Nicks, pop-rapper Missy Elliot, and more.
Grab your passes here.
Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival
Who: Oysterhead, Tool, Tame Impala, Lizzo, Miley Cyrus, Bassnectar, Flume, Lana Del Rey, Vampire Weekend, The 1975 and more
When & where: June 11 to 14, Manchester Farm – Manchester, TN
Perhaps one of the largest and most impactful music festivals in the US, Bonnaroo should be included on any music fan’s bucket list. The music and arts festival presents some of the biggest artists from a wide range of genres. Aside from the carefully-curated lineup, the Tennessee fest also boasts over 10 stages and entertainment that are guaranteed to keep you anything but bored all night long! With its friendly vibe and inclusive atmosphere, this event is a throwback to the free love days of the 60s.
Snag your single and 4-day passes here.
Firefly Music Festival
Festival lineup: Rage Against the Machine, Billie Eilish, Halsey, Khalid, Blink 182, Maggie Rogers, Cage the Elephant, Illenium, Run the Jewels and more
When & where: June 18 to 21, The Woodlands of Dover International Speedway – Dover, DE
You may be a seasoned Coachella-veteran, but if you are planning to up your festival game, Firefly Music Festival is the way to go! This year’s lineup features every type of music from alternative rock to EDM, attracting thousands of fans from all over the country. Expect over a hundred bands perform across seven unique stages throughout the four-day event. From a hammock hang out under the trees to a luxurious glamping set-up, and of course some big names in the music and entertainment scene, Firefly is every festival enthusiast’s dream.
Hurry and snag your passes here.
Electric Forest
Festival lineup: BASSNECTAR, Flume, Major Lazer, Big Gigantic, Louis The Child, Diplo, 12th Planet, Keller Williams, Lotus, The String Cheese Incident and more
When & where: June 25 to 28, Electric Forest Festival Grounds – Rothbury, MI
Entering its tenth year, Electric Forest is known for its unparalleled and astonishing integration of art, music, and community into one jam-packed weekend. The natural beauty of Sherwood Forest, the creatively themed environments, and the colorful interactive characters all blend so well with the eclectic performing artists and musicians of the Michigan festival. Truly, Electric Forest creates a vibe so thick with “camaraderie and freedom…it must be experienced to be appreciated.”
Grab your 4-day passes here.
Essence Music Festival
Festival lineup: Bruno Mars, Janet Jackson, Summer Walker, Patti LaBelle, Raphael Saadiq, Tamia, Jidenna, Saweetie, Sir & more
When & where: July 3 to 5, Mercedes-Benz Superdome – New Orleans, LA
Having brought over half a million attendees and inviting “Forever First Lady” Michelle Obama as one of its major acts in 2019, Essence Festival is undoubtedly one of the largest festivals in the US. For its 26th anniversary, the festival will surely have the Superdome on fire all weekend long with its lineup. Bruno Mars will be headlining for the first time and fans are also excited for music royalties like Janet Jackson and Patti LaBelle. As it was in the previous years, you can expect your 4th of July weekend to be three days of food, fellowship, empowerment and of course, music.
Score some great deals on tickets here.
Pitchfork Music Festival
Festival lineup: Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Run the Jewels, the National, Big Thief, Angel Olsen, Kim Gordon, the Fiery Furnaces, Cat Power, Thundercat, and more
When & where: July 17 to 19, Union Park – Chicago, IL
Now on its 15th outing, the widely recognized Pitchfork Music Festival is featuring 40+ bands from a wide variety of genres over the course of its three-day run. As always, the festival will be highlighting the buzz-worthy up and comers in the music and entertainment industry. Beyond the music, this Chicago festival will also feature a craft fair, poster fair, and a book fort, among others. Since 2006, Pitchfork Music Fest has proven to be one of the most enjoyable, inclusive, reasonably priced and gratifying weekends of music.
Grab your passes here.
Lollapalooza
Festival lineup: Ariana Grande, Childish Gambino, Twenty One Pilots, The Strokes, Tame Impala, Flume, The Chainsmokers, J Balvin and more
When & where: July 30 to August 2, Hutchinson Field Grant Park – Chicago, IL
An annual alternative and electronic dance music festival, Lollapalooza is much, much more than your typical three-day music fest. With 8 stages, and 170+ bands from all over the world, every Lolla lineup makes hands wave, heads nod, and crowds holler. Aside from the music, the Chicago fest is also known for having the most scrumptious festival food from local restaurants as well as photogenic spots, interactive areas and even a mini-fest for the kids. So whether it’s your first or 10th time at Lolla, you will never get enough of this spectacular weekend event.
Grab your single and 4-day passes here.