Top 10 Largest Music Festivals in The United States

Are you a music lover looking for the ultimate festival experience? The United States is home to some of the biggest and best music festivals in the world. From the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival in California to the Austin City Limits Music Festival in Texas, and the Electric Daisy Carnival in Las Vegas, the USA offers a diverse range of music festivals to suit all tastes. 

In this blog, we will take a closer look at the top 10 biggest music festivals in the states, including what makes each one unique. Whether you’re a fan of indie rock, electronic dance music, hip-hop, or jazz and blues, there’s a festival out there for you. So get ready to mark your calendars and start planning your next music festival adventure!

Top 10 festivals in the United States 

10. Rolling Loud

Do you like hip-hop, R&B and rap? Then this is the festival for you! Rolling Loud Festival is one of the most popular and highly-anticipated music festivals in the world, featuring a diverse lineup of different hip-hop and rap artists. Next to massive crowds and energetic performances, the festival is also known for its unique atmosphere. Want to experience just a little more luxury? Then you can opt for the VIP experience.

In addition, Rolling Loud Festival also features an array of food vendors, merchandise booths and other interactive experiences, making it an all-around event. The festival is an annual event that attracts a wide range of music lovers from all over the world, and it’s the perfect opportunity to see some of the biggest names in hip-hop and rap live on stage.

Location: Miami, Florida
Capacity: 75,000 per day

9. Firefly Music Festival

The Firefly Music Festival is an annual music festival held in Delaware, USA. One of the most interesting things about this festival is its diverse line-up of musicians and performers, ranging from popular mainstream acts to emerging indie artists. The festival also offers a wide range of activities and experiences, such as yoga classes, silent discos and art installations. Attendees can also enjoy delicious food and drinks from local vendors.

Another interesting aspect of the Firefly Music Festival is its commitment to sustainability, with initiatives such as recycling and composting programs and using renewable energy sources. Overall, the Firefly Music Festival offers an exciting and unique combination of music, art, and community.

Location: Dover, Delaware
Capacity: 50,000 per day

8. Governors Ball Music Festival

Do you have an incredibly broad taste in music? Governors Ball Music Festival features a diverse lineup of artists from different genres, including indie rock, hip-hop, electronic and many more. The festival takes place in the beautiful Randall’s Island Park in New York City, providing a unique and picturesque setting for the event. 

Additionally, Governors Ball offers a wide variety of food and drink options, as well as various activities such as art installations, games, and more. The festival also makes a point of being environmentally friendly and reducing waste. With their carefully curated line-up and the great atmosphere, Governors Ball Music Festival is a must-attend event for music lovers.

Location: Randall’s Island, New York City
Capacity: 150,000 per day

7. Outside Lands Music and Arts Festival

Do you like wine, beer, art, cannabis and good food? The Outside Lands Music and Arts Festival is the perfect music festival with those extras. This annual music festival is held in San Francisco, California, and it’s considered one of the most interesting festivals in the United States. It features a diverse lineup of music acts, including indie rock, hip-hop, electronic and more music genres. 

Outside Lands also is known for its extensive selection of food and drink options, with a focus on local and sustainable options. Additionally, the festival showcases a wide range of art and interactive experiences, such as street performers. With its unique blend of music, food, art and culture, Outside Lands is a one-of-a-kind experience that appeals to a broad range of tastes and interests.

Location: San Francisco, California
Capacity: 75,000 per day

6. New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival

The New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, also known as Jazz Fest, is one of the most famous and popular music festivals in the United States. The festival annually takes place in New Orleans, Louisiana and is known for its diverse lineup of jazz, blues, R&B, gospel, and other genres of music. 

Jazz Fest is also famous for its cultural food and arts, featuring the best of local cuisine and the works of local artists. The festival attracts thousands of visitors from all over the world. Additionally, Jazz Fest is a family-friendly event, with a special area for children’s activities, making it a great place for families to enjoy together.

Location: New Orleans, Louisiana
Total visitors: 435,000 over 10 days

5. Electric Daisy Carnival

Electric Daisy Carnival, or EDC, is one of the most popular electronic dance music festivals in the world. The music festival is held annually in various locations, such as EDC Las Vegas, EDC China and EDC Mexico. EDC is known for its elaborate stage designs, colorful lighting and pyrotechnic displays, and diverse lineup of electronic dance music DJs. 

Next to interactive art installations and joyful carnival rides, the festival offers a variety of food and drink options. The atmosphere at EDC is electric, with thousands of attendees dressed in elaborate costumes and dancing to the beat of the music. It’s one of the most immersive and visually stunning festivals, making it a unique experience for music lovers and party goers. Additionally, EDC prides itself on being a safe and inclusive event for everyone, and it’s also a platform for social causes and charity.

Location: Las Vegas, Nevada
Capacity: 135,000 per day

4. Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival

Do you just want a little bit of everything? Then the Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival might be interesting for you. This four-day music festival is held annually in Manchester, Tennessee. It is known for its diverse lineup of music acts, including indie rock, hip-hop, electronic, and country. Besides music, there are endless ways to have fun with the variety of arts and entertainment, such as comedy, film, and a farmers market. Bonnaroo also includes a silent disco, parades, and even a yoga class. 

The festival is held on a 700-acre farm, providing a unique and intimate setting for attendees. Oh and did you know that this festival is also known for its sustainability efforts and community-based activities? In short, Bonnaroo offers you a unique experience that combines music, arts and community, making it a standout festival among music enthusiasts.

Location: Manchester, Tennessee
Capacity: 80,000 per day

3. Lollapalooza

One of the biggest music festivals of the United States is Lollapalooza. This annual music festival takes place in Chicago and was founded in 1991 by Perry Farrell. Nowadays, it has grown to one of the most popular and diverse music festivals in the world. The festival features a diverse lineup of music acts from various genres such as rock, hip-hop, and electronic dance music. 

Moreover, Lollapalooza offers different art installations, food vendors, and fun activities for attendees to enjoy. There is nothing like the unique atmosphere and experience of Lollapalooza, where festival-goers enjoy music and culture and experience the best acts from around the globe all in one place. The Lollapalooza festival is considered as one of the most iconic music festivals in the world and attracts thousands of visitors (from all over the world) every year.

Note: there’s also a Lollapalooza Brazil music festival.

Location: Chicago, Illinois
Capacity: 100,000 per day

2. Austin City Limits Music Festival

Just as big is the Austin City Limits Music Festival (ACL), which annually takes place in  Zilker Park, a beautiful park located in the heart of the city Austin (in Texas). The festival is held over two consecutive weekends, and each weekend has a unique lineup of performers. The lineup is always very diverse, featuring a mix of genres such as indie, rock, hip-hop, and country.

Want to make it a family outing? The festival features a children’s area, a comedy stage and a gaming area that makes it an interesting event for all ages. ACL also offers a variety of food vendors and art installations, making it a true celebration of music and culture. With its great line-up of music and other activities, ACL is one of the most popular music festivals in the US.

Location: Austin, Texas
Capacity: 75,000 per day

1. Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival

This probably doesn’t come as a shock, but the biggest and most famous American festival is definitely Coachella. In fact, Coachella is one of the most popular and iconic music festivals in the world, attracting thousands of music lovers from all over the globe each year. The music and arts festival, which is held annually in Indio, California, features a diverse lineup of top music acts from various genres, including rock, pop, hip-hop, electronic, and alternative music. 

The unique location of Coachella, namely in the beautiful desert of California, and the perfect weather, gives a unique feeling to this festival. Additionally, the festival has a reputation for attracting celebrities and high-profile attendees, making it a popular destination for both music lovers and those looking to be part of the latest trends. Just like most music festivals, Coachella features a variety of art installations, interactive experiences and food vendors that add to the overall atmosphere of the music festival. 

Location: Indio, California
Capacity: 125,000 per day – so a total of around 750,000 over the 6 days.

Do you already know which festival you will attend this year? Which of the above festivals did you like best in the previous years? Please, share your thoughts in the comments below 🙂