Best Music Festival (2024) - USA TODAY 10Best Readers' Choice Awards (2024)

Where to feel the rhythm

Best Music Festival(2024)
March 27, 2024

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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 to crown the winners. Here are the 10 best music festivals in the U.S. for 2024.

Photo courtesy of Newport Jazz Festival

No. 10:

Newport Jazz Festival - Newport, Rhode Island

The charming city of Newport, Rhode Island, has been a haven for jazz lovers for 70 years as legends, prodigies, and maestros grace the stages at the Newport Jazz Festival. Peek into free educational workshops, conversations, and performances to expand your jazz language. Thousands attend this storied three-day event each August.

Photo courtesy of josepmarti / iStock / Getty Images Plus

No. 9:

Austin City Limits Music Festival - Austin, Texas

With a consistently diverse and exciting lineup, Austin City Limits Music Festival is a yearly sonic playground in the heart of the Live Music Capital of the World. Camaraderie among music lovers trumps the size of the crowds enjoying more than 100 performances over two weekends. In between sets, nosh on goodies from local restaurants, try your luck at sponsored giveaways, buy commemorative, merch or take the kids to their own slice of the event: Austin Kiddie Limits.

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Photo courtesy of Charles Reagan for Sea Hear Now 2022

No. 8:

Sea.Hear.Now Festival - Asbury Park, New Jersey

The careers of New Jersey-raised music legends Bruce Springsteen and Jon Bon Jovi were launched at the Stone Pony in Asbury Park. The town's illustrious history and Jersey Shore location make it a great spot for a late summer music festival. Sea Hear Now features two days of live music on three stages; two are located on the sand and one in the park, allowing guests to soak up summer's last rays. Past musical guests have included Blondie, Jack Johnson, and Bruce Springsteen.

Photo courtesy of gilaxia / E+ Getty Images

No. 7:

Bonnaroo Music & Arts Festival - Manchester, Tennessee

Thousands make the pilgrimage tothe free-spiritedBonnaroo Music & Arts Festival which has a definite Woodstock vibe, from the farm setting tokaleidoscopic art installations and impromptu dancing and drum circles. Music fills the Tennessee air round-the-clock at Bonnaroo, but there are also yoga sessions, a Village Market, the iconic fountain where attendees cool off, and views of the700-acre musical paradise from the giant Ferris wheel.

Photo courtesy of Alive Coverage

No. 6:

Electric Forest - Rothbury, Michigan

Midwestern geniality and a sense of community permeate Electric Forest, amulti-genre music festival that's been filling Michigan's Sherwood forest for more than a decade. Scavenger hunts, quirky art installations, various camping and comfortable lodging options, fireworks, hearty food, and artisan vendors add to the magical playground vibe.

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Photo courtesy of Monterey Jazz Festival

No. 5:

Monterey Jazz Festival - Monterey, California

A celebration of jazz on the Monterey Peninsula for over six decades, the Monterey Jazz Festival has a storied past and bright present. You'll be all ears witnessing the country's original art form vialegendary jazz musicians, unexpected collaborations, and emerging stars on multiple stages and in the main arena. Attendees enjoypanel discussions, jazz clinics, and a global selection of food, merch, and activities throughoutthe fairgrounds.

Photo courtesy of Island Hopper Songwriter Fest

No. 4:

Island Hopper Songwriter Fest - Fort Myers, Florida

One thing Island Hopper Songwriter Fest has over all the festivals is the cost — most of the 100-plus sets performed by some of the country's best singer-songwriters are absolutely free. The 10-day music festival in southwest Florida launches on Captiva Island then moves to Cape Coral, Fort Myers, and Fort Myers Beach. Artists play at various venues like art centers, hotels, restaurants, and resorts, so the vibe is chill.

Photo courtesy of John Shearer/Getty Images

No. 3:

CMA Fest - Nashville, Tennessee

The longest-running country music festival in the world lights up Music City for four days with the most popular talent in the genre. There are a number of outdoor stages with opportunities to catch fine acts for free, as well as ticketed seating. Experienced festivalgoers suggest scanning the schedule and making a plan of your must-see artists because there's so much to choose from.

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Photo courtesy of Birthplace of Country Music

See Also

The ultimate music festival calendar for 2024Top 45 Music Festivals In The USA In 2024 (Updated)10 best music festivals in the US 2024 – pop, rock, country, and more | HELLO!10 Music Festivals Every Fan Should Attend This Year (and Where to Buy Tickets)

No. 2:

Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion - Bristol, Tennessee and Bristol, Virginia

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.

Photo courtesy of Chase Johnson

No. 1:

Joshua Tree Music Festival - Joshua Tree, California

Founded in 2003,Joshua Tree Music Festival takes place near the entrance of Joshua Tree National Park in the Mojave Desert. This family-friendly global music experience not only offers live music spanning multiple genres, but also features mind-blowing art,workshops, and tons of activities for little ones amid the gorgeous scenery.

Allison Levine

Allison Levine

Allison Levine is the owner of Please The Palate, a boutique agency specializing in marketing and event planning for the wine and spirits industry. With over 15 years of experience in communications, marketing, and event planning, Allison is passionate about the world around her and the diverse people in it. Allison holds a master’s degree in international communications with a focus on cross-cultural training from the American University School of International Service and holds a WSET Level 3 Certificate from the Wine & Spirits Education Trust (WSET). As an industry expert, she has worked with wine regions around the world. She has traveled extensively and has lived abroad in Italy, Spain, and Mexico where she developed her passion for food and wine. Her work allows her to live life to the fullest and, as a freelance writer, Allison communicates her experiences in articles, as well as in her blog. Allison is the US Host for the international podcast Wine Soundtrack where she interviews winemakers and gets to know them in 30 questions, and she is co-host of the YouTube wine series Crush On This. Her website iswww.pleasethepalate.comand you can follow her on Instagram @plsthepalate.

Carly Caramanna

Carly Caramanna

Carly Caramanna has a passion for covering the latest in unique food, travel, and theme park trends. Growing up in the carb-filled land of bagels and pizza by the slice (aka New Jersey), her parents instilled a love of all things adventure and food. Featured on CNN Business, BBC, NPR, MSN, Huffington Post, and host of the Attractions Magazine podcast, she uses her expertise as a contributor to Travel + Leisure, Business Insider, Delish, and many more.www.adventuresbycarly.com IG: https://www.instagram.com/adventuresbycarly/ X: https://twitter.com/CarlyCaramanna

Jacky Runice

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?"

Jacob and Esther of Local Adventurer

Jacob and Esther of Local Adventurer

Esther JuLee and Jacob Fu run one of the largest travel blogs in the world, Local Adventurer, where they hope to encourage everyoneto find adventure in their everyday lives. They spent 7 years moving to a new city every year and are now based in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Joanne and Tony DiBona

Joanne and Tony DiBona

Joanne and Tony DiBona know a thing or two about creating photo galleries to share their personal travel experiences around the world with their readers.Their articles have been featured on 10Bestfor the past decade, as well as in national and international print and online media. Their awards for photography and journalism fill up an entire wall in their office, the most recent being a top national award for their US and international galleries published on 10Best.Follow their travel adventures on their scenic photographywebsite and travel blog. Have a question about travel? Contact them on theirInstagram and Facebook pages.

Kimmie Conner

Kimmie Conner

Kimmie is a natural-born content creator who has been living, working, traveling, blogging, photographing, and attending festivals around the world for over 8.5 years. She is a full-time blogger atAdventures & Sunsets blogand lives a digital nomad lifestyle. Her platforms help others travel in the most value-packed way and recommend adventurous, unique & boutique travel experiences and stays, products, and comprehensive guides. Herfestival 'review-guides'are the most comprehensive on the internet and have helped thousands of festival-goers plan their trips to festivals on6 continents. She loves to inspire people to plan their dream trips and to think up new ideas for brands, festivals, and destinations. She shares all of her adventures on herInstagramandTiktokpages.

Kristin Luna

Kristin Luna

Kristin Luna is a Nashville-based travel writer who has contributed toTravel + Leisure, Conde Nast Traveler, USA TODAY, Southern Livingand many more. You can follow her adventures via her blogCamels & Chocolateor on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.

Lori Sorrentino

Lori Sorrentino

"Lori Sorrentino is an award-winning photographer and freelance travel writer and blogger, who writes about slow food and slow travel on her blogTravlinmadwith a mission toEat Local, Travel Slow. She also publishesItaly Foodies, about food travel in Italy, and theNaples Florida Travel Guidean insider's guide for travelers heading to sunny SWFL. A former destination marketing manager, her work has appeared in the Washington Post, Tages-Anzeiger, and The Huffington Post among others. Originally from New Jersey, when she’s not traveling, she’s at home in Florida writing about the Paradise Coast and the Everglades."

Marla Cimini

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

Sky Ariella

Sky Ariella

Sky Ariella is a professional writer and full-time traveler originally from New York. After graduating from Hunter College in 2018, she took a solo trip around six Southeast Asian countries. Since then, Sky has traveled to 13+ countries from South America to Europe and she’s written for major travel publications like Travel Lemming, Explore, Booking, and In The Know Traveler, along with publishing on her own blog. She’s written for other types of publications like Zippia, FashionCast, and Inspired Momentum Magazine, and currently writes documentary scripts for a major YouTube channel. Follow Sky on Instagram @skyariella, check out her blog on Medium, and learn more about her work on skyariella.com.

10Best Editors

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.

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