Summer is music festival season, which means road trips, friends and lots of shows to see. Although often expensive, music festivals are one of the best options to see a ton of artists at the same time. Here are 20 music festivals worth hitting up this summer, all within a day’s drive from Cleveland.
Summer is music festival season, which means road trips, friends and lots of shows to see. Although often expensive, music festivals are one of the best options to see a ton of artists at the same time. Here are 20 music festivals worth hitting up this summer, all within a day’s drive from Cleveland.
Nelsonville Music Festival
Nelsonville, Ohio, Dates: June 1-4
Nelsonville takes place this weekend and provides on site camping and a slew of indie rock acts. Billboard has called Nelsonville Music Festival “one of the best kept secrets of the U.S. music festival circuit,”and you can still get a day pass now.
Photo via nelsonvillefest/InstagramBunbury Music Festival
Sawyer Point Park & Yeatman’s Cove, Cincinnati, Dates: June 2-4
Bunbury is a big festival for those not looking to leave Ohio. It features quite an eclectic lineup, from Muse and Thirty Seconds to Mars, along with D.R.A.M. and Tech N9ne.
Photo by bunburyfestival/InstagramRoots Picnic
Festival Pier at Penn’s Landing, Philadelphia, Date: June 3
The Philadelphia location of Roots Picnic is sure to be filled with non-stop performances from some of the best artists in the R&B and hip-hop game at the moment like, Solange, Thundercat, Pete Rock, and of course a performance by the Roots themselves with Pharrell.
Photo by djkidroc/InstagramBonnaroo
Manchester, Tenn., Dates: June 8-11
One of the bigger national festivals taking place every summer, Bonnaroo is a perfect option for those looking for that Coachella experience without having to go to Cali. Those willing to camp sout for four days will enjoy a stacked lineup of artists like U2, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Chance the Rapper and Lorde.
Photo by bonnaroo/InstagramLaureLive
Laurel School’s 140-acre Butler Campus, Cleveland, Dates: June 10-11
You won’t have to travel very far to enjoy an outdoor music festival this summer, LaureLive has you covered. Now in its second year, the lineup features Grammy winner Gary Clark Jr., St. Paul & The Broken Bones and The Head and the Heart. In addition to the music, there’s also a culinary event.
Photo by laurelive/InstagramLarchmere PorchFest
12800 Larchmere Blvd., Cleveland, Date: June 17
For a different take on an outdoor music festival, look no further than Larchmere PorchFest. Taking place in Cleveland’s Shaker Heights neighborhood the free fest boasts 30 bands on 30 porches and featues an eclectic lineup of local artists from Americana and rock to hip-hop and world.
Photo by larchmereporchfest/InstagramTri-C JazzFest
Playhouse Square, Cleveland, Dates: June 22-24
You don’t have to leave Cleveland to experience some great jazz. Taking place downtown in Playhouse Square you can expect to see Chris Botti, Dianne Reeves, Boney James, and Kamasi Washington to name a few at this summer’s Tri-C JazzFest.
Photo by tricjazzfest/InstagramElectric Forest
Double JJ Resort, Grant Township, Mich., Dates: June 22-25, June 29-July 2
As the name implies this festival has a focus on electronic music, while also escaping your cares in the city. With acts like Tycho, Odesza, Big Gigantic and some jazz thrown into the mix from Kasmi Washington, the festival will certainly feel electric.
Photo by electric_forest/InstagramMamby on the Beach
Oakwood Beach, Chicago, Dates: June 24-25
Chicago has a handful of festivals going during the summer but this looks to be the most relaxing. Taking place on Oakwood Beach, enjoy a nice breeze and scenic sunset over Chicago’s skyline as big name indie rockers like MGMT, Local Natives, and Miike Snow take to the stage.
Photo by mambybeach/InstagramJamboree in the Hills
Belmont County, Ohio, Dates: July 13-16
If you’re a country music fan, then make sure to plan a trip to Belmont County this summer for Jamboree in the Hills. The fest features new, veteran, and legendary country artists.
Photo by jambointhehills/InstagramPitchfork Music Festival
Union Park, Chicago, Dates: July 14-16
Pitchfork is the festival that gets all of the up-and-coming artists before they blow up. Taking place in Union Park it’s a smaller festival that can stand up to the bigger ones.
Photo by pitchforkfest/InstagramForecastle
Louisville Waterfront Park, Louisville, Dates: July 14-16
Taking place the same weekend as Pitchfork, there are a lot of crossover artists like LCD Soundsystem and Vince Staples playing here this year. If you’re into bourbon, take a break from the music and check out the Kentucky Bourbon Trail.
Photo by forecastlefest/InstagramCamp Bisco
Montage Mountain Ski Resort, Scranton, Penn, Dates: July 13-15
Camp Bisco’s lineup is curated by jam band legends, Disco Biscuits — who will play a staggering six sets this year. You’ll be sure to get your EDM fix from acts like Bassnectar, Griz, the Floozies, and a little bit of hip-hop flavor thrown in from Action Bronson. Implied in the name, this is a festival you requires camping.
Photo by campbisco/InstagramKaroondinha
222 Penns Cave Rd, Centre Hall, Penn., Dates: July 21-23
Let’s hope for Karoondinha’s sake, that their first ever year goes nothing like Fyre Fest did. Taking place on 1,600 acres of farmland, there’s even a patch of sunflowers. Although this festival is new, it’s bringing in some big artists like Chance The Rapper, Paramore, the Roots, Leon Bridges, and John Legend.
Photo by karoondinhafest/InstagramCincinnati Music Festival
Paul Brown Stadium, Cincinnati, Dates: July 27-29
If you want to see some R&B legends, this summer Cincinnati Music Festival has you covered. This year’s lineup includes Mary J Blige, Usher, Fantasia and Bell Div Devoe, to name a few performing over a three day period.
Photo by jayandrew313/InstagramMo Pop
West Riverfront Park, Detroit, Dates: July 29-30
Mo Pop brings all the big indie rock and independent hip-hop acts to Detroit this year. Dance to Foster the People and Phantogram then head on over to Tyler, the Creator or Run The Jewels for a more hyped up crowd.
Photo by mopopfestival/InstagramLollapalooza
Grant Park, Chicago, Dates: Aug. 3-6
If you’re looking for a big music festival without the camping, then Lollapalooza is for you. The lineup is stacked like Bonnaroo’s, but also features a slew of after shows around the city to see an artist in a more intimate setting.
Photo by lollapalooza/InstagramThe Peach Music Festival
Montage Mountain, Scranton, Penn, Dates: Aug. 10-13
The Peach Music Festival was started by the Allman Brothers Band and takes place at scenic Montage Mountain in Pennsylvania. This outdoor festival features a water park resort and artists like My Morning Jacket, Widespread Panic (playing two nights), and Govt. Mule & Friends. You’ll want to camp, of course.
Photo by blowe508/InstagramFashion Meets Music Festival
Fortress Obetz, Columbus, Dates: Aug. 18-19
Fashion Meets Music is sure to be the multi-media event of the year. FMMF sports a big lineup including T-Pain, Fetty Wap, Third Eye Blind and Tegan and Sara to name a few, in addition to and incredible cast of fashion designers.
Photo by fmmfestival/InstagramBreakaway Music Festival
Mapfre Stadium, Columbus, Dates: Sept. 1-2
If you want to see some of the bigger names in hip-hop and electronic music right now, Breakaway is the festival you want. This year’s lineup includes Travis Scott, Playboi Carti, Lil Yachty and Diplo.
Photo by breakawayfest/Instagram
