As countries across the world continue to re-open after the year-plus toll of the pandemic, music festivals have been roaring back, with promoters, organizers, and ticket organizations eager to bring live music back to audiences. Many of the biggest festivals in the US ― Lollapalooza, Bonnaroo, This is Tomorrow, Latitude Festival, and Outside Lands ― have returned with events scheduled for the summer or fall, while others like Coachella have announced 2022 dates. Artists, too, are eager to welcome back the fruitful touring alternative that is the festival slot, with stars like Post Malone, A$AP Rocky, and Billie Eilish, playing dates across the country.
With the massive proliferation of classic fests and upstart events taking up space on the calendar, we’ve collected (and will be updating) a list of the biggest music festival gatherings across the globe.
Blue Note Jazz Festival
New York City
Dates: 6/15-8/15
Headliners: Robert Glasper; Ron Carter; Talib Kweli
One of the first New York City music venues to welcome back audiences, Blue Note Jazz Club will celebrate its reopening with its annual Sony Presents Blue Note Jazz Festival from June 15 – August 15, 2021. The festival will feature in-person concerts both indoors at the storied Greenwich Village venue and outdoors at SummerStage in Central Park. Performances at the Blue Note Jazz Club mark the return of a legendary stage following its closure in March 2020.
Download Festival
Leicestershire, UK
Dates: 6/18-6/20
Headliners: Bullet For My Valentine; Enter Shikari; Frank Carter & The Rattlesnakes
Download organizers confirmed that the Donington Park bash will make a small-scale return for a three-day camping pilot as part of ongoing research into the safe return of live music. Organizers say that “moshing is allowed” when 10,000 fans descend on Donington Park from June 18-20.
Black Deer Festival
Kent, UK
Dates: 6/25-6/27
Headliners: Van Morrison; Imelda May; Robert Plant
The three-day, multi-stage festival celebrating Americana and country, held at Eridge Park in Kent will take place this summer on the weekend of June 25-27. Speaking on Black Deer’s return, co-founders Gill Tee and Deborah Shilling said: “We’re very excited to be able to push our plans, bring together our beloved community for a 2021 edition of Black Deer, and deliver one hell of a (safe!) summer party.
Latitude Festival
Suffolk, UK
Dates: 7/22-7/25
Headliners: The Chemical Brothers; Bastille; Wolf Alice; Bombay Bicycle Club
After its 2020 edition was axed due to the coronavirus pandemic, Latitude will return in 2021 from July 22-25 at Henham Park, Suffolk. Wolf Alice, who will headline the Obelisk Arena on July 23, said of their headline booking: “Eight years, several horrendous haircuts, three albums and we are back but this time we are headlining. What an honor.” The likes of Rudimental, Hot Chip, Fontaines D.C., Beabadoobee, Declan McKenna, Arlo Parks, Holly Humberstone, Shame, and Dry Cleaning are also set to play across the Latitude weekend.
Rolling Loud Miami
Miami, Florida
Dates: 7/23-7/25
Headliners: Post Malone; A$AP Rocky; Lil Baby Travis Scott; DaBaby
Rolling Loud returns to Miami this July for a three-day festival featuring the biggest names in rap music. Set to take place at the Hard Rock Stadium (home of the Dolphins), Miami’s premier hip-hop showcase is sure to kick off festival season with a bang.
Splendour in the Grass
Virtual
Dates: 7/24-7/25
Headliners: The Killers; Khalid; CHVRCHES; Denzel Curry; The Avalanches
Australia’s Splendour in the Grass has announced its line-up for 2021 Splendour XR. But unlike the other music festivals this year, the Aussie festival is going fully virtual, launching an immersive experience that will run from July 24-25. Additional performers include Band of Horses, Little Simz, Phoebe Bridgers, and Charli XCX.
Lollapalooza
Chicago, IL
Dates: 7/29-8/1
Headliners: Post Malone; Tyler, The Creator Foo Fighters; Miley Cyrus
One of the biggest and most popular music festivals in the country is gearing up to make its return to historic Grant Park in Chicago. Lollapalooza―founded by Jane’s Addiction frontman Perry Farrell ― always descends upon the Windy City during the middle of the summer, but a little bit of heat doesn’t deter fans of the fest, who often number near 400,000.
Newport Jazz Festival
Newport, RI
Dates: 7/30-8/1
Headliners: Wynton Marselis; Mavis Staples; Robert Glasper; Yola; Khruangbin
Other artists set to appear at the legendary festival include Andra Day, Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue, a Nina Simone tribute from Ledisi, The Jam Jawn (Christian McBride, John Scofield, Marco Benevento, and Joe Russo), and Makaya McCraven. The Newport Jazz Festival will be modified to create three intimate days of jazz performances and surprises from July 30 to August 1. Due to modified capacities, the festival will be releasing access to this summer’s events in phases.
Y Not Festival
Pikehall, Derbyshire, UK
Dates: 7/30-8/1
Headliners: Stereophonics; Blossom; Bombay Bicycle Club
Joining the aforementioned three bill-toppers across the Y Not Festival weekend will be the likes of Manic Street Preachers, Pale Waves, Fontaines D.C., Kelis, Sleaford Mods, The Big Moon, Jake Bugg, Black Honey, and Circa Waves (Thursday headliners).
Celebrate Brooklyn!
Brooklyn, NY
Dates: 7/31-9/18
Headliners: Glass Animals; Yaeji; Ari Lenno; Lido Pimienta
The seven-week-long BRIC Celebrate Brooklyn! Festival this summer returns to the Prospect Park Bandshell after a pandemic-induced hiatus. See below for a detailed list of performers. The festival, organized by the Brooklyn-based arts and media institution BRIC, takes place from Saturday, July 31 through Saturday, September 18 with doors opening at 6:00 pm for all shows, except the family day performance.
South Facing Festival
London, UK
Dates: 8/5-8/31
Headliners: Max Richter; Dizzee Rascal & The Outlook Orchestra; Supergrass
The Streets and the English National Opera (performing Tosca) are set to perform at South Facing, with more to be announced. The Crystal Palace Bowl, affectionately known as ‘The Rusty Laptop’ by local residents, has previously played host to some of the world’s most acclaimed artists, including Bob Marley, Pink Floyd, The Cure, Lou Reed, and Vera Lynn during its 60-year history.
Hive Festival
Salt Lake City, UT
Dates: 8/6-8/7
Headliners: Post Malone, $uicideboy$, DaBaby, Trippie Redd
Hive Festival descends upon the Utah State Fair every summer, bringing some of the biggest acts in hip-hop to the grounds. The festival tends to promote younger, up-and-coming artists, veering more towards the SoundCloud influence of rap as opposed to the mainstream top 40 strain. The lineup this year is particularly enticing, which includes the headliners mentioned above, plus Don Toliver, Flatbush Zombies, Jack Harlow, Ski Mask The Slump God, Lil Mosey, Joey Bada$$, Saint JHN, and many more.
The Summer Smash Festival (Lyrical Lemonade)
Chicago, IL
Dates: 8/20-8/22
Headliners: A$AP Rocky; Lil Baby; Lil Uzi Vert
Lyrical Lemonade’s Summer Smash Festival is taking place in Chicago at the prestigious Douglass Park. The festival from the upstart rap website is quickly becoming an established force on the circuit, bringing in a ton of household hip-hop names like Lil Baby, City Girls, Benny the Butcher, and more.
Lowlands Festival
Spijk en Bremerberg, Biddinghuizen, Netherlands, NL
Dates: 8/22-8/24
Headliners: The Chemical Brothers; Liam Gallagher; Arlo Parks; slowthai
Yungblud, Caribou, Aurora, Declan McKenna, Kelly Lee Owens, Denzel Curry, Shame, Yves Tumor, Sleaford Mods, Georgia, and many more acts have been announced for the Dutch Lowlands Festival outside of Amsterdam.
Outlaw Festival Tour
USA
Dates: 8/22-10/24
Headliners: Chris Stapleton; Sturgill Simpson; The Avett Brothers; Nathaniel Rateliff & the Night Sweats
The festival, which will feature a shifting lineup from the announced selection of artists, will kick off in Austin, Texas this August and run through October where it will wrap up at Wheatland, California’s Toyota Amphitheater. Other artists set to perform include Gov’t Mule, Lucinda Williams, Ryan Bingham, Margo Price, Yola, Kathleen Edwards, and Ida Mae.
Victorious Festival
Portsmouth, UK
Dates: 8/27-8/29
Headliners: The Streets; Madness; Royal Blood
The event will take place at Southsea Seafront in Portsmouth across the UK’s August Bank Holiday Weekend, 27-29 August. Joining the aforementioned bill-toppers on the line-up are Blossoms, Fontaines D.C., Miles Kane, Richard Ashcroft, The Kooks, Supergrass, Craig David, Melanie C, The Fratellis, Cast, and more.
All Points East
London, UK
Dates: 8/27-8/30
Headliners: slowthai; Nubya Garcia; Jamie XX; Kano
In addition to the artists noted above, fans at the London festival can also look forward to performances by the critically-acclaimed singer-songwriter Arlo Parks and rapper Little Simz, as well as Tom Misch, Pa Salieu, Romy, HAAi, and many others.
Railbird Festival
Lexington, KY
Dates: 8/28-8/29
Headliners: Jason Isbell & The 400 Unit; Midland; Margo Price; Dave Matthews Band
Sarah Jarosz, Tanya Tucker, and local heroes My Morning Jacket will also headline. Others on an impressive bill for the August 28-29 festival include Leon Bridges, Billy Strings, Black Pumas, Khruangbin, Band of Horses, Sierra Ferrell, the War and Treaty, and Cedric Burnside. Produced by AC Entertainment and Lexington, KY entrepreneur David Helmers, Railbird will take place at the Grounds at Keeneland Racecourse.
ALT+LDN Festival
London, UK
Dates: 8/30
Headliners: Machine Gun Kelly; Playboi Carti; Lil Yachty
The festival, which organizers say is “forged from the inescapable world of hip-hop and alternative culture”, will take place on London’s Clapham Common on Monday August 30. Other acts to perform include the likes of The Kid Laroi and Ski Mask The Slump God. Check out the event’s official website for further information.
Bonnaroo
Manchester, TN
Dates: 9/2-9/5
Headliners: Foo Fighters; Lizzo; Lana Del Rey; Tyler, The Creator; Tame Impala; Megan Thee Stallion
Perhaps the festival that defined the movement from the outset, Bonnaroo returns to Manchester, Tennessee this September with a sprawling collection of eclectic talent. Beginning Thursday, September 2 with a Grand Old Opry showcase featuring special guests, the festival is sure to return to its days of magic and wonder.
Summerfest
Milwaukee, WI
Dates: 9/2-9/4; 9/9-9/11; 9/16-9/18
Headliners: Greenday; Luke Bryan; Run The Jewels; Black Pumas; Jonas Brothers; ZZ Top, Pixies; Chance The Rapper
Summerfest is widely considered the world’s biggest festival. It began just one year after the original Woodstock, and has fashioned itself into a multi-week event that takes over Milwaukee and brings many of the biggest acts across the country to Wisconsin. The fest does a great job blending old and new talent across a number of genres. The headliners alone cover a number of scenes.
BottleRock Napa Valley
Napa Valley, CA
Dates: 9/3-9/5
Headliners: Foo Fighters; Guns N’ Roses; Stevie Nicks; Miley Cyrus
Megan Thee Stallion, G-Eazy, Run The Jewels, and more will perform at the three-day music, wine, craft brew, and culinary event, which will take place at the Napa Valley Expo in Napa on September 3-5, 2021.
‘BottleRock’ Napa Valley also presents its legendary Williams Sonoma Culinary Stage, showcasing a unique mashup of cooking demonstrations with renowned chefs, celebrities, performers, and rock stars. Details will be announced at a later date.
Pitchfork Music Festival
Chicago, IL
Dates: 9/10-9/12
Headliners: St. Vincent; Erykah Badu; Phoebe Bridgers
The festival will take place September 10th through 12th at Union Park in Chicago. Bridgers will headline the first day of the festival, on September 10, with additional performances by Big Thief, Animal Collective, Yaeji, Black Midi, Kelly Lee Owens, Hop Along, and Dogleg. Indie aughts mainstay Fiery Furnaces are also slated to play their first show in a decade.
Then St. Vincent will headline Day two on September 11, joined by Angel Olsen, Kim Gordon, Ty Segall and Freedom Band, Waxahatchee, Jay Electronica, Jamila Woods, Georgia Anne Muldrow, Bartees Strange, and Faye Webster. Erykah Badu will close out the festival on September 12, along with Flying Lotus, Thundercat, Danny Brown, Cat Power, Caroline Polachek, Yves Tumor, the Weather Station, Andy Shauf, and more.
Parklife Festival
Manchester, UK
Dates: 9/11-9/12
Headliners: Disclosure; DaBaby; slowthai; Megan Thee Stallion
Parklife is set to return to Manchester’s Heaton Park. Dave, Megan Thee Stallion, and more. Other big names who will take the Parklife stage include 2020’s planned headliner Skepta and rising UK singers Mabel and Celeste, the latter, who just picked up an Oscar nomination for her Best Original Song.
Lost Evenings IV
London, UK
Dates: 9/16-9/19
Headliners: Frank Turner Acoustic Duo; Frank Turner’s First Three Albums; Frank Turner’s Greatest Hits
As in previous years ‘Lost Evenings IV’ will see Frank Turner headline each night with very different shows: Thursday 16th September Frank will perform an Acoustic Duo Show with Matt Nasir; Friday 17th September sees Frank and The Sleeping Souls play songs from the First Three Albums + new songs; Saturday 18th September will celebrate the tenth anniversary of England Keep My Bones and then on Sunday September 19, a Greatest Hits Set will close the festivities.
Neón Experience
Las Vegas, NV
Dates: 9/16-9/19
Headliners: J Balvin; Karol G; Tainy
J Balvin announced his inaugural Neón Experience, a Las Vegas-based festival that coincides with Mexican Independence Weekend. Other artists set to perform include Rauw Alejandro and Jhay Cortez. In addition to handpicking the acts, Balvin will deliver a headlining set on September 17, in which he will perform his best-selling album, Colores, live for the very first time.
Life Is Beautiful Festival
Las Vegas, NV
Dates: 9/17-9/19
Headliners: Tame Impala; Megan Thee Stallion; Glass Animals; Haim; Greenday; Billie Eilish; A$AP Rocky
Head on down to Sin City this coming September to witness one of the most well-rounded festival lineups of the season. Life is Beautiful descends upon downtown Vegas every year and brings an eclectic group of performers that range from mainstream superstars to the next big thing not even your hippest friend has heard yet
Born & Raised Festival
Pryor, OK
Dates: 9/17-9/19
Headliners: ZZ Top; Cody Jinks; Blackberry Smoke; Lucinda Williams; Parker McCollum
Mounted by AEG Presents, the two-day event will take place on September 18 and 19 in Pryor, Oklahoma (preceded by a Friday Night Honky Tonk on the 17th) and will feature over 30 acts from the outlaw, Texas, and red dirt country scenes. This year’s event will include a special pre-festival Friday Night Honky Tonk on Sept. 17. The festival will also feature the BBQ Ranch, curated by pitmaster Wayne Mueller, owner, and pitmaster of Central Texas’ Louie Mueller Barbecue.
This Is Tomorrow Festival
Newcastle, UK
Dates: 9/17-9/19
Headliners: Sam Fender; Gerry Cinnamon; Dermot Kennedy
Having been canceled due to the coronavirus crisis last year, the festival will return to Newcastle’s Exhibition Park between September 17-19. Joining the aforementioned headliners on the bill are the likes of Blossoms, Pale Waves, The Kooks, Fontaines D.C., Nadine Shah, Tom Walker, Inhaler, Holly Humberstone, and The Lathums.
Music Midtown
Atlanta, GA
Dates: 9/18-9/19
Headliners: Maroon 5; Miley Cyrus; Jonas Brothers’ DaBaby; 21 Savage
Few music festivals offer an ideal of a setting as Music Midtown does. The fest takes place in Atlanta’s gorgeous Piedmont Park, a sprawling, green wonderland in the heart of downtown ATL. If the lush scenery isn’t enough for you, the lineup this year is stacked from top to bottom, with mid-bill artists like Oliver Tree, Tierra Whack, and Omar Apollo sure to put on world-beating performances.
Firefly Music Festival
Dover, DE
Dates: 9/23-9/26
Headliners: Billie Eilish; The Killers; Tame Impala; Lizzo; Machine Gun Kelly
The 2021 Firefly Festival features more than 120 bands across seven stages. This stat alone is average for a large-sized festival, but the event takes over The Woodlands in Dover, Delaware, an otherwise unassuming swatch of land in the tiny East Coast state. But once the stages are built and the lights shipped in, Dover turns into the center of the musical universe.
Governors Ball
Queens, NY
Dates: 9/24-9/26
Headliners: Billie Eilish; DaBaby; A$AP Rocky; J Balvin; Post Malone; 21 Savage
The 10th Anniversary of the Governors Ball Music Festival is set to take place Friday, September 24th through Sunday, September 26th at the Citi Field complex in Queens. This marks the first time the festival is moving from its traditional location at Randall’s Island to the Mets baseball stadium. Working in close consultation with the City of New York, Governors Ball 2021 will follow all state and federal guidelines mandated at the time of the event.
Ohana Festival
Dana Point, CA
Dates: 9/24-9/26
Headliners: Kings of Leon; Black Pumas; Maggie Rogers; Eddie Vedder (Solo); Pearl Jam; Brandi Carlile; Yola
The Ohana Festival in Dana Point, California is small but mighty. The fest doesn’t boast a ton of acts, but the bands and solo artists they bring into the fold are of the highest quality and make sense from a curatorial standpoint. This isn’t the typical festival that blends mainstream stars with up-and-comers. Ohana’s lineup blends a number of exciting acts that all float around the folk/rock spectrum, making it an eclectic but cohesive lineup.
Pilgrimage Festival
Franklin, TN
Dates: 9/25-9/26
Headliners: Dave Matthews Band; Black Pumas; Maren Morris; and Valerie June
Hosted in its seventh year at The Park at Harlinsdale Farm, the celebration of art, culture, and diverse music will also cue performances by Khruangbin, Black Keys, Amos Lee, Tanya Tucker, Better Than Ezra, Houndmouth, Tank, and the Bangas, Cage the Elephant, JD McPherson, Jamestown Revival, Low Cut Connie, Robert Finley, Katie Pruitt, Morgan Wade, Larry Fleet, Harlem Gospel Travelers, Hailey Whitters, Dylan LeBlanc, Anna Vaus, Blessing Offor, Natalie Madigan, and many more.
Austin City Limits
Austin, TX
Dates: 10/1-10/3, 10/8-10/10
Headliners: Billie Eilish; George Strait; Stevie Nicks; Miley Cyrus; DaBaby
ACL Fest 2021 will deliver live music performances across eight stages at Zilker Park. Other artists set to appear include Erykah Badu, Megan Thee Stallion, Doja Cat, Black Pumas, and many more. More than 20 homegrown Texans grace this year’s bill, including St. Vincent.
Mempho Music Festival
Memphis, TN
Dates: 10/1-10/3
Headliners: The Avett Brothers; Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats; Black Pumas; Lucinda Williams
Mempho Fest burst on the festival scene in 2017 adding a new chapter to Tennessee’s storied music scene. The event’s focus on bringing a diverse and exciting mix of nationally acclaimed chart-topping artists and regional favorites to a city renowned for its musical lineage garnered praise from attendees and critics alike. This year, after an unprecedented year that halted live music, organizers of Mempho Fest are thrilled to return and offer music lovers three full days and nights of incredible performances.
Electric Daisy Carnival
Las Vegas, NV
Dates: 10/22-9/24
Headliners: Chainsmokers, Deadmau5, Alison Wonderland
Electric Daisy Carnival returns after being canceled in 2020 due to the pandemic. The rave/festival is a premier destination for fans of EDM and all sorts of variants of electronic music, though the festival does a great job of bringing in a number of dance adjacent acts into the fold like when A$AP Rocky headlined in 2019. Additional performers include will also feature performances from Alesso, Zhu, AC Slater, Anna Lunoe, Diplo, DJ Snake, Elephante, Louis the Child, Martin Garrix, Whethan, Tiësto, Kaskade, Kygo, Snakehips, Tokimonsta, Zedd and more.
Outside Lands
San Francisco, CA
Dates: 10/29-10/31
Headliners: The Strokes; Tyler The Creator; Glass Animals; Lizzo; Vampire Weekend; Tame Impala; J Balvin; Zhu
For those who don’t dig getting spooky on Halloween, how about a day of music featuring Tame Impala, J Balvin, Nelly, Brittany Howard, and more? Outside Lands will descend upon San Francisco’s gorgeous Golden State Park this coming Halloween weekend to once again bring the Bay Area the widest variety of music the city sees. Between the scenery, the culture, and the always-awesome lineup, Outside Lands is a perennial favorite among festival-goers.
Welcome To Rockville
Daytona Beach, FL
Dates: 11/11-11/14
Headliners: Metallica; Nine Inch Nails; Lynyrd Skynyrd; Mastodon; Rob Zombie
The event takes place in Daytona Beach, Florida. Social Distortion, Deftones, Disturbed, Staind, Lamb of God, Anthrax, The Offspring, and Stone Temple Pilots will also perform during the four-day festival at the Daytona International Speedway.
Rolling Loud LA
Los Angeles, CA
Dates: 12/10-12/12
Headliners: Kid Cudi; 2 Chainz; J. Cole; Gunna; Future; Playboi Carti
Rolling Loud is quickly cornering the market of world-class hip-hop festivals. The team organizes festivals across the world, bringing together the biggest names in rap wherever they set up camp. With a date in Portugal coming in 2022, Rolling Loud is hellbent on world domination, but for now, fans of any corner of rap music are sure to be satisfied by the Rolling Loud LA lineup.
