The Music Festivals On Our Summer 2025 Hit List

MOUNTAIN JAM
Highmount, NY
June 20-22

Khurangbin, Mt. Joy and Goose lead the charge to a plush Catskills spread, with Michael Franti, Grace Bowers and Moe. among the other purveyors of groove and grace.

ESSENCE FESTIVAL OF CULTURE
New Orleans, LA
July 3–6

The historic Black magazine throws an absolute cultural feast in Nola—the music component alone boggles the mind, sweeping together Babyface, Master P, Buju Banton and Patti LaBelle, just to pluck a few names of many.

DEAD OF SUMMER MUSIC FESTIVAL
Manchester, VT
July 11–13

Phish and Grateful Dead tribute bands—plus on-site tent/van/RV camping. Can’t really get more Vermont than this.

LEVITATE MUSIC & ARTS FESTIVAL
Marshfield, MA
July 12–13

Stick Figure and Dispatch headline a deep and groove-heavy line-up at this family-friendly, community-oriented fest.

GREY FOX BLUEGRASS FESTIVAL
Oak Hill, NY
July 16–25

A deep line-up features serious picking, including “newgrass” elder statesman Sam Bush and singer-songwriter supergroup I’m With Her.

FAIRWELL FESTIVAL
Redmond, OR
July 18–19

A stacked, country-imbued sojourn in the Central Oregon sagebrush features Tyler Childers and Sturgill Simpson as headliners and a deep undercard: Tanya Tucker, Robert Earl Keen, Sierra Ferrell and … Ludacris?!

UNDER THE BIG SKY
Whitefish, MT
July 18–20

A potent country-music combo in the far Northern Rockies: Red Clay Strays, Wynonna, Luke Grimes and many more. Say hi to everyone at the Bulldog for us.

MOSSWOOD MELTDOWN
Oakland, CA
July 19–20

Filmmaker John Waters hosts a Gen X fever dream headlined by art-rock icons Devo and grrl-punk legends Bratmobile.

NEWPORT FOLK FESTIVAL
Newport, RI
July 25–27

The big Bob Dylan movie of last fall gives some extra bounce to a summertime staple, now sprawling in genre from Public Enemy to Kenny Loggins.

LOLLAPALOOZA
Chicago, IL
July 31–Aug 3

One of the monuments of festival culture keeps its dynasty going with a four-day collision of acts, genres, sights and sounds. Tyler the Creator meets Luke Combs! Sabrina Carpenter meets A$AP Rocky!

PICKATHON
Portland, OR
July 31–Aug 3

A verdant patch of farmland beyond the city transforms into a magical musical village for the 25th anniversary of this grassroots, Americana-inflected darling.

HINTERLAND
Saint Charles, IA
Aug 1–3

Most days, the historic covered bridge counts as a big attraction in this town, pop. 640. This weekend, it’s a line-up topped by Kacey Musgraves, Tyler the Creator and Lana del Rey.

NEWPORT JAZZ FESTIVAL
Newport, RI
Aug 1–3

Three nights of wide-ranging powerhouse acts, with The Roots and Janelle Monáe topping bills and gems like Cymande and Béla Fleck scattered throughout.

SATCHMO SUMMERFEST
New Orleans, LA
Aug 2–3

Two stages celebrate native son Louis “Satchmo” Armstrong on his birthday, an annual ode to his legacy at the New Orleans Jazz Museum right off leafy Esplanade Avenue.

OUTSIDE LANDS
San Francisco, CA
Aug 8–10

A mind-bending variety of acts packs three days in Golden Gate Park. Beck with a symphony orchestra: just one of many.

EARL SCRUGGS MUSIC FESTIVAL
Mill Spring, NC
Aug 29–31

Pickers from bluegrass and roots celebrate the influential banjo player: Alison Krauss & Union Station with Jerry Douglas, Sam Bush, Watchhouse, Nitty Gritty Dirt Band and more.

BUMBERSHOOT
Seattle, WA
Aug 30–31

A cross-genre feast for all festival lovers ranges from Janelle Monáe to Bright Eyes to Pretty Girls Make Graves. You won’t be bored.

FRESHGRASS
North Adams, MA
Sept 19–21

The northern half of twin festivals, following a spring chapter in Arkansas. Expect the twang of Greensky Bluegrass and the soul growl of Lee Fields to highlight the weekend.

PORTOLA
San Francisco, CA
Sept 20–21

Goldenvoice (of Coachella fame) returns for another pier-side electronic dance fest with headliners LCD Soundsystem, Christina Aguilera, Moby and The Prodigy, plus Zack Fox, Peggy Gou, Salute and more.

WOODSIST FESTIVAL
Accord, NY
Sept 20–21

Jeremy Earl—frontman of Woods—curates this beloved Hudson Valley gathering, headlined by Built to Spill and Medeski Martin Duo on the verdant grounds of a farm brewery.