The festivals in the US will allow you to get closer to the country’s culture and traditions. There is an endless list of festivals to attend in the United States regardless of your interest such as cultural festivals, food festivals, national festivals, and international and musical events.
While attending these festivals, you will be able to get engaged with the locals and get a taste of their culture. If you are planning to visit the United States in the upcoming season, then do have look at the below list of top 15 festivals in the US that you should not miss.
Top 15 Festivals In The US
1. Burning Man
Burning Man is one of the most exciting US festivals that lasts one week and is celebrated every year. The festival starts at the end of August and lasts till the first week of September. During this one week, the Black Rock Desert of Nevada is converted into Black Rock City encompassed by art galleries and camps.
Burning Man was first started in 1986 at Baker Beach in San Francisco by a group of friends. A massive bonfire was burned using a 9-foot wooden statue, naming it “the man”. Now, the festival has been celebrated every year by more than 80,000 people and the statue has been elevated to around 40 feet.
When: August 28, 2022, to September 5, 2022
Where: Humboldt, Nevada
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2. Summerfest
If you traveling the United States this summer season then consider attending the Summerfest, which is starting at the end of June and will last till the first week of July. It is one of the largest music festivals in the world where hundreds of acts are performed in 12 stages.
A wide range of musical events are held in Summerfest and you can attend the event based on your music taste. Whether you love rock music, pop, or R&b there is a variety of events to choose from.
Performances Included in The Upcoming Summerfest:
- Backstreet Boys
- Lil Wayne
- Jason Aldean
- Halsey Rod
- Rod Stewart
- Justin Bieber
When: June 23, 2022, to July 9, 2022
Where: Milwaukee, Wisconsin
3. Taste Of Chicago
Taste of Chicago is one of the most popular food festivals in the US, that has been celebrated since 1980. The festival is held on 5 different days from early June to Early July. It is the biggest event in Chicago, where hundreds of stalls are set up by vendors, restaurants, and food trucks.
Apart from food, various other activities are also held, including a demonstration by a chef, a kid’s event, free concerts, games, and more. Entry to this event is free but you will have to pay the additional cost for food.
When: June 11, June 18, June 25, and July 8 to July 10, 2022
Where: Grant Park, Chicago, Illinois
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4. Rise Festival
The Rise festival is the world’s biggest Lantern release where thousands of lanterns are released covering the dark sky like stars. The event is conducted in a desert and lasts for 8 days during the month of December. If you have plans of attending this festival then don’t forget to buy your tickets as soon as possible.
When: October 7 to December 8, 2022
Cost:
- Early Ticket – 84 USD to 99 USD
- Ticket After June – 119 USD to 139 USD
- Ticket for Children – 69 USD
Where: Mojave Desert, California, Nevada
5. Outside Lands
The annual music and arts festival San Francisco “Outside lands” is held every year in the Golden Gate Park. It is the largest music festival in the United States and is independently owned. The inaugural festival was held in 2008 and it witnessed a huge success having attendees between 40,000 to 60,000 each day.
Ticket Price:
- General Admission – 395 USD
- VIP Pass – 835 USD to 855 USD
Performances Included:
- Bruna Boy
- Angel Olsen
- Beach House
- Young Thug
- Vampire Weekend
- Nelly
- Brittany Howard
When: August 5, 2022, to August 7, 2022
Where: Golden Gate Park, San Francisco
6. Firefly Music Festival
Firefly Music Festival is yet another multi-genre music festival to attend in the United States before summer ends. The event was first held in 2012 and since then, several famous artists have given their names to the stage. Not just the live music, but the event is worth attending if you want to enjoy some delicious food.
Performances Included:
- Dua Lipa
- Halsey
- Big Sean
- Porter Robinson
Ticket cost: 299 USD
When: September 22, 2022, to September 25, 2022
Where: Dover Delaware, Philadelphia, Baltimore
Also Read: 10 Most Popular Tourist Attractions in Miami, The Magical City of Florida
7. Comic-Con International
The Comic-Con International of San Deigo is now back after 2 years of covid outbreak. This time, the event will be held in full flow like used to be. Here you will get to witness previews of famous comic characters including those of DC Comics and Marvel. Other than previews, a special panel, and a party will also be held.
Comic-Con International is the World’s biggest comic book event and is recorded in the Guinness Book of World Records. In this four-day event, various famous comic books, video games, movies, and tv shows will be showcased and will be attended by some notable celebrities.
Celebrities Attending This Event:
- Chris Hemsworth
- Dwayne Johnson
- Ezra Miller
- Rober Pattinson
Ticket Cost:
- Adults – 48 USD to 66 USD
- Children(13 to 17 years) and Senior Citizens – 23 USD to 33 USD
When: July 21, 2022, to July 24, 2022
Where: San Diego, California
8. Austin City Limits Music Festival
The Austin City Limits is all set to bring its 21st music festival in the upcoming October. The event is based on a famous television show with the same name. The event features acts and performances by more than 90 artists on 8 different stages.
Ticket Price: 105 USD
When: October 7 to 9, and October 14 to 16, 2022
Where: Zilker Park, Austin, Texas
9. US Open Tennis Championships
Us Open is the biggest tennis tournament in the world after Wimbledon and is held every year for two between August and September. As tennis is one of the most popular in the United States after American football and baseball, the tournament is attended by thousands of spectators.
In 2009, it witnessed more than 700,000 attendees throughout the course of two weeks. If you are coming to the US between August and September, then you must not miss this tournament. For a better experience, most of the best matches are usually held in the evening.
When: August 29, 2022, to September 11, 2022
Where: Brookline, Massachusetts
10. Sundance Film Fest
Sundance Film Fest is one of the Film Fest which is not only attended by celebrities but is also open to fans. You can enjoy this event as everyone does especially celebrities. The good is, there is no registration required, and only need to access the official venues based on the festival pass or ticket you have purchased.
Celebrities Attending This Event:
- Eva Longoria
- Karen Gillan
- Emma Thompson
- Dakota Johnson
- Jeremy O.Harris
When: January 19 to January 29, 2023
Where: Park City, Utah
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11. Halloween
The festival which is most celebrated in the United States after Christmas and New Year is without a doubt Halloween. Halloween is celebrated throughout the country with the same spirit and the celebration becomes even bigger every next year. On this day, the locals and even tourists can be seen dressed up either as ghosts or wearing decorative clothes.
Best Places To Celebrate Halloween:
- Sleep Hallow, New York
- Greenwich Village, Manhattan
- Ohio Expo Center, Columbus
- Santa Monica Boulevard, Los Angeles
- Houston, Texas
When: October 31, 2022
12. Lexington BBQ Festival
One of the best food festivals in the US, the Lexington BBQ is conducted at the end of October every year. Every year, the unique food festival is attended by more than 150,000 people. A total of 11,000 pounds of meat is barbecued and is sold at more than dozens of stalls and vendors.
Make sure, the meat barbecued contains only pork meat, hence non-pork eaters are advised to avoid this event.
When: October 22, 2022
Timing: 8:30 PM to 6:30 PM
Where: West Center Street/North Main Street/South Main, North Carolina
13. International Cherry Blossom Festival
Every year during the Spring season, the lovely city of Macon transforms into pink as thousands of Cherry blossom trees are lit up. In order to celebrate these beautiful blooms of Cherry Blossom, the International Cherry Blossom Festival is hosted every year in Macon city of Georgia.
The Cherry Blossom is one of the major traditions of Macon city and it was first celebrated in 1949 by William A Fickling, a native of Macon. He later shared his idea and decided to distribute the trees all over the city. According to another native of Macon, the Cherry Blossom represents beauty, love, and international friendship that’s why it is celebrated.
When: April 2, 2023, to April 16, 2023
Where: Carolyn Crayton Park, Macon, Georgia State
14. Thanksgiving Day
Thanksgiving Day is a major tradition among the people of the United States. Though it is only celebrated in American countries, Thanksgiving is widely popular among non-American and European countries. It is a major holiday on the US calendar and is celebrated by American families every year on the last Thursday of November.
On this day, Americans give thanks for every good thing that may have happened to them or with their families in the last year. Thanksgiving day is usually celebrated by families or groups of friends.
When: November 24, 2022
Where: Throughout the country
Also Read: 10 Best Historical Sites In The United States To Visit
15. New Year’s Eve In Times Square
Gathering at Times Square during New Year’s eve has now become a major ritual for New York natives. The crowd starts arriving in the late afternoon and the section keeps filling till 11 PM. In case you are planning to attend the grand New Year celebration at Times Square then come either from the sixth or the eighth venue for the experience.
It would be better if you arrive earlier to witness the best view as the blocks close as soon as it fills up. The celebration begins after 6 PM when the New Year’s Eve ball is raised and the surrounding lights up.
When: December 31, 2022
Where: Times Square, New York City