Best places to visit for music festivals
Add a little groove to your getaway in these top destinations for summer music festivals.
By Margot Bigg | April 10, 2025 (Updated June 10, 2025)
Margot Bigg
Margot Bigg’s love for music and travel has taken her to festivals in Vietnam, India, Portugal, and Spain. She’s written for publications around the world, including National Geographic Traveler and Travel + Leisure, and contributes regularly to Lonely Planet. She also hosted an FM radio show, SubTerra, that showcased underground music from around the world. Margot grew up in the U.S. and the U.K. and has lived in France, and — most recently —in India, where she worked as an editor at Time Out Delhi and covered South Asia’s electronic music scene for Rolling Stone India.
With music festival and concert season just around the corner, now is the ideal time to start planning your next vacation. Whether you're moved by the sweet sounds of jazz, are more of a rock fan, or just like to keep things eclectic, there’s a music festival or concert for you. Not sure where to go? These three cities are among the best U.S. destinations for summer music festivals.
New Orleans
New Orleans is known as the birthplace of jazz, so it's only fitting that the city hosts the celebrated New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival (April 24 - May 4, 2025). Don’t let the name fool you. While this world-renowned festival has plenty of jazz acts, organizers cast a wide net, bringing artists from across genres to the Big Easy to let the good times roll. Conveniently, the event is hosted just a 10-minute drive from Hampton Inn New Orleans French Quarter Market Area in the Faubourg Marigny, a neighborhood that's synonymous with NOLA’s jazz scene. With a refreshing outdoor pool and a handy fitness center, it's a great place to retire after a day of great music and delicious Creole cuisine.
Manchester, Tennessee
Although Nashville is known as Music City, and Memphis is considered the birthplace of rock and blues, it’s the town of Manchester that brings the big music crowds to Tennessee every summer. This is thanks to Bonnaroo Music & Arts Festival (June 12-15, 2025), a multi-genre festival that’s earned itself an enthusiastic cult following who call themselves “Bonnaroovians.” While many attendees camp at the festival grounds, you can enhance your experience with plenty of creature comforts, including an outdoor pool, at Hampton Inn & Suites Manchester, less than a 10-minute drive from the festival gate. In-room fridges are perfect for storing post-festy snacks, and a free hot breakfast (waffles, anyone??) will keep you fueled for a day of dancing.
Chicago
One of the largest music festivals in the world, Lollapalooza (July 31-Aug. 3, 2025) takes place right in Chicago’s Grant Park. This massive festival always promises a stellar lineup of world-famous acts in many genres, but it doesn’t offer camping. Fortunately, Hilton Chicago is just across the street. Staying here makes it easy to come and go as you please and take advantage of the hotel’s many perks between sets. Drop by Kitty O'Shea's for pub fare and a dram of whiskey or retire to your suite and order room service. The fully equipped Athletic Club, complete with Peloton Bikes, an indoor running track, and pool is great for letting off steam, and there’s even an on-site sundeck where you can decompress before returning to Grant Park for the next act.
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