For live music fans, outdoor music festivals are among the best parts of summer. Some of the biggest names in the industry — Cardi B, Post Malone, Charlie XCX and more — will be gracing festival stages across the country this summer, and there are still tickets available for most of the big-name events. These weekend-long extravaganzas will pop up in big cities like Chicago and San Francisco, as well as quieter haunts like small-town Oregon and Tennessee. Tempted? There’s bound to be a fest not far from your backyard.
At publication time, the festivals below all still had tickets available, though some ticket categories may be sold out. As each event draws near, spots are likely to sell out across the board, so snag tickets now if you want to join the fun.
CMA Fest
When:June 4-7
Where:Nashville, Tenn.
Who:Ella Langley, Blake Shelton, Jason Aldean and more
CMA Fest is the biggest annual live music event for country fans, and it happens in the heart of Music City. This year’s lineup includes major names spanning different eras and sub-genres of pop country. Among the festival’s highlights is fresh face Ella Langley, who’s been riding high as the unofficial new queen of country with her inescapable hit “Choosin’ Texas.” Tickets for CMA Fest include single-night stadium tickets, four-night stadium passes and more. The festival also has a few free shows and events throughout the weekend. (Bonus: Nashville made our list of the best places in the U.S. to visit in June , especially for country music fans.)
Railbird
When:June 6-7
Where:Lexington, Ky.
Who:Tyler Childers, Willow Avalon, Zach Top and more
If you’re a fan of off-the-beaten-path country, Railbird may be the move. A bit less mainstream than CMA Fest, this Kentucky-based music weekend will feature country singer-songwriter darlings Tyler Childers and Willow Avalon this year, as well as bigger folk and indie names like the Lumineers and Mt. Joy. Working overtime like a true country singer, Langley will also perform, following her CMA Fest appearance in Nashville the same weekend. Tickets are running low, so get your Railbird passes while you still can.
Bonnaroo Music & Arts Festival
When:June 11-14
Where:Manchester, Tenn.
Who:The Strokes, Yungblud, Teddy Swims, Noah Kahan and more
Bonnaroo has been one of Tennessee’s most beloved summer music festivals for more than two decades, drawing tens of thousands of fans from around the country each year. Lighting up otherwise-sleepy Manchester, Tenn., this year’s fest will feature acts like The Strokes and Yungblud, plus Turnstile, Skrillex, Alabama Shakes, Major Lazer and more. You can even catch a special late-night Saturday show with “Weird Al” Yankovic, which reflects Bonnaroo’s refusal to box itself into one genre. Tickets are still available , but prices will increase as the festival approaches.
Summerfest
When:June 16-20, June 25-27 and July 2-4
Where:Milwaukee
Who:Ed Sheeran, Post Malone, Jelly Roll, Muse and more
Spanning three weekends from mid-June to early July, Summerfest is the largest music festival in the U.S. and the longest-running event on this list, dating back to 1968. It used to hold the Guinness World Record for largest music festival in the world, before being unseated by WOMAD Festival . This year, Summerfest will feature 600 artists across 12 stages, including massive names like Ed Sheeran, Post Malone and Garth Brooks. Indie artists are well represented this year too, including Amyl and the Sniffers, Echo & the Bunnymen, Sudan Archives and the Mountain Goats. Summerfest takes place on the shore of Lake Michigan in downtown Milwaukee, and general admission tickets and passes are still available.
Essence Festival of Culture
When:July 3-5
Where:New Orleans
Who:Cardi B, Kehlani, Patti LaBelle, Latto and more
Few cities in the U.S. are as synonymous with music as New Orleans, so it’s only fitting that the Big Easy hosts one of the country’s best music festivals, Essence Festival of Culture . This isn’t the only world-class music festival in the city by a long shot, but it’s the summer highlight. Essence Fest boasts impressive names for 2026 including Cardi B and Kehlani, plus R&B legend Patti LaBelle. Other acts include Brandy & Monica, George Clinton and Public Enemy. You can shop Essence Festival tickets and passes through Ticketmaster.
Lollapalooza
When:July 30-Aug. 2
Where:Chicago
Who:Lorde, the Smashing Pumpkins, Ethel Cain and more
Lollapalooza has been running since the early ‘90s, bringing music and celebration to the Midwest at the height of summer. This year, festival goers can catch famed alt acts like the Smashing Pumpkins, Wet Leg and Ethel Cain, plus major pop names like Lorde and Charlie XCX. Plus, Chicago is a great place to be during the summer in general, with excellent food, a plethora of air-conditioned museums and Lake Michigan (home to some of the best beaches in the U.S. ). Tickets for Lollapalooza will sell out soon though (four-day passes are already waitlisted), so order while you still can .
Pickathon
When:July 30-Aug. 2
Where:Happy Valley, Ore.
Who:Shakey Graves, Built to Spill, Steve Earle and more
Once a well-kept Pacific Northwest secret, Pickathon has grown to be one of the most popular indie music festivals in the U.S., blending the feel of a cozy gathering with legendary, genre-diverse talent. This year’s lineup includes folk and alt-rock favorites like Shakey Graves and Built to Spill, plus under-the-radar gems like Esther Rose, Ora Cogan and Dylan Earl. While the other festivals on this list may have more heavy-hitting lineups full of radio favorites, Pickathon is more likely to be your favorite musician’s favorite music festival. It also takes place in a beautiful forest full of art installations, and children 12 and under get in free. Browse single-day tickets and weekend passes .
Outside Lands
When:Aug. 7-9
Where:San Francisco
Who:Charlie XCX, Modest Mouse, The XX, PinkPantheress and more
For West Coasters, Outside Lands is one of the biggest music events of the summer, turning Golden Gate Park into a pulsing celebration of sound for three days every August. This year’s lineup runs the gamut from big stars like Charlie XCX and Modest Mouse to cult faves like Sierra Ferrell and Lucy Dacus. Honoring more than just great music, Outside Lands also features the best of the Bay Area’s food and drink culture and a curated legal cannabis experience called Grass Lands . The festival even features a dedicated wedding venue for love birds with a wild hare. Grab tickets now before they sell out.
Bumbershoot
When:Sept. 5-6
Where:Seattle
Who:Death Cab For Cutie, Turnstile, Orville Peck and more
Sprawling around the base of the Space Needle (literally), Bumbershoot has been taking over Seattle Center every Labor Day weekend since the early ‘70s. This year, Washington state’s prodigal indie sons Death Cab For Cutie will take the stage, along with rising country star Orville Peck and festival standbys Turnstile. Other notable acts include riot grrrl legends Bikini Kill, hip hop originators De La Soul and Belarusian dance-goth band Molchat Doma. This isn’t just a music festival, though — Bumbershoot also features comedy acts, fashion shows, dance performances and a pro wrestling championship. Most tickets are still available , though deluxe passes are sold out.
Shaky Knees Music Festival
When:Sept. 18-20
Where:Atlanta
Who:Wu Tang Clan, Gorillaz, LCD Soundsystem and more
Ending the summer with a bang, Shaky Knees Music Festival is Atlanta’s relatively new (yet impressively booming) downtown music fest. It draws tens of thousands of attendees and some of the world’s biggest musical acts each year, and 2026 is no exception. Shaky Knees attendees this year can expect showstoppers like Wu Tang Clan, Gorillaz and LCD Soundsystem, plus the Strokes, Fontaines D.C., Twenty One Pilots, Jimmy Eat World, Modest Mouse and more. Tickets across all categories are still available, but they’re sure to start selling out as summer draws near.
