Plan Your 2021 Music Festival Road Trip to These 6 Groovy Destinations
Think back to 2019. Remember when thousands of excited fans would crowd enormous stages all across the country to watch their favorite musical artists perform? I barely do! But what I do remember is that music festivals have been a staple of culture in America ever since the Monterey International Pop Festival in 1969. Music festivals are known for being lavish, high-energy, and youthful… Woodstock is popularly known for hosting around 400,000 people and creating the trend of outrageous festivals around the country.
If you are a fan of music like myself and want to travel around the country visiting some of the most exciting music festivals in 2021 and 2022 this list is for you. Here are 6 places that are hosting thrilling festivals in the coming months!
Of course, it’s 2021 and large music festivals are not devoid of crowds and Covid risk. As always, please be vigilant about traveling in a manner that ensures keeping yourself and others safe, including getting vaccinated, keeping a safe distance, and using a mask where necessary.
1. Lollapalooza (Chicago, Illinois) July 29th-August 1st, 2021
Featuring popular artists such as Post Malone, Miley Cyrus, Jack Harlow, Lauv, Surfaces, and so many more incredible acts, Lollapalooza hosts around 400,000 people every year and is known to be one of the most popular annual music festivals in the world. Started in 1991 by Perry Ferrell, Lollapalooza has hosted some of musics biggest names such as Kanye West and Chance the Rapper.
Additionally, Lollapalooza has had many spin-off festivals in major countries around the world such as Israel, Germany, and Argentina so don’t worry if you are not able to make it to the United States. If you are hoping to attend the festival, make sure to act fast, as tickets are sold in the days following release!
2. Secret Stages Festival (Birmingham, Alabama) August 6th-7th, 2021
Why so secret? Well, this festival does not take place in a singular designated location… the around 60 bands that play perform at neighborhood establishments all located within two blocks. While walking from stage to stage, you will have the opportunity to visit local restaurants and shops that will give you a true taste of what Birmingham is truly like. The festival prides itself in bringing together up-and-coming acts that are close to making their big break so if you want to say you were a fan before they were big, The Secret Stages Festival is the place for you!
3. Telluride Jazz Festival (Telluride, Colorado) August 13th-15th, 2021
Most people visit Telluride for the incredible views, the feeling of isolation, and the skiing but every year the small town is filled with the sound of trumpets, saxophones, and clarinets for the annual Telluride Jazz Festival. Whether you visit Telluride for the Jazz or for the many other attractions, while you’re there make sure to visit the Telluride Mountain Village Gondola for incredible views as well as the many hiking trails and waterfalls. While the Telluride Jazz Festival is one of the more laid-back festivals on this list, the music will surely not disappoint!
4. Deep Tropics (Nashville, Tennessee) August 27th-28th, 2021
Only in its third year, Deep Tropics has already differentiated itself from other festivals. Stage designer Aaron Martin makes a massive effort to make the site artistic and by doing so, incites enthusiasm in guests. Deep Tropics is using music to bring people to the city of Nashville and they are succeeding! They have designed an experience that includes numerous off-site pre-parties, workshops, and meetups that give guests the opportunity to not only experience the music of Nashville, but also the culture, people, and places. Additionally, Deep House is committed to its goal of becoming the greenest music festival in the country. Deep Culture is an organization that has been created to provide experiences that will inspire change within the community and the greater planet. Pushing to make this change, Deep Tropics has declared they will achieve Net Positive status for energy and water at their event.
5. Adirondack Independence Festival (Lake George, New York) September 3rd-5th, 2021
As someone who has spent many summers on Lake George, I cannot recommend visiting the Adirondacks enough… and that's not even considering the music! Hosted at Charles R. Wood Park, the largest event hosted on Lake George, The Independence Festival, is a festival that features a handful of undiscovered bands that are on a festival tour. Inviting to kids of all ages, the festival’s key location gives guests the chance to experience a beautiful part of New York State. Whether a fan of water or land activities, visitors to the Lake George area are privy to the waters of the lake as well as the trails of the Adirondack Mountains. Morning hike with waterskiing in the evening? Sign me up!
6. iHeartRadio Festival (Las Vegas, Nevada) September 17th-18th, 2021
When in Vegas, there are too many options. What to do, where to go, and whether or not to hit on 16… of course. I’ll make it easy for you. If you are in Las Vegas on September 17th-18th, you would be wrong to miss the iHeartRadio Festival. This year, the lineup includes Addison Rae, Billie Eilish, Coldplay, Khalid, and Maroon 5 and is being hosted in the T-Mobile Arena: home to the Vegas Golden Knights.
While music festivals bring many artists to the same stage, there are ways to find stunning music in all of these cities and more cities across the country. Walking in the streets, going to concert halls, coffee shops, or local concerts, new, interesting music is everywhere just waiting for you to hear it! When you plan your Travel Map, make sure to consider music festivals and hot spots when picking and choosing!
