Who doesn’t love a music festival? But with so many events to choose from, where do you start? To narrow things down, we’ve put together our pick of the best music festivals in the US, with all the information you’ll need to get you there and back by private jet charter. 
The Best Music Festivals in the USA
Looking to make the most of the upcoming festival season? We’ve listed our top 13 music festivals in the USA, including Afropunk, Burning Man, Ultra, and many more. We’ve also gathered all the info you’ll need to plan a comfortable trip by private jet charter.
1. Ultra Music Festival
Named after the 1997 Depeche Mode album Ultra, the world’s premier electronic music festival features renowned DJs in one of the USA’s most beautiful cities.
When: Around late March
Where: Bayfront Park, Miami, has been its physical and spiritual home for several years, and after a stint at Virginia Key Beach Park in 2018, the festival is back at Bayfront Park.
Who: Some of the biggest names in electronic dance music have performed at this event. Past acts include Azealia Banks, Dave Guetta, Eric Prydz, The Black Eyed Peas, The Prodigy, and DJ Snake.
Plus: Ultra coincides with Miami Music Week, so you’ll find plenty of concerts and parties throughout the city.
Nearest airport: Fly by private jet to Miami International – it’s your most stylish option.
2. Coachella Valley Music & Arts Festival
The world’s most famous music festival, Coachella, is a trendsetter for both music and fashion. Packed with celebrities, it attracts the most high-profile acts (Beyoncé headlined in 2018).
When: April
Where: Empire Polo Club, Indio, California
Who: The festival has featured performers such as Beyoncé, Harry Styles, Red Hot Chilli Peppers, Billie Eilish, Carly Rae Jepson, Queens of the Stone Age, and many more.
Plus: Installation art, dance competitions, sculpture, solar-powered DJ booths, a camp lounge, and more.
Nearest airport: Make the most of your trip to one of the best music festivals out there by getting a private plane to Palm Springs International, 23 miles away.
3. New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival
Jazz Fest is an annual celebration of the music and culture of New Orleans and Louisiana and typically features blues, R&B, Cajun, folk, country, rock, rap, bluegrass, and, of course, plenty of jazz.
When: Around late May, early April
Where: Fair Grounds Race Course, New Orleans
Who: Performers in the past have included Stevie Wonder, Snoop Dogg, The Neville Brothers, The Radiators, and Maroon 5.
Plus: This festival is famous for its food. A strict screening process for food vendors means you can look forward to only the best crawfish beignets, alligator sausage sandwiches, Cajun jambalaya, jalapeno bread, oyster patties, and fried green tomatoes.
Nearest airport: Louis Armstrong New Orleans International will be packed with jazz lovers. Beat the crowds by flying to Gulfport-Biloxi or Baton Rouge on a private flight instead.
4. Shaky Knees Festival
This is a music festival dedicated to indie, folk, country, and rock that was launched in 2013 to fill the indie music gap left by other Atlanta music festivals such as Sweetwater 420 Fest and Music Midtown.
When: Around late May, early April
Where: Central Park, Atlanta, Georgia
Who: Green Day, Nine Inch Nails, The Lumineers, Edward Sharpe, Explosions in the Sky, and My Morning Jacket have played at this festival.
Plus: There are food trucks and bars inside the ticketed area, plus plenty of good eating and drinking at nearby Ponce City Market.
Nearest airport: Hartsfield Jackson Atlanta International gets you closest to the action.
5. Hangout Music Festival
A multi-genre music festival that delivers Coachella vibes on the beach, Hangout is the music vacation of your dreams.
When: Around the middle of May
Where: Gulf Shores, Alabama
Who: Artists who’ve performed at the Hangout Music Festival include Lana Del Rey, Mumford & Sons, Post Malone, Fall Out Boy, Kane Brown, Zedd, Maren Morris, Halsey, Doja Cat, Tame Impala, and many more.
Plus: There’s a roller disco, volleyball, DJs, and food.
Nearest airport: Pensacola International is 45 minutes away. When you book a charter flight, your dedicated account manager can arrange transport to and from the music festival.
6. Electric Daisy Carnival
Founded as a warehouse rave in an open field in Pacoima, Los Angeles, the flagship event now connects electronic dance music fans on and off the dance floor in Las Vegas every May.
When: Around the middle of May
Where: Las Vegas Motor Speedway, Las Vegas, Nevada (the flagship event)
Who: Past lineups have included Dombresky, Born Dirty, BIJOU, Liquid Stranger, DJ Marshemllo, Paul van Dyk, and a host of others.
Plus: Interactive art installations and thrilling rides – it’s a carnival, after all.
Nearest airport: North Las Vegas airport is close to downtown and the Las Vegas Strip.
7. Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival
Bonnaroo began as a festival dedicated to jam bands and folk-rock and continues to honor these roots, even though it now includes every musical genre you can think of. Named one of the “50 Moments That Changed Rock & Roll” by Rolling Stone in 2003, it remains a landmark on the summer music festival calendar.
When: Around the middle of June
Where: Great Stage Park, Manchester, Tennessee
Who: Past acts included Eminem, U2, Radiohead, Pearl Jam, Mumford and Sons, Metallica, and Bruce Springsteen.
Plus: Bonnaroo actively supports sustainability, so come ready to recycle.
Nearest airport: Most festival-goers who arrive by air fly to Nashville International, a 60-mile car ride from Manchester.
8. Pitchfork Music Festival
Alternative rock, hip hop, electronica, and dance music are on the menu at this thriving annual summer music festival, which these days also serves a side dish of hardcore punk, experimental rock, and jazz.
When: Around the middle of July
Where: Union Park, Chicago, Illinois
Who: Past events have featured the likes of Tame Impala, The Roots, Chance the Rapper, Ms. Lauryn Hill, Fleet Foxes, and The War on Drugs.
Plus: Non-musical attractions include food and beverages, a record fair, craft fair, and poster show.
Nearest airport: Union Park sits almost exactly between Chicago O’Hare International and Chicago Midway International, so take your pick.
9. Mo Pop Festival
Set in a 20-acre green oasis on the Detroit riverfront, Mo Pop is an indie-rock, pop, and hip-hop showcase for both emerging and established performers. Smaller than Coachella and Lollapalooza, it makes up in free spirit for what it lacks in size.
When: Around late July
Where: West Riverfront Park, Detroit, Michigan
Who: Past acts include Billie Eillish, Chromeo, Modest Mouse, Passion Pit, Iron & Wine, Alt-J, Run The Jewels, Solange, Phantogram, Vance Joy, and Foster the People.
Plus: In addition to the on-stage action, Mo Pop features four “villages” – Mo Arcade, Food Truck Rally Alley, Craft Bazaar, and the Shipyard, a beer garden.
Nearest airport: Windsor International Airport, 9 miles from the city center, puts you right near the action.
10. Lollapalooza
Once a touring festival, Lollapalooza found a home at Chicago’s Grant Park in 2005, where tickets to this annual line-up of alternative rock, heavy metal, punk rock, and hip-hop typically sell out in a day.
When: Around late July, early August
Where: Grant Park, Chicago, Illinois
Who: Foo Fighters, Metallica, Miley Cyrus, Sonic Youth, Lupe Fiasco, and The Strokes are among some of the acts to perform at this festival.
Plus: Dance and comedy performances, and craft booths. Family-friendly Kidzapalooza, held at the same venue, offers free entry for music fans aged ten and under.
Nearest airport: Fly to Chicago O’Hare International or Chicago Midway International and book ahead for special rates on airport transfers for Lolla attendees.
11. Burning Man
More than a festival, Burning Man is a community and art experiment that offers a personal transformative experience. Held at a temporary city in the Black Rock Desert, the rules are: collaborate, create, connect, and clean up after yourself.
When: Around late August, early September
Where: Black Rock City, about 100 miles north/northeast of Reno, Nevada.
Who: Who’s in the line-up? You are! Burning Man doesn’t provide entertainment. Instead, it invites all forms of creative expression by participants.
Plus: A variety of art, activities, and events. Every year’s festival has a theme.
Nearest airport: It’s a three-hour bus ride on the Burner Express from Reno-Tahoe International Airport.
12. Afropunk Festival
Not your run-of-the-mill festival, Afropunk Brooklyn is an annual outdoor summer music and culture celebration that promotes multiculturalism. Other locations include Atlanta, Paris, London, and Johannesburg.
When: August
Where: Commodore Barry Park, Brooklyn, NYC
Who: Despite having its roots in political punk music, the event has hosted artists such as MIA, Ice Cube, and Tyler the Creator.
Plus: Expect food trucks, live art, and a craft market.
Nearest airport: LaGuardia is 16 miles away in Northern Queens.
13. Austin City Limits Music Festival
From the producers of Lollapalooza, Austin City Limits features eight stages and over 130 bands from genres including rock, indie, folk, electronic, and hip-hop during two consecutive weekends of glorious music.
When: Around early October
Where: Zilker Metropolitan Park, Austin, Texas
Who: Artists who’ve performed at this event include Arctic Monkeys, Depeche Mode, Guns N’ Roses, Arcade Fire, and more.
Plus: A craft beer tent and football games on the big screen.
Nearest airport: The fun starts at Austin Bergstrom, with live music at the baggage carousel.
Hire a private jet charter to reach your favorite musical festival
Planning your festival highlights for the year ahead? To reach any of these vacation destinations, why not charter a private jet for a comfortable flight that gets you there in style? Contact us for more information or to discuss private jet costs. For more information about our featured destinations, use our destination guide.