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Festival lovers are getting ready to switch out their sweatpants for rave gear as big-name festivals slowly announce the long-awaited comeback after a concert-less year amidst the pandemic. While some ultra-popular festivals such as Coachella in Indio, Calif. won’t be returning until 2022, others such as Lollapalooza in Chicago, Rolling Loud in Miami, and Outside Lands in San Francisco, were postponed from their usual dates to the summer as the country reopens alongside increased vaccination rates.
Star-studded lineups are slowly populating social media feeds again, and it may be the biggest signal yet that things are getting back to normal. Check out this list for all the festivals officially slated for 2021, and how to buy your tickets before they sell out.
Rolling Loud Miami
Courtesy of Rolling Loud
Headliners: ASAP Rocky, Travis Scott, Post Malone
Where: Miami
When: July 23-25
Rolling Loud is considered the world’s largest hip-hop festival, and has put on epic events in music hubs such as Los Angeles, Portugal, Australia, New York and their home base Miami. Since their founding in 2015, they’ve become known for wild mosh pits and regular big-name headliners, such as Migos and Travis Scott. Look forward to performances from Rick Ross, Tyga, Lil Yachty, Fetty Wap, Gucci Mane and more in the year 2021.
Lollapalooza
Headliners: Foo Fighters, Post Malone, Tyler, the Creator, Miley Cyrus, DaBaby, Marshmello, Illenium, Megan Thee Stallion, Roddy Ricch and Journey… yes that Journey
Where: Chicago
When: July 29 – Aug.1
Lollapalooza is a huge source of Chicago pride, and their eight stages and interminable list of performers (170+) attracts music lovers from all around the world. Some festival-goers might say they come for the music, but stay for the food: the festival boasts itself as a “carnival” type fare, offering the Windy City’s most delicious eats in between sets. Past performances that live on in history include Kanye’s 2008 Redemption performance and Rage Against the Machine’s 1993 set.
Bonnaroo Music + Arts Festival
Headliners: Grand Ole Opry, Foo Fighters, Megan Thee Stallion, Lizzo, Tame Impala, Tyler, the Creator, Lana Del Rey
Where: Manchester, Tenn.
When: Sept. 2-5
Bonnaroo is a perfect petri dish of genres. Whether you like rap, indie, pop or all the above, there’s sure to be a way to curate the three-day weekend to your liking. But in addition to the bold-faced names hitting the stages, the Tennessee-based festival is packed with activities, from yoga and water coloring to the first ever 5k run.
Summerfest
Courtesy of Summerfest
Headliners: Jonas Brothers, Dave Matthews Band, Luke Bryan, Chris Stapleton, Chance the Rapper, Zac Brown Band, Miley Cyrus
Where: Milwaukee
When: Sept. 2-4, 9-11, 16-18
Milwaukee’s Summerfest is the world’s largest music festival that’s been running for more than forty years, yet you may never have heard of it. Unlike most three-day festivals, Summerfest is a three-weekend extravaganza, and has attracted big name performances by the likes of the Foo Fighters, Katy Perry and Kanye West over the years.
BottleRock Napa Valley
Courtesy of BottleRock Napa Valley
Headliners: Guns N’ Roses, Stevie Nicks, Foo Fighters, Miley Cyrus, Megan Thee Stallion, G-Eazy, Run, Jewels
Where: Napa Valley
When: Sept. 3-5
If you like wine, the heat and jean shorts, then you’re a shoo-in for BottleRock, which offers the best grapes from the surrounding wine country and an impressive slate of country and rock performers. This wildly beloved fest has played host to several greats from Stevie Wonder, Florence and the Machine to Primus.
Life is Beautiful
Courtesy of Life is Beautiful
Headliners: Tame Impala, Megan Thee Stallion, Glass Animals, Green Day, Haim, Illenium, Billie Eilish, ASAP Rocky, Young Thug
Where: Las Vegas
When: Sept. 17-19
Life is Beautiful isn’t your typical lineup. In addition to boasting big names such as Billie Eilish, Arctic Monkeys and Childish Gambino in past years, the stages also make room for entertaining sketch groups and stand-up comedians, such as Fred Armisen and Dave Chapelle for when you’re tired of dancing.
Treefort Music Fest
Courtesy of Treefort
Headliners: Japanese Breakfast, the Marias, Calexico
Where: Boise
When: Sept. 22-26
This one’s for the “I knew them before they became mainstream” crowd. Since their first event in 2012, Treefort has catered to the cult followings of a wide array of post-rock, bedroom pop and indie performers such as Toro y Moi, Mac DeMarco, and Japanese Breakfast.
The Governors Ball
Courtesy of The Governor’s Ball
Headliners: Billie Eilish, A$AP Rocky, Post Malone
Where: Queens, New York
When: Sept. 24-26
The West Coast may have made a name for itself as the festival mecca of the country, but it’s no surprise that New Yorkers have their own version on the other side of the pond. The Governors Ball, located on Governors Island in Queens, New York is celebrating their 10th anniversary this year, and might be the most well-known festival touching the Atlantic. It might be most comparable to Outside Lands and Coachella, with pop-stars such as Billie Eilish and ASAP Rocky hitting the four stages this year.
Austin City Limits
Courtesy of Austin City Limits Photo By Charles Reagan Hackleman/C3 Presents
Headliners: TBA
Where: Austin
When: Oct. 1-3, 8-10
Austin is having a moment right now, meaning their already-popular ACL festival is bound to sell out quickly once they go on sale May 20. While the 2021 lineup is yet to be announced, it can be expected to be a good one considering past headliners such as Robyn, Childish Gambino and Jay-Z. Plus, there’s an adorable mini kids-fest on the same grounds if you can’t get a babysitter for the weekend.
Outside Lands
Courtesy of Outside Lands
Headliners: Tame Impala, the Strokes, Tyler, the Creator, Vampire Weekend, J Balvin, Kehlani, Glass Animals, Zhu, Young Thug
Where: San Francisco
When: Oct. 29-31
Coachella, but make it windy. It’s hard to snag tickets for the coveted festival in the Bay, but you’re in for an action-packed weekend if you manage to get your hands on a wristband. Usually held in August, the Golden Gate fest was postponed to the fall this year to welcome back the lineup they had planned for 2020, including performers such as Lizzo, Tame Impala and Glass Animals. In addition to the music, though, festival-goers can also spend their time walking through the famous beer and wine gardens, and in true Bay Area fashion, there’s even a curated cannabis experience called Grasslands.
Voodoo Music + Arts Experience
Headliners: TBA
Where: New Orleans
When: Oct.20-31
Voodoo Fest is back in time for Halloween this year, bringing Louisianians (and visitors) their self-proclaimed musical “gumbo.” These musical sets cut a swath through every genre. While the lineup is yet to be announced, past performers include Guns N’ Roses, Post Malone and the Weeknd, among other bold-faced names. Plus, their immersive large-scale art installations and House of Blues Voodoo tour, make it an unparalleled festival experience.