The It List music festival guide: The biggest and best for summer 2024
Everything you need to know about this year’s summer music festivals — all in one place.
Welcome to The It List Summer Guide Edition, where we share staff picks for the best in entertainment as the weather gets warmer. Catch the weekly It List here for the latest releases that we can't wait to watch, stream, listen to, read and binge.
Grab some sunscreen and fire up those group texts: Music festival season has arrived. And from Coachella to Lollapalooza and everything in between, we have you covered.
Here’s everything you need to know about this year’s biggest and best music festivals, including ticket information, headliners, under-the-radar acts to see if you’re going and where to stream if you’re not — all in one place.
The Governors Ball
Now in its 14th year, this weekend's Governors Ball (or Gov Ball) is pulling out all the stops with over 60 bands on three stages for three days. It’s the event’s second iteration at Flushing Meadows Corona Park, which has plenty of room to move while you listen to a range of music from rock, electronic and hip-hop to indie, pop and folk.
??? When: June 7-9
?? Where: Flushing Meadows Corona Park, Queens, New York City
?? Headliners: Post Malone, the Killers, Sabrina Carpenter, Sza
??? Under-the-radar: Beach Fossils, TV Girl, Goth Babe
? Full lineup: Click here ??
?? Tickets: $150-$6,500
Bonnaroo Music & Arts Festival
For 20 years, hordes of music fans have made the trek to a 700-acre farm in Manchester, Tenn., for Bonnaroo, a summer music festival staple known for its consistently eclectic lineups. And this year's four-day festival features a little something for everyone, from Pretty Lights to Post Malone and Megan Thee Stallion to the Red Hot Chili Peppers.
??? When: June 13-16
?? Where: Manchester, Tenn.
?? Headliners: Post Malone, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Pretty Lights
??? Under-the-radar: Parcels, Neal Frances, the Heavy Heavy
? Full lineup: Click here ??
?? Tickets: $169-$4,155
Electric Forest
This whimsical festival is held in a forest, where you’ll be listening along with nearly 40,000 music lovers. Expect colorful costumes and stage designs that make you feel like you’re in a fairy tale.
??? When: June 20-23
?? Where: Rothbury, Mich.
?? Headliners: Ludacris, Pretty Lights, Everything Always
??? Under-the-radar: Whyte Fang, Le Youth, Slayyyter
? Full lineup: Click here ??
?? Tickets: $520-$10,360
Beyond Wonderland
If the gorgeous landscape doesn’t appeal to you, then the vibrant culture of this festival will. With multiple stages of electronic dance music artists that encompass a range of genres from house, trance, dubstep and ambient, festival goers will dive headfirst into Alice in Wonderland's storybook and discover multiple themed areas and stages inspired by the tale.
??? When: June 22-23
?? Where: Gorge Amphitheater, George, Wash.
?? Headliners: AC Slater, Alison Wonderland
??? Under-the-radar: Hyperfunk, Miss Dre, Rezz
? Full lineup: Click here ??
?? Tickets: $220-$372
Planet Pride
This celebration is an eclectic mix of music, art and fashion across three dynamic stages. Whether your beat is pop, house, techno drag or disco, there’s something for everyone here. Proceeds benefit Femme House, which champions equitable opportunities for LGBTQ individuals in the music scene.
??? When: June 29
?? Where: The Brooklyn Mirage, Brooklyn, New York City
?? Headliners: Duck Sauce, Ty Sunderland, Aluna
??? Under-the-radar: Anne Louise, House of Xtravaganza, Nina Flowers
? Full lineup: Click here ??
?? Tickets: $149-$399
Dreamland
Set in New York City's Central Park, Dreamland is back after its record-breaking debut in 2023. The event is about more than just music. “It's about forging a safe haven for our community to come together as one family, elevating our shared experiences to celebrate love in its purest form,” festival producer Jake Resnicow tells Yahoo Entertainment.
??? When: June 30
?? Where: Central Park, New York City
?? Headliner: John Summit
? Full lineup: Click here ??
?? Tickets: $179.99-$249.99
Wilco’s Solid Sound Festival
The Chicago-based rock band that helped pioneer the alt-country movement has been curating its multi-day Solid Sound festival on the campus of the MassMOCA art museum in North Adams, Mass., for more than a decade. This year's edition features Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit, Wilco frontman Jeff Tweedy & Friends and of course Wilco. That's in addition to art exhibitions, live painting, John Hodgman's "Comedy Cabaret" and a pop-up vinyl record fair.
??? When: June 28-30
?? Where: MassMOCA, North Adams, Mass.
?? Headliners: Wilco, Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit
??? Under-the-radar: Fenne Lily, Courtney Marie Andrews, Dry Cleaning
? Full lineup: Click here ??
?? Tickets: $299-$3,800
Willie Nelson’s Fourth of July Picnic
The singer-songwriter will bring his first Fourth of July Picnic to the aptly named Freedom Mortgage Pavilion in Camden, N.J., on Independence Day. And this year’s picnic — the first to be held outside Texas since 2009 — features a star-studded lineup that includes Bob Dylan, Robert Plant & Alison Krauss, Mavis Staples and Nelson’s Family Band.
??? When: July 4
?? Where: Freedom Mortgage Pavilion, Camden, N.J.
?? Headliners: Willie Nelson, Bob Dylan, Robert Plant & Alison Krauss, Mavis Staples
??? Under-the-radar: Celisse
? Full lineup: Click here ??
?? Tickets: $76-$314
Levitate Music and Arts Festival
If you want a family-friendly festival with a focus on community and environment, look no further than Levitate. Now in its 11th year, it’s an event designed for the whole family.
??? When: July 5-7
?? Where: Marshfield Fairgrounds, Marshfield, Mass.
?? Headliners: Mt. Joy, Lake Street Dive, Sublime
??? Under-the-radar: Neal Francis, Cory Wong
? Full lineup: Click here ??
?? Tickets: $40-$715
Minnesota Yacht Club
This inaugural festival takes place in the heart of downtown St. Paul, Minn. For two days, fans can enjoy acts like Alanis Morrisette and Gwen Stefani underneath the giant cottonwoods and along the Mississippi River. The best part is there are no overlapping sets among the 20 artists, so you never have to miss a thing.
??? When: July 19-20
?? Where: Harriet Island Regional Park, St. Paul, Minn.
?? Headliners: Red Hot Chili Peppers, Gwen Stefani, Alanis Morissette
??? Under-the-radar: Wilderado, Nico Vega
? Full lineup: Click here ??
?? Tickets: $135-$1,395
Grand Point North
The two-day music festival founded in 2011 by Vermont-born rocker Grace Potter last took place in 2019. It returns this year, with Grace Potter & the Nocturnals, the Flaming Lips (performing the 2002 album Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots in its entirety) and the Head and the Heart headlining the stage at Burlington's picturesque Waterfront Park.
??? When: July 25-28
?? Where: Waterfront Park, Burlington, Vt.
?? Headliners: Grace Potter & the Nocturnals, the Flaming Lips, the Head and the Heart
??? Under-the-radar: Phosphorescent
? Full lineup: Click here ??
?? Tickets: $60-$224
Newport Folk Festival
The festival has come a long way since 1965, when Bob Dylan performed a groundbreaking electric set to a booing audience. Now, Folk Fest’s fans expect the unexpected — even demand it — from a lineup that literally spans all genres, not just folk. Its fanbase is fiercely loyal: the Folk Festival sells out before artists are even announced.
??? When: July 26-28
?? Where: Fort Adams State Park, Newport, R.I.
?? Headliners: Black Pumas, Guster, Killer Mike (More TBA)
??? Under-the-radar: Mighty Poplar, Tinawiren
? Full lineup: Click here ??
?? Tickets: $118-$288
Newport Jazz Festival
Now in its 70th year, the Folk Festival’s older cousin has even more of storied a history, drawing genre-bending jazz, blues and rock artists to the picturesque Fort Adams State Park overlooking Newport Harbor. Few festivals can say they had Miles Davis, James Brown and Led Zeppelin on the same stage, but Newport can. And this year’s lineup is one of the best in recent memory.
??? When: Aug. 2-4
?? Where: Fort Adams State Park, Newport, R.I.
?? Headliners: André 3000, Nile Rodgers & Chic, Elvis Costello, Thievery Corporation, Brittany Howard
??? Under-the-radar: Makaya McCraven and Jeff Parker, Amaro Freitas, Dezron Douglas
? Full lineup: Click here ??
?? Tickets: $63-$1,256
Lollapalooza
There’s a reason why nearly 400,000 set out to Chicago for this four-day event. Now in its 20th year at Grant Park, the popular event has spawned several international versions.
??? When: Aug. 1-4
?? Where: Grant Park, Chicago
?? Headliners: The Killers, Blink-182, Tyler, the Creator, Skrillex
??? Under-the-radar: Cannons, Reneé Rapp, Whyte Fang
? Full lineup: Click here ??
?? Tickets: $149-$4,500
Pickathon
The annual four-day music festival on Pendarvis Farm in Happy Valley, Ore., just outside Portland, bills itself an experiential "musical discovery" event, featuring a variety of rising artists across a diverse array of genres. This year's edition is being headlined by Courtney Barnett and Bonnie "Prince" Billy.
??? When: Aug. 1-4
?? Where: Pendarvis Farm, Happy Valley, Ore.
?? Headliners: Courtney Barnett, Bonnie “Prince” Billy, Durand Jones
??? Under-the-radar: Jess Williamson, Daniel Villarreal
? Full lineup: Click here ??
?? Tickets: $180-$1,550
Outside Lands
Do you like music, wine and incredible food? You’ll fit right in at this three-day festival, held annually in San Francisco’s Golden Gate Park. The largest independently owned music festival in the U.S., expect to hear a range of music genres and to explore areas entirely devoted to activism and sustainability. It’s a true reflection of the Bay Area’s eclectic culture — and one you’ll likely never forget.
??? When: Aug. 9-11
?? Where: Golden Gate Park, San Francisco
?? Headliners: Tyler, The Creator, The Killers, Jungle, The Postal Service, Sturgill Simpson
??? Under-the-radar: The Lemon Twigs, Men I Trust, Sidepiece
? Full lineup: Click here ??
?? Tickets: $465-$5,095
Elements
Rediscover the elements at one of the Northeast’s most immersive camping festivals. You’ll find four major stages, aptly named “Earth,” known for its heavy bass; “Fire,” a fan favorite known for shooting giant flames in the sky; “Air,” a refuge for lovers of house music; and “Water,” a popular hangout during the daytime with colorful stages and eclectic dance floors.
??? When: Aug. 9-11
?? Where: Long Pond, Pa.
?? Headliners: Chris Lake, Cloonee, Excision
??? Under-the-radar: Bob Moses, Blond:ish
? Full lineup: Click here ??
?? Tickets: $309-$3,299
Mondegreen
Phish, the pioneers of the modern destination music festival, are back with Mondegreen, their 11th such gathering — and first since 2015’s Magnaball. The four-day event will take place at the Woodlands in Dover, Del., in mid-August, during what traditionally has been their summer tour. Expect plenty of jams, traffic and otherwise.
??? When: Aug. 15-18
?? Where: The Woodlands, Dover, Del.
?? Headliner: Phish
? More information: Click here ??
?? Tickets: $450-$9,850
Sea.Hear.Now Festival
The annual festival on the beach and boardwalk in Asbury Park, N.J., bills itself as a celebration of live music, art and surf culture with a focus on ocean sustainability and features a professional surfing competition in addition to big-name acts. This year's lineup includes Noah Kahan, the Black Crowes, Trey Anastasio and a little-known New Jersey singer-songwriter named Bruce Springsteen.
??? When: Sept. 14-15
?? Where: Asbury Park, N.J.
?? Headliners: Noah Kahan, Bruce Springsteen & the E Street Band, the Black Crowes, Trey Anastasio Band
??? Under-the-radar: Peaches, Action Bronson
? Full lineup: Click here ??
?? Tickets: $265-$9,900
Oceans Calling
In just its second year, the scenic send-off-to-summer weekend festival on Ocean City Boardwalk will feature 40 acts, led by headliners Blink-182, The Killers, Dave Matthews Band and a special set by Rockville, Md.’s own O.A.R. Beyond the music, Oceans Calling will also have live cooking demonstrations by celebrity chefs Robert Irvine, Amanda Freitag and Marc Murphy — and hosted by actor Jason Biggs.
??? September 27-29
?? Ocean City, Maryland
?? Headliners: Blink-182, The Killers, Dave Matthews Band
??? Under-the-radar: Mt. Joy
? Full lineup: Click here ??
?? Livestream:
?? Tickets: $299-$6,000
Country Calling
The inaugural offshoot of Oceans Calling will bring more than two dozen country music acts to the same Ocean City Boardwalk, with Jelly Roll, Tyler Childers, Lainey Wilson and Eric Church headlining the two-day event.
??? October 4-5
?? Ocean City, Maryland
?? Headliners: Jelly Roll, Tyler Childers, Lainey Wilson and Eric Church
??? Under-the-radar: Alana Springsteen
? Full lineup: Click here ??
?? Livestream:
?? Tickets: $155-$1,390
Austin City Limits
Like Coachella, Austin City Limits has grown to two weekends, showcasing hundreds of bands on various stages spread out across Austin’s Zilker Park. This year's headliners include Dua Lipa, Tyler, The Creator, Chris Stapleton, Sturgill Simpson and Blink-182.
??? October 4-6 and 11-13
?? Zilker Park, Austin, Texas
?? Headliners: Dua Lipa, Tyler, The Creator, Chris Stapleton, Sturgill Simpson, Blink-182, Khruangbin
??? Under-the-radar: Mannequin Pussy, Say She She, Caamp
? Full lineup: Click here ??
?? Tickets: $355-$5,670
