Are you a foodie looking to quench your insatiable thirst for travel and excitement? Or a music buff who loves to explore different types of music? Consider planning a trip around a major festival event. Festivals have a way of bringing out the best in a city while giving people the perfect opportunity to explore and experience something new. Whether you enjoy the arts, culture or food, we’re certain that there’s a special event somewhere in the world for you. Here’s a look at 10 of the best festivals worth traveling for across the US.
| Name | Location | Description |
| Taste of Chicago | Grant Park, Chicago | From classic food trucks to Michelin-starred restaurants, there is no end to Chicago’s diverse culinary scene. So what better way to sample the cuisine than at the Taste of Chicago festival— the largest outdoor food festival in the US. Whether you’re looking for local “Chi-town” favorites like deep dish pizzas or signature culinary recipes, you’ll surely find it here. While the delicious food is the main focus, this five-day festival also features live music entertainment. Did we mention that admission is free? Admit it, this is the one stop shop for any food lover. |
| South by Southwest | Austin, Texas | When it comes to music festivals, the options are endless. But the SXSW festival is among the best. This festival spans 10 days, attracts some 70,000 attendees annually, and draws everyone from the world of music, film, and tech. Experience the industry’s biggest music festival with over 2,000 performances or discover the next SXSW Film with screenings of anticipated movies. Whatever you chose to do, SXSW promises that it will be a big celebration. |
| The Garagiste Festival | Paso Robles, California | Calling all wine connoisseurs. If you can tell the difference between a Chardonnay and Cabernet, consider heading to Paso Robles for this one-of-a-kind wine festival. The Garagiste festival spotlights California’s small-lot wine-makers by featuring vintage wines. Since 2011, the festival has been a hit and has since expanded throughout California. Deemed the best wine festival in 2018 by USA Today, this special event is one that can’t be missed. |
| Panorama Music Festival | Randall’s Island, NYC | Head out to Randall’s Island Park for a diverse showing of local and national music artists. You’ll find plenty of chart-topping musicians as well as delicious eats at this festival. Recent headliners include The Weeknd, Janet Jackson and The Killers. Try out one of the 30+ food vendors within the music fest and munch on your favorite foods while listening to your favorite tunes. With a wide variety of foods from NYC’s finest restaurants, Panorama is a musical and culinary playground. |
| New Orleans Bourbon Festival | New Orleans, LA | If you prefer Bourbon over scotch, then this two-day weekend festival in Louisiana is for you. The New Orleans Bourbon Festival is the perfect excuse to get educated while double fisting. It also features live jazz concerts, craft showcases and educational seminars hosted by families from long lines of Master Distillers. So there you have it. Pair your next New Orleans experience with a specialty bourbon at this festival. |
| Burning Man | Black Rock Desert, Nevada | Burning Man is unlike any other art festival. Once a year, tens of thousands of people head to Nevada’s desert to create a temporary city dedicated to community, art, and self-expression. Started by two artists in San Francisco in 1986, the weeklong event has become one of the most unique art festivals in the world. Experience six days of camping, art, food, music, outdoor activities, and of course parties— despite some dust storms. At the end, a 75-foot tall wooden man is set on fire (as the name suggest). |
| New York Film Festival | Lincoln Center, NYC | New York City has been the backdrop to many classic films. So it’s only right that NYC is home to the most iconic film festival. Since 1963, the New York festival has celebrated films, both old and new. More than 30 films are screened in 17 days at the Lincoln Center. Check out the Big Apple, mingle with celebrities and discover the best of the cinema at this iconic festival. |
| Los Angeles Food and Wine Festival | Grand Avenue, Miami | The Los Angeles Food & Wine Festival is a five-day event that showcasing the finest in food and cocktails in LA. Enjoy delectable foods, culinary demonstrations, first-rate wine, and spirit tastings, marquee events and more. Featuring an all-inclusive and diverse culinary experience, this festival is an extraordinary city wide event. |
| New Orleans Jazz Festival | New Orleans Fair Grounds, New Orleans | As the longest-running music festival in the US, Jazz Fest celebrates all forms of traditional and contemporary jazz. It showcases New Orleans local jazz talents alongside headline performers like Stevie Wonder, Neil Young, and the Red Hot Chili Peppers. In addition to some great music, this event is also known for serving up local Louisiana and international foods. Craft cocktails, crawfish, and exquisite New Orleans cuisine await you and your crew at Jazz Fest. |
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Grant Park has more to offer than just the Taste of Chicago Festival. Rock it out at Lollapalooza music festival with biggest names in music and indulge in delicious festival eats and treats from Chicago’s favorite restaurants. This best part is that you can bring your kids along to join in on the fun. This festival has features kid-friendly festival called Kidzapalooza. Parents and kids the opportunity to catch family-friendly music on its own stage while taking part in activities like skateboarding, music workshops, photo shoots, and kid-friendly performances. |
Cheat Sheet
Festivals around the nation feature all the best things to do, eat and experience. Plan your next vacation here and explore the best festivals worth traveling for in the US.
Alexa Noel is a freelance writer who holds a BA in English and Journalism from the University at Albany. Her work has been featured in print and digital publications around the world, including the Points Guy, Harlem Bee, News Cult and The Reporter Ethiopia.
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