When: Dec. 3-4
Where: Phoenix, AZ

There are a few ways that a new festival can enter into the fest circuit fold and Zona Music Fest is doing it in grassroots fashion with choice talent to boot. Taking place at beautiful Margaret T. Hance Park in the heart of Downtown Phoenix, Zona’s headlining acts include Beach House, Bleachers, Portugal The Man, Tegan and Sara, and Japanese Breakfast.

Each of the four stages will be named by fans as Zona looks to incorporate community participation. A joint effort between Phoenix promoter Psyko Steve and local nonprofit Downtown Phoenix, Inc, Zona of course also shines a light on homegrown acts like Black Carl, Sydney Sprague, Playboy Manbaby, Glixen, and Miniature Tigers. Meanwhile, $1 from each ticket sold will be donated to a local charity.

When: Dec. 3-4
Where: Jakarta, Indonesia

The 88rising label and media company has cemented itself as the influential force for the groundswell of Asian-American and Asian artists in America. Its Head In The Clouds festival in Los Angeles has grown tremendously since beginning in 2018 as a grand showcase for the artists in and around the 88rising universe. Now for 2022, the fest is expanding into the most logical of places: Asia.

The first ever Head In The Clouds fest in Jakarta, Indonesia takes place at Community Park Pik2 near Jakarta Bay. The lineup features a who’s who of 88rising’s best and more, including Jackson Wang, Niki, Joji, and Rich Brian. Kaskade is also billed as a special guest, further raising the profile of the event.

And Head In The Clouds isn’t limiting its expansion to just Indonesia. The festival will also come to the Philippines with the inaugural Manila edition the following weekend on December 9th and 10th, with a similar lineup and Zedd as the special guest.

When: Dec. 3-4
Where: Fort Lauderdale, FL

With over 230 radio stations across America, Audacy is the second-largest radio company in the country. Suffice it to say, they have some serious clout when it comes to alt-radio programming and Audacy Beach Festival on Fort Lauderdale Beach will sound like the dial has come alive on the shore.

Muse, Jack White, Machine Gun Kelly, and The 1975 are the headliners across Audacy Beach Fest’s two stages, with marquee acts like Phoenix, Jimmy Eat World, and Dashboard Confessional joining them on the bill. Summer might be over, but not in Florida. So don’t forget to pack your sunscreen for this one.

When: Dec. 9
Where: New York City

New York’s Z100 is one of the most listened to pop and Top 40 radio stations in the country and its Jingle Ball holiday-themed concert-palooza has been happening for over two decades. Jingle Ball is much more than an NYC property these days, as it tours the country in a series of concerts in major metropolitan areas where iheartradio’s other Top 40 stations hold court.

Jingle Ball 2022 will be happening at New York City’s storied Madison Square Garden. And the lineup? Only the most notable hitmakers in the world: Lizzo, Dua Lipa, Charlie Puth, The Kid Laroi, and more. Even the Backstreet Boys will be performing some of their all-time #hits for good measure.

When: Dec. 10-11
Where: Los Angeles, CA

Coming to LA’s State Historic Park, LA3C is a brand new festival for 2022 put on by Rolling Stone and Variety publisher, Penske Media. When it was first announced, headliners Megan Thee Stallion and Snoop Dogg brought the big-name punch, but it wasn’t until artists like Colombian singer Maluma, K-Pop group Seventeen, and Regional Mexican music star Gerardo Ortiz were announced, that we started to get a better sense for the vision on LA3C.

The festival wants to capture the musical diversity that emanates from the City of Angels, along with the food and artwork that round out its distinct cultural identity. So expect celebrity chefs, local artists, and local businesses incorporated into the mix along with that alluring lineup.

When: Dec. 29-30
Where: Accra, Ghana

Afrobeats music has exploded in recent years, turning Africa’s biggest musical artists into world-sweeping stars. Touting itself as “By the culture, for the culture,” Afro Nation Ghana captures a vast cross-section of that talent for a festival that takes place at Marine Drive at Black Star Square — adjacent to where Ghana’s independence was proclaimed.

Davido and P-Square, along with a just-announced Meek Mill, are headlining the pre-New Year’s Eve two-day festival. Joining them on the bill are Stonebwoy, Ckay, Rema, Dadju, and more. Afro Nation had its flagship Portugal edition this summer too, and incredibly, organizers have transported the same main stage to Accra for the December fest. European crews are training local crews to build and operate the stage and the fest aims to be fully operated by an autonomous West African team by 2025.