When: August 1-4
Where: Chicago, IL
More Info: Here

Lolla is one of the biggest music festivals on the planet. And the fact that you can just say “Lolla” is all of the evidence you need. Since Perry Farrell of Jane’s Addiction started the fest in 1991, it has become a huge event with editions taking place all over the globe. But its roots still remain firmly planted in Chicago.

The festival heads back to Grant Park for another four days of fun. It boasts quite the eclectic lineup, as it has tended to do in recent years, straying slightly away from its alternative rock origins and more toward something that caters to a wider swath of people. This year’s headliners feature Megan Thee Stallion, Hozier, Blink-182, SZA, The Killers, Future and Metro Boomin, Melanie Martinez, and Stray Kids. Chappell Roan will be performing, too, and she may as well be a headliner herself if recent crowds are any reliable metric.

When: August 2-4
Where: St. Charles, IA
More Info: Here

Iowa often gets a bad rap as a result of being the butt of many jokes. But, like many different parts of the country, there is beauty to be found anywhere, including in rural Iowa. Although St. Charles is technically a part of the Des Moines metropolitan area, its natural setting feels like the perfect environment for a festival called Hinterland. Even in the putative “middle of nowhere,” there is fun to be had and memories to be made.

Taking place at the Avenue of the Saints Amphitheater, the Hinterland Music Festival will bring plenty of big names and up-and-coming artists to Iowa during the first weekend of August. For this year’s headliners, there’s Hozier, Vampire Weekend, and Noah Kahan, plus a strong undercard that features Chappell Roan, Orville Peck, Ethel Cain, Katy Kirby, Palehound, and Model/Actriz.

When: August 3-4
Where: Los Angeles, CA
More Info: Here

Hard Summer is a festival name that is simple but to the point. It will take place during the summer. And it will also, to put it in simple terms, go hard. Hollywood Park, right near SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California, will be host to the festival, and fans of electronic dance music won’t want to miss it.

On Saturday, the top billing features artists such as Disclosure, Jamie xx, Rezzmau5, Zeds Dead, Cloonee, and Mochakk. Sunday’s biggest names include Fisher, Chris Lake, Major Lazer, Subtronics, Tchami x Malaa, and a DJ set from the duo Sofi Tukker. Other highlights on the poster are Overmono, Boys Noize, Kenny Beats, Channel Tres, and Dillon Francis. Judging from the itinerary, the party won’t stop for 48 whole hours.

When: August 6-10
Where: Oslo, Norway
More Info: Here

Celebrating 25 years is a big milestone for any music festival. This year, Oya Festival commemorates a quarter of a century of existence. As such, an anniversary concert will open the festival, and, according to the fest’s website, nine well-known guest vocalists will sing with Orions Belte as an ad hoc backing band.

The artists on the proper festival poster are also noteworthy. For a 25th anniversary celebration, it would only make sense to snag a wide range of impressive names. The headliners for 2024’s edition include Pulp, Janelle Monáe, Jack White, PJ Harvey, Air, The National, André 3000, Arca, and more. Also performing will be Big Thief, The Kills, Sampha, Slowdive, Vince Staples, and plenty of others. Like it does every year without fail, Oya is going big.

When: August 7-12
Where: Budapest, Hungary
More Info: Here

Since it first started in 1993, Sziget Festival, located in Budapest, Hungary, has become one of the largest music festivals in all of Europe. As of 2019, the fest had reported that over half a million total attendees had come to Sziget. Held at Óbudai Island, a 108-hectare mass on the Danube River with a capacity of 92,000 people, the festival’s immense scale rings loud and clear.

As far as the music itself goes, festival attendees can catch a wide variety of artists. Headliners include Fred Again.., Sam Smith, Halsey, Janelle Monáe, Liam Gallagher, Kylie, Skrillex, Martin Garrix, and Stormzy. Plus, there’s Bebe Rexha, Fisher, Louis Tomlinson, and Raye holding down the second line. Other performers include Big Thief, Yves Tumor, Four Tet, Fontaines D.C., Overmono, Nia Archives, and more.

When: August 9-11
Where: San Francisco, CA
More Info: Here

There are so many music festivals these days that it can be difficult to stand out from the pack. For Outside Lands, however, that isn’t an issue. Not only does it have a great roster featuring artists of all kinds, but there are also plenty of experiences to partake in. There’s Dolores’, a dance club in the Polo Field; there’s City Hall, where you can literally get married; and SOMA, an open-air venue where house and techno music reign supreme all night.

And as far as the music lineup itself is concerned, it is absolutely stacked. For this year’s headliners, attendees can catch acts like Sabrina Carpenter, The Killers, and Sturgill Simpson. The undercard includes exciting artists such as Post Malone, Chappell Roan, The Postal Service, Kaytranada, Grace Jones, ScHoolboy Q, Slowdive, Billy Woods, Romy, Sofia Kourtesis, and plenty more.

When: August 9-11
Where: Rosarito, Baja, Mexico
More Info: Here

Reggaetón is bigger than it has ever been. The subgenre has always had a massive, devoted following, but now it is firmly rooted in the global zeitgeist. So it only makes sense to have a music festival that’s focused specifically on it. Baja Beach Fest, a music festival centered on reggaetón and various other Latin subgenres, will return to Rosarito Beach in Mexico for its sixth iteration.

The festival lineup boasts some of the biggest names in reggaetón and other Latin subgenres on its poster. Rauw Alejandro, Peso Pluma, and Fuerza Regida are this year’s headliners, plus there’s what the fest has billed as a “Sunday special performance” by Kali Uchis, fresh off her excellent new album Orquídeas. In addition to these names, fans can catch sets from Becky G, Xavi, Yandel, Nengo Flow, Mora, Piso 21, and plenty of others.

When: August 9-11
Where: Carnation, WA
More Info: Here

It’s not the most SEO-friendly of festival names, but it’s one that sticks out, and that’s all you really need to be a successful festival in 2024. Thing Festival, which takes place in the delightfully named Carnation, Washington, is held at Remlinger Farms and grants children 12 and under free admission. Festival passes also include admission to an amusement park and petting zoo located on farm property. There’s even a paper-lantern-making class and a lantern parade every night.

The free admission for children is a huge bonus, especially if they have good taste in music. This year, the main headliners are St. Vincent, Toro Y Moi, and Black Pumas, and the undercard includes standout names like Spoon, Ethel Cain, Earl Sweatshirt, Killer Mike, Militarie Gun, Sofia Kourtesis, and Ratboys, among many others.

When: August 9-11
Where: Helsinki, Finland
More Info: Here

A power plant seems like an unlikely setting for a music festival. But Flow Festival, located in Helsinki, Finland, makes it all miraculously work. Despite its industrial setting, Flow is bringing back Flow Talks, presentations featuring guest speakers and moderators who will discuss important topics such as sustainable development and nature-inspired technology. Other subjects include journalism in a live format and artificial intelligence in creative fields.

Aside from Flow Talks, there is the music itself. Headliners include Halsey, Janelle Monáe, Raye, and Idles. There’s a strong undercard, too, which features Vince Staples, Amaarae, Blonde Redhead, Miriam Bryant, Arooj Aftab, and so much more. Whether you’re into chart-topping pop, Afrobeats, hip-hop, or EDM, Flow Festival has something for you to enjoy.

When: August 16-24
Where: London, UK
More Info: Here

Held every year over the course of two weekends in London’s Victoria Park, All Points East is back for another round of unforgettable live music. There’s one festival weekend and four days of free, self-described “In the Neighbourhood” community-focused activities, including theater performances, sports, and various workshops. Of course, there are also three different headline sets that are a part of the All Points East Presents series.

Speaking of the three headliners, 2024’s edition features Mitski, Kaytranada, and Loyle Carner. Other artists on this year’s bill include Tems, Nas, Beabadoobee, André 3000, Victoria Monét, Ethel Cain, Men I Trust, Arlo Parks, Lianne La Havas, Flying Lotus, Amaarae, Channel Tres, Suki Waterhouse, Thundercat, Sir Chloe, and plenty more. All Points East, once again, points to all kinds of fun.

When: August 22-25
Where: Paris, France
More Info: Here

The Parc de Saint-Cloud, located just west of Paris, is a gorgeous, breathtaking environment. It even includes a garden designed by the legendary landscape architect André Le Nôtre, who was the principal gardener of King Louis XIV. A music festival held in such a space sounds nothing short of wonderful, and that’s why Rock En Seine is back for another go-around with a wide-ranging lineup in tow.

Headliners for this year’s iteration include Lana Del Rey, Fred Again.., LCD Soundsystem, Måneskin, Massive Attack, Pixies, PJ Harvey, and The Offspring. Some of the other standout names on the festival poster are Sampha, Blonde Redhead, Soulwax, Jungle, Yves Tumor, The Hives, The Kills, Frank Carter & the Rattlesnakes, and plenty of other well-known performers.

When: August 31-September 1
Where: Seattle, WA
More Info: Here

As one of the longest-running independent music festivals across the globe, Bumbershoot Arts and Music Festival has repeatedly delivered on its reputation. Taking place over Labor Day weekend, the Seattle festival will be home to yet another stellar lineup that will appeal to music fans of all stripes. The Pacific Northwest, and Seattle in particular, is known for harboring plenty of indie rock talent, and Bumbershoot pays homage to that legacy while making room for other types of artists, as well.

For example, this year’s top billing includes names like Pavement, James Blake, Cypress Hill, Marc Rebillet, Freddie Gibbs, Courtney Barnett, Thee Sacred Souls, Carl Cox, Kim Gordon, Kurt Vile & the Violators, Aly & AJ, Badbadnotgood, and St. Paul and the Broken Bones, among many others. This marks Bumbershoot’s 51st edition, so it has been going strong for over half a century now. Here’s to another one for the books.