Summer is almost here, which can only mean one thing: music festival season is upon us.
Picking a festival (or two) to spend the weekend at can be difficult, so we gathered a list of the best fests in the Midwest and their headliners to help make your decision a bit easier. Grab your map and road trip pals, stock up on sunscreen, and get ready to party all summer long.
By Olivia Kremer
JESA, Okey Dokey, Salt Petal
Location: Indianapolis, IN
Dates: May 8-12
Camping: No
Kick off festival season with something local! Virginia Avenue Music Fest brings all of Indianapolis together for five days of celebrating local music, businesses, and art. This fest is FREE, which gives you more change in your pocket to support the local businesses around Fountain Square during the festival.
Foo Fighters, System of a Down, Disturbed
Location: Columbus, OH
Dates: May 17-19
Distance from Indy: 178 miles (2 hours 40 min)
Camping: Yes!
From the same people that brought you Rock on the Range, Sonic Temple is Columbus’s newest festival. Its inaugural year brings a solid rock lineup to the Midwest, in addition to live mural painting and immersive art installations around the festival grounds.
Headliners: Skrillex, Alesso, Illenium, Chris Lake
Location: Indianapolis, IN
Dates: May 26
Camping: No
Indy 500 weekend wouldn’t be complete without the Snake Pit. The best party of the weekend brings the top EDM artists from around the world to Turn 3 of Indianapolis Motor Speedway. If you’re in town for the 500, don’t miss out on this fest!
Fall Out Boy, Greta Van Fleet, The 1975
Location: Cincinnati, OH
Dates: May 31-June 2
Distance from Indy: 113 miles (1 hour 50 min)
Camping: No
Looking for your next favorite band? Bunbury probably booked them. With great headliners and a lineup full of up-and-coming talent, this indie rock festival out of Cincinnati is a must-do for anyone who wants to hop on the trend early and see incredible new talent before they blow up.
Carrie Underwood, Luke Bryan, Tim McGraw, Miranda Lambert
Location: Nashville, TN
Dates: June 6-9
Distance from Indy: 288 miles (4 hours 25 min)
Camping: No
Country fans won’t want to miss CMA Fest, the longest-running Country music festival in the world. With multiple free stages across Downtown Nashville, this fest is perfect for anyone who doesn’t want to break the bank, but still wants to have a weekend full of great music.
Emery, Hawthorne Heights, Simple Plan, We the Kings
Location: Cleveland, OH
Dates: June 8
Distance from Indy: 319 miles (4 hours 45 min)
Camping: No
Celebrating its 25th anniversary and the end of an era, Warped Tour is back for a few special shows this summer. The closest date to Indy is in Cleveland, and they’re bringing some of your favorite artists from your emo phase. Ohio is for (pop punk) lovers, after all.
Grand Ole Opry, Phish, Childish Gambino, Post Malone, Odesza
Location: Manchester, TN
Dates: June 13-16
Distance from Indy: 351 miles (5 hours 35 min)
Camping: Yes!
High fives and good vibes are around all weekend at Bonnaroo. Camping, late nights, and surprise sets are just the start of this iconic summer festival. A diverse lineup and an experience like no other awaits the tens of thousands of Bonnaroovians who will descend upon Tennessee in June.
Odesza, Kygo, Bassnectar, Zeds Dead, The String Cheese Incident
Location: Rothbury, MI
Dates: June 27-30
Distance from Indy: 295 miles (4 hours 40 min)
Camping: Yes!
With a diverse lineup of EDM, jam bands, and up-and-coming indie rock, Electric Forest has been giving music fans since 2011. The true star of this festival, though, is the forest, which comes to life at night with lights, art installations, and more.
Thomas Rhett, Willie Nelson & Family, Jason Aldean, Zac Brown Band, Lionel Richie, Jennifer Lopez, Ozzy Osbourne, The Killers
Location: Milwaukee, WI
Dates: June 26-30 | July 2-7
Distance from Indy: 480 miles (4 hours 25 min)
Camping: No
As one of the longest running music festivals, Summerfest needs to be on your festival bucket list. From indie rock classics to country legends, there’s truly something for everyone and their mother in Milwaukee this summer.
The Killers, Anderson .Paak & The Free Nationals, The Avett Brothers
Location: Louisville, KY
Dates: July 12-14
Distance from Indy: 114 miles (1 hour 50 min)
Camping: No
Set sail for an unforgettable weekend on the banks of the Ohio River in Louisville. Forecastle celebrates all things Kentucky, highlighting the state’s bourbon, beer, and cuisine. And you’ll get to scream along to Mr. Brightside with thousands of your closest friends– how could it get any better?
HAIM, The Isley Brothers, Robyn
Location: Chicago, IL
Dates: July 19-21
Distance from Indy: 182 miles (2 hours 50 min)
Camping: No
Emerging artists + Union Park + local vendors = Pitchfork Music Festival. For the past 16 years this fest has been a Chicago staple, keeping everyone in the know about who’s new and next. With a killer lineup of familiar names and new faces, Pitchfork is definitely a top pick for this year’s festival season.
Maxwell, Mary J Blige
Location: Cincinnati, OH
Dates: July 25-27
Distance from Indy: 112 miles (1 hour 45 min)
Camping: No
R&B, soul, and jazz will take over Cincinnati in July as a part of the Cincinnati Music Festival. Going strong since 1962, Cincinnati Music Festival is carrying on its long legacy of bringing top jazz artists to the Queen City.
Tame Impala, Vampire Weekend
Location: Detroit, MI
Dates: July 27-28
Distance from Indy: 284 miles (4 hours 20 min)
Camping: No
The home of Motown music is bringing pop and rock back to Motor City this summer. Mo Pop’s lineup is full of current staples and hidden gems waiting to be uncovered, and at just over $100 for weekend passes, the price can’t be beat.
Ariana Grande, Childish Gambino, twenty one pilots, The Strokes, Tame Impala, Flume, The Chainsmokers, J Balvin
Location: Chicago, IL
Dates: August 1-4
Distance from Indy: 182 miles (2 hours 50 min)
Camping: No
Bringing the best of the best to the Midwest, this year’s Lollapalooza lineup is stacked with all of your favorites. Up and coming artists will grace the stage alongside the biggest names in pop, making this year’s Lolla one you won’t want to miss.
TBA
Location: Chicago, IL
Dates: September 13-15
Distance from Indy: 184 miles (3 hours 10 min)
Camping: No
15 years in and Riot Fest is still one of the best festivals for rock, punk, and hip hop fans. Held at Douglas Park in Chicago and themed as a carnival, the festival’s five stages feature over 80 acts throughout the weekend. There’s only one rule you’ll need to remember– no crying at Riot Fest.
Foo Fighters, The Killers, Keith Urban
Location: Franklin, TN
Dates: September 21-22
Distance from Indy: 307 miles (4 hours 40 min)
Camping: No
After a rain-out in 2018, Pilgrimage Music and Arts Festival is back and stronger than ever. The festival grounds are within walking distance from Downtown Franklin, a town just outside of Nashville. With a focus on bringing an authentic experience to guests, this festival is carefully curated to give fans the best experience possible.
Foo Fighters, Robert Plant and the Sensational Shape Shifters, Zac Brown Band
Location: Louisville, KY
Dates: September 20-22
Distance from Indy: 114 miles (1 hour 50 min)
Camping: Yes!
Bourbon & Beyond is a culinary fan’s dream festival. With a backdrop of classic festival acts, round out your weekend in Louisville with plenty of bourbon and culinary presentations, featuring local restaurateurs and Top Chef stars.
