Festivus for the Rest of Us?
Some might argue the year’s best music festivals are already behind us, but this writer isn’t so convinced.
So you missed Coachella, skipped out on SXSW, and Bonnaroo just felt a little too mainstream for you this year. Well… good news! The music festival gods aren't done with us yet. There’s still time to sway barefoot in the grass, sing your heart out with strangers who feel like old friends, and make memories that linger long after the final encore.
Here are four standout festivals that haven't happened yet, and yes, your inner flower child still has a shot at glory!
Summerfest
📍 Milwaukee, Wisconsin
📅 June 26–28, July 3–5, and July 10–12, 2025
Three weekends. Eleven days. Hundreds of acts. And yes, cheese curds. Cheeseheads (and not) unite! Summerfest is the friendly Midwestern monster of music festivals. It is sprawling, affordable, and surprisingly stacked. Think of it as a county fair that ran off with your Spotify Discover Weekly playlist.
Why It’s a Standout:
It’s one of the largest music festivals on Earth, but it still feels chill. With a lakefront breeze, multiple stages, and a crowd that mixes teens in band tees with parents in cargo shorts, Summerfest is democratic in the best way. Plus: admission is actually reasonable, which is saying something in this economy.
Who’s Playing:
This year’s headliners include Blink-182, Tyler Childers, SZA, and Aerosmith. And that’s just scratching the surface. Bonus: tons of amazing acts perform for free with general admission, so you might stumble upon your new favorite band while looking for the beer tent.
Lollapalooza
📍 Chicago, Illinois (Grant Park)
📅 August 1–4, 2025
Duh. Lolla is the elder millennial of music festivals: seasoned, urban, and just trying to have a good time without ruining their sneakers. But don’t let its age fool you - this lineup still hits harder than a cold brew on Monday morning.
Why It’s a Standout:
With eight stages and over 170 bands across four days, Lolla is basically musical buffet-style gluttony. Also: it’s in downtown Chicago, so if you somehow get bored of world-class acts, you can go get deep-dish and pretend you’re cultured.
Who’s Playing:
Get your vocal cords ready for Dua Lipa, get indie with The 1975, and rage to Kendrick Lamar—all while trying to remember if your Airbnb has air conditioning.
Outside Lands
📍 San Francisco, California (Golden Gate Park)
📅 August 9–11, 2025
This is the festival for people who like their music with a side of truffle fries and boutique wine. Outside Lands is where music lovers and foodies collide, and yes, there’s a cheese tasting tent.
Why It’s a Standout:
It blends big-name acts with high-end eats, craft brews, and enough fog to make your Instagram stories look cinematic. Bonus: You can wear a hoodie at night and not feel like you’re failing festival fashion.
Who’s Playing:
Sing along with Tame Impala, dance like nobody’s watching at Charli XCX, and cry in a happy way to Phoebe Bridgers under a eucalyptus tree.
Austin City Limits
📍 Austin, Texas (Zilker Park)
📅 October 4–6 & 11–13, 2025
Can’t decide between two weekends? ACL’s got you. It’s a choose-your-own-adventure music festival right in the heart of the Live Music Capital of the World™. Also, tacos.
Why It’s a Standout:
You get two shots at musical redemption. With diverse acts across genres, killer food vendors, and a skyline view that feels like a hug from Texas, ACL is the fall fest that doesn’t fall short.
Who’s Playing:
Sway to Noah Kahan, bounce with Lizzo, and air-drum your soul out with Foo Fighters. Just don’t forget sunscreen (this is still Texas, after all).
In Conclusion: Your Couch Will Still Be There Later
Look, you’ve got the rest of the year to be responsible. But for now? Pack that fanny pack, charge your portable phone charger, and let loose at one of these epic festivals.
Your inbox can wait. Your soul cannot.
