The Best Rock Festivals in the USA

Summer in the USA means one thing for music lovers: festival season!

🎸 The Ultimate Guide to the Best Rock Festivals in the USA 🎸

Rock music fans have plenty of options when it comes to festivals in the United States. From classic rock to heavy metal, there is a festival for every taste.

Here are our top picks for the best rock festivals in the USA. Don’t forget to pack your sunscreen and earplugs!

1. 🤘 Lollapalooza 🤘

Lollapalooza is one of the biggest and most popular music festivals in the world, attracting more than 400,000 attendees each year. The festival takes place in Chicago’s Grant Park and features a diverse lineup of rock, pop, hip-hop, and electronic acts.

When and Where:

Lollapalooza takes place every year in August at Grant Park in Chicago, Illinois.

Lineup:

The lineup for Lollapalooza is always diverse and includes a mix of popular and up-and-coming rock acts. In the past, performers have included The Red Hot Chili Peppers, Pearl Jam, The Strokes, and Foo Fighters.

Tickets:

Tickets for Lollapalooza can sell out quickly, so it’s recommended to buy them early. General admission passes start at $340 for a four-day pass.

2. 🤘 Coachella 🤘

Coachella is one of the most iconic music festivals in the USA, known for its trendy fashion and celebrity sightings. The festival takes place over two weekends in the Southern California desert and features a diverse lineup of rock, pop, and electronic artists.

When and Where:

Coachella takes place every April over two weekends in Indio, California.

Lineup:

The lineup for Coachella includes a mix of popular and up-and-coming rock acts, with past performers including Radiohead, Guns N’ Roses, and AC/DC.

Tickets:

Tickets for Coachella sell out quickly, so it’s recommended to buy them early. General admission passes start at $429 for a three-day pass.

3. 🤘 Bonnaroo 🤘

Bonnaroo is a four-day music festival that takes place on a 700-acre farm in Manchester, Tennessee. The festival features a diverse lineup of rock, hip hop, and electronic artists, as well as comedy acts and art installations.

When and Where:

Bonnaroo takes place every June on a farm in Manchester, Tennessee.

Lineup:

The lineup for Bonnaroo features a mix of popular and up-and-coming rock bands, with past performers including Phish, The Black Keys, and Jack White.

Tickets:

Tickets for Bonnaroo start at $339 for a four-day pass.

4. 🤘 Austin City Limits 🤘

Austin City Limits is a two-weekend music festival that takes place in Austin, Texas. The festival features a diverse lineup of rock, hip hop, and electronic artists, as well as local food vendors and art installations.

When and Where:

Austin City Limits takes place over two weekends in October at Zilker Park in Austin, Texas.

Lineup:

The lineup for Austin City Limits includes a mix of popular and up-and-coming rock acts, with past performers including Paul McCartney, Metallica, and The Cure.

Tickets:

Tickets for Austin City Limits start at $255 for a three-day pass.

5. 🤘 Rock on the Range 🤘

Rock on the Range is a three-day rock festival that takes place in Columbus, Ohio. The festival features a lineup of heavy metal and hard rock bands.

When and Where:

Rock on the Range takes place every May in Columbus, Ohio.

Lineup:

The lineup for Rock on the Range features a mix of heavy metal and hard rock bands, with past performers including Metallica, Avenged Sevenfold, and Slipknot.

Tickets:

Tickets for Rock on the Range start at $229 for a three-day pass.

6. 🤘 Carolina Rebellion 🤘

Carolina Rebellion is a three-day rock festival that takes place in Charlotte, North Carolina. The festival features a lineup of hard rock and heavy metal bands.

When and Where:

Carolina Rebellion takes place every May at the Charlotte Motor Speedway in Charlotte, North Carolina.

Lineup:

The lineup for Carolina Rebellion features a mix of hard rock and heavy metal bands, with past performers including Alice in Chains, Soundgarden, and Korn.

Tickets:

Tickets for Carolina Rebellion start at $159.50 for a three-day pass.

7. 🤘 Rocklahoma 🤘

Rocklahoma is a three-day rock festival that takes place in Pryor, Oklahoma. The festival features a lineup of classic rock and hard rock bands.

When and Where:

Rocklahoma takes place every May in Pryor, Oklahoma.

Lineup:

The lineup for Rocklahoma features a mix of classic rock and hard rock bands, with past performers including Def Leppard, Poison, and Godsmack.

Tickets:

Tickets for Rocklahoma start at $149 for a three-day pass.

8. 🤘 Louder Than Life 🤘

Louder Than Life is a three-day rock festival that takes place in Louisville, Kentucky. The festival features a lineup of hard rock and heavy metal bands, as well as bourbon tastings and food vendors.

When and Where:

Louder Than Life takes place every September at Champions Park in Louisville, Kentucky.

Lineup:

The lineup for Louder Than Life features a mix of hard rock and heavy metal bands, with past performers including Ozzy Osbourne, Prophets of Rage, and Stone Sour.

Tickets:

Tickets for Louder Than Life start at $129.50 for a three-day pass.

9. 🤘 Voodoo Music + Arts Experience 🤘

The Voodoo Music + Arts Experience is a three-day music festival that takes place in New Orleans, Louisiana. The festival features a diverse lineup of rock, hip hop, and electronic artists, as well as local food vendors and art installations.

When and Where:

The Voodoo Music + Arts Experience takes place every October in City Park in New Orleans, Louisiana.

Lineup:

The lineup for the Voodoo Music + Arts Experience includes a mix of popular and up-and-coming rock acts, with past performers including Metallica, Nine Inch Nails, and Pearl Jam.

Tickets:

Tickets for the Voodoo Music + Arts Experience start at $155 for a three-day pass.

10. 🤘 Sonic Temple Art + Music Festival 🤘

The Sonic Temple Art + Music Festival is a three-day rock festival that takes place in Columbus, Ohio. The festival features a lineup of hard rock and heavy metal bands, as well as art installations and local food vendors.

When and Where:

The Sonic Temple Art + Music Festival takes place every May at Mapfre Stadium in Columbus, Ohio.

Lineup:

The lineup for the Sonic Temple Art + Music Festival features a mix of hard rock and heavy metal bands, with past performers including Foo Fighters, System of a Down, and Disturbed.

Tickets:

Tickets for the Sonic Temple Art + Music Festival start at $199.50 for a three-day pass.

11. 🤘 Rock Fest 🤘

Rock Fest is a four-day rock festival that takes place in Cadott, Wisconsin. The festival features a lineup of classic rock and heavy metal bands.

When and Where:

Rock Fest takes place every July in Cadott, Wisconsin.

Lineup:

The lineup for Rock Fest features a mix of classic rock and heavy metal bands, with past performers including Guns N’ Roses, Iron Maiden, and Kiss.

Tickets:

Tickets for Rock Fest start at $199 for a four-day pass.

12. 🤘 Chicago Open Air 🤘

Chicago Open Air