2026: A year of festivals in the U.S.
Your ultimate month-by-month guide to America’s best celebrations—plus the best places to stay.
In the U.S., festival season never ends. From snow-covered ski towns echoing with live music in January to hot air balloons rising over desert landscapes in October, every month brings a reason to pack your bags. This guide takes you through America’s most iconic festivals in 2026, with travel tips and nearby Vacasa stays so you can experience each one in style.
*All dates listed are for 2026 and may change—check official festival sites for updates.
Six days. Over 50 bands. Five mountains. MusicFest transforms Steamboat Springs into a winter wonderland of concerts, songwriter showcases, and après-ski parties. Between shows, hit the slopes, soak in natural hot springs, or join an après-ski jam session.
Hot Tip: Book early and stay slopeside in a ski-in/ski-out condo—you’ll be able to swap ski boots for dancing shoes in minutes.
This is your last year to experience the legendary film festival in Park City before it relocates to Boulder, Colorado, featuring special tributes honoring its legacy and Robert Redford.
Hot Tip: Stay walking distance to Main Street in a Vacasa mountain home—easy access means you won’t miss those last-minute screenings everyone’s talking about.
The “Great American Race” is NASCAR’s crown jewel, drawing 150,000+ fans for a week of high-octane action. Off the track, enjoy Daytona’s beaches, boardwalk, and seafood shacks.
Hot Tip: Stay in an oceanfront vacation rental—perfect for morning walks before heading to the speedway.
Experience the 3rd-largest Mardi Gras in the country, featuring over 20+ parades and 20+ concerts across two weeks of festivities on the Gulf Coast island.
Hot Tip: Book early and stay near a parade route—you’ll thank yourself when you can watch from your balcony.
Dive into SXSW's electric chaos—where tech innovators, film visionaries, and music legends collide in bars, parks, and spontaneous street stages.
Hot Tip: Skip the car. Stay in a downtown vacation rental and walk or rideshare—traffic is legendary here.
One of the world’s premier electronic music festivals, Ultra transforms Miami’s Bayfront Park into a pulsing, neon-lit dance floor with legendary DJs and sky-high energy.
Hot Tip: Book a vacation home within walking distance to Bayfront Park—traffic after the final set can be brutal, and you’ll be grateful for a short stroll home.
The world's most influential music festival draws 125,000 fans daily across two legendary weekends featuring top-name celebrities, desert sunsets, and international crowds.
Hot Tip: Beat the desert heat with a Vacasa rental that has a private pool—your crew will thank you.
Country music's desert celebration, the nation's largest country festival, featuring superstar headliners, rising Nashville talent, BBQ pitmasters, craft beer, and Western flair.
Hot Tip: Rent a vacation home with outdoor space—you’ll want a spot to kick back for late-night jam sessions after the shows.
Gulf Coast festival attracting 40,000 fans daily with major headliners, oceanfront stages, fresh seafood, and spectacular Alabama sunsets.
Hot Tip: Book a beachfront condo so you can walk straight from your balcony to the festival gates—no shuttle, no shoes required.
Wine meets music when world-class artists descend on Napa Valley during this three-day weekend wine, food, and music festival featuring one of the best West Coast lineups.
Hot Tip: Book a vineyard-view home—you’ll feel the festival magic long after the last encore.
June's vibrant Pride festivals across major U.S. cities—such as San Francisco and Seattle—celebrate LGBTQ+ culture with parades, parties, live music, and world-class entertainment, drawing massive crowds.
Hot Tip: Book early. Vacasa lists stylish rentals right near many Pride parade routes, so you won’t miss a moment of the action.
This food and wine festival showcases celebrity chefs with cooking demonstrations and masterclasses, endless gourmet tastings, and craft cocktails against Rocky Mountain backdrops.
Hot Tip: Don’t skip the morning sessions—the smaller crowds mean more samples.
Celebrating its 100th anniversary, this lakeside cherry celebration features parades, air shows, pie-eating contests, live music, carnival rides, and family activities for summer fun.
Hot Tip: Take a sunset cruise on Grand Traverse Bay to see stunning waterfront and cherry orchard views.
Pop culture's biggest convention draws cosplaying fans for exclusive movie previews, panels, collectibles, and meet-and-greets with creators and celebrities.
Hot Tip: Arrive early to snag limited-edition merch and secure a good spot for the highly anticipated panel sessions.
Every August, this rally attracts hundreds of thousands of bikers from across the country to the scenic Black Hills for thrilling rides, live concerts, and high-adrenaline performances.
Hot Tip: Even if you don’t ride, scenic drives to Mount Rushmore and Custer State Park are unforgettable.
Beloved Renaissance Faire near Tacoma features jousting tournaments, artisan crafts, costumed performers, turkey legs, mead, and family-friendly medieval entertainment.
Hot Tip: Don your best medieval garb and arrive early for the lively opening ceremonies—you’ll feel like you’ve stepped back in time.
Telluride Blues & Brews Festival combines breathtaking Rocky Mountain scenery with blues music and local craft beers in Colorado's charming alpine town.
Hot Tip: Don’t miss the Sunday gospel brunch—it’s a soulful, delicious finale that perfectly wraps up the weekend’s festivities.
Bavarian towns like Leavenworth, Washington; Helen, Georgia; and Fredericksburg, Texas throw epic Oktoberfest celebrations with flowing German ales, sizzling bratwurst, energetic polka, and festive dancing.
Hot Tip: Arrive early to snag a spot at the communal tables and join in traditional singing and dancing—prost!
Experience the world's largest balloon festival as 500 colorful hot air balloons fill Albuquerque's skies, with easy transportation from Santa Fe.
Hot Tip: Go to the “Mass Ascension” days for the most breathtaking photo ops.
Austin City Limits rocks two weekends with explosive rock, indie, hip-hop, and country acts featuring 100+ electrifying performances, amazing food trucks, and Austin's legendary energy.
Hot Tip: Arrive early each day to catch the emerging artist showcases—these rising stars often steal the show and the crowd’s hearts.
Hawaii's tropical film festival showcases explosive Asia-Pacific cinema with exclusive premieres, exciting filmmaker panels, and vibrant cultural celebrations across the islands.
Hot Tip: Don’t miss the unforgettable outdoor screenings on the beach under the stars—a truly rare and immersive cinematic experience.
Local chefs and food lovers unite for this electrifying three-day festival featuring organic fine dining, pit-roasted barbecue, savory tacos, and wine country spirits.
Hot Tip: Arrive early to secure spots at popular tasting events and don’t miss the chef demos—they’re packed with insider tips and delicious samples.
Step into Victorian London at Galveston's Dickens on the Strand with dazzling costumes, carolers, festive markets, and holiday magic along the Gulf Coast.
Hot Tip: Visit on a weekday evening for smaller crowds and a magical experience under the glow of holiday lights.
This charming Bavarian village transforms into a magical winter wonderland with thousands of twinkling lights, bustling holiday markets, and festive treats.
Hot Tip: Don’t miss the mulled wine or a fresh-baked pretzel from a local bakery—it’s the perfect cozy snack as you explore the festive shops and holiday performances.
It's difficult to nail down which city takes the reigns in terms of quantity. However, the U.S. city that often has the most festivals is New Orleans, with more than 130 annual events.
The U.S. state with the best festivals, according to popularity and size of events, is California, which hosts world-famous happenings like Coachella and San Diego Comic-Con.
The most famous festivals in the U.S. are Coachella, SXSW, Burning Man, Mardi Gras, Ultra Music Festival, and Lollapalooza.
In the U.S., “festival season” generally runs from late spring through early fall, when warmer weather makes outdoor gatherings more popular. That said, festivals happen year-round — from Mardi Gras in February to Art Basel in December — so there’s always something on the calendar.
The largest street festivals in the U.S. include:
