Gather your besties and hit the road for these memorable bucket-list-worthy camping music festivals for 2019. Whether you’re looking to channel your inner flower child or lose yourself in 2000’s pop-punk nostalgia, there’s something for every type of music lover.
Spring Music Festivals
Coachella: California, United States
Coachella is the ultimate bucket-list camping music festival, taking place each April. Spend time celeb-spotting or hopping from stage to stage with big-name acts as varied as Beyoncé, Childish Gambino, Kacey Musgraves, and Weezer.
Tickets sell out fast, but if you’re lucky enough to get a ticket, you can purchase one of their all-inclusive camping packages or stay at the nearby Inn at Deep Canyon. Check out the botanical gardens or hop over to Palm Springs for a peek at the Indian Canyons.
Vive Latino: Mexico City, Mexico
Need an excuse to go south of the border? Vive Latino happens each March and includes not just music but comedy, art, and one of Mexico’s traditional lucha libre exhibitions. Use the Barcelo Mexico Reforma as your base for exploring the historic city center, Palacio de Bellas Artes, or the Frida Kahlo Museum.
Music Festivals: June
Montreux Jazz Festival: Montreux, Switzerland
If jazz is more your thing, there’s no better event than the Montreux Jazz Festival in Switzerland, held each year in June. Sample local wines and cheeses and don’t miss visiting the epic Chillon Castle while you’re there. Stay at the swanky Grand Hotel Suisse Majestic for wonderful views of Lake Geneva.
Electric Forest: Michigan, United States
Covered in mesmerizing lights, Electric Forest in Michigan feels like another planet. This June music festival offers top-billed artists like Odesza, Kygo, and Bassnectar. While most people camp in the forest, you can also stay at the Weathervane Inn in nearby Montague. Add on some time to explore some of Michigan’s Great Lakes.
Bonaroo: Tennessee, United States
Another peak bucket-list camping music festival, Bonnaroo takes place in Manchester, Tennessee. With acts as varied as Grand Ole Opry to Cardi B and the Lumineers, there’s something for everyone. You’ll be able to participate in a 5K and take yoga or art classes while you’re there. At this June music festival, most people camp, but you can also stay at the Ambassador Inn in Manchester. Then hop over to Nashville, about an hour away, for honky tonk and barbecue
Music Festivals: July
Firefly: Delaware, United States
For more of an indie punk-pop scene, make your way to Delaware for this July music festival. Firefly, known as one of the best camping music festivals in the U.S., is where you’ll see acts like Panic! At the Disco, Death Cab for Cutie, and Vampire Weekend. You can also stay in nearby Dover at the Fairfield Inn to hit the Biggs Museum of American Art before catching a shuttle to the festival. There’s also re-vamped camping options on-site and beautiful glamping options that offer chic decor.
Tomorrowland: Boom, Belgium
You’ll be transported into a futuristic fairyland with thousands of other electronic dance-music die-hards at Tomorrowland, a can’t-miss July music festival that runs for two weeks. Stay in Boom at this adorable B&B and add some time to exploring the historic city center in nearby Brussels. There’s beautiful cabanas and en-suites rooms on-site too for upscale glamping fans.
August Music Festivals
MS Dockville Festival: Hamburg, Germany
Germany knows how to throw amazing camping music festivals. MS Dockville in Hamburg takes place in August and includes a range of international acts from hip-hop to folk to house music. Wander through art installations featuring local artists while munching on Bavarian delicacies from food trucks scattered around the grounds.
Don’t miss the cool street art all over the hip St. Pauli neighborhood. Stay in the chic Pyjama Park hostel as your base for enjoying the festival and the city. Check out our tips for making the most out of MS Dockville here.
Lockn’ Music Festival: Virginia, United States
Set against the backdrop of the Blue Ridge Mountains each August, the Lockn’ Music Festival in Virginia has it all: art, community, love, and food. Climb to the top of Camel towel to take in the scope of the festival — it’s huge! And as for the music? You’ll groove to funk, folk, and ‘ol fashioned rock n’ roll. Stay at the Sleep Inn in Charlottesville for easy access to the festival. While you’re there, tour Monticello, founding father Thomas Jefferson’s estate.
Shambhala Festival: British Colombia, Canada
Held every August at a gorgeous 500-acre farm in the West Kootenay mountains, the Shambhala Festival is a camping music festival that will get you back to nature. Get lost on the trails, take yoga classes, enjoy local food, and of course, jam to a ton of great electronic music. To get the full experience, choose a themed camp or stay at the Villagers Inn in nearby Fruitvale. Get outside and enjoy lots of hiking, canoeing, and more.
Need some more tips on festivals? Here’s some thoughts if you plan to go with the kiddos to a music festival.
Do you have some summer festival plans? Where are your favorite places to go? Do you prefer camping music festivals, or staying in a hotel?
What a cool list!! The Electric Forest in Michigan looks insane. I’d love to experience that. Maybe I’ll look into a ticket right now while I’m thinking about it. Thanks for putting this list together!
I went to Bonnaroo when I won tickets from I-heart radio. I went with a real jerk who punked me for the free show and then said he had a pregnant girlfriend waiting for him. So glad I met Ed. I took Ed to the first Lockn Festival ever. I don’t know if he was ready for it but at least he was a gentleman. I would have to add High Sierra Music Festival to this list. It’s right in my mom’s hometown but still a huge draw with big name acts. I took Ed to this too but he knew what was coming this time 🙂
The Real Person!
The Real Person!
Jenn That’s a nuts story!! Have you written about it?! What a dillweed. I’m glad you and Ed went to Lockn my brother in law went and wrote about it for us, I wish I did! Still trying to decide if I can squeeze in a festival this year myself.
You went to the Dockville festival in Hamburg last year, right? I remember reading about that – your video made it look like such a cool experience! I have been to a few music festivals but never camped at one before. Definitely a bucket list item!!
I have to say that festivals, including music, are not my thing, but you’ve done an impressive done of putting together some interesting ones with gorgeous photos – definitely will tempt those that do go! Now, please do the same for food festivals, kind of the only kind I like and I will be ALL over that!