Our 2023 guide to the best summer food and music festivals near you

As the weather warms and the days get longer, we’re ready to utter our two favorite words: festival season. More than mere time-fillers, festivals unify our communities and showcase local talent in art, music, dance, cooking, brewing, and even bubble gum-blowing. If there's a better way to experience the best of what a city or region has to offer, we don’t know it.

We’ve curated a list of the tastiest, liveliest, and most inspiring cultural festivals and outdoor music events in our biggest Getaround markets. Scroll down to find your city and start planning your trip!

San Francisco

North Beach Festival
June 17-18
Columbus and Grant Avenues

For more than 60 years, this beloved neighborhood event has featured local musicians, craft making workshops, street art, spoken word poetry, dishes from local restaurants, and much more.

Fillmore Jazz Festival
July 1-2
Fillmore St. between Washington and Geary

Two days + 12 city blocks = the largest free jazz festival on the West Coast.

Nihonmachi Street Fair
August 5-6
Japantown

What was once a small four-booth event in 1973 has evolved into a full weekend celebration of AAPI culture attended by tens of thousands of San Franciscans and visitors from around the world.

Miami

Redland Summer Fruit Festival
June 25
Fruit & Spice Park

Venture outside the city for some fresh air and rare tropical fruits from dozens of local South Florida vendors.

Rolling Loud
July 21-23
Hard Rock Stadium

While this acclaimed hip-hop festival expands its global footprint with concerts in Australia, Portugal, Germany, Toronto, and Thailand, Rolling Loud’s roots remain in Miami.

Miami Beach Kizomba Festival
August 17-21
Westin Fort Lauderdale Beach Resort

Aiming to bridge the gap between Africa and the African diaspora through music and dance, MBKF creates a one-of-a-kind atmosphere just north of Miami.

Los Angeles

LAWineFest
June 3-4
Harry Bridges Memorial Park in Long Beach

Soak up panoramic views of Long Beach as you sip ciders, craft brews, kombucha, and yes, wine from all over the region.

L.A. Pride in the Park
June 9-10
Los Angeles State Historic Park

Expanding to two nights this year, L.A. Pride in the Park precedes Sunday’s parade in West Hollywood. Each day of LGBTQ+ programming will be capped off by two legendary pop acts you won’t want to miss.

Nisei Week Japanese Festival
August 12-20
Little Tokyo

It’s culture, food, and fun at one of the longest-running ethnic festivals in the country. Thriving for nearly 90 years in downtown L.A., Nisei Week showcases Japanese heritage and traditions through dance, performance, music, food, and art.

New York City

Governors Ball Music Festival
June 9-11
Flushing Meadows Corona Park in Queens

New venue, same A-list acts. Like the city itself, Gov Ball fuses different styles, cultures, and sounds into an unforgettable summer music bash.

Summerstage Festival
June-September
Central Park

Spanning all five boroughs, this (mostly) free summer-long festival brings musical performances in every genre imaginable directly to the people. Be prepared to scroll, because the full lineup was just announced.

The Feast of San Gennaro
September 14-24
Little Italy

Founded by immigrants from Naples nearly a century ago, this Italian cultural celebration — “the feast of all feasts” — has grown into an 11-day fall festival in the heart of NYC.

Atlanta

Atlanta Jazz Festival
May 27-29
Piedmont Park

Thirty-one days of jazz in the city culminates with a Memorial Day weekend concert festival featuring some of the most prominent jazz artists from all over the world.

Atlanta Ice Cream Festival
July 22
Piedmont Park at Charles Allen Drive

Taste food from more than 85 local restaurants at Piedmont Park on a Saturday afternoon. Just be sure to leave room for the main attraction!

Taste of Soul
September 2-3
Northside Dr. & MLK Jr Dr., across from Georgia Dome

Nestled in the corner of the historic Vine City neighborhood, TOSA brings Atlanta together with live music performances, children’s events, and savory soul and Southern food from renowned local chefs.

Seattle

Fremont Fair
June 17-18
Fremont Neighborhood

Hundreds of craft vendors, dozens of decorated art cars, two stages of live music, and one joyous parade of giant puppets, stilt walkers, cyclists, dancers, and musicians. There’s nothing like Solstice in Seattle.

Bite of Seattle (aka “The Bite”)
July 21-23
Seattle Center

“The Bite” is back with a renewed focus on connecting small businesses with the community while highlighting all the local flavors Seattle has to offer.

Day In Day Out Fest
August 12-13
Fisher Pavilion, Seattle Center

Spend a summer afternoon (or two) in the shadow of the Space Needle listening to two dozen top acts in alternative rock.

San Diego

San Diego County Fair
June - July 4
Del Mar Fairgrounds

There’s something for everyone at the nation’s largest county fair, from concerts and comedy to thrill rides and petting zoos. If you’re up for a shot at chewy immortality, you can enter the vaunted bubble gum blowing contest.

ArtWalk @ Liberty Station
August 5-6
Ingram Plaza

Fine art from both sides of the border is on full display in a beautiful park setting of the Arts District at Liberty Station.

San Diego Bayfair
September 16-18
Mission Bay beaches

A San Diego staple since 1984, Bayfair combines the best of summers on the beach: action watersports, craft beer tents, barbecue competitions, and the world’s fastest boats.

Denver

Highlands Street Fair
June 24
32nd St. from Irving to Perry

This neighborhood farmers market-style event highlights local businesses, restaurants, and musicians for a day of community and commerce.

Underground Music Showcase
July 28-30
21 S. Broadway

Brimming with energy and soon-to-be stars, UMS is a lively festival with a mission to spread inclusion, joy, and belonging through live music.

Denver Food + Wine Festival
September 6-9
Tivoli Quad, Auraria Campus

From the novice to the connoisseur, there’s something for every enthusiast at the DF+WF, including unique wine glass seminars and spirited cocktail competitions.

Chicago

Chicago Blues Festival
June 8-11
Millennium Park

For three days in June, the world’s greatest blues, soul, jazz blues and blues-rock musicians convene in Chicago’s Millennium Park for the largest free concert event of its kind.

Windy City Smokeout
July 13-16
United Center

Bands, beers, and BBQ in Bulls’ and Blackhawks’ parking lot, starring a who’s who of country music headliners.

Chicago Air and Water Show
August 19-20
North Avenue Beach

For one weekend each year, the downtown Chi Town lakefront hosts a one-of-a-kind aerial spectacular. Pack a chair, grab some friends, and get there early to secure a spot on the beach.

Boston

Hong Kong Dragon Boat Festival
June 11
John W. Weeks Footbridge on the Charles River

This is the original! The first dragon boat festival in the U.S. began in 1979 and kicked off the trend nationwide. In addition to the racing, the free celebration features crafts from local artists, martial arts demonstrations, and live classical Chinese music.

Boston Seafood Festival
June 24-25
City Hall Plaza

Bring the kids for some interactive entertainment, including costumed pirates to seashell decorating, while you listen to some of the best bands Boston has to offer.

The Boston Arts Festival
September 9-10
Christopher Columbus Waterfront Park

Take a trip to the Boston Harbor to meet the local artists and craftspeople who share their paintings, sculptures, ceramics, photographs, and jewelry with the community. Free live music both days on the Waterfront Stage.

Philadelphia

Italian Market Festival
May 20-21
Italian Market 9th Street

With cornhole and halfball tournaments followed by grease pole climbing competitions in the nation’s oldest outdoor market, this annual community street fest is where culture and competition collide for a weekend full of fun.

The ODUNDE festival
June 11
Grays Ferry Avenue and South Street

Now in its 48th year, the ODUNDE is America’s largest African American street festival, with more than 500,000 attendees taking in music, food, jewelry and African art in the heart of South Philadelphia.

Manayunk Arts Festival
June 24-25
Manayunk

Every summer, collectors from around the country gather in Manayunk to see the variety of excellence in painting, photography, sculpting, ceramics, jewelry making, and more.

Houston

Summer Jam HTX
May 20
SoHo Festival Grounds

Dubbed “the biggest party in Texas,” this one-day music showcase highlights emerging local acts alongside the headlining national stars of hip-hop.

Freedom Over Texas
July 4
Eleanor Tinsley Park at Buffalo Bayou

Bring your sturdiest lawn chair for a night of food, music, and “Texas-sized” fireworks over the downtown Houston skyline.

Igbofest Houston
July 23
Discovery Green

Celebrating 20 years, Igbofest Houston puts Nigerian and West African culture on display through dance, folklore, food, and education.

Washington D.C.

Planet Bethesda
June 4
Elm Street Urban Park

In just its second year, this growing festival brings together “the best of Bethesda and beyond” with family-friendly food and fun, free parking and admission, and canine courtyard hosted by a local animal rescue shelter.

Giant National Capital Barbecue Battle
June 24-25
Pennsylvania Ave. between 3rd and 7th Streets

Bring an empty stomach and open ears to take in the sights and sounds of the “Official National BBQ Championship” (as proclaimed on the floor of Congress).

DC JazzFest
August 30 - September 3
The Wharf

A picturesque celebration of America’s classical music, DCJF presents more than 100 world-renowned and emerging artists in 30 venues around our nation’s capital.

Austin

19th Fest (formerly Soul Food Truck Fest)
June 19
Republic Square Park

Boasting a roster of award-winning chefs, Hot Luck describes its Memorial Day Weekend event as “a DIY casserole of the culinary and music world.”

Hot Summer Nights
July 20-23
Red River Cultural District

The signature annual event of the Red River Cultural District packs 15 comedy shows and 15 live music events at a dozen iconic venues into one fun-filled weekend.

The Austin Chronicle Hot Sauce Festival
September TBA
The Far Out Lounge & Stage

Benefiting the Central Texas Food Bank, this Austin staple has been testing tongues for more than 30 years. For the heat-averse, there are also local food trucks, brewed beverages, and live music performances on site.

Las Vegas

Punk Rock Bowling and Music Festival
May 26-29
Downtown Las Vegas

Founded in 1999, PRB honors the legends of punk rock while shining a light on the up-and-coming artists of today. Plus, of course, bowling.

Life is Beautiful Festival
September 22-24
Downtown Las Vegas

More than a star-studded weekend of music, Life is Beautiful celebrates the best of local art and regional restaurants under the neon lights of downtown Las Vegas.

RiSE Festival
October 6-7
Mojave Desert

Offering immersive sound baths, guided meditation, and live music in the Mojave Desert, RiSE caps the weekend with the world’s largest sky lantern release. (The lanterns are 100% biodegradable and recovered after the event.)

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