Our 2023 guide to the best summer food and music festivals near you
From hyper-local culinary adventures to the biggest acts in music, there’s plenty of summertime fun to be had in your city.
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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