Festivals You Can't Miss This Summer: US & Canada
Enjoy the warm season with performances from Ye, Kendrick Lamar, J. Cole and more.
2021 saw the limited return of music festivals in the United States, with major events such as Made in America, Lollapalooza, Outside Lands and several Rolling Loud engagements bringing joy to music fans across the country.
This year, attendees in both the United States and Canada can look forward to an interesting mix of festival offerings during the hot summer season, with the likes of Kendrick Lamar, Kid Cudi, the artist formerly known as Kanye West, J. Cole, Burna Boy, Pharrell and much more ready to perform.
Check out the list of music festivals in the US and Canada you shouldn’t miss this summer.
The Governors Ball
June 10-12, 2022 | Queens, NY
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Gov Ball is back in full force this year for its traditional summer season. Running from June 10 to 12, the festival will be held at Citi Field in Queens, New York with Kid Cudi, Halsey, and J. Cole as headliners. Fans will also be able to witness acts such as Jack Harlow, Skepta, Playboi Carti, Roddy Ricch, YG, Denzel Curry, J.I.D, and more take center stage. To top it off, Gov Ball will also be bringing back its “After Dark” series across several venues over the weekend, with acts like KAYTRANADA and beabadoobee hosting their own shows at night.
Tickets start at $129 USD via the Governors Ball website.
Bonnaroo
June 16-19, 2022 | Manchester, TN
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After last year’s devastating cancellation due to Hurricane Ida, Bonnaroo is looking to make its triumphant return to Manchester, Tennessee this June. The four-day camping festival is set to take place from June 16 to June 19 with a lineup led by the likes of J. Cole, 21 Savage, Stevie Nicks, Machine Gun Kelly and Roddy Ricch, plus performances from acts of different genres including Flume, Tierra Whack, Tinashe, Disclosure, Denzel Curry, King Gizzard and The Lizard Wizard, All Time Low and more.
Tickets start at $350 USD via the Bonnaroo website.
Something In The Water
June 17-19, 2022 | Washington, DC
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Pharrell’s Something In The Water festival is officially heading to Washington D.C. Making a departure from his hometown of Virginia Beach, the three-day celebration of music, art, and culture will gather artists and fans for a star-studded Juneteenth weekend. Attendees can look forward to performances by Pharrell & Phfriends, Pusha T, Tyler, the Creator, Usher, Calvin Harris, Snoh Aalegra, Lil Baby, Blxst and many more all at the heart of the U.S. capital this summer.
Three-day general admission tickets are available now for $399.50 USD on the Something In The Water website.
Planet AFROPUNK Live: Minneapolis
June 18-19, 2022 | Minneapolis, MN
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Planet AFROPUNK is covering more ground this 2022 with their first ever festival in the Midwest. Planet AFROPUNK Live: Minneapolis takes place over two days on June 18 and June 19 — the first day consists of panels and community action events across the city touching on the connection between art, activism and the promotion of community healing, while the second day is filled with performances at Sheridan Memorial from the Ari Lennox, Noname, Pink Siifu, Sango and more.
Tickets are available now on See Tickets.
ESSENCE Festival of Culture
June 30-July 3, 2022 | New Orleans, LA
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The ESSENCE Festival of Culture returns to New Orleans on June 30 to July 3, after a two-year, in-person hiatus due to the pandemic. Noted as one of the world’s biggest music festivals, this year’s mega-watt lineup includes Nicki Minaj, Janet Jackson, Method Man, Raekwon, Summer Walker, Wizkid, Ghostface Killah, City Girls and many more. Additional on-the-ground experiences include industry seminars, curated food vendors and cultural celebrations with more activations to be announced. The annual four-day event holds around-the-clock music performances and family activities between Caesars Superdome and the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center.
Ticket prices start at $75 USD and are available via The ESSENCE Festival of Culture’s website.
Rolling Loud Miami
July 22-24, 2022 | Miami, FL
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Rolling Loud is returning down south to Miami for its annual three-day extravaganza from July 22 to 24. Making a name for itself as “the world’s largest hip-hop festival,” this year’s edition calls out to all rap lovers with headlining sets by Kanye West, Future, and Kendrick Lamar. The roster also boasts performances by Baby Keem, Playboi Carti, Lil Durk, Don Toliver, Saweetie, 2 Chainz, Lil Uzi Vert, and City Girls amongst many others that add to its appeal.
Tickets start at $349 USD via the Rolling Loud Miami website.
Lollapalooza
July 28-31, 2022 | Chicago, IL
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Despite making its way to South America and Europe over the last decade, Lollapalooza will always find its way back home to Chicago’s Grant Park. Its 2022 lineup is set to feature its famed eclectic mix of electric, hip-hop, pop and rock acts such as Metallica, Dua Lipa, J. Cole, Kygo, Doja Cat, Machine Gun Kelly, Green Day and Lil Baby across July 28 to July 31, and organizers have shared that health protocols similar to last year’s — negative COVID tests, masks and proof of vaccination — may be in place, but this is yet to be confirmed.
Tickets start at $125 USD via the Lollapalooza website.
Osheaga
July 29-31, 2022 | Montreal, Canada
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Osheaga Music and Arts Festival is returning to Montreal, Quebec after two years — just in time for its 15th anniversary. Taking place on July 29 to July 31 at Parc Jean-Drapeau, the three-day engagement will see the likes of Dua Lipa, A$AP Rocky, Big Sean, Lil Tjay, Burna Boy, Cordae and Machine Gun Kelly across six stages. This year’s attendees, however, will be missing out on supposed headliners Foo Fighters as the band cancelled all their performances following the sudden death of drummer Taylor Hawkins.
Tickets start at $375 CAD (approximately $295 USD) via the Osheaga website.
Outside Lands
August 5-7, 2022 | San Francisco, CA
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Outside Lands is back to regular programming this year as it reverts to its normal summer dates of August 5 to August 7. San Francisco’s Golden Gate Park will be filled with music from headliners SZA, Post Malone — both of whom will be releasing new albums this year — and Green Day, along with acts like Pusha T, Weezer, Jack Harlow, Phoebe Bridgers, Illenium, Lil Uzi Vert, Kali Uchis, Disclosure, Mitski, Mac DeMarco, 100 Gecs and Dominic Fike.
Three-day general admission tickets are available now for $399 USD on the Outside Lands website.
LETSGETFR.EE
August 20-21, 2022 | Queens, NY
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Afropunk founder Matthew Morgan’s LETSGETFR.EE Carnival is set to make its debut at Flushing Meadows Park in Queens, New York during the weekend of August 20 and 21. Intended to be the largest diversity-focused and purpose-driven music experience in the US, this inaugural festival will bring together artists like Wizkid, Anderson .Paak & the Free Nationals, Missy Elliot, Jhené Aiko, Flatbush Zombies, and Jorja Smith as part of multiple initiatives to close the gap for those underrepresented in the entertainment industry. Names like A$AP Ferg, Jorja Smith, Ozuna, Tems, Raveena, and many more have also made their way onto the stacked lineup.
One-day tickets are available now for $69 USD via Dice.
This Ain’t No Picnic
August 27-28, 2022 | Pasadena, CA
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This Ain’t No Picnic is bringing heat to California with a 2-day festival from August 27 to 28. Taking place at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, the event is a revival of its original indie and alternative-rock iteration from the late 1990s and early 2000s. Headliners include LCD Soundsystem and The Strokes, while top names like Jorja Smith, Phoebe Bridgers, Isaiah Rashad, KAYTRANADA, Beach House, Mac DeMarco, and slowthai will also be part of a packed roster.
Tickets start at $159 USD via This Ain’t No Picnic’s website.
Made in America
September 3-4 2022 | Philadelphia, PA
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JAY-Z’s Made In America festival has become a Labor Day Weekend staple and will continue its tradition in its 10th year. Taking place in Philadelphia on September 3 and September 4, the festival that Hov built will see the return of its Cause Village, which will benefit organizations that accomplish positive work throughout the city. A lineup is yet to be announced, but knowing its track record, fans will not be disappointed.
Pre-sale tickets start at $99.50 USD via the Made in America website.
Rolling Loud Toronto
September 9-11 2022 | Toronto, Canada
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Rolling Loud is making its first Canadian stop ever. Coming to the 6ix at the end of summer, the 3-day festival is part of Rolling Loud’s mission to bring the best hip-hop stage to more parts of the world. Fans will be blessed with performances from headliners Dave, Future, and Wizkid alongside mainstays like Migos, Roddy Ricch, Lil Uzi Vert, A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie, Trippie Redd, and Lil Yachty. Canadian titans like NAV, Roy Woods, Belly and Pressa, as well as UK heavyweights like Skepta, Central Cee, and AJ Tracey are also included in the mix.
Tickets start at $369 CAD (approximately $283 USD) via the Rolling Loud Toronto website.
