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10 Biggest Music Festivals of 2023: Pt. 2

A crowd waves their hands in their air as fireworks go off on stage in front of them. Music Festivals

Explore the continuation of our 10 biggest music festivals of 2023 and find the right festival to attend this summer. Whether you prefer punk rock, pop, EDM or country, there is a music festival for you. Check out these other top 2023 music festivals starting as soon as spring.

Essence Festival

Dates: June 29-July 3 | Location: New Orleans, La.

Essence Fest or the “party with a purpose,” was created in 1995 to celebrate the 25th anniversary of Essence magazine. Since then, more than 500,000 people gather every year at Caesars Superdome in New Orleans, La., to celebrate Black culture and pride. You’ll never be disappointed by this massive party with artists like Megan Thee Stallion, Eve and Wizkid along with Missy Elliott, Ludacris and others. Essence Fest also has Soko, a marketplace showcasing jewelry, art pieces, and more, community outreach programs and lectures from prominent figures, dance parties and more. Experience a one-of-a-kind Fourth of July weekend when you get Essence Fest tickets today.

Lollapalooza

Dates: Aug. 3-Aug. 6 | Location: Chicago, Ill. 

Every summer in Grant Park more than 400,000 festival-goers gather at this four-day music festival to see live shows put on by artists from all genres such as hip-hop, EDM, punk rock, heavy metal, etc. Lollapalooza headliners have included singers like Billie Eilish, Tomorrow X Together, The 1975 and Karol G as well as other popular artists like Rina SawayamaMaggie Rogers, Diplo, Portugal the Man and more on any of the nine stages at the festival. 

Lollapalooza started out as a farewell touring event. Organized by Perry Farrell of Jane’s Addiction in 1991, the festival made stops in more than 20 cities. This exceptional festival has made its home in Chicago and has grown to have global versions in countries like Brazil, France or India.

Riot Fest 

Dates: Sept.15-17 | Location: Chicago, Ill. 

Get ready for another major Chicago music festival when you get Riot Fest tickets. This festival takes over Douglass Park for three days and hosts concerts by different punk rock, alternative, metal and hip-hop artists. Rock out to artists like My Chemical Romance, Death Cab for CutieJimmy Eat World and Yungblud, while enjoying carnival rides and games and delicious local food and drinks. Riot Fest is an all-ages event, so feel free to bring the little ones along to enjoy the live music, carnival attractions and sideshow performers.

Founded in 2005, Riot Fest was contained in several indoor venues around Chicago. Groups like The Misfits, Dead Kennedys and The Bouncing Souls and others brought a weekend chock-full of rock and punk music to the Windy City. Riot Fest is one of the largest independently owned festivals in the country. Following the death of co-founder Sean McKeough in 2016, the festival stopped popping up in other cities and became a Chicago-only annual event. 

Austin City Limits

Dates: Oct. 6-8 & 13-15 | Location: Austin, Texas

Austin City Limits or ACL is a music festival that takes place over two consecutive three-day weekends in Austin, Texas. After the festival’s inauguration in 2002, the organizers made plans to expand the festivities the following year after receiving outstanding positive reception. ACL is held in Zilker Park and has featured performers like Arcade Fire, Muse, Red Hot Chili Peppers and other artists in the past. Explore the different stages and enjoy shows put on by artists like Odesza, Kendrick Lamar, Foo FightersChromeo (W1) and more. Along with the music, festival-goers can enjoy ACL Eats, which features curated treats from regional and national vendors, and Austin Kiddie Limits with fun activities, games and more to keep younger guests entertained. 

EDC Orlando

Dates: Nov. 10-12 | Location: Orlando, Fla.

For those wanting to immerse themselves in an EDM wonderland, Electric Daisy Carnival Orlando (EDC Orlando) is a great festival to attend. Targeted towards electro-pop fans that are 18 years or older, the November festival doubles as an interactive art experience with giant 3D structures as well as glow-in-the-dark structures and LED-lit environments. Get ready to rave with the masses to music by artists like Alison Wonderland, Zeds Dead, Martin Garrix, Black Tiger Sex Machine and others on one of EDC Orlando’s five stages. EDC Orlando also hosts pre-festival and post-festival parties in the downtown Orlando area. With plenty of pyrotechnics, colorful laser shows, and bass drops from the hottest DJs, you’ll find it hard to not have a fantastic time at this festival. Festival organizers also host EDC Las Vegas in mid-May.

Music Festival Tickets

TicketSmarter can help fulfill all of your music festival ticket needs. If you’re attending a festival out of town, check out HotelPlanner for exclusive travel deals.