Music festivals exist for several reasons. The first, of course, is the music. Seeing and hearing your favorite bands is a treat, especially during the summer.
Another reason is the community they engender. Few places invite you to relax with friends like outdoor music festivals. From daytime drinking to sunglasses, smiles and sunshine, they can provide some of the best times of the year.
However, the third reason for pleasure is the possibility of sleeping under the stars. Yes, music festivals, especially summer ones, promote outdoor camping. When the weather is at its warmest, enjoying a music festival and camping outdoors can be a lot of fun.
So with that in mind, we wanted to share a handful of upcoming summer festivals that promote and encourage camping, whether it’s with your sleeping bag or an RV. Without further ado, dear reader, here are five music festivals where you can camp between sets.
1. Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival
One of the biggest names in music festivals also allows fans to camp outdoors between days. This year, June 16-19, takes place on a 700-acre farm in Manchester, Tennessee. With a lineup this year that includes King Gizzard & the Lizard Wizard and Ludacris, fans are sure to feel left out of all the dancing. So, pull up a sleeping bag and rest between epic days.
2. Firefly Music Festival
This fun time takes place this year from September 22 to 25 and encourages you to spend as much time as possible outdoors. Check out the big names this year, like Green Day, Dua Lipa, Halsey and more, knowing you can enjoy the moon as your headlamp. While fans can buy day passes, why do that when you can have more fun at sunset with music all around?
3. Hangout Music Festival
Located on the sandy beaches of Alabama’s Gulf Coast, this festival offers fun in the sun and time to relax at dusk. And this year (May 20-22), fans have a hell of a lineup, including headliners like Post Malone, Doja Cat, Tame Impala and Megan Thee Stallion. Do whatever you can to get to the Roll Tide State and enjoy it to the fullest.
4. Electric Daisy Carnival
One of the biggest electronic music festivals in the country, this musical excursion, which takes place in Las Vegas and is held on May 20 and 21, offers places for campers to get out of the hot desert sun. With over 300 acts (including Jai Wolf and Sam Divine), there are plenty of opportunities to burn off your music-loving energy. But take the opportunity to relax in a motorhome or snuggled up in your sleeping bag to rest the next day.
5. Drink! outdoor music festival
This boutique Pacific Northwest festival is a fan favorite, perfect for music discovery and primed for outdoor camping. For $50, outdoor enthusiasts can sleep under constellations while listening to bands like Built to Spill and The Milk Carton Kids. This year the festival runs from July 21-23, so plan accordingly, campers.
Bonnaroo (Photo: Charles Reagan Hackleman)
