With the warm weather approaching, one thing on many people’s minds is that it’s nearly festival season again.
From multi-day sleeping-in-tents festivals to more laid-back food truck rodeos, there seems to be an ever-expanding array of events across America to spend your summer days exploring.
Are you a foodie who can’t travel to some far-flung destination? Then these food festivals can help you awaken your taste buds closer to home. Perhaps you are looking for some culture but can’t get abroad at the moment; good thing there are many cultural events in the U.S. to help expand your mind this summer.
It’s estimated that around 32 million people attend a U.S. music festival each year, and with air travel showing signs that it will be a nightmare this summer, what better way to enjoy your free time than by wandering around some of these top-rated best events close to home?
Here Are Some Of The Top Rated Events In The U.S., According To USA Today:
City Food Festivals
1. Taste of Buffalo – Buffalo, New York
To start off the list, we have a big one, the biggest in fact of all of America. Taste of Buffalo is the largest two-day food festival in the U.S. and now attracts almost half a million visitors each year.
Come and try the classic hometown hero, the famous Buffalo wings -but don’t you dare try to dip them in ranch! This is blue cheese territory my friends. Taste of Buffalo runs July 8th and 9th this year, so get your tickets early.
2. Taste of Buffalo – Queens, New York
Featuring up to 100 independent vendors, who sell everything from food, art, and other unique merchandise, this open-air night market is a staple for this neighborhood.
2023 brings the Queen’s Night Market’s 8th season, and the weekly event is a great way to try a variety of food from all around the world.
@pictureperfectluis Let’s see how much food we can get for $20 at Queens Night Market #newyorkcityeats #newyorkfoodies #queensnightmarket #nyctop3 #thingstodoinnewyork #nycfoodies
Don’t forget to check out the rest of the best city food festivals all around the country.
Specialty Food Festivals
1. Picklesburg – Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
This fan-favorite food festival takes place in the charming streets of Pittsburgh and celebrates the beloved pickle.
Come for the famous pickleback shots (trust me, just try it) and stay for all things pickle-flavored. The 2023 event is planned to take place the weekend of July 21st – July 23rd and is worth the trip.
2. Windy City Smokeout – Chicago, Illinois
This 4-day event is for anyone who is a fan of Chicago’s BBQ, beer, and country music. This year’s music lineup includes popular acts such as Darius Rucker, Luke Bryan, and Zac Brown Band.
The 2023 dates are July 13-16, and this event fills up, so plan ahead!
All of the top 10 best specialty food festivals in the U.S. can be found here.
Music Festivals
1. Made In America – Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Jay Z’s beloved Made In America festival takes place along the Benjamin Franklin Parkway in Philadelphia and features some major music acts.
Past events have had artists such as Tyler, the Creator and Bad Bunny, and more big names. In addition to music, food trucks come to cater to the hungry crowds.
Check out their official website for ticket and date information for upcoming events.
2. FloydFest – Floyd, Virginia
You can find this quirky festival located along Virginia’s heritage music trail, known as the Crooked Road.
This festival in the Blue Ridge Mountains features music from bluegrass to reggae and also chances to get into nature with hiking and mountain biking.
While the 2023 FloydFest is uncertain due to location issues, the festival is now way over. They have promised to be back and better than ever in 2024.
3. Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion – Bristol, Tennessee and Bristol, Virginia
Celebrating the rich musical heritage of the area, this festival is all about Appalachian music.
Visit the Birthplace of Country Music Museum while you are here, and enjoy this festival along the Tennessee/Virginia border from September 8-10th this year.
Be sure to check out all of the winners for the favorite music festival in America and get some inspiration for your 2023 travel plans.
Film Festival
1. Out On Film – Atlanta, Georgia
This 11-day film festival showcases LGBTQ work and features many documentaries highlighting the issues that they face.
One of the first of its kind, the Out on Film Festival 2023 dates are September 21 until October 1st.
2. Washington West Film Festival – Reston, Virginia
This Virginia festival is all about giving back to the community and celebrating indie filmmakers at the same time.
All proceeds are donated, and the event does draw some top names, so make sure to get your tickets early. October 12 -16th are the dates for this year’s event.
To see the full list of the top 20 favorite film festivals across the United States, you can check it out here.
Cultural Festival
1. National Cherry Blossom Festival – Washington, D.C.
Here’s one festival you can check out right now, as it runs March 20th – April 16th this year.
A beloved symbol in the National Capital, this festival celebrates the blossoming of the cherry trees with a parade and many events. This event also highlights Japanese culture as well.
2. Kutztown Folk Festival – Kutztown, Pennsylvania
Tucked away in Pennsylvania Dutch region, this nine-day festival celebrates the heritage and culture of this area.
Highlights include the largest quilt sale in America, and this year’s event is scheduled for July 1st through the 9th.
The United States has no shortage of cultural festivals, and many tend to fly under the radar. Check out these favorites for some opportunities to learn more about various cultures and experience the fun.
