Memorial Day weekend here in the United States is the unofficial kickoff of the summer festival season. We’re already celebrating at Music Festival Wizard with our annual rundown of the best festivals over the holiday.
Movement Detroit 2019
When: May 25-27, 2019
Where: Detroit, MI
The Scene: Long before the onslaught of the modern day EDM festival scene, the Movement Festival has owned downtown Detroit over Memorial Day weekend. Running under a few different names since 2000, this festival brings in top talent to Hart Plaza and delivers an EDM urban experience far different than any other you’ll find over the summer.
The Lineup: Art Department, Carl Craig, Danny Brown, Disclosure, Loco Dice, Richie Hawtin, Seth Troxler
Tickets: Buy tickets here
More Info: Movement Detroit 2019 Website
Bottlerock Napa Valley 2019
When: May 24-26, 2019
Where: Napa, CA
The Scene: Wine meets music when artists from around the world descend on Napa Valley just north of San Francisco. The internationally renown wine region lets it all hang out during this Memorial Day Weekend Festival, putting out one of the best West Coast lineups of the season.
The Lineup: Big Boi, Cypress Hill, Flogging Molly, Imagine Dragons, Lord Huron, Michael Franti & Spearhead, Mumford & Sons, Pharrell Williams
Tickets: Buy tickets here
More Info: Bottlerock Napa Valley 2019 Website
Boston Calling 2019
When: May 24-26, 2019
Where: Allston, MA
The Scene: It’s been a dry spell for Boston and music festivals until Boston Calling showed up with this downtown fest. As if making up for lost time, Boston Calling now happens twice a year. The spring version takes place over Memorial Day Weekend and has featured acts like Death Cab for Cutie, The National, Bastille, and Built to Spill.
The Lineup: Brandi Carlile, Christine And The Queens, Chromeo, Hozier, Lord Huron, Odesza, Princess Nokia, Shame, Snail Mail, Tame Impala, Travis Scott, Twenty One Pilots
Tickets: Buy tickets here
More Info: Boston Calling 2019 Website
Neon Desert 2019
When: May 25-26, 2019
Where: El Paso, TX
The Scene: 30,000+ fans converge on downtown El Paso for this annual celebration of hip-hop, electronic, and indie rock. The Texas festival prides itself on a mix of nationally acclaimed and up-and-coming music acts.
The Lineup: Steve Aoki, Tory Lanex, Wiz Khalifa, Young Thug
Tickets: Buy tickets here
More Info: Neon Desert 2019 Website
Elements Lakewood Festival 2019
When: May 24-27, 2019
Where: Lakewood, PA
The Scene: After 10 years of throwing wildly successful ragers in the big city, BangOn!NYC brings their style to the woods for a three day summer camp style party. The new Memorial Day Weekend festival features seven stages, massive art installations, and plenty of fun camp games. Grab a cabin or bring a tent to the bucolic hills of Northeastern Pennsylvania and be ready to dance.
The Lineup: Big Gigantic, Disclosure, Seth Troxler
Tickets: Buy tickets here
More Info: Elements Lakewood Festival 2019 Website
Soundset 2019
When: May 26, 2019
Where: St Paul, MN
The Scene: It's one of the premier hip-hop festivals of the season. For over a decade, underground rappers Atmosphere have curated this single day Minneapolis festival dedicated to hip-hop and rap with a crazy mix of emerging acts and legends.
Tickets: Buy tickets here
More Info: Soundset 2019 Website
Rocklahoma 2019
When: May 24-26, 2019
Where: Pryor, OK
The Scene: Looking for a contemplative weekend of drum circles and mellow campfire jams -- then Rocklahoma is your nightmare. The only thing more legendary than the lineup at Rocklahoma are the campground ragers. Contests throughout the weekend inspire party animals to fully trick out their campsite in creative and often, puzzling ways.
Tickets: Buy tickets here
More Info: Rocklahoma 2019 Website
Summer Camp 2019
When: May 24-26, 2019
Where: Chillicothe, IL
The Scene: From chilled out late night campfire jams to beat busting dance shows, the party at Summer Camp goes long past the end of scheduled performances. “Scampers” can apply to become camp counselors which means free tickets, free camping, and free beer in exchange for being an official party ambassador to the other attendees. Our resident festival expert calls Summer Camp — “The best festival of the Memorial Day Weekend.”
The Lineup: Big Gigantic, Bro Safari, Chromeo, EOTO, Flux Pavilion, Gramatik, Lotus, moe., Papadosio, STS9, The Werks, Toots and the Maytals, Trampled By Turtles, Umphrey's McGee, Yonder Mountain String Band, Zeds Dead
Tickets: Buy tickets here
More Info: Summer Camp 2019 Website
Sunset Music Festival 2019
When: May 25-26, 2019
Where: Tampa, FL
The Scene: As a growing key player in the Florida electronic scene, Sunset Music Festival brings big name artists to Raymond James Stadium each Memorial Day weekend. As one of the largest events in Tampa Bay, Sunset brings in crowds of over 50,000 attendees to the area. With costumed-clad performing artists and colorful stages, Sunset Music Festival basks in the Florida sunshine.
The Lineup: Alison Wonderland, Boys Noize, Flux Pavilion, Kaskade, Zedd, Zeds Dead
Tickets: Buy tickets here
More Info: Sunset Music Festival 2019 Website
California Roots 2019
When: May 24-26, 2019
Where: Monterey, CA
The Scene: One of the largest reggae festivals in the country, Calforinia Roots "delivers a cosmic blend of good vibes, true happiness, family, peace, love and joy to all who enter." The three-day festival takes place at the Monterey County Fairgrounds, where Jimi Hendrix famously lit his guitar on fire in 1967.
The Lineup: Cypress Hill
Tickets: Buy tickets here
More Info: California Roots 2019 Website
DelFest 2019
When: May 23-26, 2019
Where: Cumberland, MD
The Scene: The legendary bluegrass artist Del McCoury curates this annual festival at the picture perfect Allegany County Fairgrounds in Maryland. Camping, dancing, and of course, plenty of bluegrass set the stage for a Memorial Day weekend of world class collaborations, special guest sit-ins, informal workshops, and late night picking sessions.
The Lineup: Keller Williams, Railroad Earth, Sam Bush, The String Cheese Incident, Trampled By Turtles, Yonder Mountain String Band
Tickets: Buy tickets here
More Info: DelFest 2019 Website
Rooster Walk 2019
When: May 23-26, 2019
Where: Axton, VA
The Scene: Making the most out of tragedy, Rooster Walk was started to celebrate the lives of two childhood friends that passed away. With a mission to create a festival that could fund a scholarship, the Rooster Walk Music and Arts was born. A decade later, this festival for charity has become a centerpiece event of the region.
The Lineup: Galactic, Sam Bush Band
More Info: Rooster Walk 2019 Website
Gather Outdoors Festival 2019
When: May 25-26, 2019
Where: Monticello, NY
The Scene: 'Featuring three stages, Gather will showcase sounds from some of the industry’s most innovative selectors. Situated in the idyllic serenity of the Catskill Mountains, the festival will offer a refreshing break from the big city.'
The Lineup: Art Department, Jamie xx
More Info: Gather Outdoors Festival 2019 Website
