Fun in the Sun: The Best Music Festivals in Florida 2018

Okeechobee Music & Arts Festival burst onto the Florida scene in 2016 and immediately become a fan favorite. Taking place in early March, Okeechobee is now the first major music festival of the US festival season and provides a glimpse of touring summertime artists. The festival's home at Sunshine Grove is a treat for campers with lush grassy fields, a sandy beach, and a majestic grove.

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.

More than 175,000 festies hit up up SunFest in Downtown West Palm Beach for five days of music. Florida's largest waterfront music and art festival is typcially held in the first weekend in May and has been held annually since 1982.

Rock the Ocean’s Tortuga Music Festival, annually held on the white sands of Ft. Lauderdale Beach, raises awareness and support of marine conservation. This beachside music festival features everything from rap to country with a mix of Americana roots added to the mix.

Welcome to Rockville roars into Jacksonville, Florida, every spring with a powerful rock and metal lineup. Part of the World's Loudest Month, more than 50,000 fans show up for a monster weekend of nonstop rock with 45 bands on 4 stages.

For EDM fans around the world, Ultra in Miami is a must-stop on the international circuit. While most of the United States is shivering in parkas waiting for the summer festival season, Ultra fans are dancing their asses off in sunny Miami. The show always delivers surprises – both in the musical acts and the fans that attend.

The non-profit Gasparilla Music Festival is putting downtown on the map with this annual fest that takes place the second weekend in March. The community based festival packs in a mix of indie rock and roots with alumni like Best Coast, Dr. Dog, Dawes, The Flaming Lips, and Modest Mouse.

As South Florida’s largest rock festival, Fort Rock is one of the few music festivals in the States featuring a lineup solely dedicated to rock. Fort Rock turns up with headbanging headliners spanning all rock genres from 80’s pop-metal and hard rock to pop-punk and the best of 90’s grunge. Attracting 23,000 attendees each year, Fort Rock continues to grow larger each year catering to rock fans throughout the Southeast.

Wanee Music Festival features a varied lineup but with nods to the Brothers. Jamming to music on the outdoor stages at the Spirit of Suwannee Music Park in Florida every spring, Wanee brings a community feel to a music festival setting.

After making their mark on the California festival scene, The Dirtybird Campout, hosted by Claude VonStroke, is heading to Florida in 2018. The festival features a throwback vibe with camp activities like tug-o-war, canoeing, and crafting, along with a top notch roster of underground electronic artists -- who also double as "camp counselors".

Fractal Beach, modeled after the transformational festivals on the West Coast, brings that super chill vibe to South Florida. Mixing yoga, music, and workshop, the Miami festival takes place at the Historic Virginia Key Beach Park.

The Country 500 Festival, also called the 'The Great American Music Fest at Daytona', brings out the biggest country stars in the world for Memorial Day Weekend. The world famous Daytona International Speedway is home to this mega-country festival with fans actually allowed to camp out in the infield.