The Best Memorial Day Weekend Music Festivals for 2023

By MFW Staff / January 2, 2023

Boston's signature music festival takes place for three days over Memorial Day Weekend at the Harvard Athletic Complex. Over the years, Boston Calling has transformed into one of the premier music festivals of New England with a strong mix of indie rock, hip-hop, and legendary artists.

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.

Combining mankind's three greatest creations (punk rock, bowling, and Las Vegas), this annual festival has grown popular enough to spin off editions across the country. But nothing compares to the flagship festival of Punk Rock Bowling in its downtown Las Vegas home over Memorial Day Weekend. 100 bands, 1000 bowlers, poker tournaments, movie screenings, and plenty of booze - sounds like the perfect weekend.

America's largest rock festival tears up the Midwest every May in the most metal of cities -- Columbus, Ohio. 60 bands across three stages over four days makes this a must-stop festival for fans of rock and metal.

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.'

As a 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.

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.

Nestled in the in foothills of the Berkshire Mountains, this 3-day festival hosted by Wilco takes place at the unique MASS MoCA venue. It's a beautiful spot to watch some beautiful music

Long before the onslaught of the modern day electronic festival scene, the Movement Festival has brought the vibe to 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 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 dedicated fans of this transformational festival have kept LiB at the top of its game for over ten years. It has changed venues more than a few times, but the incredible art, enthusiastic attendees, and top notch lineup at this boutique fest is a steady constant.

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.

Returning to Thornville, Ohio each year, Dark Star Jubilee is hosted by Dark Star Orchestra who headline each of the three nights of the festival. The rest of the lineup features a wanton mix of artists reminiscing of the classic rock times - most notable the Grateful Dead whom Dark Star Jubilee Orchestra is known to recreate sets from. Set in the Legend Valley, a well known venue in the Midwest, festival attendees are surrounded by beautiful landscapes.

The all-new Adjacent Music Festival is coming to the beach in Atlantic City this Memorial Day Weekend.

The 'I Love RnB Music Festival' will be hosting the biggest and best lineup of your favorite RnB performing artists, from classics to new hits.