With 50 diverse states and an assortment of different races, cultures, and nations, the United States of America possesses a vast cultural and historical legacy, and these cultures are all commemorated through various celebrations and occasions. While many tourists journey to the United States of America to marvel at the bustling cities or the exquisite parks, the festivals in America are a significant aspect of what contributes to the country’s greatness and are undeniably worthwhile to attend. Therefore, if you are contemplating a visit to the US and wish to explore the cultural facet of the nation but are uncertain about how to proceed, fear not, as we are here to assist you! These festivals will present you with indelible memories and more, as they showcase the art, culture, heritage, and music of the country in the most thrilling manner. Seize the opportunity, indulge in merriment with your companions, create lasting memories, and commemorate the adoration for music and art at these festivals.
15 Exuberant Festivals In America One Must Experience
While you find yourself in the states, among cultural celebrations, music galas, folk gatherings, and art exhibitions, we have compiled a list of the top ten American festivals and holidays that undoubtedly deserve a place in your itinerary during your sojourn in the United States of America.
- The Kutztown Folk Festival
- New Orleans Mardi Gras
- Jazz And Heritage Festival
- Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta
- The Burning Man Festival
- Aloha Festival
- Fantasy Fest
- Coachella Valley Music And Arts Festival
- Groundhog Day
- Boston Seafood Festival
- Electric Zoo Festival
- Lollapalooza
- South By SouthWest (SXSW)
- Austin City Limits Music Festival
- Afropunk Fest Brooklyn
1. The Kutztown Folk Festival
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Among the most remarkable festivals in the United States is the Kutztown festival, which originated in the 1950s when three local professors decided to pay homage to the Pennsylvanian German population in the country. This festival stands as the largest in America! Today, it has surpassed its 60th year and entices hundreds of thousands of visitors annually. As you step foot into the festival grounds, you will find yourself engulfed by the cultural ambiance, surrounded by locals adorned in their traditional attire, and the harmonious melodies of traditional music echoing in the background. This presents a marvelous opportunity to gain insight into the Pennsylvanian German culture and partake in the workshops offered at one of the premier folk festivals in American culture.
Extra Information: Their freshly baked bread and pastries are a must tryLocation: Kutztown, PennsylvaniaFestival Dates 2022: 2nd July – 10th July, 2022Famous For: Artists and craftspeople
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2. New Orleans Mardi Gras
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Among all the festivals celebrated in America, there’s nothing more vibrant and exhilarating than a Mardi Gras festival, which is marked by numerous parades and events throughout the city. The New Orleans Mardi Gras is an event that is organized by the social clubs in the city, and people adorn themselves in colorful outfits and march around the city, while massive floats are driven around as well. Festival-goers toss colorful party cups and other lightweight objects into the air to celebrate the festival, and the dress code for this event includes the colors gold, purple, and green, which symbolize power, justice, and faith. This is considered one of the finest festivals in the US.
Extra Information: The festival is celebrated until Ash WednesdayLocation: New Orleans, LouisianaFestival Dates 2022: 6th Jan – 1st Mar 2022Famous For: A wide range of parades and festivities
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3. Jazz And Heritage Festival
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New Orleans is renowned for being the party hub of the United States of America, so it’s no surprise that many of the festivals in America are hosted here. Although there are numerous parties and clubbing scenes taking place in the city all year round, it’s rare to witness the local talent and the cultural heritage of the people come forth and showcase their art. From musical performances to art exhibitions and much more, you get to experience a side of New Orleans that’s not commercialized and much more connected to the local culture. Additionally, this is one of the finest destinations to visit with your family in America.
Extra Information : The festival is predominantly centered around music.Location: New Orleans, LouisianaFestival Dates 2022: April 29th – May 8th, 2022Famous For: Music Festival
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4. Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta
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This occasion, we promise, is akin to nothing you’ve ever witnessed before in your complete existence! Envision a sky teeming with hundreds of diverse shaded hot air balloons drifting in the atmosphere. You can transform this visualization into a reality when you pay a visit to the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta, held each year in New Mexico, and observe over 500 hot air balloons glide over your head, producing an almost enchanting style of ambiance for the spectators. Not only will you watch, but you will also have an opportunity to soar up in a hot air balloon here, making it one of the finest festivals in the US.
Extra Information: The hot air balloon rides are subject to a fee, and you can inquire about the prices at the location.Location: Albuquerque, New Mexico
Festival Dates 2022: October 1st – October 9th, 2022Famous For: Hot air balloon festival
5. Burning Man Festival
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This is one festival that you should undeniably set aside a date on your calendar for. Although often perceived as a hippie festival, the genuine essence of the festival lies in the community of individuals, and their connection, who collaboratively create everything in the festival from scratch. Join in on the American celebrations, which comprise of extravagant art installations, splendid musical performances, and simply the immense energy of the people who attend this annual event. If you are someone who is seeking to encounter something unprocessed and authentic instead of the typical tourist activities in America, this is one of the most exceptional American festivals to explore.
Location: Black Rock Desert, NevadaFestival Dates 2022: August 29th – September 5th, 2022Famous For: Burning of a wooden effigy
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6. Hawaiian Celebration
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If you are searching for some remarkable celebrations in American culture suitable for various types of travelers such as families with children, the Hawaiian Celebration which honors the culture of Hawaii, is the perfect festival for you! This festival, held exclusively on a single island to preserve Hawaiian heritage and culture, features street performances, music shows, as well as opportunities for food tasting and workshops to gain insight into the Hawaiian culture. This festival ensures an enjoyable and adventurous experience for you and your family!
Additional Information: The festival is offered free of chargeLocation: Honolulu, HawaiiFestival Dates 2022: To be determinedFamous For: Music Festival
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7. Festivity of Imagination
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This is for all those of you who missed out on the Halloween festivities and adore dressing up in outfits! A yearly occasion, this celebration draws in a substantial number of guests, both tourists and local individuals also, who dress up as well-known characters, or cover themselves in body paint, which is a well-known activity here, and stroll around the streets, making regular stops at the numerous bars and clubs in the city. Much like the Mardi Gras festival, this is a massive gathering of individuals who have come together with a shared interest – to have a blast!
Additional Information: There are plenty of stunning beaches to explore nearbyLocation: Key West, FloridaFestival Dates 2022: 21st October – 30th October 2022Famous For: Key West festival
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8. Coachella Valley Music And Arts Festival
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One could not compile a list of the most renowned festivals in the country and fail to mention the Coachella festival, which is a colossal yearly music festival that attracts people from all around the world. A large number of the world’s top artists, representing various genres, come together for a week-long celebration of music. It is not uncommon to come across Hollywood celebrities meandering around the festival, just like ordinary individuals, as they, like regular people, come here to enjoy the exceptional music and the delectable food stalls! So grab your finest beach attire and prepare yourself for an incredibly enjoyable experience at this music festival in America.
Additional Information: Ensure you purchase your tickets well in advance online, as they sell out rapidlyLocation: Indio, CaliforniaFestival Dates 2022: 15th April – 24th April 2022Famous For: Music Festival
9. Groundhog Day
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If you have watched the movie starring Bill Murray, you might have an idea of what this festival is all about. For those of you who haven’t seen the film, this is a family-friendly event, in which the weather predictions are made by a Groundhog. This is a tradition that dates back centuries and people from near and far come to watch this exciting event. There are several other attractions around the festival like the GHC Headquarters, Phil’s Burrow, and the gobbler’s Knob Tail. This is one of the famous destinations in America to visit in September! If you want to be a part of some of the distinctive festivals in the US, then this one’s for you.
Location: PennsylvaniaFestival Dates 2022: 2nd February, 2022Famous For: Pennsylvania’s Carnival
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10. Boston Seafood Festival
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Lastly but not least on our list of the top festivals in America is one of the top ethnic festivals in the USA to celebrate Boston’s long relationship with seafood, and what it means to the people, in terms of income and their diet as well. Enjoy delectable seafood dishes, while also learning how it’s made in traditional Boston style at these workshops. The best part is – the food is diet-friendly, so if you’re weight-conscious, you don’t have to worry anymore! It would definitely be one of the festivals in America in 2022.
Location: Boston, MassachusettsFamous For: Seaport Party
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11. Electric Zoo Festival
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One of the biggest music festivals in the USA you’ll ever witness, this event takes place at Randall’s island park, bringing to the Ne York city, the electronic theme of music! You’ll jump in excitement to attend this after knowing that it is created by organizers behind big events like Tomorrow land and more! So, don’t forget to add this in your bucket list. If you are planning to attend festivals in USA, there’s no time better than now to get your rock on!
Location: Randall’s island, New YorkFestival Dates 2022: 2nd September – 4th September, 2022Famous For: International DJs and live performances
12. Lollapalooza
Gear up for an additional dose of music, dance, comedy, and plenty of fun with your pals as this festival provides you with an opportunity to enjoy a diverse music genre that also serves as a platform for non-profit artists to perform. In the global hall of fame for festivals, this music festival is definitely one of the top festivals in America. Held in the heart of Chicago, it is one of the best festivals in Chicago that hosts popular celebrity names like Childish Gambino and Ariana Grande with wild energy.
Location: Grant Park, ChicagoFestival dates 2022: 28th July – 31st July, 2022Bonus: Music Festival
13. South By SouthWest (SXSW)
A fusion of music, film screenings, and electrifying performances, this festival is the next big thing for music and media enthusiasts. Held in Austin, Texas, it attracts a large crowd who gather around for the love of music and films and to witness their favorite celebrities come alive in front of their eyes. This one’s a trendsetter for music fans that might just boost your career as well. This is also of the best American festivals that you must attend.
Location: Austin Convention Center, Austin, TexasFestival Dates 2022: 11th March – 20th March, 2022Bonus: Conference and festival
14. Austin City Limits Music Festival
Inviting all music enthusiasts to attend this two-weekend long festival that speaks volumes about music, art, food, and drinks. The festival features an eight-stage set up to celebrate the love for music. Inspired by a concert series of the same name, the festival is a great haunt for food and music lovers with relaxed vibes and an Indie music lineup.
Location: Zilker Metropolitan Park, Austin, TexasFestival Dates 2022: 7th – 9th October and 14th – 16th October, 2022Bonus: Annual music festival
15. Afropunk Fest Brooklyn
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Since its debut in 2005 at the Brooklyn Academy of Music, the festival has gained the admiration of many music enthusiasts and artists across the globe. The festival is a combination of film, fashion, music, and art produced by black artists. Afropunk festival sheds some light on the black community as it was started by black punks as a response to feeling like an outsider, hence, coming together and creating one of the world’s most renowned art festivals. With its roots based in Brooklyn, it is now a worldwide event that happens in cities across the globe. Join the wave of creative radical energy and celebrate the black culture at one of the top festivals in America.
Location: Commodore Barry Park, Brooklyn, New YorkFestival Dates 2022: Yet to be announcedBonus: Music Festival
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Already excited to immerse yourself in the joy of festivals in America? If you’re saying yes than don’t spend much time and pack your bags first and customize one of the top USA holiday trips with TravelTriangle to explore the heritage of these festivals!
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Frequently Asked Questions About Festivals In America
Is it safe to visit the US amidst the ongoing pandemic?
Yes, it is perfectly safe to visit these places as the place has a relatively low number of cases. But don’t take our word for it: check up on the latest travel advisory, Covid-19 measures, and the number of cases before your departure. It is safer to undertake solo travel or with a small group of people to somewhere that is not overly crowded at the moment.
What are the largest festivals in the US?
Some of the largest festivals in the US are Summerfest, New Orleans Jazz and heritage festival and many more.
What holidays are only celebrated in America?
5 holidays are celebrated in America – Christmas Day, New Year’s Day, Thanksgiving Day, Independence Day, and Veterans Day.
What is the top music festival in America?
There are a number of music festivals in America that are considered the best. 5 of them are listed below: 1. Coachella Valley Music Festival 2. Essence Festival 3. Hangout Music Festival 4. Underwater Musical Festival 5. Lollapalooza
How many music festivals are there in the US?
Currently, there are over 800 music festivals in the United States.
How much does it cost to attend the Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta?
Advanced general admission tickets are only around Rs. 700 per person. General parking is around Rs.1000 per vehicle.
When was the first Balloon Fiesta in Albuquerque?
The first Balloon Fiesta in Albuquerque was held on 8 April 1972.
How does Groundhog Day work?
According to the tradition, if the groundhog sees its shadow on February 2, it will be frightened by it and will then return to its burrow, indicating that there will be 6 more weeks of winter. If it does not see its shadow, then spring is on the way.
How much are Coachella Valley Music Festival tickets?
Coachella Valley Music Festival for Weekend 2: GA Pass is ₹29825.77.
