Top 10 Festivals in the USA You Can’t Miss in 2025
Get ready to mark your calendars and pack your travel bags because 2025 is set to be a year filled with unforgettable festival experiences across the USA!
Set “Travel” as the theme of this New Year and start mapping out your tourism. In this thrilling guide, you will discover some of the most incredible festivals in the US you can’t miss experiencing. These world-famous events promise a whirlwind of music, food, art, and culture that will leave you with memories to last a lifetime. So, get going on your feet to dance to the rhythms of diverse music genres, taste multicultural cuisines, witness as well as partake in adventurous events, and celebrate all year long.
Are you ready to hunt for festivities in the US? Hop on your virtual roller coaster and let the ride begin.
10 Epic Festivals In America To Visit In 2025
This year in the USA is going to be epic with electrifying music festivals, mouthwatering food fairs, awe-inspiring cultural celebrations, and breathtaking art shows. 2025 is going to be replete with exciting journeys and unforgettable adventures. Read along to uncover 10 grand festivals set to take place in various cities across America, and get ready to dive into the excitement of thrilling excursions.
Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival
The Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival, or simply Coachella, is one of the most iconic music festivals in the world and one of the largest annual events in the US. Coachella has been a staple of the music scene since its inception in 1999. Held in Indio, California, this grand festival turns the city’s serene desert landscape into a dazzling oasis.
The Coachella Fest features myriad art installations and sculptures. You will get to watch several great music artists, like Ariana Grande, Lady Gaga, Beyoncé, Kanye West, and Coldplay perform here. It also offers various camping options.
City: Indio, California
2025 Festival schedule: April 11-13 and April 18-20
Venue: Empire Polo Club
Mardi Gras
Known as the world's greatest free show, Mardi Gras, also known as Fat Tuesday, is a legendary festival that showcases dazzling parades, extravagant costumes, and an endless shower of beads and trinkets from ornate floats. It marks the final day of the Carnival season before Lent begins, making it one of the best events to see in December across the US.
Throughout the city, you'll find masquerade balls, lively street parties, and the intoxicating sounds of jazz and brass bands. The air is filled with the scent of delicious local cuisine, including king cakes, a Mardi Gras staple. This exuberant festival displays the unique blend of French, Spanish, and African cultural influences.
City: New Orleans, Louisiana
2025 Festival schedule: 31 December, Tuesday
Venue: French Quarter and Bourbon Street, along with several other iconic locations.
South by Southwest (SXSW)
Let’s venture to Austin city in Texas, where the annual mega-festival South by Southwest takes place. SXSW is this incredible mash-up of music, film, and interactive media, all rolled into one epic festival. Attending this festival means visiting a platform where groundbreaking ideas meet incredible performances. It has an electric vibe in the air that’s all about discovery and collaboration.
Here, you can explore a vast array of concerts, film premieres, tech showcases, and thought-provoking panels. You’ve got concerts from indie bands and global superstars, film premieres that might just be the next big thing, and tech showcases that give you a glimpse of the future.
City: Austin, Texas
2025 Festival schedule: March 7th to 15th
Venue: Austin Convention Center and various other locations all around the city.
Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta
Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta is one of the most spectacular festivals of the United States. As you can guess from the name, it is the largest hot air balloon festival in the world. On this event, over 500 balloons rise up, filling the serene skies of Albuquerque into a kaleidoscope of colors. This vibrant show of whimsically shaped and vibrantly patterned balloons continues till evening, illuminating the night sky.
This nine-day-long magical event is not just a feast for the eyes. There’s music, local food, and a bustling atmosphere that makes you feel like a kid again, filled with wonder and excitement.
City: New Mexico
2025 Festival schedule: October 4th to 12th
Venue: Balloon Fiesta Park
Burning Man
Don’t worry. You won’t watch a man burn alive in this festival. In fact, Burning Man, just like its name, is not your typical festival, so prepare for something unique. Burning Man is an extraordinary and transformative festival that features the burning of a large wooden effigy known as “The Man.” These burnings symbolize reflection, letting go, and renewal, creating a deeply moving experience for many.
This festival offers the opportunity to create art, experience theme camping, or simply engage with others and create meaningful connections. The dramatic desert landscape and stunning sunsets of Black Rock City turn this event into a surreal and unforgettable adventure.
City: Black Rock City, Nevada
2025 Festival schedule: August 24 to September 1
Venue: Black Rock Desert
The Kentucky Derby Festival
The Kentucky Derby Festival is an exhilarating two-week carnival featuring the Kentucky Derby, known as “The Most Exciting Two Minutes in Sports,” held annually on the first Saturday of May. The Derby experience offers a variety of events for all ages and interests. The festival not only honors the rich traditions of horse racing but also celebrates the culture and community of Louisville.
You can enjoy the Great Balloon Race, where colorful hot air balloons fill the sky, and the Great Steamboat Race, a historic competition on the Ohio River. The Pegasus Parade brings a burst of color and energy to the streets with its floats, marching bands, and performers. There's also the miniMarathon and Marathon, drawing runners from all over to compete in a scenic race through the city.
The Kentucky Derby Festival brings people together through its mix of food, music, art, and sports, creating a sense of unity and pride among everyone involved.
City: Louisville, Kentucky
2025 Festival schedule: April 26th to May 3rd
Venue: Churchill Downs, as well as in and around Louisville
Comic-Con International
Comic-Con International festival is one of the most popular events in the US among children. It is the ultimate celebration of pop culture among aficionados of comic books, movies, TV shows, games, and more.
You'll find incredible cosplay—where participants dress up as their favorite characters—creating a colorful and lively atmosphere. One of the highlights of Comic-Con is the opportunity to attend panels and Q&A sessions featuring your favorite creators, actors, and directors. These panels often include exclusive previews, trailers, and behind-the-scenes looks at upcoming projects, making them a must-see for fans. The exhibition floor is a goldmine of unique merchandise, rare collectibles, and autographs from renowned artists and celebrities.
If you're a fan of anything geeky, Comic-Con International is the place to be. It’s an unforgettable experience that captures the heart of fandom exquisitely.
City: San Diego, California
2025 Festival schedule: 24th to 27th July
Venue: San Diego Convention Center
Taste of Chicago
Imagine strolling through a vibrant fairground filled with over 70 food vendors, each offering tantalizing samples of Chicago classics like deep-dish pizza, hot dogs, barbecued ribs, and cheesecake. If you are a food lover, the iconic Taste of Chicago festival is for you. It is one of the biggest annual events in the US.
At this festival, you won’t just get to savor Chicago’s cuisine but also enjoy live music performances on multiple stages, group dances, karaoke, trivia competitions, and even rides on a Ferris wheel. With the beautiful Buckingham Fountain as a backdrop, the Taste of Chicago offers a perfect blend of delicious eats, entertainment, and community spirit.
City: Chicago, Illinois
Festival schedule: September 5th to 7th
Venue: Grant Park
Essence Festival
New Orleans has been celebrating the Essence Festival since 1990 to honor and showcase the richness and vibrancy of African American culture. This festival has grown into one of the largest and most anticipated festivals of the United States of America.
The festival features electrifying performances by some great artists of R&B, funk, hip-hop, soul, and gospel. Not only will you be vibing to amazing music concerts, but you'll also dive into engaging panel discussions, get some shopping done, meet and greet amazing people, and immerse yourself in diverse cultural and art exhibitions.
City: New Orleans, Louisiana
Festival schedule: July 3rd to 6th
Venue: Day event at Ernest N. Morial Convention Center. Evening event at Caesars Superdome
Sundance Film Festival
Are you a film enthusiast and interested in the art of filmmaking? If yes, then you should definitely keep the Sundance Film Festival in Utah on your New Year 2025 travel bucket list. It is one of the biggest festivals in the US, where you can see groundbreaking films and emerging talent take the spotlight, showcasing a rich mix of stories and perspectives.
Here, you will get to engage with experts in this field, have interactive talks and discussions, and participate in insightful workshops and special events. This festival also features award ceremonies where various talented artists are honored with the Visionary Award and the Trailblazer Award.
City: Park City, Utah
Festival schedule: January 23rd to February 2nd
Venue: Park City and Salt Lake City
Your 2025 Festive Wrap
So there you have it—the top 10 festivals in the USA you absolutely can’t miss in 2025! So, what’s on your travel bucket list? Are you looking forward to grooving to the beats of Coachella in California? Maybe you would like to feast at the Taste of Chicago event. The cinematic experience at the Sundance Film Festival is a great choice, too. Or how about beholding the beautiful dance of hot air balloons in New Mexico? No matter which of the festivals in the United States you wish to visit, each of these events offers a unique experience that’s bound to leave you with unforgettable memories.
So, pack your bags, gather your friends, and get ready to dive into a fun-filled New Year 2025, making it your most festive year yet!
Digging More About US Festivals
What is the longest sporting event in the United States?
The Kentucky Derby Festival is the longest annual sporting event held in Louisville, Kentucky, that runs for two weeks, with the final event organized on the first Saturday of May.
What is the most famous festival in the USA?
Some of the most famous and big festivals held across the USA are Mardi Gras, Taste of Chicago, Burning Man, Comic-Con International, Summerfest, and Sundance Festival.
Which is the largest music festival in the USA?
The Coachella festival, held in Indio, California, is said to be one of the biggest music festivals in the USA, featuring music performances and art exhibits by top artists around the world.
What is the most prestigious film festival in North America?
The Toronto International Film Festival, held in Toronto, Canada, and the Sundance Film Festival in Park City, Utah, are two major prestigious film festivals organized in North America.
What is the famous black music festival in the US?
The Essence Festival, organized annually in New Orleans, Louisiana, is undoubtedly the most famous black music festival in the US, celebrating African American culture.