2026 Festivals in the U.S.: A Month-by-Month Travel Guide
Your year of festivals starts here. In the United States, there is always something to celebrate. From snow country concerts to coastal food and film events, every month in 2026 delivers a reason to pack your bags. Use this guide to chart an unforgettable year of music, culture, cuisine, and community. Dates are for 2026 and may change, so confirm details on official festival sites.
Best winter festivals
January 2026
MusicFest at Steamboat
Steamboat Springs, Colorado
January 5–10, 2026
Six days, more than 50 bands, and five mountains. Steamboat becomes a winter stage for concerts, songwriter showcases, and lively après gatherings. Between sets, ski the famed Champagne Powder, soak in natural hot springs, or drop into an afternoon jam.
Hot tip: Book early and stay slopeside in a ski in, ski out condo so you can swap ski boots for dancing shoes in minutes.
Sundance Film Festival
Park City, Utah
January 22–February 1, 2026
This is the final year to experience Sundance in Park City before it relocates to Boulder, with special tributes honoring its legacy and Robert Redford.
Hot tip: Choose a mountain home within walking distance of Main Street. Easy access means you can slip into buzzed-about screenings on short notice.
More January festivals worth the trip
Saranac Lake Winter Carnival, Adirondacks
International Snow Sculpture Championships, Breckenridge, Colorado
Wintersköl, Aspen, Colorado
February 2026
Daytona 500
Daytona Beach, Florida
February 15, 2026
NASCAR’s crown jewel draws more than 150,000 fans for a week of racing and festivities. Off track, stroll the boardwalk, enjoy wide beaches, and feast at classic seafood shacks.
Hot tip: An oceanfront rental makes sunrise walks and quick returns between events a breeze.
Mardi Gras
Galveston, Texas
February 6–17, 2026
The third largest Mardi Gras in the country features more than 20 parades and 20 concerts across two full weeks on this Gulf Coast island.
Hot tip: Stay near a parade route so you can watch the action from your balcony.
More February festivals worth the trip
The Fur Rendezvous Festival, Anchorage, Alaska
Whitefish Winter Carnival, Whitefish, Montana
Best spring festivals
March 2026
South by Southwest
Austin, Texas
March 12–18, 2026
Tech innovators, filmmakers, and musicians converge for a citywide mashup of keynotes, premieres, and pop-up shows.
Hot tip: Skip the car. Stay downtown and walk or rideshare. Traffic and parking are tough during peak hours.
Ultra Music Festival
Miami, Florida
March 27–29, 2026
Bayfront Park pulses with world-class DJs and towering stages in a waterfront setting.
Hot tip: Pick a place within walking distance of the park. You will be grateful after the final set.
More March festivals worth the trip
Cherry Blossom Festivals across Georgia
Emerald City Comic Con, Seattle, Washington
April 2026
Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival
Indio, California
April 10–12 and 17–19, 2026
Two weekends, massive headliners, desert sunsets, global crowds, and art installations that light up the night.
Hot tip: A rental with a private pool is the best way to beat the heat and regroup between sets.
Stagecoach
Indio, California
April 24–26, 2026
The country music centerpiece brings superstar headliners, rising Nashville talent, barbecue, craft beer, and Western flair.
Hot tip: Choose a home with outdoor space for late-night jam sessions after the shows.
More April festivals worth the trip
Vermont Maple Festival, St. Albans, Vermont
SandFest, Port Aransas, Texas
May 2026
Hangout Music Festival
Gulf Shores, Alabama
May 15–17, 2026
Oceanfront stages, big-name artists, and soft Gulf sands make this a bucket-list beach weekend.
Hot tip: Book a beachfront condo to walk from balcony to festival gates without shuttles.
BottleRock
Napa Valley, California
May 22–24, 2026
Wine country meets a powerhouse music lineup, chef demos, and laid-back Napa style.
Hot tip: A vineyard-view home keeps the festival feeling going long after the encore.
More May festivals worth the trip
Shaky Knees Music Festival, Atlanta, Georgia
Afropunk Miami, Miami, Florida
Best summer festivals
June 2026
Pride Month celebrations
Multiple cities
All June
Major cities from San Francisco to Seattle celebrate LGBTQ+ culture with parades, performances, and community events that draw huge crowds.
Hot tip: Book early. Rentals near parade routes put you in the heart of the action.
Food & Wine Classic
Aspen, Colorado
June 19–21, 2026
Celebrity chefs and beverage pros lead demos, tastings, and classes against a Rocky Mountain backdrop.
Hot tip: Morning sessions are quieter, with more time to sample and chat with presenters.
More June festivals worth the trip
ProvTown Film Festival, Provincetown, Massachusetts
Lilac Festival, Northern Michigan
Scandinavian Midsummer Festival, Estes Park, Colorado
July 2026
100th National Cherry Festival
Traverse City, Michigan
July 4–12, 2026
The centennial edition brings parades, air shows, pie-eating contests, live music, and waterfront fun.
Hot tip: Take a sunset cruise on Grand Traverse Bay for orchard views and golden light.
Comic-Con International
San Diego, California
July 23–26, 2026
The epicenter of pop culture delivers exclusives, panels, collectibles, and celebrity appearances.
Hot tip: Arrive early for limited-edition merch and a seat at must-see panels
More July festivals worth the trip
Lake Tahoe Shakespeare Festival, Lake Tahoe, California
Pensacola Beach Air Show, Pensacola, Florida
Crested Butte Wildflower Festival, Crested Butte, Colorado
August 2026
The Sturgis Motorcycle Rally
Sturgis, South Dakota
August 7–16, 2026
Hundreds of thousands of riders descend on the Black Hills for scenic cruises, concerts, and daredevil shows.
Hot tip: Even if you do not ride, plan drives to Mount Rushmore and Custer State Park for unforgettable scenery.
Washington Midsummer Renaissance Faire
Bonney Lake, Washington
Weekends in July and August
A beloved fair near Tacoma with jousts, artisans, costumed performers, and family-friendly fun.
Hot tip: Wear your best medieval garb and arrive for opening ceremonies to catch the full spectacle.
More August festivals worth the trip
Maine Lobster Festival, Rockland, Maine
Telluride Film Festival, Telluride, Colorado
Best fall festivals
September 2026
Telluride Blues & Brews Festival
Telluride, Colorado
September 18–20, 2026
Blues legends and craft brews meet dramatic alpine scenery in one of Colorado’s most charming towns.
Hot tip: Do not miss the Sunday gospel brunch. It is a soulful sendoff to the weekend.
Oktoberfest celebrations
Multiple cities
Late September through October
Bavarian-inspired towns like Leavenworth, Washington, Helen, Georgia, and Fredericksburg, Texas raise steins with German ales, sizzling bratwurst, polka, and dance floors filled with happy crowds.
Hot tip: Arrive early for communal table seating and join the singalongs. Prost.
October 2026
Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta
Albuquerque, New Mexico
October 3–11, 2026
The world’s largest balloon festival fills the sky with hundreds of colorful balloons. Santa Fe is an easy home base with convenient transportation options.
Hot tip: Target Mass Ascension mornings for the most spectacular photos.
Austin City Limits Music Festival
Austin, Texas
Early and mid-October 2026
Two weekends, more than 100 performances, top food vendors, and that unmistakable Austin energy.
Hot tip: Arrive early each day to discover rising artists on the smaller stages.
More October festivals worth the trip
Salem Haunted Happenings, Salem, Massachusetts
Día de los Muertos, Muertos Fest, San Antonio, Texas
Best winter holiday festivals
November 2026
Hawaii International Film Festival
Honolulu, Hawaii
October and November 2026
A showcase for Asia-Pacific cinema with premieres, filmmaker talks, and cultural programming across the islands.
Hot tip: Catch an outdoor beach screening under the stars for a one-of-a-kind movie night.
Austin Food & Wine Festival
Austin, Texas
Early November 2026
Chefs, pitmasters, and winemakers gather for demos, tasting tents, and a flavor-packed weekend.
Hot tip: Line up early for popular tastings and chef demos to secure a great spot.
More November festivals worth the trip
Florida Seafood Festival, Apalachicola, Florida
America’s Hometown Thanksgiving Celebration, Plymouth, Massachusetts
December 2026
Dickens on the Strand
Galveston, Texas
Early December
Step into a Victorian holiday with carolers, costumes, markets, and Gulf Coast cheer along The Strand.
Hot tip: Weekday evenings bring smaller crowds and magical lights.
Village of Lights: Christmastown
Leavenworth, Washington
Thanksgiving through February
A Bavarian village transformed by thousands of twinkling lights, markets, and seasonal treats.
Hot tip: Warm up with mulled wine or a fresh pretzel as you browse shops and enjoy performances.
More December festivals worth the trip
Wassail Weekend, Woodstock, Vermont
Holiday Spectacular, Park City, Utah
Annapolis Chocolate Binge Festival, Annapolis, Maryland
Ready to experience these destinations for yourself? Discover where comfort meets adventure with Rent Live Play. Explore our curated collection of vacation rentals designed for travelers who want to relax, explore, and truly live wherever they go. Visit RentLivePlay.com
to find your next stay.
