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Fests worth the PTO
Yes, music festivals are about music—but these days, they’re just as much about the experience. Whether you’re chasing a bucket-list lineup, riverfront vibes or an escape from your monotonous vacay routine, these festivals deliver more than a few good sets. From famous fests that garner thousands to niche folk soirees, we present five worth cashing in PTO for.
Summerfest, June + July 2027
Nine days of music spread across three weekends, the Milwaukee music mainstay serves peak flexibility for festival goers vying to lay eyes and ears on its 600+ artists without the scheduling stress. And when it comes to booking talent, Summerfest sticks to the charts when snagging its lineup with Don Toliver, Carin León, Alex Warren and Megan Moroney all showing out this year.
Iron Blossom, Sept 19–20
The Richmond fete has blossomed from stomp and holler to full indie-sleaze this year with LCD Soundsystem, Jack White and Geese leading the charge. Despite the stacked lineup, it’s surprisingly low-maintenance. Read: Two days, two stages and just a ~2.5 hour drive from Raleigh.
Shaky Knees, Sept. 18–Sept. 20
Rock connoisseurs flock to Atlanta annually to mosh, sway and headbang to world-class acts and rising rockstars—from The Strokes and Wu-Tang Clan to Hot Mulligan and Geese—backdropped by diverse crowds, high energy and high production christening the perfect long-weekend music escape.
High Water Festival, April 2027
Although the laid-back North Charleston fest leans on the more folky side of your Spotify (think Wilco and Hozier), they always rope in a few icons from years past (s/o Sheryl Crow), plus odd yet pivotal sets like The Flaming Lips—all serenading the riverfront as breezes roll in and boats drift by.
The New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival, April 22–May 2, 2027
Less of a fest and more of an institution, NOLA’s Jazz Fest cuts across genres, hitting every quintessential American musical style via household names like Neil Young, Lorde, T-Pain and Red Hot Chili Peppers alongside jazz’s greats. And like anything in the Big Easy, food never takes a backseat.
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