With hundreds of festivals taking place this year, it can be tough to find the right ones to attend. Fear no more! We’ve created a list of seven festivals you should be attending this year!
LIGHTNING IN A BOTTLE
Location: Bradley, CA
F4L Artist Recommendations: Sofi Tukker, Beats Antique, Too Manu Zooz, The Black Madonna, MK
KAABOO DEL MAR
Date: Sept 14 – 16, 2018
Location: Del Mar, CA
Headliners: Foo Fighters, Imagine Dragons, Katy Perry, Halsey, Post Malone
F4L Picks: Billy Idol, Nelly, TLC, Bebe Rexha, War, Kool & The Gang
Why This Fest: This festival hits all five of your senses with some of the biggest names in music, dancing everywhere, delicious food, craft libations, hilarious stand-up comedy, beautiful artwork, and more. Don’t forget the beautiful weather, palm trees, and views. If you are looking to festival a little bit differently, KAABOO offers a VIP Vegas-style club pool party with an excellent view of the main stage. If you are lucky enough to attend the festival, make sure you take advantage of the free hot air balloon rides that overlook everything!
TELLURIDE BLUES AND BREWS FEST
Date: Sept 14–16, 2018
Location: Telluride, CO
Headliners: Robert Plant & The Sensational Space Shifters, Ben Harper and Charlie Musselwhite, Gov’t Mule
F4L Picks: JJ Grey & Mofro, Samantha Fish, Valarie June, The California Honeydrops
Why This Fest: This festival takes place in the beautiful Rocky Mountains and features a great lineup filled with blues, jam bands, and gospel music. Along with the breathtaking scenery and music, there will be a multitude of microbreweries serving up delicious beer throughout the festival (probably could’ve guessed that from the name). What you might not have been able to guess is that on Saturday there will be a grand beer tasting with over 50 breweries and over 150 beers to try! Lastly, there is a 5K, at the festival, which raises money of the Telluride Adaptive Sports Program.
Splash House
Date: June 8 –10, August 10-12, 2018
Location: Palm Springs, CA
Headliners: Duke Dumont, What So Not, Black
F4L Picks: Yolanda Be Cool, Kasbo, Motez
Why This Fest: Once again located under the hot sun of Palm Springs, California, Splash House invites all music lovers to cool off in their hotel pools as top and up-and-coming DJs and artists get the crowd rowdy. The fun is spread over two weeks and it takes place at three separate hotels in Palm Springs: The Renaissance, The Riviera, and The Saguaro, all of which all equipped with beautiful, blue watering holes to splash around in while listening to great music. It is a colorful, fun-loving scene in the beautiful desert town just a few hours east of Los Angeles.
UTOPIA FESTIVAL
Date: November 2-4, 2018
Location: Burnet, TX
Headliners: STS9, Patty Griffin, Lukas Nelson
F4L Picks: Keller Williams, The Deer, San Antonio Pipes & Drums, Calliope Musicals
Why This Fest: In its tenth year, UTOPiAfest is moving to a new venue on a privately owned ranch, consisting of four open fields, ancient oak trees, and much more. The festival will continue to feature great music, an incredible camping experience, and great vibes Festival founder, Travis Sutherland, exclaims, “we don’t want people to feel like they are being surrounded by strangers.”
HIGH SIERRA
Date: July 4-8, 2018
Location: Quincy, CA
Headliners: The String Cheese Incident, Sturgill Simpson, Grace Porter
F4L Picks: The Nth Power, Lebo & Friends, Lettuce, Lotus
Why This Fest: In an interview with Festival Partner Rebecca Sparks she exclaims “What’s amazing about High Sierra is that people have literally grown up at the festival. They have been coming here since they were kids and now they bring their own kids. Friends have developed and people have met their partners at this festival. Some people have probably been created at this festival! It’s really beautiful to see the same groups of friends return to the festival every single year.” A beautiful setting, great music, and life-long friendships make this four-day festival one you will not forget.
Life Is Beautiful
Headliners: The Weeknd, Arcade Fire, Florence + The Machines
F4l Picks: Sylvan Esso, Miguel, Brasstracks, Santigold
Why This Fest: Held in downtown Las Vegas, the festival is spread out over eleven city blocks. Life Is Beautiful puts a special emphasis on learning, art, and food. The festival includes a “Culinary Village” filled with some of the country’s best chefs. The festival is also filled with street artists who put together murals, specifically geared towards the festival. This festival will surely give attendees a Vegas experience unlike any other.
