It’s the moment music lovers wait for all year: festival season. As temperatures rise, so does the excitement, with thousands of fans traveling across the country to catch their favorite artists live. Whether it’s one-day or a full weekend of nonstop jams, every festival brings its own magic—and its own standout lineup.
But when it comes to popularity, one festival consistently comes out on top for music fans. After analyzing music festival ticket sales data from 2015 to today, Vivid Seats has crowned Lollapalooza as the most popular music festival in the U.S., dominating ticket sales in five states.
Curious which festival takes the top spot in your state? Check out the map below to see which festivals reign supreme in each region.
Music Fans Flock to Chicago’s “Front Lawn”
Lollapalooza tops the list as the most popular music festival in the country, with fans from five states flocking to Chicago’s Grant Park. Held each year at the end of July, the festival draws massive crowds with its genre-spanning lineup—featuring everything from rock and hip-hop to electronic and alternative. When the 2025 lineup dropped on March 18, traffic to Vivid Seats’ Lollapalooza page surged by 2,320%, reflecting just how excited fans are for this year’s rendition.
Boston Called and Fans Answered
When it comes to the Northeast, Boston Calling claims the crown as the region’s most popular music festival. Held at the Harvard Athletic Complex, this three-day event has become a Memorial Day weekend staple, drawing fans from Maine, Vermont, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and beyond. Known for its bold, electric lineups and city-meets-campus vibe, Boston Calling consistently delivers a high-energy kickoff to summer.
Coachella Creates Community on the Coast
On the West Coast, Coachella reigns as the most popular music festival among music fans in California, Hawaii, and Oregon. Set against the scenic backdrop of Indio’s desert landscape, the iconic two-weekend event blends big-name headliners, buzzy newcomers, and unforgettable art installations into a true cultural moment.
Austin City Limits Dominates the Live Music Capital of the World
Austin City Limits has carved out such a prominent space in the broader music world that it’s well-known by a single acronym—ACL. Held over two weekends in Austin’s Zilker Park, the festival captures the city’s laid-back spirit while delivering a powerhouse lineup across multiple genres. While ACL is a Texas favorite, it also draws crowds from Oklahoma, New Mexico, Colorado, and Arkansas, making it a regional music destination.
Queen City’s Crown Jewel of Music
Long before Coachella and Lollapalooza took over the festival circuit, the Cincinnati Music Festival was already making history. Originally founded in 1962 as the Ohio Valley Jazz Festival, this iconic event has evolved into one of the country’s longest-running celebrations of jazz, R&B, and hip-hop. For over 60 years, it’s brought world-class artists and waves of fans to the Queen City—drawing attendees from Kentucky, Michigan, West Virginia, and beyond. And with each year, the festival’s popularity continues to grow.
Other Noteworthy Festival to Experience
Beyond the top-tier festivals, there are plenty of other incredible festivals worth adding to your bucket list:
- Dreamville Festival – Curated by J. Cole, this hip-hop and R&B festival brings major talent to the stage.
- When We Were Young Festival – A nostalgic dream for emo and punk rock fans.
- Vans Warped Tour – Though it has scaled down in recent years, Warped Tour remains a beloved name in rock festivals.
- New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival – A historic festival highlighting jazz, blues, gospel, and more in the heart of New Orleans.
Buy Music Festival Tickets and Get Rewarded
From star-studded Coachella to the energetic Lollapalooza, and the genre-specific gems like CMA Music Festival and When We Were Young Festival, the U.S. is home to some of the best live music experiences. Every time you shop for music festival passes, you’ll earn Rewards Credit with Vivid Seats Rewards. Buy 10 tickets, get the 11th on us.*
*Excluding taxes, fees, and processing costs.