Parades, Parties, And Perfect Weekends
From food fairs and film festivals to music marathons, cultural parades, and massive citywide celebrations, American cities know how to put on a show. Some places host a handful of legendary annual events; others schedule dozens of festivals across the calendar, drawing hundreds of thousands of visitors at a time. Whether you’re into live music, global cuisine, pop culture, or neighborhood street parties, these cities consistently stand out for hosting the best festivals in America.
20. Boise, Idaho
Boise’s festival scene is quickly gaining national attention, anchored by the wildly creative Treefort Music Fest, a multi-day celebration of music, film, comedy, food, storytelling, and more. The Spirit of Boise Balloon Classic adds color to the late summer sky, and Boise Pride Festival has grown into one of the region’s largest LGBTQ+ events. Cozy, community-focused, and easy to navigate, Boise is becoming a rising festival favorite.
Tamanoeconomico, Wikimedia Commons
19. Louisville, Kentucky
The Kentucky Derby Festival alone earns Louisville a place on this list. Spanning two weeks and culminating in the “fastest two minutes in sports,” Derby season includes Thunder Over Louisville, a massive fireworks show; boat races; parades; marathons; and concerts. Add Forecastle Festival, Bourbon & Beyond, and NuLu Fest, and you get a city that celebrates with Southern flair.
18. Providence, Rhode Island
Providence punches above its weight when it comes to festival culture. WaterFire, the city’s signature riverside installation, draws huge crowds to its fire-lit performances. PVDFest turns the streets into an open-air arts festival, while film, food, and cultural events reflect the city’s strong creative identity. For a smaller city, its festival calendar is impressively packed.
WFProvidence, Wikimedia Commons
17. Tampa, Florida
Tampa’s festival identity revolves around Gasparilla, a month-long pirate-themed extravaganza attracting more than 300,000 attendees. The season includes the Gasparilla Music Festival, Gasparilla Film Festival, and a children’s parade. Tampa also hosts the Florida State Fair and a lively Pride celebration, giving the city a busy, high-energy event schedule.
Christopher Hollis, Wikimedia Commons
16. San Diego, California
Sunshine and creativity make San Diego ideal for festivals. Comic-Con International brings in well over 100,000 people—one of the largest pop-culture conventions in the world. The city also holds CRSSD Festival, San Diego Bay Wine & Food Festival, Latin American Art Festival, and bustling neighborhood events. With its beach-town vibe, every celebration feels extra fun.
CAPTAIN RAJU, Wikimedia Commons
15. Atlanta, Georgia
Atlanta hosts some of the Southeast’s biggest festivals, including Music Midtown, Shaky Knees, Shaky Beats, and the huge Atlanta Pride Festival. Dragon Con draws tens of thousands of sci-fi and fantasy fans every Labor Day weekend. Foodies flock to Taste of Atlanta, while the Atlanta Film Festival highlights the city’s growing arts scene. It’s a major cultural hub with year-round events.
14. Nashville, Tennessee
Music City lives up to its name. CMA Fest pulls in hundreds of thousands of country music fans, while Nashville Pride, Tomato Art Fest, and the Nashville Film Festival add variety. Summer concerts, street fairs, and neighborhood festivals fill out the rest of the calendar. If you love live music and lively crowds, Nashville is tough to beat.
13. Chicago, Illinois
Chicago is one of the country’s festival powerhouses. Lollapalooza attracts over 400,000 people each summer, while Taste of Chicago, the Chicago Blues Festival, the Air & Water Show, and dozens of neighborhood street festivals bring the city to life throughout the year. It’s energetic, diverse, and packed with some of the largest festivals in the Midwest.
12. Seattle, Washington
Seattle’s festival identity is tied to its creativity and maritime culture. Seafair spans the entire summer with parades, hydroplane races, and an air show. Capitol Hill Block Party, Bumbershoot, and Northwest Folklife celebrate music, art, and community. Add a full lineup of cultural and food festivals, and Seattle offers nonstop entertainment despite the rain.
11. Austin, Texas
SXSW alone could earn Austin a top-10 spot, bringing film, tech, media, and music fans together every March. Austin City Limits (ACL), the Zilker Kite Festival, Pecan Street Festival, and countless food and comedy events round out a wildly full schedule. Locals often joke that there’s a festival for every weekend—and they’re not wrong.
CarmenEsparzaAmoux, Wikimedia Commons
10. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Philadelphia hosts the nation’s largest July 4th celebration (Wawa Welcome America) along with the Made in America Festival, Mummers Parade, and dozens of cultural neighborhood celebrations. The Philly Fringe Festival supports experimental art, and the city’s food festivals highlight its culinary diversity. Philly is historic, proud, and very good at throwing large-scale events.
Kevin Burkett from Philadelphia, Pa., USA, Wikimedia Commons
9. Denver, Colorado
Denver’s festival scene is eclectic and massive. The Great American Beer Festival brings in brew lovers from around the world, while the Underground Music Showcase, Five Points Jazz Festival, and Denver Film Festival offer plenty of variety. PrideFest attracts more than 500,000 attendees every year. It’s a festival city built for outdoor fun and creative exploration.
Jennifer 8. Lee, Wikimedia Commons
8. Miami, Florida
Miami blends international flair with big, bold celebrations. Art Basel Miami Beach is one of the world’s premier art events, drawing celebrities and global visitors. Ultra Music Festival, Calle Ocho, Miami Film Festival, South Beach Wine & Food Festival, and Carnaval Miami add to a year-round lineup of color, culture, and nightlife.
7. New Orleans, Louisiana
New Orleans hosts over 130 festivals a year—yes, really. Mardi Gras is the star, attracting millions, but Jazz Fest, Essence Festival, French Quarter Fest, and Voodoo Music + Arts Experience keep the city’s calendar packed. Neighborhood second lines, food festivals, and cultural celebrations happen constantly. Few cities embody celebration the way New Orleans does.
Nicolas Henderson, Wikimedia Commons
6. Las Vegas, Nevada
Las Vegas hosts enormous festivals fueled by its entertainment DNA. Life Is Beautiful, Electric Daisy Carnival (EDC), iHeartRadio Festival, and When We Were Young draw massive crowds. Culinary festivals, cultural parades, sporting events, and expos fill in the rest. Vegas is built for spectacle, and its festival offerings reflect that.
JacquelineAA, Wikimedia Commons
5. San Francisco, California
San Francisco’s festival culture reflects its artistic spirit. Outside Lands is one of the country’s top music festivals, while Hardly Strictly Bluegrass (a free festival) brings in hundreds of thousands. SF Pride, Fleet Week, Castro Street Fair, and food, tech, and film events fill the calendar. It’s a creative, energetic city that celebrates everything from counterculture to cuisine.
Victorgrigas, Wikimedia Commons
4. New York City, New York
New York hosts more major festivals than almost any US city. The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, NYC Pride, Tribeca Festival, Feast of San Gennaro, West Indian Day Parade, New York Film Festival, and Governors Ball each attract massive crowds. Every neighborhood has its own celebration—and there are hundreds of them across all five boroughs.
Anthony Quintano from Mount Laurel, United States, Wikimedia Commons
3. Portland, Oregon
Portland’s festival scene is quirky, creative, and very community-driven. The Portland Rose Festival, which is more than a century old, anchors the year. Other highlights include Portland International Film Festival, Waterfront Blues Festival, PDX Beer Week, and dozens of art, craft, comic, and food festivals. It’s a festival city with personality and heart.
2. Los Angeles, California
Los Angeles blends entertainment industry events with multicultural celebrations. LA Pride, Día de los Muertos at Hollywood Forever, LA Film Festival, Korean Festival, Mariachi USA, Hollywood Bowl concerts, and food festivals representing global cuisines fill the calendar. The scale, diversity, and creativity of LA’s festivals make it one of the best in the country.
InSapphoWeTrust from Los Angeles, California, USA, Wikimedia Commons
1. Washington, DC
Washington, DC earns the top spot for its unmatched mix of national-scale celebrations and neighborhood cultural festivals. The National Cherry Blossom Festival attracts over 1.5 million visitors, while Smithsonian Folklife Festival, Capital Pride (which draws more than 500,000 attendees), DC JazzFest, H Street Festival, and the National Book Festival ensure constant festivities. With the National Mall serving as one of the world’s most iconic event spaces, DC stands out as the American city with the most consistently impressive festival lineup.
Eric T Gunther, Wikimedia Commons
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