The EDM community has grown so much over the last decade, and fans essentially have an endless stream of options when looking to take part in the festival experience.
Narrowing such a massive set down to your final choices might be hard in the face of all of these amazing festivals, so here are ten of the biggest, envelope-pushing festivals in the United States that you can attend. Narrowing such a massive set down to your final choices might be hard in the face of all of these amazing festivals, so here are ten of the biggest, envelope-pushing festivals in the United States that you can attend. If you’re getting a degree in music, you can easily contact professional thesis helpers who will help you to research all of these festivals and even more!
Beyond Wonderland – San Bernadino, CA
As an Insomniac-produced festival, Beyond Wonderland has many of the trademarks of EDC – these range from the trippy lasers and superstructures, to colorfully clothed dancers. Still, it holds its own many times over with the opportunity to camp out during the festival, and its focus placed on a fairy-tale theme.
Stage names and designs, as well as those very eccentric dancers (properly known as creatures) help to bring the fairy tale to life. If you’re down, check this festival out at the San Manuel Amphitheater during March, from the 18-19.
Ultra Music Festival – Miami, FL
Each year at Bayfront Park – located in Downtown Miami – UMF brings an array of artists, and the many sub-genres of EDM together, in one of the best cities to rave in, in the entire country. Conveniently taking place during Miami Music Week (March 15-20), this festival easily offers one of the most comprehensive EDM experiences, with the chance to see individual – or b2b – DJ sets at pool parties, trendy clubs and other cool venues in the area if you choose to venture outside the confines of Bayfront Park.
With a lineup boasting Hot Since 82, Kaskade, Eric Prydz, Joseph Capriati, Zedd and many more, Ultra 2016 (March 18-20) will surely be one for the books.
Movement – Detroit, MI
Movement Detroit incorporates sick visuals similar to those found at many of the festivals mentioned on this list and, in its own twist, puts these together with some of the more authentic EDM, often techno, deep house and similar sub-genres.
For the die-hard fans of the music, this festival might just be your best bet. MD takes over Detroit in May, from the 28-30.
Governor’s Ball – New York, NY
Although Governor’s Ball is not an EDM centered festival, this event is known to incorporate a few of the big names such as A-Trak, Galantis and Big Gigantic, all having appeared on previous lineups.
Occurring annually on Randall’s Island, Gov. Ball has been dubbed the “East Coast Coachella” for its chic attendees, bohemian vibes, and breezy atmosphere. This year Gov. Ball takes New York City in June, from the 3-5.
Mysteryland – Bethel Woods, NY
We highlight Mysteryland, a festival that is more about the music than anything else.
Held each year in Bethel Woods, NY, ML does hold the crown for its lineups. Still, the camping aspect is what really sets this one apart from some of the other festivals. If you are willing to try your luck with the outdoors, get a different kind of festival experience, and see artists like Bassnectar and Zeds Dead take the stage, head to Mysteryland in June, from the 10-13.
Electric Daisy Carnival- Las Vegas, NV
EDC Las Vegas truly molds the festival scene during the month of June, this year from the 17-19. Taking place on the Las Vegas Speedway, this “Sin-City” centered, Insomniac-produced festival always brings over-the-top production and a stacked lineup, with the bulk of the event taking place from dusk till dawn (a great aspect of this event).
With huge ferris wheels and carnival rides, glow-in-the-dark areas, and a goal to draw a connection between nature and technology (think about all of the flowers filled with those amazing LED lights), EDC Las Vegas owns its’ extravagance. Raving in Vegas will be a very unique experience for any of us, and EDCLV makes it happen in the most novel ways.
Electric Forest – Rothbury, MI
Electric Forest takes place in Rothbury, Michigan, offering a distinct experience that incorporates camping and raving in the actual woods (this is such a win), as well as sick art installments and stage production.
With a well-ranged lineup, including artists such as Adventure Club, Fetty Wap, Mija and Keys n Krates, anyone can enjoy the event and dance the night away. E-Forest returns in June this year, from the 23-26.
Lollapalooza – Chicago, IL
As another festival that isn’t centered on EDM, Lollapalooza nonetheless offers a great experience and is still known to feature many of the artists we love such as Nero, Nicky Romero, Kaskade and Bassnectar.
Taking place at Chicago’s Grant Park, Lolla never fails to bring together a wide variety of genres, an array of talented artists and the multitude of souls who just really enjoy music. If you’re hoping to catch this festival, it takes place during July, from the 28-31.
HARD Summer – Pomona, CA
HARD Fest is one of those events you love just because it dares to be different.
This festival does a great job of making you want to make the trip and attend, with the opportunity to see artists like Schoolboy Q, Dillon Francis, and The Chemical Brothers at the same event. Held at Fairplex in Southern California, HARD will return in July this year, from the 30-31.
Electric Zoo – New York, NY
Electric Zoo is another phenomenal New York based festival, often branded as the premier EDM event for New York, and the East Coast, at the time it takes place late in the summer. Aside from its annual rebranding (e.g. Electric Zoo: Transformed transforms into Electric Zoo Wild Island for 2016), with unstoppable artists from past lineups such as Alesso, Dada Life, and Deorro getting the crowds hyped up, and killer production all around, EZoo is a staple festival on any ravers calendar.
Electric Zoo will return to Randall’s Island Park in September this year, from the 2-4.
Honorable Mention: Bonnaroo – Manchester, TN
Another festival not entirely electronic, Bonnaroo is worthy of mention based on the sheer size of the event. One of the longest standing festivals in the United States, Bonnaroo returns to The Farm from June 9-12.
Which festivals will you be attending?
Be sure to leave us a comment and let us know where we can catch you this year!
