Festivals Like Jazz in the Gardens

Dreamville Festival runs every April in Raleigh, USA, drawing fans of hip-hop, R&B and pop from across the globe. As a major event on the global festival circuit, it occupies a unique place on the festival calendar. The lineup covers hip-hop, R&B and pop across 2 days, underpinned by mainstream headliners and high-production stages alongside relentless energy and a crowd that dances till dawn. Headliners and notable names include J. Cole, Lil Baby, 21 Savage, and Bas, joined by 1 more act across the bill. All-in costs range from $250 to $700 USD. Expect warm, humid conditions. Dreamville Festival is one of the more wallet-friendly options on the circuit. The festival is family-friendly and welcomes attendees of all ages.

Held each May in Washington DC, USA, Something in the Water is a large-scale international festival. The event is renowned for hip-hop, R&B and pop music and strong cultural roots and a diverse international lineup alongside a strong sense of community and belonging. The 3-day programme delivers hip-hop, R&B and pop across multiple stages, with additional sets spanning soul. Strong cultural roots and a diverse international lineup alongside a strong sense of community and belonging defines the overall vibe. Headliners and notable names include Pharrell Williams, Missy Elliott, Usher, and Pusha T, joined by 1 more act across the bill. Total costs — tickets, travel, accommodation, and food — typically fall between $300 and $800 USD, making Something in the Water one of the more wallet-friendly options on the circuit.

Held each September in Philadelphia, USA, Made In America is a major event on the global festival circuit. The event is renowned for hip-hop, pop and indie music and mainstream headliners and high-production stages. The lineup covers hip-hop, pop and indie, with additional sets spanning R&B across 2 days, underpinned by mainstream headliners and high-production stages. Headliners and notable names include Jay-Z, Nicki Minaj, SZA, and Lauryn Hill, joined by 1 more act across the bill. Total costs — tickets, travel, accommodation, and food — typically fall between $300 and $800 USD, making Made In America one of the more wallet-friendly options on the circuit.

Day N Vegas is one of the biggest festivals in its region, held every November in Las Vegas, USA. Known for its hip-hop, rap and trap programming, it draws a crowd defined by relentless energy and a crowd that dances till dawn alongside mainstream headliners and high-production stages. The 3-day programme delivers hip-hop, rap and trap across multiple stages, with additional sets spanning R&B. Relentless energy and a crowd that dances till dawn alongside mainstream headliners and high-production stages defines the overall vibe. Headliners and notable names include Travis Scott, Future, Roddy Ricch, and Don Toliver, joined by 1 more act across the bill. Budgeting for the full trip (flights, tickets, accommodation, food) typically comes to $400–$900 USD. Expect mild, dry conditions. At that price point, Day N Vegas is reasonably priced for the calibre of artists on offer. Valid ID required — minimum age is 18.

Every May, Las Vegas becomes a destination for R&B, hip-hop and pop fans as Lovers & Friends Festival takes over the city. A large-scale international festival, the festival has earned a devoted global following. The 1-day programme delivers R&B, hip-hop and pop across multiple stages, with additional sets spanning soul. Relentless energy and a crowd that dances till dawn alongside mainstream headliners and high-production stages defines the overall vibe. Headliners and notable names include Usher, Nelly, Mariah Carey, and Ludacris, joined by 1 more act across the bill. Total costs — tickets, travel, accommodation, and food — typically fall between $400 and $900 USD, making Lovers & Friends Festival reasonably priced for the calibre of artists on offer. Valid ID required — minimum age is 21.

Held each May in Memphis, USA, Beale Street Music Festival is a large-scale international festival. The event is renowned for rock, blues and hip-hop music and strong cultural roots and a diverse international lineup. Over 3 days, the lineup spans rock, blues and hip-hop, with additional sets spanning soul and R&B. The atmosphere is shaped by strong cultural roots and a diverse international lineup, making it a standout on the late spring circuit. Headliners and notable names include Dave Matthews Band, Gary Clark Jr., Buddy Guy, and Sheryl Crow, joined by 1 more act across the bill. Total costs — tickets, travel, accommodation, and food — typically fall between $200 and $600 USD, making Beale Street Music Festival one of the more wallet-friendly options on the circuit. The festival is family-friendly and welcomes attendees of all ages.

Held each July in Montego Bay, Jamaica, Reggae Sumfest is a major event on the global festival circuit. The event is renowned for reggae and hip-hop music and relentless energy and a crowd that dances till dawn alongside strong cultural roots and a diverse international lineup. The 5-day programme delivers reggae and hip-hop across multiple stages. Relentless energy and a crowd that dances till dawn alongside strong cultural roots and a diverse international lineup defines the overall vibe. Headliners and notable names include Buju Banton, Sizzla, Capleton, and Beenie Man, joined by 1 more act across the bill. Total costs — tickets, travel, accommodation, and food — typically fall between $250 and $800 USD, making Reggae Sumfest one of the more wallet-friendly options on the circuit. The festival is family-friendly and welcomes attendees of all ages.

Held each August in Wimborne St. Giles, UK, We Out Here is a staple of the regional festival calendar. The event is renowned for jazz, soul and hip-hop music and strong cultural roots and a diverse international lineup. The 4-day programme delivers jazz, soul and hip-hop across multiple stages, with additional sets spanning electronic. Strong cultural roots and a diverse international lineup defines the overall vibe. Headliners and notable names include Floating Points, Gilles Peterson, Tom Misch, and Alfa Mist, joined by 1 more act across the bill. All-in costs range from $250 to $700 USD. Expect mild, rain conditions. We Out Here is one of the more wallet-friendly options on the circuit. The festival is family-friendly and welcomes attendees of all ages.