Festivals Like RBC Ottawa Bluesfest

Every June, Chattanooga becomes a destination for rock, country and pop fans as Riverbend Festival takes over the city. A large-scale international festival, the festival has earned a devoted global following. Over 9 days, the lineup spans rock, country and pop, with additional sets spanning blues. The atmosphere is shaped by a strong sense of community and belonging, making it a standout on the summer circuit. Headliners and notable names include Gary Clark Jr., Sheryl Crow, Old Crow Medicine Show, and Jason Isbell, joined by 1 more act across the bill. Budgeting for the full trip (flights, tickets, accommodation, food) typically comes to $200–$500 USD. Expect warm, humid conditions. At that price point, Riverbend 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 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.

Every March, Austin becomes a destination for indie, rock and pop fans as SXSW Music Festival takes over the city. A globally recognised mega-festival, the festival has earned a devoted global following. The 10-day programme delivers indie, rock and pop across multiple stages, with additional sets spanning electronic and hip-hop. Strong cultural roots and a diverse international lineup defines the overall vibe. Headliners and notable names include Billie Eilish, Kendrick Lamar, Gary Clark Jr., and Paramore, joined by 1 more act across the bill. All-in costs range from $500 to $2,000 USD. Expect warm, mild conditions. SXSW Music Festival is reasonably priced for the calibre of artists on offer.

Bumbershoot is a large-scale international festival, held every August in Seattle, USA. Known for its rock, indie and pop programming, it draws a crowd defined by mainstream headliners and high-production stages alongside strong cultural roots and a diverse international lineup. Over 2 days, the lineup spans rock, indie and pop, with additional sets spanning electronic and hip-hop. The atmosphere is shaped by mainstream headliners and high-production stages alongside strong cultural roots and a diverse international lineup, making it a standout on the late summer circuit. Headliners and notable names include Macklemore, Portugal. The Man, Weezer, and Ice Cube, joined by 1 more act across the bill. Budgeting for the full trip (flights, tickets, accommodation, food) typically comes to $300–$800 USD. Expect mild, rain conditions. At that price point, Bumbershoot is one of the more wallet-friendly options on the circuit. The festival is family-friendly and welcomes attendees of all ages.

Every May, Redondo Beach becomes a destination for rock, pop and indie fans as BeachLife Festival takes over the city. A major event on the global festival circuit, the festival has earned a devoted global following. The lineup covers rock, pop and indie across 3 days, underpinned by mainstream headliners and high-production stages alongside strong cultural roots and a diverse international lineup. Headliners and notable names include Jack Johnson, Dave Matthews Band, Alanis Morissette, and John Mayer, joined by 1 more act across the bill. Budgeting for the full trip (flights, tickets, accommodation, food) typically comes to $250–$700 USD. Expect warm, coastal conditions. At that price point, BeachLife Festival is one of the more wallet-friendly options on the circuit. The festival is family-friendly and welcomes attendees of all ages.

Lovin' Life Music Fest is one of the biggest festivals in its region, held every May in Charlotte, USA. Known for its pop, rock and indie programming, it draws a crowd defined by mainstream headliners and high-production stages alongside relentless energy and a crowd that dances till dawn. The 3-day programme delivers pop, rock and indie across multiple stages. Mainstream headliners and high-production stages alongside relentless energy and a crowd that dances till dawn defines the overall vibe. Headliners and notable names include The Killers, Dave Matthews Band, Zac Brown Band, and Dua Lipa, joined by 1 more act across the bill. Total costs — tickets, travel, accommodation, and food — typically fall between $250 and $700 USD, making Lovin' Life Music Fest one of the more wallet-friendly options on the circuit. The festival is family-friendly and welcomes attendees of all ages.

Governors Ball runs every June in New York, USA, drawing fans of rock, pop and indie from across the globe. As a large-scale international festival, it occupies a unique place on the festival calendar. The lineup covers rock, pop and indie, with additional sets spanning hip-hop and electronic across 3 days, underpinned by mainstream headliners and high-production stages alongside relentless energy and a crowd that dances till dawn. Headliners and notable names include Kendrick Lamar, Halsey, Tyler the Creator, and SZA, joined by 1 more act across the bill. Budgeting for the full trip (flights, tickets, accommodation, food) typically comes to $350–$900 USD. Expect warm, humid conditions. At that price point, Governors Ball 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 Napa, USA, BottleRock Napa Valley is a large-scale international festival. The event is renowned for rock, pop and indie music and mainstream headliners and high-production stages alongside relentless energy and a crowd that dances till dawn. Over 3 days, the lineup spans rock, pop and indie, with additional sets spanning electronic. The atmosphere is shaped by mainstream headliners and high-production stages alongside relentless energy and a crowd that dances till dawn, making it a standout on the late spring circuit. Headliners and notable names include Guns N' Roses, Pink, The Black Keys, and Maren Morris, joined by 1 more act across the bill. All-in costs range from $350 to $900 USD. Expect warm, dry conditions. BottleRock Napa Valley is one of the more wallet-friendly options on the circuit. The festival is family-friendly and welcomes attendees of all ages.