As summer arrives and the weather gets warm and sunny, it's the perfect time to get out of the house and explore some of the best summer travel destinations in the USA. Every year I take a look at the best events, festivals, and limited-time celebrations around the country, and my bucket list gets longer and longer with every turn of the calendar. It feels like the states are in some kind of competition to deliver the most spectacular summer festivals each year, and picking the ones you want to visit can be tricky. That's why we've narrowed it down to fifteen magnificent summer festivals - ranging from over-the-top state fairs to unique themed events. Some might be adrenaline-pumping, while others might be celebrations of the finer things in life. What they all have in common is that when summer comes to a close and autumn rears its head, you'll be celebrating a summer of fun and excitement to remember.

Summer Festivals

1. Governors Ball (New York City, NY) - June 7th to June 9th

One of the biggest music festivals on the East Coast, Governors Ball is a massive event that takes place in Flushing Meadows Park, not far from Citi Field where the Mets play. This festival attracts massive talent, with past headliners including Billie Eilish, OutKast, and Stevie Nicks. This helps it attract a multi-generational fanbase, and the outdoor festival also brings in some of the best food at any music festival around. This is New York, after all. The gorgeous backdrop of trees and grassy fields helps to add to summer’s natural beauty, and the nights of music usually end with some stunning fireworks.

2. Summerfest Arts Faire (Logan, UT) - June 13 to June 15

Located at the Cache County Fairgrounds, Summerfest Arts Faire is like heaven on Earth for craft lovers. This is where all the best artisans in Utah come to ply their wares, with paintings, sculptures, jewelry, pottery, and more up for sale and on display. This open-air event also features interactive art activities for younger guests at the Creation Station - and adults can join in too! Every night ends with a selection of live music performances from local and national acts, and food vendors from around the state will be on hand. The best part? Admission to this festival is completely free!

3. Electric Forest (Rothbury, MI) - June 20 to June 23

Electric Forest might just be the strangest music festival in the United States, and that’s why we love it so much! Located at the Double JJ Resort, this is as much an interactive art installation as it is a music festival. The event focuses on electronic and jam band music, but fuses it with a dazzling display of steampunk-inspired art held inside an actual forest. As the sun goes down and the music plays, the whole forest comes alive with neon colors. It’s no surprise that this event often sells out well in advance, because it’s a little different every year. Longtime fans are sure to make their return each and every time.

4. Denver Downs Sunflower Festival (Anderson, SC) - June 21 to June 23, June 28 to June 30

Denver Downs Farm is a charming South Carolina farm known for its massive fields of sunflowers - so it’s no surprise that when the fields are in bloom, everyone comes out to play. This two-weekend festival in July is perfect for those who want to take a bundle of sunflowers home - everyone who buys admission gets one as a souvenir. The festival has some great photo ops, as well as fun activities that make it feel more like a country fair taken up to 11. A giant slide awaits daring visitors, and the food here is next level - including cheese and charcuterie plates, plus some frosty adult beverages.

5. Tequila and Taco Music Festival (Ventura, CA) - July 13 to July 14

Part of a series of events around California, the Tequila and Taco Music Festival is a perfect destination for foodies in the Ventura area. There are several options for guests, including samples geared towards tequila lovers and those who prefer margaritas. A wide variety of street tacos are available, celebrating every style of this iconic treat. The food wizards here are coming up with something new every year - past specials included Surf And Turf Fries! And of course, live music throughout the day keeps things lively, and a market featuring artisan goods will ensure you come back from this festival with more than just great memories.

6. Hemingway Days (Key West, FL - July 16 to July 21

Hemingway Days takes over Key West every July, in celebration of the island’s most famous resident. The highlight is definitely the Hemingway Look-Alike Contest, taking place at Sloppy Joe’s Bar. Hemingway resided here in the 1930s, and countless men who mimic his distinctive bushy-haired look descend on the island each year. Befitting Hemingway’s rough-and-tumble ways, activities here include a three-day Marlin-fishing tournament and an amusing “Running of the Bulls” that involves no actual angry bovines. This is also a great chance to explore many of the historical sites and museums paying tribute to the famous author known as “Papa”.

7. Kingsport Fun Fest (Kingsport, TN) - July 19 to July 27

Kingsport Fun Fest is so big, it needs nine days to fully take place! This small-town Tennessee festival is full of outdoor activities, including a one-pitch softball tournament and a massive hot-air balloon launch. Unlike many other summer event, this one doesn’t take place at one central location - it essentially takes over the entire town of Kingsport, located at dozens of spots. Top music acts from Tennessee and beyond perform, historic mansions around town open for tours, and the whole thing ends with a literal bang as a huge fireworks show puts most local 4th of July celebrations to shame.

8. Beer, Bourbon, & Barbecue Festival (Richmond, VA) - July 27

The Beer, Bourbon, and BBQ Festival in Richmond is back for its 14th year in 2024, and this event is exactly what it says on the tin - a lot of good food and drink! Some of the best pitmasters in the country come to serve up expertly smoked ribs, brisket, and more. In addition, over 100 beers and spirits will be available for sampling, and each guest will receive a souvenir glass to take home. If this event has a signature item, it’s definitely the Whole Hog BBQ - a unique preparation that puts just about every piece of the pig to use in a finely chopped hash that is purely southern and tastes divine.

9. Atlanta Ice Cream Festival (Atlanta, GA) - July 27

For those who want something a little sweeter, the Atlanta Ice Cream Festival is a one-day event celebrating every flavor of the frosty treat you can imagine. This event draws vendors from all over the country, serving everything from traditional full-cream ice creams to innovative flavors and plant-based milks. If you want something more indulgent than a traditional scoop, dig into some of the epic sundaes being served. But don’t fill up too fast - you’ll want the energy to participate in some high-octane activities like ropes courses. There’s even an ice-cream eating contest - if you can handle the brain freeze.

10. Clamfest (Highlands, NJ) - August 1 to August 3

The Jersey Shore is big on seafood, of course, so it’s no surprise that this is where you’ll find Clamfest. This two-day seafood event is put together by the town’s business partnership, and combines a traditional street fair with a celebration of local seafood. During the day, Huddy Park is full of street vendors and activities, and at night the park comes to life with music from local bands. The restaurants in town are getting into the act, too - most of the town’s acclaimed restaurants will be offering specials spotlighting the delicious clam. The entire thing has a classic Jersey vibe - a little bit scrappy, but delicious.

11. Musikfest (Bethlehem, PA) - August 2 to August 11

Musikfest might be the most spectacular music festival in all of Pennsylvania, featuring a massive lineup of more than 300 performances. The outdoor festival takes place against the backdrop of a mighty industrial structure which is illuminated in light when the sun goes down. Performances are held across multiple venues, and while the music is incredible, the festival also gets high marks for its amazing food lineup. Local vendors bring some of Bethlehem’s most unique foods to the festival, so it’s no surprise that many music fans wind up staying for much of the festival’s whopping ten-day length.

12. Skowhegan State Fair (Skowhegan, ME) - August 8 to August 17

August is peak State Fair season around the country, and the Skowhegan State Fair in Maine has something unique - it’s the longest continuously running state fair in the United States, celebrating over two hundred years! It was founded in 1818, before Maine was even a state, and some roots of its old-fashioned history can still be seen - farm animals and horse races are a big part of the show. But today, they’re joined by car races and a huge carnival offering daring kids and adults a chance to test their boldness. Unique contests featuring feats of strength like truck pulls are also a highlight at the arena and racetrack.

13. Iowa State Fair (Des Moines, IA) - August 8 to August 18

The most spectacular state fair in the country, the Iowa State Fair is 11 days of non-stop fun, food, and music. Taking place in Des Moines, this massive event is famous for its sprawling selection of food options - which seem to expand every year with new and wacky things on a stick. Kids will love meeting baby animals at the agricultural pavilions, and teenagers won’t be able to get enough of the thrilling rides at the carnival. A massive museum celebrates Iowa’s industrial heritage, and one of the fair’s most famous sights may be the life-sized butter sculpture of a cow. You can even see a monster truck rally!

14. Minnesota State Fair (St. Paul, MN) - August 22 to September 2

The Minnesota State Fair is another wildly famous state fair, and it all comes down to one thing - the food. This is where all the food journalists come to taste the most unique and over-the-top fried creations every year, with some going viral and sweeping the nation. But there is so much more here than just the wild and wacky food - including a massive farm animal pavilion featuring both massive animals and adorable farm babies. Giant pumpkins are on display, artists craft mosaics out of seeds and busts out of butter, and the history of Minnesota’s agricultural legacy is explored. And naturally, the live music shows at the end of every day are always packed - this event draws up to 200,000 people every year, after all!

15. Big River Steampunk Festival (Hannibal, MO) - September 1 to September 4

The last major festival of the summer, the Big River Steampunk Festival takes place on Labor Day weekend against the backdrop of a mighty old steamship. This festival celebrates the art of Steampunk, the unique style of dress and art that combines retro Victorian fashion with futuristic sci-fi designs. The main event is for adults, featuring live music and other ticketed events, but the Steampunkin’ event is geared towards young kids with face-painting and craft projects that work perfectly as an intro to the world of Steampunk. This event attracts up to 20,000 people to the small town of Hannibal every year, and it’s a great way to bid summer farewell.

Have you visited any of these summer travel destinations in the USA in past years? Are you planning any major summer trips in 2024 or beyond? Let us know in the comments section! If you're looking for more places to explore this summer and want to keep the budget under control, check out our list of 12 affordable vacation spots to visit this year. And if you're looking to hit the road in your very own RV rather than flying, consider renting one on RV Share.