Must-See Summer Music Festivals: 2017 Highlights and Epic Lineups

Top Festivals from Late Summer Through Early Fall

FYF Fest

Dates: July 21–23
Location: Los Angeles, California
Headliners: Frank Ocean, Nine Inch Nails, Missy Elliott
Details: Produced by the Coachella team, FYF Fest delivered one of 2017's premier lineups. Ideal for those who missed Coachella's spring edition in Palm Springs.

Watershed

Dates: July 28–30
Location: George, Washington
Headliners: Chris Stapleton, Darius Rucker, Luke Bryan
Details: Just a two-hour drive from Seattle, Watershed transforms the stunning Gorge amphitheater into a country music paradise. Camping is available—pack your tent and cooler.

Panorama

Dates: July 28–30
Location: New York, New York
Headliners: Frank Ocean, Solange, A Tribe Called Quest
Details: A strong alternative to Governors Ball, Panorama takes over Randall's Island, fueling NYC's summer festival scene with top-tier acts.

Outside Lands

Dates: August 11–13
Location: San Francisco, California
Headliners: Metallica, The Who, Gorillaz, Lorde, Young the Giant
Details: Celebrating its 10th year as America's largest indie music festival, Outside Lands fills Golden Gate Park. Events run until 10 p.m. daily—fuel up with Haight-Ashbury coffee.

Electric Zoo Festival

Dates: September 1–3
Location: New York, New York
Headliners: DJ Snake, Deadmau5, Eric Prydz, Zedd
Details: Over Labor Day weekend, Electric Zoo's 2017 theme honors the "6th Boro." Enjoy immersive installations, gourmet food, and world-class DJs at this electronic music staple.

Bumbershoot

Dates: September 1–3
Location: Seattle, Washington
Headliners: Big Sean, Odesza, Weezer, Lorde
Details: A Labor Day tradition since 1973, Bumbershoot serves as an "umbrella for the arts" amid Seattle's weather. Check their Spotify playlist to prep.

Kaaboo

Dates: September 15–17
Location: San Diego, California
Headliners: P!nk, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers, Muse
Details: Kaaboo stands out with climate-controlled seating, flush toilets, premium food, and comedy. It's designed for comfort without skimping on stellar music.

Austin City Limits Festival

Dates: October 6–8, 13–15
Location: Austin, Texas
Headliners: The Killers, Foster the People, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Vance Joy
Details: Expanded to two weekends for its second decade, ACL boasts an endless lineup including Red Hot Chili Peppers, Ryan Adams, The Killers, Jay-Z, and more.

Overcoming Feeling Stuck in Life: Strategies from Personal Experience

Returning home from my transformative solo trip across Europe was initially exhilarating. I eagerly anticipated reuniting with Scott and sleeping in my own bed. Yet, shortly after arrival, I felt agitated and unsettled—as if something deep within was amiss, though I couldnt pinpoint it. In a previous article, I shared how solo travels profoundly change me, and this journey was no different. I reaffirmed my ability to handle challenges independently, even in tough situations. While empowering dur
How to Pack Light and Blend In Like a Local Traveler

When I travel, I agonize about what to pack. Despite a decade of professional airport hopping (first as a tour guide and now as a travel writer), I still havent perfected the carefree, carry-on-only style of jetsetting. That problem was solved for me when I spent five weeks in Europe this spring filming a new TV show, Local Currency. I had one outfit per city, repeated for each of the five days we shot. That meant five identical shirts, plu
How to Know You've Reached Dallas: 5 Iconic Landmarks to Spot

Texas Star – I‑30 from the EastDriving from Tyler or Shreveport, the first sign you’ve arrived in Dallas is the Texas Star, the 216‑foot‑tall Ferris wheel perched on Fair Park grounds. It’s the largest in Texas and the marquee attraction of the State Fair of Texas, which runs for three weeks from the end of September through mid‑October.Dallas Zoo Giraffe – I‑35 from the SouthThe towering 67‑foot giraffe statue greets visitors on the way into Dallas. From I‑35, travelers coming from Austin, Waco