6 Summer Music Festivals You Do Not Want to Miss
Ah, summer. When you’re not lounging at the beach, cooling off with a cone of your favorite Ben & Jerry’s or sloshing around in the nearest pool, you’re probably planning which sweet music and art festivals you’ll be attending. Road trip, anyone?
We’re lovers of the happy hubbub of summer festivals, too. With tons of great music and positive vibes, it's the best way to take advantage of the warm months. This summer, we’ll be visiting a few of our favorite festivals with plenty of ice cream in tow:
1. The Frendly Gathering
The Frendly Gathering (no, that’s not a typo) started as a small collaboration between two snowboarder best friends from Vermont. Today, it’s a high-energy mix of workshops, yoga, skateboarding and, of course, an impressive roster of jam bands to keep your hips swinging all weekend long.
Dates: June 26-27, 2015
Location: Timber Ridge in Windham, VT
2. The Phish Magnaball
Since 1996, Phish has hosted 9 of its own festivals, drawing thousands of ecstatic fans for a massive multi-day extravaganza. With activities, art installations and plenty of chances to rock out to your favorite Phish jams, Magnaball, the 10th annual Phish festival, promises to be one to remember.
Dates: August 21-23, 2015
Location: Watkins Glen, NY
Photo credit: Heather Katsoulis
Even though many have assumed that we at Ben & Jerry’s have superpowers (how else would we get so much awesome into every pint?), the truth is, we are but mere mortals. That means we can’t make an appearance at every festival around the US this summer. Here are a few others that we sure hope you make it to, but you’ll have to bring your own Ben & Jerry’s:
3. Bonnaroo Music & Arts Festival
In 2011, we named an entire flavor after this behemoth of musical magic: Bonnaroo Buzz (now called Bonnaroo’s Coffee Caramel Buzz). How come? Because Bonnaroo brings together music royalty from a wide range of genres for a high-intensity festival of fun. This year, in addition to artists such as Mumford & Sons, Billy Joel, Deadmau5, Kendrick Lamar and so many more, check out activities like the Silent Disco, the Comedy Theatre and Snake & Jake’s Christmas Club Barn (whatever that is!).
Dates: June 11-14, 2015
Location: Manchester, TN
4. Outside Lands Music & Arts Festival
Fear not, West Coasters, there’s plenty going on in your neck of the woods, too. Like this reunion of greats in San Francisco. With a lineup that includes Elton John, the Black Keys, Wilco, Sam Smith, St. Vincent and tons more, a food vendor list that will make your mouth water and plenty of green initiatives, Outside Lands is one to put on your list.
Dates: August 7-9, 2015
Location: Golden Gate Park, San Francisco, CA
5. Governors Ball Music Festival
If you missed the star-studded glitter of Coachella this spring, here’s your chance to rub elbows with the glitterati. With a lineup that includes Drake, Lana Del Rey, Florence + The Machine, The Decemberists, , and Björk among others, there won’t be a dull moment to be had at the Governors Ball. While you’re there, don’t miss the art installations, lawn games and flower crown booth.
Dates: June 5-7, 2015
Location: Randall’s Island Park, New York City, NY
Photo credit: Scott Meis
6. High Sierra Music Festival
Laid-back yet high-energy, the High Sierra Music Festival is one for the quirky jam-band lovers. Featuring yoga, family-friendly activities and a music lineup that includes The String Cheese Incident, Umphrey’s McGee, the John Butler Trio, Joe Russo’s Almost Dead and so many more, High Sierra is worth the climb into the Sierra Nevadas.
Dates: July 2-5, 2015
Location: Quincy, CA
Photo credit: David Berry