Have you really experienced summer if you don't experience a summer event or two?
Luckily, the summer of 2025 is shaping up to be a glorious season for event-goers across the U.S., with a lineup of events that span gritty urban parks, sprawling rural fields, and historic waterfronts. From New York City's pulsating Governors Ball to Chicago's Latin-infused Sueños, Way.com has done the research to compile a guide to the must-not-miss summer events across the country. They are sorted by city so you can figure out which ones are best for you to attend.
Governors Ball Music Festival
One of New York's loudest summer traditions, Governors Ball brings together massive crowds, big-name headliners, and the kind of buzz you can hear blocks away from the gates. It's music meets mayhem in all the right ways.
SummerStage
This one's for the spontaneous. SummerStage is a citywide concert series where a casual stroll through the park might just land you front row to a world-class performance. SummerStage is New York City's largest free outdoor performing arts festival and brings a diverse array of free and benefit performances to parks across all five NYC boroughs. It's held primarily at Rumsey Playfield in Central Park and various neighborhood parks. The music is a wonderful mix of genres that reflect the city's cultural landscape, including jazz, hip-hop, Latin, global music, indie, reggae, soul, and contemporary dance.
Sueños Music Festival
Chicago's vibrant Latin music scene will be celebrated at Sueños Chicago with heavyweights like Shakira and Peso Pluma this year. The vibe is always electric at Sueños, with thousands of fans vibing to high-energy performances. It's a nonstop party where raw urban sounds blend with smooth Latin flair, creating an unforgettable celebration of sound and soul.
Lollapalooza
It's not summer in Chicago without Lolla. Lollapalooza 2025 will take over Grant Park for four days with non-stop music and wild energy. The lineup includes big names like Olivia Rodrigo, Sabrina Carpenter, and Korn. The music spans everything from indie vibes, electronic pulses, and hip-hop swagger to rock aggression. Expect euphoria, sore feet, and zero regrets!
Chicago Air and Water Show
When the headliners are fighter jets, you can expect to be blown away – in a good way, of course. A local favorite, this two-day event mixes aerial stunts and water displays, all set against the city's lakefront skyline. Enjoy daring performances, including daredevil pilots, parachute teams, formation jet flying, and water-skiing and boat-jumping demonstrations.
Bumbershoot
Back from hiatus and better than ever, Bumbershoot brings music, arts, and offbeat fun to the Seattle Center. Bumbershoot is a popular event in Seattle that features many types of art, including music, comedy, film, literature, and visual arts. It takes place at the Seattle Center, which has both indoor and outdoor spaces across 74 acres. This festival offers a lively environment for visitors to enjoy different art forms. While the exact lineup of artists is announced closer to the event, attendees can look forward to both well-known and up-and-coming performers. Equal parts quirky and iconic, just like the city itself.
Seafair Weekend Festival
Seattle goes full throttle in summer. Seafair is packed with iconic events like the Seafair 4th of July fireworks over Lake Union and the Alaska Airlines Seafair Torchlight Parade. The festival ends with the Seafair Weekend Festival from August 1st to 3rd, showcasing the Boeing Seafair Air Show with the Blue Angels and the Apollo Mechanical Cup hydroplane races on Lake Washington. Go there to enjoy live music, diverse food options, and family-friendly activities throughout the festival.
National Independence Day Celebration
DC knows how to do the Fourth. With fireworks lighting up the National Mall and live music echoing off monuments, this celebration is both epic and unmistakably American. The celebration starts with a patriotic parade on Constitution Avenue. It features marching bands, military units, and colorful floats. The "A Capitol Fourth" concert takes place live on the West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol. It includes performances by famous artists from different music genres and ends with a stunning fireworks show over the National Mall.
DC JazzFest
A smooth soundtrack to summer in the nation's capital. DC JazzFest takes over the city on Labor Day weekend with a blend of historic venues and riverside stages, offering one of the country's best lineups for jazz lovers of all kinds. This citywide festival showcases a blend of legendary and emerging jazz artists.
Minneapolis Aquatennial
Aquatennial isn't just another festival – it's a longstanding summer tradition that celebrates the city of Minneapolis and its abundant lakes and rivers. It's a whole week of small-town charm blended with big-city energy. With fireworks on the river and parades through downtown, it's summer done right.
Uptown Art Fair
This art fair isn't just about paintings. It's a literal creative street takeover. Artists, food stalls, and local flair stretch for blocks, making it one of Minneapolis' most vibrant and walkable summer staples.
Outside Lands Music Festival
Outside Lands is where high-volume music meets high-end food. Set in the heart of Golden Gate Park, it's the largest independently owned festival in the U.S. Outside Lands is more than just music, though – there's some great food and drink on offer, too. This summer event features musical acts that span genres like rock, hip-hop, electronic, and more.
Stern Grove Festival
By now, the Stern Grove Festival has evolved into something more than just a fest; it's now a San Francisco summer tradition! This natural amphitheater is the perfect venue to turn your summer Sunday afternoons into mellow, music-filled escapes. No tickets, no fuss, just great music in a stunning setting. The season ends with "The Big Picnic. This is a special two-day event on the final weekend. Because who doesn't love some extra celebration?
Freedom Over Texas
When Houston celebrates July 4, it goes all in. Freedom Over Texas is a flag-waving, stage-shaking, fireworks-filled night that wraps up summer patriotism in true Lone Star style. You can expect a stacked lineup of national, regional, and local acts. The music's a full-on mix of high-energy country twang, funky beats, and whatever else they cook up, all building to a "Texas-sized" fireworks finale that's choreographed to hit every beat just right.
Boston Pops Fireworks Spectacular
It's patriotic, polished, and loud in the best way. The Pops Fireworks show pairs orchestral finesse with massive fireworks on the Charles, a classic Boston summer tradition. This year, the concert begins at 8:00 PM, with fireworks at 10:30 PM, and will feature Kelli O'Hara, Darlene Love, and The Mavericks. This free, public event is a beloved tradition, drawing large crowds and being broadcast on television.
Boston Harborfest
Boston, as we all know, does not do small-scale, especially when it comes to history. Harborfest is a weeklong celebration packed with reenactments, harbor cruises, and old-school pageantry, all with that unmistakable Boston pride. This is a family-friendly event that also includes live musical performances, the popular Chowderfest, and fireworks displays over Boston Harbor.
CMA Fest
You'll hear it before you see it! CMA Fest is where country music throws its biggest block party, from riverside shows to stadium blowouts. It's boots, beer, and one of the best live lineups in the business. With Nissan Stadium as its central stage, the festival will feature performances by countless country artists across various stages throughout the city. Beyond the main concerts, attendees can enjoy Fan Fair X, offering unique fan experiences and artist interactions.
Bonnaroo
More than a music festival, Bonnaroo is a self-contained city of sound and campers. Once you're in, it's all music, community, and dusty happiness under the Tennessee sky. If you think Bonnaroo is just all about the music, think again. Attendees can take in art installations, enjoy various activities, and the new "Infinity Stage" immersive audio experience.
Atlanta Jazz Festival
Few things pair better with sunshine and green space than live jazz. This festival, produced by the City of Atlanta Mayor's Office of Cultural Affairs, is well-known as one of the largest free jazz festivals in the United States. The Atlanta Jazz Festival brings mellow, soulful sounds to Piedmont Park and remains a longtime favorite for locals and visitors alike.
Cruel World
A throwback? Sure. But Cruel World isn't stuck in the past; it leans into nostalgia with style, delivering iconic post-punk, new wave, and goth legends in a setting that feels like a perfectly moody mixtape come to life. The crowd might skew a little eyeliner-heavy, but the vibes are high, the music is loud, and the aesthetics are impeccable. Expect leather, synths, and a whole lot of eyeliner under the California sun.
This story was produced by Way.com and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.
