2021 Summer Music Festivals

Mary-Edith Cox, Social Media Chair
April 30, 2021

As the vaccine roll-out continues, many of us have begun making mental bucket lists of the activities and places we’re eager to return to once it’s safe to do so. For some, that might mean a long-awaited visit to family members. For others, it might mean travelling all over the world getting enriched in different cultures. And, for a select few, it might just be standing in an open field in the hot, beating sun for the entirety of the day before paying $10 for a water bottle, losing your friends, and realizing your phone is dead in the middle of a mosh pit of strangers.

If the latter sounds like a dream to you, the good news is that music festivals are slowly on the comeback. And, as the music industry reels from the serious hit it took this past year, lineups are filling up quickly with artists who are eager to get back on stage.

Still, many major festivals like Coachella have cancelled their 2021 plans, while others like Lollapalooza have yet to announce any dates and the vast majority of festivals are very much “subject to change” based upon public health concerns.

As of March, the CDC advises people avoid large public gatherings. And while it does not have a specific limit for the number of attendees at events, it “encourages event organizers to focus on ways to limit people’s contact with each other.”

For now, some festival organizers are moving forward with plans for limited 2021 events later in the summer. Others have decided to go for virtual events this year. Listed below are the upcoming music festivals that have set headliners. Whether you’re looking to plan ahead for a potentially responsible rage in the fall, or just eager to see the lineups, here is your guide to 2021 music festivals.

Glastonbury Festival of Contemporary Performing Arts

Dates: May 22, 2021

Virtual

Headliners: Coldplay, Jorja Smith, HAIM, Wolf Alice, Michael Kiwanuka

Summerfest

Dates: September 2-4, 9-11, and 16-18, 2021

Milwaukee, WI

Headliners: Justin Beiber, Dave Matthews Band, Blink-182, Guns n’ Roses

Bonnaroo Music & Arts Festival

Dates: September 2-5, 2021

Manchester, TN

Headliners: Foo Fighters, Megan Thee Stallion, Lizzo, Tame Impala, Tyler the Creator, Lana del Ray, Phoebe Bridgers, Lil Baby