Summer is here! This means a lot of wonderful things: Swimming pools are open, watermelon is in season, and camping season is in full swing. It also means summer festivals are upon us, and we couldn’t be more thrilled. After all, who doesn’t love the fun and excitement offered by a summer festival?
Whether you prefer summer festivals that revolve around food and drink, music festivals, or something else entirely, there’s a festival out there for you. In this article, we’ve highlighted some of our favorite summer festivals of 2021. Pick and choose from this list and you’re sure to have an excellent time this summer season.
— Food Festivals —
Let’s start with food and drink summer festivals. Everyone loves something delicious, and there’s no better way to enjoy yummy things than by attending an event that revolves around pleasing the palate.
Dollywood Flower and Food Festival
Pigeon Forge, TN
April 23rd – June 7th, 2021
Website: https://www.dollywood.com/themepark/Festivals/Flower-and-Food
Dollywood is fun no matter when you visit. That said, a visit during the Food and Flower Festival is especially exciting. Try some delicious and unique foods, admire the gorgeous flower beds and topiaries, and get into the summer spirit as you enjoy all the usual coasters and rides the park has to offer.
Rent an RV near this festival!
New Orleans Wine and Food Experience
New Orleans, LA
June 8th–13th, 2021
Website: https://nowfe.com
New Orleans is the home of a whole lot of amazing food. Therefore, it should come as no surprise that this is also the home of a seriously amazing food festival. The New Orleans Wine and Food Experience is an excellent opportunity to try some of NOLA’s yummiest foods and wines.
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Windy City Smokeout
Chicago, IL
July 9th–11th, 2021
Website: https://www.windycitysmokeout.com
Are you a barbecue fan? We don’t blame you, and we must recommend you make a point of heading to the Windy City Smokeout. This Chicago festival features some of the best barbecue in the country. It also offers some good music and good beer to round things out.
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Epcot Food and Wine Festival
Kissimmee, FL
July 15th – November 20th, 2021
Website: https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/events-tours/epcot/epcot-international-food-and-wine-festival/
Another theme park festival, the Epcot Food and Wine Festival is something everyone should experience at least once. This is an awesome event that features a wide variety of unique and delicious small plates that are perfectly paired with carefully chosen wines. Of course, the attractions offered by Epcot are also tons of fun to check out while you’re there.
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The Barbecue Festival
Lexington, NC
October 23rd, 2021
Website: https://www.barbecuefestival.com
Another fabulous barbecue festival, this event is just perfect for those who prefer Carolina-style barbecue. The vinegary sauce served on these meats adds a nice tang, and the festival features several excellent Carolina-style barbecue masters, so you can try the best of the best.
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National Fried Chicken Festival
New Orleans, LA
October 23rd–24th, 2021
Website: https://www.friedchickenfestival.com
Yes, this is another New Orleans festival. Are you actually surprised though? The National Fried Chicken Festival is exactly what you’d think: a festival focused entirely on fried chicken. It’s the perfect event for lovers of homestyle cooking and is sure to send you into an amazing food coma.
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Eat Drink San Francisco
San Francisco, CA
October 15th–24th, 2021
Website: https://eatdrink-sf.com
Finally, we must mention Eat Drink San Francisco. While many California festivals have chosen to cancel this year, this festival is on (with safety precautions, of course).
Attendees will have the opportunity to try the best food San Francisco has to offer. It’s a ten day event, meaning you’ll have plenty of time to try all the delicious food and drink.
Rent an RV near this festival!
— Music Festivals —
Food festivals are amazing enough on their own, but music festivals are equally as great. These incredible summer festivals revolve entirely around pleasing the ear, usually last for days, and often even offer camping opportunities, meaning you can really immerse yourself in the experience.
Country Jam
Grand Junction, CO
June 24th–26th, 2021
Website: https://countryjam.com
The first music festival on our list of summer festivals is Colorado’s Country Jam. This is touted as Colorado’s largest country music event, and is always a great festival to attend. This year’s lineup includes Carrie Underwood, Luke Combs, and many more favorites.
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Country Thunder Wisconsin
Twin Lakes, WI
July 15th–18th, 2021
Website: https://www.countrythunder.com/wi
A country music festival that takes place in four different states, Country Thunder is a popular event. We highly recommend the Wisconsin event which features a great lineup and camping onsite.
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Faster Horses
Brooklyn, MI
July 16th–18th, 2021
Website: https://fasterhorsesfestival.com
In nearby Michigan, music lovers can attend the Faster Horses Festival. This event features tons of awesome country music and is open to all ages.
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Watershed Festival
The Gorge, George, WA
July 30th – August 1st, 2021
Website: https://watershedfest.com
Watershed Festival is another country music event. Once again, onsite camping is offered, and once again, we approve of the lineup. We also love that this one is in beautiful Washington state!
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Headwaters Country Jam
Three Forks, MT
August 19th–21st, 2021
Website: https://headwaterscountryjam.com
Found under the wide open skies of Montana, Headwaters is the perfect event for those looking to sit back, relax, and enjoy some good country music. The performers are fantastic and the surrounding fun and events are incredibly memorable.
Rent an RV near this festival!
Winstock
Winsted, MN
August 20th–21st, 2021
Website: https://winstockfestival.com
Winstock takes place in Minnesota each year. This is a fantastic country music festival that offers attendees camping, excellent music, and some great food choices.
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Summer Camp Festival
Chillicothe, IL
August 20th–22nd, 2021
Website: https://summercampfestival.com
Many of us got to experience Summer Camp as kids, and the vast majority of us loved it. Why not relive this kind of fun at Summer Camp Festival, a three-day event that features music, friends, and fun that you’re sure to remember for years to come?
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Night in the Country Festival
Mill Spring, NC
August 26th–28th, 2021
Website: https://nightinthecountry.org
There’s something very charming about summer nights in the countryside. Those who attend the Night in the Country Festival will get to witness this firsthand as they dance the nights away to fantastic music in the North Carolina countryside.
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Bonnaroo
Manchester, TN
September 2nd–5th, 2021
Website: https://www.bonnaroo.com
The Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival in Tennessee is a huge and exciting event. It’s colorful, creative, and features so many different musicians, you’ll likely have a hard time deciding which performances to attend!
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Rocklahoma
Pryor, OK
September 3rd–5th, 2021
Website: https://rocklahoma.com
Heading to the center of the country? Be sure to make a stop in Oklahoma to attend Rocklahoma. This event always features a great lineup, and the Miss Rocklahoma event is always a hit as well.
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BottleRock
Napa, CA
September 3rd–5th, 2021
Website: https://www.bottlerocknapavalley.com
Napa Valley is a great place to visit any time. That said, visiting during BottleRock is even better. This three-day event features artists such as Guns & Roses and Foo Fighters. There is also a culinary stage as well as an onsite spa, making the experience a very well-rounded one.
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Elements Festival
Lakewood, PA
September 3rd–5th, 2021
Website: https://www.elementsfest.us
Need something on the east side of the states? Elements Festival takes place in Pennsylvania and is an excellent event to attend. The festival is held in a “magical forest” near a beautiful lake, the perfect setting for an escape from the real world and into the world of music and art.
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Born & Raised
Pryor, OK
September 17th–19th, 2021
Website: https://www.bornandraisedfestival.com
Another Oklahoma festival that is definitely worth attending, Born and Raised is an awesome country music festival. Be sure to camp at the festival in order to get the full experience and really immerse yourself in the vibe.
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Imagine Festival
Chattahoochee Hills, Atlanta, GA
September 17th–19th, 2021
Website: https://www.imaginefestival.com
A magical event with an “aquatic fairytale” theme, this Georgia festival is perfect for those looking to escape into music. Art and food are everywhere, and the music lineup is wonderful.
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Firefly Music Festival
Dover, DE
September 23rd–26th, 2021
Website: https://fireflyfestival.com
Featuring over 120 bands across 7 different stages, Firefly is an enormous festival that is sure to entertain. Other features of the event include special boutique shops, a silent disco, and much more.
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Lost Lands
Thornville, OH
September 24th–26th, 2021
Website: https://www.lostlandsfestival.com
Are you a dinosaur fanatic? If so, you’re going to love the dinosaur-themed music festival that’s happening this summer in Ohio. Lost Lands will feature a large number of bands as well as a variety of other entertainment. Best of all, it’s all about our favorite prehistoric animals.
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CAMP EDC
Las Vegas, NV
October 22nd–24th, 2021
Website: https://lasvegas.electricdaisycarnival.com/camp-edc/
It should come as no surprise that a music festival held in Las Vegas is an excellent event. Camp EDC is a great way to wave goodbye to summer and greet the fall. Thanks to the warm Nevada sunshine, days are plenty warm during the festival, but nights are cool and ideal for cozy camping.
Rent an RV near this festival!
Seven Peaks
Buena Vista, CO
Dates TBD
Website: https://sevenpeaksfestival.com
Seven Peaks has not yet released dates for their 2021 event. That said, we’re sure the event will be just as epic as ever, with camping, outdoor adventures, and of course, music.
Rent an RV near this festival!
Ready to head out and enjoy some of these awesome summer festivals? Book your RV today to ensure you have the perfect camping rig for enjoying your festival getaways.
