Best Music Festivals in the USA 2019-2020

By Seren Morris

Photo by Pitchfork Music Festival
Planning to go to a festival in the next year? Fortunately, festivals are happening across the USA, from New York to California and everywhere in between. From pure pop to electronic music, there's a festival for everyone. Check out our guide to USA festivals for 2019-2020, including...
  • Coachella
  • Lollapalooza
  • Burning Man
  • Woodstock
  • Outside Lands
  • Electric Zoo
  • Afropunk
  • And many more...

Many of these festivals are taking place at Go City destinations such as New York, Chicago, LA, San Francisco, New Orleans and many more. So in-between raving it up, why not check out some bucket list attractions too? Check out our passes and visit the Go City website for information on attractions and prices. You could save up to 65% vs gate price.

July 2019Pitchfork Music Festival, Chicago, Illinois (19-22)

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Now in its 14th year, Pitchfork Music Festival is Chicago’s alternative rock festival featuring artists including HAIM, Robyn, Charli XCX, The Isley Brothers, Sky Ferreira, Cate Le Bon and many more. Tickets prices are $85 for a day ticket and $190+ for a 3-day ticket.

August 2019Lollapalooza, Chicago, Illinois (1-4)

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Lollapalooza is back this year with world-famous headliners including The Strokes, Ariana Grande, Tame Impala, and many more. Festival-goers can also enjoy tasty food fresh from the Chicago area. Ticket prices are $130+ for a day ticket and $340+ for a 4-day ticket.

Outside Lands, San Francisco, LA (9-11)

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A post shared by Outside Lands (@outsidelands) on Jun 30, 2019 at 2:16pm PDT

This year, Outside Lands will see headliners including Paul Simon, Childish Gambino, and Twenty One Pilots, as well as other favorites such as Kacey Musgraves, The Lumineers and Lil Wayne. Ticket prices are $155+ for a day ticket and $385+ for a 3-day ticket.

Woodstock, NY (16-18)

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The iconic Woodstock festival in NYC is back for its 50th anniversary with a star-studded line-up including The Killers, Miley Cyrus, Jay-Z, Chance the Rapper, Imagine Dragons and Halsey. Tickets are on sale soon, check the website for updates.

Afropunk Fest, NY, NY (24-26)

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Taking place in Brooklyn, AFROPUNK is self-described as ‘a safe place, a blank space to freak out in, to construct a new reality, to live your life as you see fit, while making sense of the world around you.’ The line-up looks amazing, with artists including FKA Twigs, Lianne La Havas, Leon Bridges, Jill Scott, Kamasi Washington and many more. Instead of buying a ticket, guests are required to complete volunteering tasks. More information can be found on their website.

Burning Man, Nevada (25-2)

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Burning Man is the festival that’s not a festival. Instead, it’s ‘a city wherein almost everything that happens is created entirely by its citizens, who are active participants in the experience.’ This year’s theme is Metamorphoses, and the festival will feature art and performances following this theme. Tickets are $550+.

Electric Zoo, NY, NY (30-1)

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Electric Zoo is New York’s electronic music festival, taking place on Randall’s Island Park, NY. It features musicians like 4B, Bijou, Above & Beyond, Afrojack, Alison Wonderland and many more. Tickets are $79.99+ for a single day ticket and $249.99 for a 3-day ticket.

October 2019

Austin City Limits Music Festival, Austin, Texas (4-6, 11-13)

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Music fans at Austin City Limits Music Festival will be treated to an epic line up including Guns N’ Roses, Tame Impala, Billie Eilish, Cardi B, Mumford & Sons, Childish Gambino, The Cure, and Robyn. Tickets are $105+ for a day ticket and $260+ for a 3-day ticket.

March 2020

Ultra Music Festival, Miami, Florida, (27-29)

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This electronic music festival in Miami has seen previous headliners such as Afrojack, David Guetta, and The Chainsmokers. The 2020 lineup is yet to be announced and tickets have yet to be released, but check the Ultra Music Festival website for updates.

April 2020Coachella, Indio, California (10-13, 17-19)

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Coachella is the California-based festival flooding your Instagram feeds every year. The 2020 line-up is yet to be released and tickets are not yet on sale, but as a festival popular with celebrities and social media stars, Coachella is the festival to see and be seen.

New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, New Orleans, Louisiana, (23-28, 2-3 May)

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Founded in 1970, the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival celebrates Louisiana’s music and culture. Now in its 51st year, the festival has added a day to its schedule, making it 8 days long. While the 2020 line-up is yet to be announced, previous headliners have included Stevie Wonder, Neil Young, Aretha Franklin, Aerosmith, Red Hot Chilli Peppers, Beck, and Lionel Richie.

June 2020The Governors Ball, NY, NY (5-7 June)

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The Governor's Ball is a multi-genre festival that takes place in Randall's Island Park every year. The diverse line-up of 2019 included Tyler, the Creator, Florence + the Machine, The 1975, The Strokes, and SZA so you can expect to see some of your favorite acts no matter what.

In Summary

If you are heading to one of these festivals in New York, Chicago, LA, San Francisco or New Orleans, why not use a Go City attraction pass to save on admission? You could save up to 55% vs. gate price.

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A traditional Chinese lion dance
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Visiting Chicago in February

Sun worshippers look away now. February in Chicago lies in the depths of the Illinois winter. But beyond the building snow and icy temperatures you’ll find Chicago in February remains a top pick for a vacation. How can this be? To begin with, the windy city has plenty of indoor attractions to keep you entertained. However, there’s lots to lure you outside too, from public ice skating rinks to Chinese New Year and Valentine’s Day celebrations. We start though with the all-important weather, so you know exactly what to expect. Chicago weather in February Those movie and TV scenes of people wrapped up like the Michelin man in the Chicago winter are no exaggeration. You’ll want to pack your winterproof clothing, and shouldn’t leave home without a pair of gloves, scarf and wooly hat either. Daytime temperatures average a frosty 34°F and can drop as low as 17°F overnight. At the same time, there’s only around 1.5 inches of rain, spread across seven non-consecutive days. Roughly half the month sees clear skies and sun, making it feel much warmer than the temperature would otherwise suggest. Get all loved up If there’s one day in the calendar sure to raise the temperature it’s Valentine’s Day. Home of the 1929 Saint Valentine’s Day Massacre ordered by Al Capone – the site on North Clark Street is now the parking lot for a nursing home – takes nothing from the annual indulgence of heart-shaped chocolate boxes or the dozens upon dozens of red roses which must be purchased. Reservations at the city’s best restaurants get booked up quickly, so if it’s a candle-lit dinner you’re after make sure to stay ahead of the curve and call in your own booking ahead of time. The same rule applies for anyone who fancies treating their better half to a night at the Chicago Theater. A behind-the-scenes Marquee Tour at the same venue will come a close second, especially during February’s Theater Week. Elsewhere, there’s the chance to snuggle up in one of the glass-bottomed gondolas of the Centennial Wheel, one of several rides at Navy Pier now running throughout February. It’s even possible to make it extra special by reserving one of the VIP gondolas for you and up to three others. Embrace the cold for these epic attractions Long after the outdoor rinks in most other cities have melted away for the year, Chicagoans are still able to enjoy the sensation of gliding across the ice (and the glee of watching others fall over) right through February. Millennium Park’s McCormick Tribune Ice Rink has the finer location, right in front of Cloud Gate, the gleaming ‘bean’ sculpture which rapidly became a symbol of the city after its installation in 2006. But Maggie Daley Park’s Skating Ribbon offers the more unusual experience as it winds through the green space. Whilst many of the parks in Chicago in February are looking a little sorry for themselves, this isn’t the case with Garfield Park Conservatory west of downtown. Having one of the USA’s greatest areas under glass, there’s no shortage of color or tropical warmth amongst the plants of the so-called new conservatory – completed in 1907 – including those of the Palm Room and Fern Room. For sumptuous food without a booking head to Chinatown, which comes alive with the sound of drumming and sight of traditional lion dances during the annual Chinese New Year parade. Indoor attractions you won’t want to miss Visiting Chicago in February doesn’t have to be about wooly hats and insulated jackets though, and you could easily pass several days wandering through the vast collections of the city’s world-class museums. For insight into how the city developed, including after the horror of the Great Fire of 1871, there’s nowhere better to head than Chicago History Museum. Its vast collections include objects from the first street car of Chicago’s L system, to Abraham Lincoln’s deathbed and the table at which the American Civil War was ended. It occupies a fine example of the Federal style of architecture which flourished in the early United States and is one of several styles that can be found in the city. No wonder then that Chicago was chosen as the home of Frank Lloyd Wright, one of the twentieth century’s most important building designers. His home and studio of ten years has been restored to echo how it would have looked in 1909, complete with Egyptian motif children’s playroom and open-plan studio where the great man brought to life 125 much-celebrated structures. These include Chicago’s Robie House, one of just a handful open to the public anywhere in the world. Cheer on a local team Rich in sporting heritage, Chicago is also a great destination for sports fans. Mid-February sees the city host basketball’s NBA All-Stars event, bringing some of the best players of the moment to venues across Chicago including Navy Pier. Meanwhile the United Center Arena – shared with the Chicago Bulls – is home to the Blackhawks, one of the six original National Hockey League teams. The atmosphere that develops inside during a match is something no behold, with games taking place throughout February. You might also like to pay a visit to Chicago’s 23,000 foot Sports Museum. Located inside the Magnificent Mile’s Water Tower Place mall, it not only includes artifacts relating to the city’s sporting history but several interactive skill challenges too. Getting the best out of Chicago in February Whether it’s participating in the city’s sporting life, admiring its art or simply spending some time with a loved one, there are so many things to do in Chicago in February you won’t know where to begin! We’d suggest your first port of call is Go City. Travel with us to Chicago in February and you can explore the very best the city has to offer without breaking the bank. Our passes provide incredible savings on admission to many of Chicago’s top attractions so that the only thing you have to worry about is cramming it all in!
Ian Packham
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Things to do in The Loop, Chicago

You there! Are you visiting Chicago at some point in the future? Are you wondering which districts to check out during your visit? Do you like loops? Well, The Loop might just be the perfect place for you to visit during your vacation. Here are some of the best things to do while you're there! Including: Grant Park Shedd Aquarium Eat Drink Shopping and more! Grant Park Let's begin, then, with one of the city's most significant green zones; the one and only Grant Park! Named after the late, great Ulysses S. Grant, this behemoth of a park measures over 300 acres. Step inside, and you'll find a world of entertainment. Perhaps the park's biggest draw is Millennium Park, where you'll find Cloud Gate. Referred to locally as The Bean, this massive, chrome, reflective sculpture by artist Anish Kapoor is one of the most recognizable landmarks in Chicago, and has featured in many films and TV shows. But alongside The Bean, you'll find Buckingham Fountain, Maggie Daley Park, Art Institute of Chicago, The Court of the Presidents, and much more at Grant Park! The Field Museum Want to discover over 4 billion years of history in one place? Then you should check out the Field Museum! There, you'll meet Maximo, the largest recorded dinosaur ever found on Earth. Weighing in at over 70 tons, they were quite the beast! You can also experience what it's like to be a tiny bug at the Underground Adventure exhibit, observe scientists extract DNA in real-time at the DNA Discovery Center, and also watch fossils being prepared at the Griffin Halls of Evolving Planet. All that and much more await you at the Field Museum. So, what are you waiting for? The Art Institute of Chicago Let's get cultural for a second, and talk about some art. In The Loop, you'll find the Art Institute of Chicago, one of the best-known art museums on Earth! Inside, you'll find hundreds of pieces from all across the globe, from older, more traditional masterpieces to modern marvels. With fixed collections as well as a rotation of amazing seasonal experiences, there's sure to be something inspiring at the Art Institute of Chicago! Skyline Lake Tour Want to see the city from a different perspective? Check out a Skyline Lake Tour. Take to the seven seas, or just the one in this case, and enjoy amazing views of Chicago's heavenly skyline as you spot some of the city's biggest and best landmarks. Beginning at Navy Pier, your trip will take you past the likes of the Adler Planetarium, Field Museum, and beautiful Grant Park. And, with a learned robot, or prerecording, narrating the significance of each spot, you'll learn all about modern Chicago. American Writers Museum Words. Powerful, plentiful, and often misused, words are the backbone of our civilization. Want to discover how Americans have used words over the centuries? Then head to the American Writers Museum in The Loop. Novels, speeches, poetry, and more are all housed within. See how historical events changed the approach of American authors, whether through war, financial collapse, or in response to cultural shifts. Learn how speechwriters changed the course of history. And discover how American poets touched the hearts and minds of millions. With a huge variety of words in all their forms on display, you're sure to find something mind-opening at the American Writers Museum. Shedd Aquarium Next, let's take a trip under the very oceans themselves. At Shedd Aquarium, you'll find a whole new world of wonder in the heart of The Loop. See exotic species of marine life from all corners of the world, from sharks to stingrays, and plenty more too! There are a wealth of exhibits to explore within, including a 360-degree tour at the Caribbean Reef, a look at South American fish species that occupy the Amazon at Amazon Rising, and a look at how a local community saved their coral reef from being wiped out at Wild Reef. All that and more ocean fun awaits you. So go get your snorkel and suit up! Eat! After all the activity, you might be feeling peckish. Never fear; we've got your hunger covered. The Loop has plenty of places to eat a wide variety of cuisine. Can't decide which to pick? Head to Revival Food Hall, which houses a large number of food vendors under one roof. Whether you're in the market for pizza, seafood, or Italian, you're sure to find something to turn your head there! Want a little fusion in your life? Head to Saucy Porka, which mixes Asian delights with Latin deliciousness. Wonder what a bao bun would be like if it was filled with some fried meat and beans? Look no further. Or, if you just want a snack to refuel you during the day, stop by Gayle's Best Ever Grilled Cheese. Sure, it's simply a collection of grilled cheese sandwiches. But grilled cheese is good. And these are some of the best you'll ever taste. Drink! Need a little refreshment in The Loop, or looking for a quality night out? You're in luck, because there are some great spots in the area you should check out. Monk's Pub combines a medieval exterior and modernized interior, replete with a load of beers on tap and bites to sample. Want a little blues with your booze? Head to Buddy Guy's Legends, which combines foot-tapping tunes with a delightful selection of drinks. Or, if you're feeling super fancy and the weather is fine, check out a rooftop bar like Raised or Boleo. Whichever you pick, you'll find top cocktails, good vibes, and great views of the beautiful Chicago skyline. Shop! And finally, let's end our list on a little shopping spree. The Loop has a load of great boutiques where you can pick up some slick accessories, threads, and everything in between. Of course, there's Macy's, where you'll find a world of shopping bliss and pretty much whatever you need. But there are also specialized shops like Optimo Hats for all your headwear needs, Madison Hall for your continental clothing supplies, and Graham Crackers Comics if you're looking for some special editions. And that's our list of the best things to in The Loop when visiting Chicago. Enjoy!
Dom Bewley

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