JUNE
Mountain Music Festival | June 6-7, New River Gorge National Park, WV
Held at the 1,500-acre ACE Adventure Resort adjacent to New River Gorge National Park, this festival promises an excellent blend of music and recreational adventures. Acts include headliners Daniel Donato’s Cosmic Country, Tropidelic, Big Something and Sneezy. In addition to live music, whitewater rafting, rock climbing, zip lining, mud racing and other activities are available. mountainmusicfestwv.com
Great Tennessee Air Show | June 7-8, Smyrna, TN
Look overhead and see planes in flight during this annual show, headlined in 2025 by the U.S. Navy Blue Angels. See planes piloted through stunning twists and turns above the Smyrna airport, and enjoy activities on the ground, including displays showcasing aviation history and the chance to explore aircraft such as helicopters and civilian planes. greattennesseeairshow.com
Simply Slavic Heritage Festival | June 13-14, Youngstown, OH
Head to downtown Youngstown for this festival that celebrates the northeast Ohio community’s Slavic heritage. Enjoy traditional food and drink, folk dance performances, live music, educational exhibits and an ethnic market. simplyslavic.org
Superman Celebration | June 13-15, Metropolis, IL
Calling all comic book fans to visit the home of Superman in Metropolis, Illinois, during this free, annual festival that celebrates the Man of Steel. Enjoy a car show, games, a costume contest, celebrity appearances and much more. Plus, make sure to visit the Metropolis Super Con, a superhero convention that coincides with the festival. supermancelebration.net
New York State Blues Festival | June 12-14, Syracuse, NY
Enjoy the soulful melodies of the blues during this free festival at the New York State Fairgrounds. The Warren Haynes Band headlines the festival this year, while other talents such as Southern Avenue, The Three Kings, Ruthie Foster and Jontavius Willis round out the lineup. nysbluesfest.com
Celtic Faire: Genesee Country Village & Museum | June 21-22, Mumford, NY
Embrace Celtic traditions during a weekend at this living-history site in New York. Throughout the weekend, enjoy a celebration of all Celtic cultures through dancing, heritage music, authentic food and more. Plus, browse goods from different vendors, partake in authentic highland activities and even dive into your family’s ancestry to look for Celtic roots. gcv.org/event/celtic-faire
Ford Fireworks | June 23, Detroit, MI
See dazzling colors light up the night over the Detroit River during one of the largest fireworks displays in America. The show features more than 10,000 fireworks, which can be seen for miles around. The annual display draws in thousands of people each year to take in the colors exploding over the city. theparade.org
ROMP Festival | June 25-28, Owensboro, KY
Bluegrass music is king in Kentucky and the ROMP Festival at Yellow Creek Park is the perfect place to enjoy banjo twang and plenty of family fun. Headliners include Bluegrass Hall of Famers Sam Bush, The Dillards and the Del McCoury Band. Attendees can enjoy food trucks, crafts and camping in addition to the live music. rompfest.com
JULY
Elizabeth Freedom Festival | July 1, Elizabeth, IL
Celebrate Independence Day during this free local festival that includes live music, inflatables, face painting and food during the day before the main event kicks off at 7 p.m. At that time, the U.S. Army Golden Knights parachute into the festival at Terrapin Park before the night wraps up with a dazzling display of fireworks. visitgalena.org
Pekin 4th of July Festival | July 3-4, Pekin, IN
Celebrating 195 years in 2025, this small-town Indiana celebration is noted as the oldest Independence Day festival in America. Since 1830, this beloved tradition has come to include several festivities over its two days, such as watermelon- and corn-eating contests, pageants and a parade. pekinfourthofjuly.com
Rock the Country 2025 | July 11-12, Ashland, KY
Country and rock create a perfect harmony at this northeast Kentucky music festival showcasing iconic musicians at the Boyd County Fairgrounds. Kid Rock and Nickelback bring the heavy hitters, while Hank Williams Jr. and Tracy Lawrence play their beloved country hits. Other acts throughout the two-day festival include Upchurch, Mark Chesnutt, and Kentucky Headhunters. rockthecountry.com/ashland-ky
Bike Bash | July 18-20, Big Bear Lake, WV
Join 800 fellow cycling enthusiasts at this celebration of mountain biking held at Big Bear Lake Trail Center. Ride along nearly 50 miles of trail offering a mix of gradual climbs, tight slaloms, rock gardens and other terrain challenges. Plus, enjoy three nights of camping, training sessions, group rides, live entertainment and a product expo. bikebigbearwv.com
Ogdensburg Seaway Festival | July 18-27, Ogdensburg, NY
Billed as the oldest international festival in the United States, this decades-old event is devoted to celebrating culture and community. The theme for 2025 is “Crazy ’80s,” so guests can expect all the neon and big-hair flair that came with this iconic decade, as well as a slate of fun activities. ogdensburgseawayfestival.com
Appalachian Settlers Weekend | July 24-26, Olive Hill, KY
Become immersed in local history with three days of live reenactments and demonstrations that allow you to see firsthand the experience of settlers who came to the region hundreds of years ago. Additionally, visitors can enjoy hands-on activities like blacksmithing and pioneer cooking demonstrations. parks.ky.gov/events
Great South Bay Music Festival | July 24-27, Patchogue, NY
Listen as several music acts take the stage along Patchogue Bay. Festivalgoers can expect music across multiple stages as well as vendor tents, a craft village, KidZone, food court and more. greatsouthbaymusicfestival.com
Greenbrier Mountain Festival | July 26-27, Pittman Center, TN
Join the community of Pittman Center, Tennessee, for this free festival that includes inflatables and activities for little ones, apple bobbing, home-cooked food, arts and crafts vendors and more. Throughout the day, listen to the sound of local musicians playing gospel music with bluegrass flair. hillscreekbaptistchurch.com/greenbriermountainfestival
AUGUST
Dragon Boat Races | Aug. 1-2, Fort Wayne, IN
Enjoy this spirted event as it floats along the downtown Fort Wayne riverfront. The weekend kicks off on Friday with activities at Promenade Park and the opening ceremonies, the theme for which is the “Awakening of the Dragon.” Saturday is the big race day, so park visitors will be able to see two heats of races throughout the morning and afternoon. fortwayneparks.org
CreepyCon | Aug. 1-3, Knoxville, TN
Halloween comes early to Knoxville with this delightfully spooky showcase at the Knoxville Convention Center. Those who seek the weird and wonderful will find it here with live demonstrations and performances, costumed actors, games, a zombie shooting gallery and even appearances from celebrity guests. creepycon.com
Toledo JeepFest | Aug. 1-3, Toledo, OH
Held in the city where the Jeep was born, Toledo JeepFest celebrates the rich Ohio heritage of these iconic vehicles. Take your Jeep for a ride on a local speedway track and watch as 1,400 of these vehicles cruise through town in a parade. Plus, enjoy on-site food trucks and plenty of activities for the little ones. toledojeepfest.com
Musikfest | Aug. 1-10, Bethlehem, PA
Music lovers find their paradise in Bethlehem with a 10-day festival packed with big-name talent. Along with comedy shows, street performers, food vendors and more, this year’s headlining acts include Darius Rucker, Megan Moroney, Jordan Davis, Chicago, Riley Green, Nelly and The Avett Brothers. musikfest.org
Japan Festival Canada | Aug. 16-17, Mississauga, ON
Get a taste of Japanese culture at this annual festival in Mississauga that allows guests to try cuisine from Japan, enjoy dances and performances and shop from vendors. Since 2016, this festival has continued to promote goodwill between Canada and Japan while educating visitors through two days of cultural celebration. japanfestivalcanada.com
Feast of Lanterns | Aug. 23, Indianapolis, IN
Lantern festivals are common as summer draws to a close, and this free celebration at Spades Park in Indianapolis promises fun for all ages. It features community and vendor booths, food trucks, activities geared toward little ones and a beer and wine garden. Live music fills the air all day, and as the sun sets, the lanterns begin to glow. indyfol.org
APRIL
Subaru Cherry Blossom Festival of Greater Philadelphia | April 5-6, Philadelphia, PA
Enjoy this stunning celebration of Japanese culture in Philadelphia named for the beautiful pink sakura — or cherry blossoms — that can be found throughout the city. Attendees are treated to traditional performances, as well as face painting, Japanese food, games and a cherry blossom tree planting on Sunday. japanphilly.org
PinBrew Fest | April 10-12, Girard, OH
Pinball meets craft beer at this three-day event culminating in a tournament on Saturday. Leading up to the main event, attendees can enjoy unlimited free play on dozens of pinball machines and arcade games, or kick back in the beer garden and sip on craft brews between rounds. pinbrewfest.com
Gettysburg Festival of Races | April 26-27, Gettysburg, PA
Lace up for a race through history on the outskirts of the Gettysburg battlefield. The weekend includes a lively 5K that is great for all ability levels, as well as a marathon and half marathon, both of which cross over the Mason-Dixon Line into Maryland before looping back around. gettysburgfestivalofraces.com
MAY
Sing Us Home Festival | May 2-4, Philadelphia, PA
Enjoy three days of outdoor music on Philadelphia’s Venice Island in Manayunk. The festival, presented by Dave Hause, includes a great lineup of acts such as The Bouncing Souls, Frank Turner and Buzz Zeemer, as well as Dave Hause as a solo artist and as a group with his band, The Mermaid. singushomefestival.com
Iroquois Steeplechase | May 10, Nashville, TN
Known as “Nashville’s Rite of Spring,” this equine event at Percy Warner Park has been a beloved Tennessee tradition since 1941. Named for Iroquois, the first American-bred horse to win the English Derby, this event offers a full day of horse racing, as well as a chance to tailgate and enjoy the height of spring. iroquoissteeplechase.org
World Expo of Beer | May 16-17, Frankenmuth, MI
Raise a glass at this festival in Frankenmuth that has a selection of 350 beers from across the globe. Grab a ticket to the tasting event and receive a sampling-size mug and six drink tickets. Additional tickets can be purchased at the festival, and there will also be plenty of food and goods from vendors to browse while you sip. worldexpoofbeer.com
Fat and Skinny Tire Festival | May 16-18, Winona Lake, IN
Since 2005, this festival has been bringing biking enthusiasts together for a long weekend of cycling-centric activities. Enjoy both mountain and road biking races, family-friendly activities, cycling demonstrations, live music and great food during this event dedicated to wellness and fun. kcvcycling.org
Old Capitol Art Fair | May 17-18, Springfield, IL
Explore this juried exhibition of artists in a two-day art fair on the grounds of the former Illinois state capitol building in Springfield that draws over 30,000 attendees each year. Browse artworks spanning paintings, jewelry, photography, glassware, woodwork and more. There is also a children’s area designed to inspire an appreciation for the arts in little ones. springfieldoldcapitolartfair.org
Vandalia Gathering | May 23-25, Charleston, WV
Celebrate Appalachian culture at this event exhibiting West Virginia’s traditions and influences in Charleston. Enjoy traditional music with fiddle, banjo, mandolin and guitar contests, as well as vibrant dance performances ranging from mountain flatfooting to Celtic styles. Be sure to bring the little ones along to check out the Old-Time for Young’uns area, which affords kids the chance to experience early life in the Mountain State. wvculture.org
Carassauga Festival of Cultures | May 24-25, Mississauga, ON
Billed as Canada’s largest multicultural festival, this event in Mississauga recognizes and celebrates the different backgrounds and heritage of Canadians. The festival began in 1985 to promote unity and celebrate diversity and today includes more than 50 food vendors from different cultures, as well as live music and dance performances. carassauga.com
Grosse Ile IslandFest | May 30-June 1, Grosse Ile, MI
What started as a humble azalea festival in 1984 has grown into a large festival on the island of Grosse Ile on the Detroit River. While traditions from those first festivals — like the craft show, carnival and parade — have remained, visitors now also enjoy live music, a petting zoo, fireworks, a car show and more. grosseileislandfest.com
Woofa-Roo Pet Festival | May 31-June 1, Amherstburg, ON
Bring your furry friend to this festival at the Libro Sports Complex that celebrates both pets and their owners. Activities include police K9 demonstrations, agility courses and dock diving. Plus, owners can enjoy vendors selling accessories and goods both for pets and people throughout the festival. woofaroo.com