Music

The Ultimate Guide to Music Festivals in 2020

While some festivals have been postponed, there's still so much to look forward to this year, and we're keeping you updated with the latest dates and lineups.

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Spring is here, and that means music festivals' 2020 season is not far off. And while current social distancing guidelines mean some of the most popular festivals, like Coachella and Bonnaroo, are postponed by a few months, you can be sure they'll be even more highly anticipated when they do arrive. Of course, the headliners are always a major highlight (remember Beyoncé's Coachella performance in 2018, which literally ended up as a Netflix special?), so expect to see lots of hype around artists like Frank Ocean or Lizzo, but there's a lot to be excited about all the way down the lineup. 

Whether you like hip-hop, R&B, or pop, the perfect 2020 music festival is one that fits your taste. From the most popular festivals, like Coachella and Gov Ball, to more niche offerings like the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, see all the best music festivals in 2020 below, and watch this space as more lineups get announced.

Coachella

When: October 9-11 and 16-18, 2020 (postponed from April)

Where: Indio, California

What: Lasting for two full weekends in a row, the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival draws music fans to the Southern California desert every spring. In addition to its music, Coachella will keep your whole crew entertained all weekend with offerings including a Ferris wheel, a vintage market, and a DIY art studio. If you're feeling adventurous, you can even camp in the desert overnight to get the full experience.

Who: Rage Against the Machine, Travis Scott, and Frank Ocean are headlining, but being one of the biggest music festivals in 2020 (and every year), Coachella has high-profile names across the board. Megan Thee Stallion will usher in a Hot Girl Spring when she plays a set, and some other highlights include Summer Walker, Ari Lennox, Lana Del Rey, Calvin Harris, City Girls, and Brockhampton.

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Governors Ball

When: June 5-7, 2020

Where: New York City

What: Similar to Coachella, the Governors Ball (also known as Gov Ball) features an eclectic lineup, making it one of the most hyped music festivals in 2020. Held in the middle of New York City, this is a great option for those who live on the East Coast and/or don't want to trek to the desert (plus, if you have any free time over the weekend, the world is at your fingertips!).

Who: You'll find someone for every taste at Randall's Island Park that weekend: L'Officiel USA cover alum Solange, Alessia Cara, Carly Rae Jepsen, H.E.R., Summer Walker, Miley Cyrus, Vampire Weekend, Tame Impala, Swae Lee, and Stevie Nicks (!) are just a few of those confirmed to take the stage.

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Rolling Loud

When: May 8-10, 2020

Where: Miami, FL

What: Rolling Loud is strictly a hip-hop festival. It features both up-and-coming rappers and legends, making it a must for anyone who's a huge fan of the genre.

Who: This year, A$AP Rocky, Travis Scott, and Post Malone are headlining, so even if you can't make it, you'll surely see people talking about their performances. The music festival's 2020 edition will also highlight the likes of Saweetie, Playboi Carti, Megan Thee Stallion, Young Thug, Big Sean, Lil Uzi Vert, Doja Cat, and City Girls. If you're based in Europe (or making travel plans for this summer), there is also a Rolling Loud festival happening in Portugal from July 8-10 with A$AP Rocky, Future, and Wiz Khalifa as headliners.

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New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival

When: Fall 2020 (dates TBA, postponed from April)

Where: New Orleans, Louisiana

What: Similar to Rolling Loud, the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival has a niche focus, as it specializes in indigenous music and culture with roots in Louisiana. A few included genres are blues, R&B, gospel, Afro-Caribbean, folk, Latin, rock, rap, and bluegrass. The 2020 music festival lasts for 10 days and attracts global sensations and local favorites alike.

Who: Expect to see Lizzo, Lionel Richie, Stevie Nicks, Lenny Kravitz, Erykah Badu, Norah Jones, H.E.R., and Big Freedia, among many others you can check out below.

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Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival

When:  September 24-27, 2020 (postponed from June)

Where: Great Stage Park, Tennessee

What: Lasting for four days, Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival offers camping, great food, and art installations. The festival features a wide range of popular genres, and paying homage to its Tennessee location, the first of the four days focuses on the Grand Ole Opry.

Who: Throughout the rest of the weekend, you can catch Lizzo (who is making the music festival's 2020 edition one to remember as its first female headliner), fellow headliners Tool and Tame Impala, and other exciting acts like Miley Cyrus, The 1975, Megan Thee Stallion, Glass Animals, Flume, DaBaby, Nelly, and J.I.D.

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Electric Daisy Carnival

When: May 15-17, 2020

Where: Las Vegas, Nevada

What: Often abbreviated as EDC, Electric Daisy Carnival is one of the largest electronic dance music festivals in 2020 and every year. In addition to music, guests can enjoy immersive art experiences (such as glow-in-the-dark and LED creations), carnival rides, and lots more fun for EDM fans to connect on and off the dance floor. You can camp there, too, and the festival keeps expanding its offerings to entertain its growing audience.

Who: According to the official poster, you are the most important headliner, but some major names set to get you dancing include The Chainsmokers, David Guetta, Zedd, Diplo, Martin Garrix, Tiësto, and Louis the Child.

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Pitchfork Festival

When: July 17-19, 2020

Where: Chicago, Illinois

What: Held in Union Park, Pitchfork Music Festival is a celebration of artists and bands from the alt-rock, hip-hop, electronic, and dance music, though it sometimes features artists from other genres, as well. You'll also find refreshments, art, and a record fair, and the festival is spreading around the world, with branches in Paris and Berlin.

Who: For 2020, the music festival's headliners include The Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Run the Jewels, and the National. Some other exciting acts include Sophie, Tierra Whack, Sharon van Etten, Phoebe Bridgers, Caroline Polachek, and Yaeji.

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Other Festivals with Lineups TBA

Lollapalooza (July 20 - Aug. 2 in Chicago, Illinois)

Electric Zoo (August 28-30 in Randall's Island, New York)

Made in America (August 31-September 1 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania)

Afropunk (November 28-29 in Brooklyn, New York)

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