It’s almost summer, which means it’s almost time for summer music festivals. Here’s everything you need to know about the best festivals within a respectable driving distance of Cincinnati this summer. We’ll look at the whens and wheres, but also some not-to-miss hidden acts, how long the drive would be and the best day to aim for.
Bonnaroo (Manchester, Tennessee)
- When: June 15-18
- Where: Manchester, Tennessee
- Headliners: Kendrick Lamar, Odesza, Lil Nas X, Rainbow Kitten Surprise
- Tickets: $175 1-Day GA and $340 4-Day GA
- Distance from Cincinnati: 5 hours, 30 minutes
- Non-headliners not-to-miss: 070 Shake, Fleet Foxes, Sylvan Esso, Alex G, Sampa the Great, Remi Wolf, Thee Sacred Souls, Girl in Red, Peach Pit, Men I Trust, Sammy Rae & the Friends
- Recommended day: Friday, June 16.
WonderRoad (Indianapolis, Indiana)
- When: June 17-18
- Where: Garfield Park, Indianapolis, Indiana
- Headliners: Weezer, Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit
- Tickets: $49 (Father’s Day discount) – $99 1-Day GA; $85 (Fathers) – $175 2-Day GA
- Distance from Cincinnati: 2 hours
- Don’t miss: Local Natives, X Ambassadors
- Recommended day: Saturday, June 17
- When: June 23-25
- Where: Chicago, Illinois
- Headliners: Kid Cudi, Future with Lil Uzi Vert, Playboi Carti
- Tickets: $99 1-Day GA, $299 3-Day GA
- Distance from Cincinnati: 4 hours, 30 minutes
- Don’t miss: Vince Staples, Ice Spice, Freddie Gibbs, Ski Mask the Slump God, Tee Grizzley, Famous Dex, Rico Nasty, Central Cee
- Recommended day: Friday, June 23
Summerfest (Milwaukee, Wisconsin, “World’s Largest Music Festival”)
- When: June 22-25, June 29-July 1, July 6-8
- Where: Milwaukee, Wisconsin
- Headliners: June 22-25: Eric Church, Elle King, Zac Brown Band; June 29-July 1: Dave Matthews, Odesza, A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie; July 6-8: Jimmy Buffet, Zach Bryan, Imagine Dragons
- Tickets: $60 and up for multi-day passes
- Distance from Cincinnati: 6 hours, roughly
- Don’t miss: The Avett Brothers, Dear Tick, Bleachers, Yungblud, Cheap Trick, Declan McKenna, Cautious Clay
- Recommended weekend: June 22-25
- When: July 8-9
- Where: 7700 Clocktower Drive, Kirtland, Ohio
- Headliners: Walker Hayes, Khalid
- Tickets: $99 1-Day GA, $175 2-Day GA
- Distance from Cincinnati: 4 hours
- Don’t miss: Flo Rida, Tai Verdes
- Recommended day: Friday, July 9
- When: July 20-22
- Where: Paycor Stadium, Cincinnati, Ohio
- Headliners: Al Green, Snoop Dogg
- Tickets: $60-$175 per seat
- Distance from Cincinnati: 0 hours, 0 minutes
Nelsonville Music Festival (Nelsonville, Ohio)
- When: July 21-23
- Where: 52 Public Square, Nelsonville, Ohio
- Headliners: Big Thief, Alex G, Kurt Vile and the Violators
- Tickets: $100 1-Day GA, $169 3-Day Adult GA; $85 3-Day Teen GA
- Distance from Cincinnati: 2 hours, 30 minutes
- Recommended day: Sunday, July 23
- When: July 21-23
- Where: Union Park, Chicago, Ilinois
- Headliners: The Smile, Big Thief, Bon Iver
- Tickets: $115 1-Day GA, $249 3-Day GA
- Distance from Cincinnati: 4 hours, 30 minutes
- Don’t miss: Alvvays, Snail Mail, Julia Jacklin, King Krule, Weyes Blood, JPEGMAFIA, Koffee
- Recommended day: Saturday, July 22
- When: Aug. 3-6
- Where: Grant Park, Chicago, Illinois
- Headliners: Billie Eilish, Kendrick Lamar, The 1975, Odesza, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Lana Del Rey
- Tickets: $130 1-Day GA, $380 4-Day GA, $4350 4-Day Platinum
- Distance from Cincinnati: 4 hours, 30 minutes
- Don’t miss: Men I Trust, Dope Lemon, Fred Again…, Beadadoobee, Jessie Reyez, Peach Pit, Declan McKenna, Maggie Rogers, JID, Pusha T, Sylvan Esso, Thee Sacred Souls, Zack Fox, A Boogie, Louis the Child, Lil Yachty, Mt. Joy, The Backseat Lovers, Joey Bada$$, L’Imperatrice, Michelle
- Recommended day: Sunday, August 6th
RuidoFest (Chicago, Illinois)
- When: Aug. 19-20
- Where: Chicagoland Fairgrounds, Chicago, Illinois
- Headliners: Kali Uchis, Juanes
- Tickets: $105 1-Day GA, $185 2-Day GA
- Distance from Cincinnati: 4 hours, 30 minutes
- Recommended day: Saturday, Aug. 19
- When: Aug. 25-27
- Where: 2540 River Road, Columbus, Ohio
- Headliners: Pitbull, Demi Lovato, Caamp
- Tickets: $99 1-Day GA, $219 3-Day GA – discounts for four pack
- Distance from Cincinnati: 1 hour, 45 minutes
- Don’t miss: Oliver Tree, Dayglow, Brittany Howard, Saint Motel, Briscoe
- Recommended day: Sunday, Aug. 27
Riot Fest (Chicago, Illinois)
- When: Sept. 15-17
- Where: Douglass Park, Chicago, Illinois
- Headliners: Foo Fighters, Death Cab for Cutie, The Cure
- Tickets: $289 3-Day GA
- Distance from Cincinnati: 4 hours, 30 minutes
- Don’t miss: 070 Shake, Frank Turner, 100 Gecs
- When: Sept. 21-24
- Where: Highland Festival Grounds, Louisville, Kentucky
- Headliners: Foo Fighters, Weezer, Green Day
- Tickets: $119-139 1-Day GA, $299 4-Day GA
- Distance from Cincinnati: 2 hours
- Recommended day: Sunday, Sept. 24
