Looking for the ultimate outdoor music festival experience? Las Vegas has got you covered, duh!
Oh yeah, the capital entertainment of Las Vegas excels even in the arena of music festivals. What can’t Vegas do???
From electrifying EDM festivals that run until the sun rises to soulful reggae gatherings, Sin City is home to some of the most epic music festivals in the world.
In this guide, we’ll dive into some of the must-attend events that will have music lovers flocking to Vegas year after year. Get ready to dance the night away under the electric sky at EDC, catch chart-topping acts at the iHeartRadio Music Festival, and discover hidden gems like When We Were Young and Holo Holo Fest.
Electronic Daisy Carnival (EDC)
Music Genre: EDM
Electric Daisy Carnival, abbreviated and mostly referred to as EDC, is one of the biggest electronic dance music festivals in the world. Yup, the world.
This 3-night event is held annually in mid-May in Las Vegas. With multiple over-the-top stages, top DJs from all over the globe, oodles of carnival rides, and immersive art installations, EDC transforms the Las Vegas Motor Speedway into a high-energy wonderland that you have to see to believe.
The KineticFIELD serves as the main stage, taking up about half of the Speedway and hosting the biggest names in EDM. This year, headliners taking this stage include Armin van Buuren, David Guetta, ILLENIUM, MK, Tiesto, Zedd, DJ Snake, Alesso, and Kaskade. There are also seven other stages we haven’t even mentioned!
So yes. This festival is BIG. If you love electronic music, it’s a must-do at least once in your life! You’re guaranteed to meet people from all over the world as it draws music lovers from all over the globe.
Festival Dates: May 16-18, 2025
iHeartRadio Music Festival
Music Genre: Mixed
Now in its fourteenth year, the annual iHeartRadio Music Festival is a two-day event in Las Vegas that showcases today’s biggest names across all music genres.
Held at the T-Mobile Arena, the festival delivers two nights of non-stop hits, world premieres, and unique collaborations. Recent headliners include Billie Eilish, Post Malone, Harry Styles, and Doja Cat, making it the ultimate stage for iconic and emerging artists alike.
Last year specifically featured performances from a star-studded lineup including Foo Fighters, Fall Out Boy, Kane Brown, Lil Wayne, Lenny Kravitz, Miguel, Public Enemy, Sheryl Crow, Tim McGraw, Thirty Seconds to Mars, Travis Scott and more.
From rock legends to pop superstars, the iHeartRadio Music Festival continues to be the premier multi-genre music event.
Festival Dates: Sept 20-21, 2025
Life Is Beautiful
Music Genre: Mixed
Life Is Beautiful is a music, art, and food festival held annually in the streets of Downtown Las Vegas. Since its inception in 2013, it has transformed the urban landscape into a multi-day playground of creativity and celebration.
This festival typically takes place over 2 days, and features a diverse lineup of up-and-coming artists from that year as well as old favorites. Previous headliners include Billie Eilish, The Weeknd, Foo Fighters, and Post Malone.
This year, in lieu of the full Life Is Beautiful festival, is A Big Beautiful Block Party. Top artists to look forward to include LCD Soundsystem, Peggy Gou, Justice, Jamie XX, and more!
Festival Dates: September 27 & 28, 2024
Lovers and Friends
Music Genre: R&B, Rap, Hip Hop
As a newcomer to the music festival scene (launched in 2022), the one-day Lovers and Friends Festival is known to have stacked lineups when it comes to R&B/hip-hop music.
Held at the Las Vegas Festival Grounds, Lovers & Friends has had lineups featuring notable stars in music, including Alicia Keys, Janet Jackson, Usher, Snoop Dogg, Ludacris, Nelly Furtado, TLC, and M.I.A.
Unfortunately, the 2024 festival was canceled last minute due to high winds. We’re hoping and praying this festival makes it for future years to come because their lineups are always fire!
Festival Dates: TBD for 2025
Holo Holo Fest
Music Genre: Island, Hawaiian Reggae
It’s no secret that Las Vegas is often considered the Ninth Island. As such, it only makes sense that at least one of the few Holo Holo Music Festival events takes place here! This is the leading music festival for fans of Polynesian music artists and music genres like Hawaiian Reggae.
Taking place at the Downtown Las Vegas Events Center, some of the acts scheduled to perform include Kolohe Kai, Iam Tongi, Three Plus, B.E.T., The Wide Eyed Kids, J Boog, Maoli, L.A.B., Rebel SoulJahz, Tenelle, Johnny Suite, Common Kings, The Green, Fiji, Koauka, Kimié Miner, and Kuulei Music.
If you happen to miss this one, they also hold other Holo Holo Fests in other cities like San Diego, Sacramento, the Seattle area, and more.
Festival Dates: April 26-27, 2025
Reggae Rise Up
Music Genre: Reggae
As one of the nation’s premier reggae festival brands, Reggae Rise Up is renowned for its stellar production and commitment to fostering community through the power of music. Set against the backdrop of Downtown Las Vegas Events Center, this festival promises three days of non-stop entertainment, featuring performances by some of the biggest names in reggae music.
From the infectious rhythms of Stick Figure and Pepper to the soulful sounds of Rebelution and Tribal Seeds, the lineup for 2024 is stacked with talent that will keep you grooving all weekend long.
Plus, with a plethora of accommodations, dining options, and off-site activities available in Sin City, attendees can immerse themselves in the full Vegas experience while soaking up the positive vibes of reggae music.
Festival Dates: Oct 4-6, 2024
When We Were Young
Music Genre: Alternative, emo, punk rock
The When We Were Young music festival is a nostalgic celebration for fans of emo, punk rock, and alternative music. Taking place at the Las Vegas Festival Grounds, this festival brings together the best bands from the early 2000s and today, creating an unforgettable experience for music lovers.
Over the last two years, headliners and lineup artists have included My Chemical Romance, Simple Plan, Paramore, Blink-182, Green Day, Avril Lavigne, Jimmy Eat World, A Day to Remember, The Maine, Cobra Starship, and The Used. Basically… all the music we millennials used to listen to as angsty teens!
Attendees can look forward to high-energy performances, sing-alongs, and a trip down memory lane with their favorite anthems.
Festival Dates: Oct 19-20, 2024
Sick New World
Music Genre: Hard Rock
Love alternative or hard rock music? The Sick New World festival is dedicated to a music genre that certainly doesn’t have as many dedicated events as it should.
Taking place at the Las Vegas Festival Grounds, Sick New World has seen lineups featuring artists such as System of a Down, Slipknot, Bring The Horizon, Alice in Chains, A Perfect Circle, Danny Elfman and more.
You can buy GA tickets as well as packages that come with a hotel stay too.
Festival Dates: April 27, 2024 (TBD for 2025)
Looking for more music events?
Check out all the live shows + events held during the month of your Vegas trip:
JANUARY | FEBRUARY | MARCH | APRIL | MAY | JUNE | JULY | AUGUST | SEPTEMBER | OCTOBER | NOVEMBER | DECEMBER
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