Planning a trip to New York and want to catch some great music while you’re there? The empire state has a music festival scene that’s second to none, with everything from huge international events to local gatherings celebrating specific genres or artist communities.
I’ll count down the 15 best music festivals in New York, so you can start planning your trip and ensure you don’t miss a beat!
Contents
- 1. Borderland Festival
- 2. The Governors Ball Music Festival
- 3. AFROPUNK
- 4. Electric Zoo Music Festival
- 5. SummerStage Festival
- 6. Ithaca Reggae Fest
- 7. TimeWarp USA
- 8. Rochester International Jazz Festival
- 9. BRIC Celebrate Brooklyn! Festival
- 10. Chelsea Music Festival
- 11. Rolling Loud New York
- 12. The Brooklyn Hip-Hop Festival
- 13. Blue Note Jazz Festival
- 14. Harlem Meer Music Festival
- 15. Portal Burn
1. Borderland Festival
Knox Farm State Park, Erie County
When: September (two days)
The festival at Knox Farm lets people enjoy New York’s beautiful landscapes.
At the two-day festival, crowds can enjoy music from up to 20 bands, including rock and country. Besides the tunes, visitors can savor delicious food, local art, and the stunning surroundings.
The Borderland Music + Arts Festival celebrates the area’s history and culture. If you love the outdoors, this music fest is a must. Knox Farm offers a picturesque venue, popular for horseback riding and hiking.
2. The Governors Ball Music Festival
Citi Field, NYC
When: June (three days)
The Governors Ball Music Festival, held annually in New York City, draws thousands of music lovers from around the globe.
The festival features amazing artists like Kid Cudi, Post Malone, and J. Cole—an adventure you won’t want to miss.
No matter your taste in food or music, Governors Ball has something you’ll enjoy. Want to relax or go wild dancing? They’ve got you covered.
3. AFROPUNK
Commodore Barry Park, Brooklyn
When: September (two days)
Black joy deserves celebration, and AFROPUNK does exactly that. This cultural movement, which began in Brooklyn, has gained global fame and expanded significantly.
Afropunk celebrates black culture and spreads its message of inclusivity. By providing a space for art, activism, and music, it creates a community for those feeling excluded by mainstream society.
AFROPUNK offers a variety of engaging activities for attendees between sets. Oh, and there’s great food too! Enjoy Brooklyn’s best food trucks while jamming out to your favorite tunes.
4. Electric Zoo Music Festival
Randall’s Island Park, NYC
When: September (three days)
Get your groove on at the Electric Zoo Music Festival and enjoy electronic music in an exciting atmosphere. Held during Labor Day weekend, some of the nation’s most popular electronic artists perform at this epic event.
Get ready to experience unseen colors and innovative sound concepts that transport you to another world. This unique music festival is not to be missed.
5. SummerStage Festival
Multiple locations throughout NYC
June – October
This outdoor venue features musical acts all year, covering many genres. Each year, New York’s biggest free outdoor arts festival, SummerStage, presents around 100 performances in 15 to 18 parks across all five boroughs.
SummerStage is a key part of NYC’s summer arts festival scene, mostly hosted in Central Park, attracting large crowds. Don’t let the size overwhelm you; the positive atmosphere makes it worth attending.
6. Ithaca Reggae Fest
Stewart Park, Ithaca
Date: July (two days)
This celebration of Jamaican culture is a must-attend for reggae lovers. The festival showcases live music, food, and crafts from vendors. Stewart Park bursts with reggae music annually, thanks to the stellar lineup of artists from around the world.
Guests are welcomed and toured on the first day of the festival. The second day offers awesome reggae tunes, yoga sessions, tasty food options, stunning art displays, and more!
7. TimeWarp USA
The Bronx / New York Expo Center, NYC
Date: November (two days)
TimeWarp offers a unique blend of music, dance, and technology for an electric nightlife experience. Their singular mission: make you dance. They bring in some of the world’s best DJs to ensure it happens.
TimeWarp is the ultimate party. For a night you’ll always remember, this is it.
8. Rochester International Jazz Festival
Rochester City
Date: June (nine days)
This nine-day festival covers over 20 unique venues in the culturally diverse and lively downtown Rochester, New York. It’s one of the grandest Jazz music festivals globally, offering events and attractions to appeal to everyone.
Jazz fans, this is the event of a lifetime! Experience over 325 shows, 20 unique venues, and nightly jam sessions. You’ll be in musical heaven.
9. BRIC Celebrate Brooklyn! Festival
Prospect Park, Brooklyn
Date: June – August
The beautiful bandshell at Prospect Park hosts the main BRIC Celebrate Brooklyn! shows. Most events are free, so enjoy live music this summer.
These concerts will be the highlight of your summer, whether you enjoy indie-rock, soul, funk, or hip-hop.
This festival celebrates both music and food! With many performances and diverse food options, there’s something for everyone. Featuring both rising stars and famous artists, it’s the top spot for live music in New York.
10. Chelsea Music Festival
New York City
Date: June (nine days)
The Chelsea Music Festival offers a rich array of musical talent from around the globe, paired with delightful cuisine and visual art.
Focusing on contemporary pieces by lesser-known composers, their shows include a wide range of musical styles.
Feast your eyes and ears on the incredible talent at the Chelsea Music Festival. You’ll be blown away by the range of musical styles and delicious food!
11. Rolling Loud New York
Citi Field, Queens NYC
September (three days)
The Rolling Loud music festival is a hip hop series held in multiple cities across the country, with New York being its northeasternmost stop. Performances by some of the biggest names in hip hop, as well as up-and-comers, make this festival a can’t-miss event for fans of the genre.
Hip hop fans will love Rolling Loud. Featuring top artists like Nicki Minaj and A$AP Rocky, it’s the place for amazing live music.
12. The Brooklyn Hip-Hop Festival
Brooklyn, NYC
Date: July
The Brooklyn Hip-Hop Festival is New York City’s largest hip-hop event, celebrating the culture’s positive side. Since 2005, it has shown how hip hop drives artistic progress, social change, and community building.
Besides music, the Brooklyn Hip-Hop Festival lets attendees hear from some of the most famous names in hip-hop. This festival celebrates hip-hop culture, making it about much more than just the music.
13. Blue Note Jazz Festival
Major Venues in NYC
Date: June
The Blue Note Jazz Festival in New York showcases an impressive variety of talent. Jazz lovers will enjoy this month-long festival that spans major locations across NYC.
They aim to showcase international and local talents, promoting jazz music throughout NYC. If you’re passionate about jazz, this event is a must-attend!
14. Harlem Meer Music Festival
Charles A. Dana Discovery Center, NYC
Date: July – August
Every Sunday in July and August, the Harlem Meer Performance Festival offers multicultural music and dance shows. Enjoy these performances while soaking in the beautiful views of the Meer.
Get ready to groove along the Harlem Meer! You’ll find a mix of musical genres, so there’s sure to be something for everyone at this festive event.
15. Portal Burn
Hannibal, NY
Date: September
PortalBurn is an unforgettable event. It’s a haven for those with vivid imaginations, offering a space to appreciate music, art, food, drink, and performances through creative self-expression.
Whether coming together or enjoying solo experiences, this music festival encourages everyone to explore and express themselves.
The event has no vendors; items are gifted, not sold. It’s entirely volunteer-run, showing the passion of those involved. If you want a unique music festival experience, Portal Burn is for you!
