Sep 18, 2023
Get ready for an exhilarating week filled with music as we bring you a preview of festivals across the United States. Across various states, both familiar favorites and exciting newcomers are gearing up to serenade your senses.
Highlighting this week are festival newcomers Cascade Equinox in Redmond, Oregon, and Ursa Major in Flagstaff, Arizona.
Both Cascade Equinox and Ursa Major will host very special moments for fans attending. Cascade Equinox is one of just two festival stops on Pretty Lights’ long-anticipated return tour, while Ursa Major will be a send-off for fellow beloved electronic musician and producer GRiZ. GRiZ announced he’s taking an official hiatus earlier in the year.
FORMAT Festival, which debuted in 2022, is hosting its second annual festival this weekend in Bentonville, Arkansas. FORMAT made waves in its first year for its unique boutique experience, and this year’s festival looks to provide more of the same.
BeachLife Ranch is also holding its second annual festival in Redondo Beach, California.
Long-running festivals scheduled for this weekend include AMERICANAFEST (Nashville, TN), CRSSD Festival (San Diego, CA), Furnace Fest (Birmingham, AL), Life Is Beautiful (Las Vegas, Nevada), Lost Lands Music Festival (Thornville, OH), Sing Out Loud Festival (St. Augustine, FL), and Hyde Park Jazz Festival (Chicago, IL).
Following is an overview of highlighted U.S. music festivals for this week, September 18-24, 2023, ordered by state.
Order State, A-Z
Flagstaff
, Arizona
Sep 22-24, 2023
Ursa Major is a two-day music and camping event hosted by producer and saxophone player GRiZ in Flagstaff, Arizona. GRiZ and his team curate the lineup and activities to create the best vibes for fans. Expect rainbows, mindfulness activities, and a very intimate experience. The autumn festival premiered in 2023, the same year GRiZ announced he would take a hiatus, making Ursa Major his official send-off event.
Bentonville
, Arkansas
Sep 22-24, 2023
One of the newer additions to the festival scene, FORMAT made waves with its inaugural, captivating music, art, and technology experience in 2022. A three-day festival held in the northwest corner of Arkansas, FORMAT features "two traditional stages anchor the festival alongside a series of unconventional settings, designed in collaboration with some of the most exciting visual artists and architects working today."
Avila Beach
, California
Sep 23-24, 2023
Alta Music Festival, set against the stunning coastal backdrop of Avila Beach, California at the Avila Beach Golf Resort, is a unique musical experience. Having debuted in 2016 and returning for the first time in 2023, Alta Music Festival features artists and bands across hip-hop, funk, reggae, and ska genres.
Redondo Beach
, California
Sep 22-24, 2023
BeachLife Ranch is the younger sibling of BeachLife Festival. Having debuted in 2022 and held annually in Redondo Beach, California, BeachLife Ranch celebrates the rich tapestry of Americana, country, and roots melodies against the backdrop of Redondo Beach's golden shores.
Las Vegas
, Nevada
Sep 22-24, 2023
Life Is Beautiful is a multi-genre and multi-venue music and arts festival held in downtown Las Vegas. The festival has been bringing immersive art and performances to the area since 2013 and is now one of the highest-grossing festivals in the world. Nearly every art form is celebrated, from culinary, comedy, music, dance, burlesque, drag shows, and much more. Art from Burning Man is recycled and entire structures are built, and the lineup features headlining talent from every genre.
Quilcene
, Washington
Sep 22-24, 2023
At Departure Fest NW, the organizers aim to ground attendees in a larger community narrative, transcending the traditional music festival experience. Their goal is to create an event where everyone can feel and witness the dynamic energy that emerges when a community comes together to create something extraordinary.
The festival's expansion in 2023 is not only a response to the positive feedback from the previous August event but also a reflection of the growing demand for musical outlets and the yearning for live music, artisanal experiences, and interpersonal connections.
