Rockin' in the USA: The Best Rock Music Festivals You Can't Miss in 2023 - 2024

Rock music holds immense popularity not only in the United States but across the globe. We already covered the biggest rock festivals in Europe and you loved it. It's no surprise that dedicated festivals have emerged where fans unite to revel in the finest rock performances. With a massive fanbase, if you're seeking the ultimate rock festival experience, you've landed in the right spot. Join me as I highlight the best rock festivals taking place in the United States in 2023. 

ROCK FEST

If you're a rock music enthusiast planning a visit to Wisconsin in July this year, Rock Fest should be at the top of your must-attend list. As the longest-running festival in this lineup, Rock Fest has been captivating audiences since 1994. With the exception of 2020, this event has  (well, we know the reason why it was postponed, don’t we) consistently earned its reputation as one of the most beloved rock shows in the United States.

With almost three decades of existence, it's no surprise that Rock Fest draws in many rock music enthusiasts. Attendance numbers speak volumes, with an estimated 35,000 fans flocking to the festival each day. 

Place:  Cadott, Wisconsin

Price: not yet available

Date: 18 - 20 July, 2024

2023 Line Up Included:  Linkin Park, Pantera, Ice Cube, Slipknot, Falling in Reverse, Papa Roach, Godsmack, Asking Alexandria, and more

Line Up 2024: hasn't been announced

Find and Book your Hotel in Wisconsin.

ROCKLAHOMA FESTIVAL

Rocklahoma, the annual festival held in the great state of Oklahoma, is a rock lover's dream come true. Spanning three unforgettable days, this event showcases an impressive lineup across four dynamic stages. But the excitement doesn't stop there. In addition to the official stages, there are also lively campground parties and captivating performances that add an extra dose of rock and roll to the experience. 

Place:  Pryor, Oklahoma

Price: hasn't been announced

Date: hasn't been announced

2023 Line Up Included:  Godsmack, Pantera, Rob Zombie, Limp Bizkit, Bush, Chevelle, and more

Find and Book your Hotel in Oklahoma.

FULL TERROR ASSAULT METAL FESTIVAL

Full Terror Assault is a three-day event showcasing over 40 bands. With metal cages, poles, lakes, and a beach area, the festival offers a unique setting for your enjoyment. Plus, you'll have plenty of scenic camping options, and here's the best part - you can bring your own booze! (Or at least you could the last time). Full Terror Assault made history as the first true open-air metal festival in the U.S., combining multiple days, stages, camping, and non-stop partying in a secluded wilderness location in southern Illinois. Conveniently located near major metropolitan areas like St. Louis, Nashville, Louisville, Memphis, Cincinnati, and Lexington, this festival is easily accessible for metalheads seeking a weekend filled with incredible music.

Place:  Cave-In-Rock, Illinois

Price: hasn't been announced

Date: hasn't been announced

2023 Line Up Included: Cavalera Conspiracy, Am Morbid, Belushi Speedball, Brat, Crisix, Cro-Mags, Enforced, Insanity Alert, and more

Book your Hotel in the USA!

PROGPOWER USA  

Do you like to listen to progressive and power metal music? ProgPower USA is the ultimate destination for you. A unique tradition unfolds during the festival on days 1 and 3, when eager ProgPower USA fans gather inside the Center Stage Theater in Atlanta. Just before the headlining band takes the stage, an exhilarating event takes place—an exclusive announcement unveiling the lineup for the following year. Positioned right in the heart of the action, this announcement has become an event in its own right, adding to the excitement and anticipation that surrounds ProgPower USA.

Place:  Atlanta, Georgia

Price: day 1 ticket $135

Date: 4 - 7 September, 2024

2023 Line Up Includes:  Kamelot, Delain, Cynic, Doro, Swallow the Sun, Shaman, Unleash The Archers, Vola, Caligula's Horse, Myrath, and more

2024 Line Up: Winger (Performing “Pull”), Amorphis, Lovebites, Pagan’s Mind, Soen, Damian Wilson, Elegy, Eleine, Disillusion, Fifth Angel, Striker, Frozen Crown

Book your Hotel in Atlanta.

LOUDER THAN LIFE 

Prepare for the ultimate metal experience at Louder Than Life, one of the most iconic and renowned metal festivals out there! Recently awarded "Festival of the Year," it's no surprise why this event stands out. With its top-notch production, superior lineup for true rock fans, fantastic camping options, and an array of food vendors, Louder Than Life knows how to deliver an unforgettable experience. Since its humble beginnings as a two-day event in 2014, the show has skyrocketed in popularity and become one of the most sought-after attractions in Louisville, Kentucky.If you're a fan of rock and heavy metal, this festival is a must-attend every year. 

Place:  Highland Festival Grounds at KY Expo, Louisville, Kentucky

Price: tickets start at $269.99 + fees

Date: 26-29 September, 2024

2023 Line Up Included: Foo Fighters, Weezer, Rancid, Godsmack, Limp Bizkit, Pantera, Falling In Reverse, Queens of the Stone Age, Avenged Sevenfold,  Turnstile, Green Day, and more

2024 Line up: hasn't been announced

Book your Hotel in Louisville.

AFTERSHOCK FESTIVAL 2024

FOUR unforgettable days of music, making it an absolute highlight of your year! Aftershock Festival brings together a star-studded line-up of rock and heavy metal acts to Northern California's Discovery Park, ensuring a jaw-dropping festival experience like no other. Just look at the Aftershocl 2023 lineup and you’ll understand why I am so sure about this rock festival! So get ready to rock your world at the Aftershock Festival!

Place:   Discovery Park, Sacramento, California

Price: 4-day GA ticket costs $482,65

Date: 10 - 13 October, 2024

2023 Line Up Included: Guns N’ Roses, Tool, Avenged Sevenfold, Korn, Godsmack, Pantera, Incubus, Queens Of The Stone Age, Limp Bizkit, and more

Book your Hotel in Sacramento.

70000 TONS OF METAL CRUISE FESTIVAL

Have you ever heard about a metal festival while taking a fancy cruise? It exists! The ultimate metal voyage with 60 bands, 4 days, and 1 cruise ship on the epic 70000TONS OF METAL festival. Only 3000 tickets available, this unparalleled event offers unrestricted access to all 120 live shows on board. From the electrifying 70000TONS OF KARAOKE sessions that last until sunrise to the iconic Jamming In International Waters. In this festival, everyone is a VIP, and assigned seating is unheard of—after all, this is a Heavy Metal Cruise. And the best part? The bars on our ship never close, ensuring non-stop festivities.

Place:  Miami - Bahamas

Price: per person $2066

Date: January 29 - February 2, 2024

Line Up Includes:  Maniacult, Angra, Epica, Blind Guardian, Blood Red Throne, and more.

Book your Hotel in Miami.

Sadly, several rock music festivals have already passed the 2023 season. But. No worries, my friend, because there are already some updates about other best rock festivals in the USA for 2024!

WELCOME TO ROCKVILLE 2024

Welcome to Rockville takes over Daytona Beach, Florida, every spring with an epic lineup of rock and metal. As part of the World's Loudest Month (usually it is held in May), over 50,000 fans flock to this monster weekend festival featuring 45 bands on 4 stages. With the sun-soaked shores as its backdrop, Welcome to Rockville delivers unforgettable performances.As the sun-soaked shores of Florida collide with the thunderous sounds of guitars and drums, fans from all walks of life gather to immerse themselves in the infectious spirit of the event.

Place:  Daytona Beach, Florida

Price: starting $ 269.99 + fees

Date: 9-12 May, 2024

Line Up Includes:  hasn't been announced yet

Book your Hotel in Daytona Beach.

MARYLAND DEATHFEST

Maybe this festival is not for mainstream rock music fans even though it is one of the premier events in the United States dedicated to showcasing various subgenres of extreme metal, including death metal, black metal, grindcore, and doom metal.  The festival began in 2003 and has since gained international recognition for its diverse and high-caliber lineup. Only here can you witness performances by some of the most influential and prominent bands in the extreme metal scene. 

Place:  Baltimore, Maryland

Price: range starts at  $40 – $327

Date: 23 - 26 May, 2024 (expected)

Line Up Includes: My Dying Bride, Bloodbath, Dispersed, Sodom, Abbath, Grave, Forbidden, Sacrifice, Carpathian Forest, Gorgoroth, Primordial, Arcturus, and many more

Book your Hotel in Baltimore.

SONIC TEMPLE

The Sonic Temple Art & Music Festival, formerly known as Rock on the Range, is a renowned festival organized by the esteemed event production company David Wimmer Presents. With a portfolio of major shows across the United States, they have established themselves as industry leaders. Building upon the success of the beloved Rock on the Range festival, the rebranded Sonic Temple continues to captivate audiences with its incredible lineup and impressive attendance numbers.

Place:  Historic Crew Stadium, Columbus, Ohio

Price: hasn't been announced yet

Date: hasn't been announced yet 

Line Up Includes:  hasn't been announced yet

Book your Hotel in Columbus.