September’s 10 must-see music festivals
Happy Thursday, Seeker readers. Quick question: What do you consider the end of summer? The day after Labor Day? The autumnal equinox? The morning the kids (finally) go back to school?
Whatever your answer, here’s what you need to know: music festivals couldn’t care less. You might think of festivals as a strictly summertime experience, but September may actually be the peak of festival season.
Check out our ten favorite September fests below, and know that we had to make some painful cuts. You’ll find plenty more in the Music Roadtrip app.
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Detroit Jazz Festival
Where: Detroit, Michigan — Hart Plaza + Gretchen C. Valade Jazz Center
When: Sept. 4–7, 2026
Top acts: Joe Lovano, Ron Carter & Foursight, Ravi Coltrane Quartet, Bob James, Kurt Elling & Yellowjackets Celebrate Weather Report, Dee Dee Bridgewater & Bill Charlap
Founded: 1980
Tickets and info: detroitjazzfest.org
Labor Day weekend’s already a gorgeous time to visit the Motor City, and that’s before you throw in the world’s largest free jazz festival. (That’s “free jazz” as in “jazz at no cost,” rather than “jazz with fewer rules.”)
The main action goes down at Hart Plaza, where multiple stages host four days of performances by major names, emerging players and Detroit talent. Late-night sets keep the party going at Wayne State University’s Gretchen C. Valade Jazz Center.
Bumbershoot
Where: Seattle, Washington — Seattle Center
When: Sept. 5–6, 2026
Top acts: Death Cab for Cutie, Turnstile, Blood Orange, Lucy Dacus, Orville Peck, Chase & Status
Founded: 1971
Tickets and info: bumbershoot.com
Lots of festivals like to flex their eclectic lineups, but most can’t hold a candle to the grab-bag that is Bumbershoot, a Seattle institution for more than 50 years. Beyond a small-but-mighty bill topped by Seattle’s own Death Cab for Cutie, the “full-spectrum arts and music experience” has a cat circus, pro wrestling, stunt BMX riding and a live mermaid.
LEVITATION
Where: Austin, Texas — Radio/East + venues across the city
When: Sept. 10–13, 2026
Top acts: Bikini Kill, American Football, The Garden, Sleep, Molchat Doma, Smerz
Founded: 2008
Tickets and info: levitation.fm
Founded by members of The Black Angels and friends as Austin Psych Fest, LEVITATION has expanded well beyond psychedelic rock. More than 20 shows spread across Radio/East and Austin’s downtown clubs, covering punk, shoegaze, metal, electronic music and other underground sounds.
AMERICANAFEST
Where: Nashville, Tennessee — venues across the city
When: Sept. 15–19, 2026
Top acts: Melissa Etheridge, Grace Potter, Wynonna Judd, Amy Grant, Mike Campbell & The Dirty Knobs
Founded: 2000
Tickets and info:americanamusic.org
The Americana Music Association delivers five jam-packed days of roots music celebration, as AMERICANAFEST returns to Nashville this September 15-19. See legends and rising stars take the stage for nightly showcases across notable venues in Music City.
Want the ultimate experience? Grab a Silver Wristband and catch insightful panels at the Embassy Suites by Hilton Nashville Downtown to hear from leading music industry professionals who will break down current music business trends.
Plus, join record labels, management teams and radio shows for special-sanctioned daytime events that offer good times with great friends of AMERICANAFEST. With more than 175 artists such as Abraham Alexander, Bella White, The Brook & The Bluff, Hiss Golden Messenger, Ken Pomeroy, Maggie Rose, Ruthie Foster, Wynonna Judd, and more slated to play, this is one Nashville party you don't want to miss.
Louder Than Life
Where: Louisville, Kentucky — Kentucky Exposition Center
When: Sept. 17–20, 2026
Top acts: Iron Maiden, My Chemical Romance, Limp Bizkit, Tool, Pantera, Pierce the Veil
Founded: 2014
Tickets and info: louderthanlifefestival.com
Louder Than Life, billed as America’s largest rock and metal festival, returns with more than 200 acts across seven stages. My Chemical Romance will play their emo masterpiece The Black Parade in its entirety as they celebrate its 20th anniversary. Pantera’s appearance is the band’s only scheduled U.S. show of 2026, while Megadeth stops in Louisville as part of its farewell tour.
Telluride Blues & Brews Festival
Where: Telluride, Colorado — Telluride Town Park
When: Sept. 18–20, 2026
Top acts: Jon Batiste, Taj Mahal & Keb’ Mo’, Marcus King Band, Daniel Donato’s Cosmic Country, The Record Company, Samantha Fish
Founded: 1994
Tickets and info: tellurideblues.com
You can’t beat the sights, sounds and suds offered in the middle of the San Juan Mountains for the Telluride Blues & Brews Festival. Former Stephen Colbert bandleader and Album of the Year Grammy winner Batiste tops a funk-filled weekend of blues, soul and general jamminess, plus the fest’s signature craft-beer tasting. The 32nd edition also includes late-night club shows around town after the main-stage sets end in Telluride Town Park.
Riot Fest
Where: Chicago, Illinois — Douglass Park
When: Sept. 18–20, 2026
Top acts: Twenty One Pilots, Iggy Pop, Tool, Morrissey, Nas, Alanis Morissette
Founded: 2005
Tickets and info: riotfest.org
Riot Fest’s programming is like a tattoo sleeve come to life: punk legends, alt-rock giants, emo favorites, hip-hop veterans, and you can always count on a few incredible curveballs. This year’s wildest booking is William Shatner, who will make the live debut of his heavy metal band at age 95.
Lost Lands
Where: Thornville, Ohio — Legend Valley
When: Sept. 18–20, 2026
Top acts: Excision, Subtronics, ILLENIUM, Wooli, SLANDER, Ganja White Night
Founded: 2017
Tickets and info: lostlandsfestival.com
You are most definitely not on a routine expedition at Lost Lands. Excision’s bass festival turns Legend Valley into a prehistoric world of towering dinosaur statues, elaborate laser shows and earth-rattling sound systems, with Seven Lions returning this year for the first time since the inaugural edition in 2017.
Ohana
Where: Dana Point, California — Doheny State Beach
When: Sept. 25–27, 2026
Top acts: Pearl Jam, Eddie Vedder & Friends, Tyler Childers, Maná, Alabama Shakes, Fontaines D.C.
Founded: 2016
Tickets and info: ohanafest.com
There’s no better place to play “Where’s Eddie” than Ohana.
Eddie Vedder’s beachside festival marks its 10th anniversary at Doheny State Beach with two headlining performances from Pearl Jam and “Eddie Vedder & Friends.” But you can count on him popping up on stage throughout the weekend to introduce act and sing alongside them.
The festival’s “Cove” area hosts exhibits and panels with conservationists, environmental researchers and professional surfers.
Farm Aid
Where: Virginia Beach, Virginia — Veterans United Home Loans Amphitheater
When: Sept. 26, 2026
Top acts: Willie Nelson & Family, Neil Young & The Chrome Hearts, John Mellencamp, Dave Matthews & Tim Reynolds, Margo Price, Nathaniel Rateliff
Founded: 1985
Tickets and info: farmaid.org/festival
Willie Nelson, Neil Young and John Mellencamp helped launch Farm Aid during the 1985 farm crisis, and all three remain on the bill 41 years later, along with newer board members Dave Matthews, Margo Price and Nathaniel Rateliff. They'll all share the stage in Virginia Beach to raise money for family farmers and highlight the issues facing American agriculture.
