These Tennessee music festivals were just voted among the best in the U.S.; see where they rank
Three music festivals from across Tennessee have just been named among the best in the country by USA Today. All three festivals vary in music genres, offering fans a variety of diverse lineups to enjoy.
CMA Fest and Bristol Rhythm and Roots Reunion earned high rankings, taking the No. 2 and No. 3 spots while the Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival ranked No. 7 on the list.
The Bristol Rhythm and Roots Reunion was established in 2001 and pays homage to the 1927 Bristol Sessions, the recording sessions in Tennessee which are recognized as a vital moment in the history of country music. The festival takes place in Bristol, Tenn. as well as in Bristol, Va. The lineup for 2024 includes performances from The Red Clay Strays, Molly Tuttle and Golden Highway, The Wallflowers and more.
Held over four days in Music City, CMA Fest dates back as far as 1972 when 5,000 fans flocked to Nashville’s Municipal Auditorium. Every year, fans from across the globe make the pilgrimage to Nashville to experience a country music event unlike any other. In 2024, fans can enjoy performances from Jelly Roll, HARDY, Ashley McBryde, Lynyrd Skynyrd and more.
In 2023, CMA Fest ranked in an estimated $74.7 million.
Nestled away in Manchester, Tenn. on a 700-acre farm is Bonnaroo, a four day musical experience which emphasizes love, positivity and friendship. When not attending a show at one of the festival's 10 stages, 'Bonnaroovians' can also enjoy the festival's many different plazas as well as various campground activities like Yoga-roo and Splash-a-roo. Headlining the 2024 festival will be Megan Thee Stallion, Cage The Elephant, the Red Hot Chilli Peppers and more.
The top 10 music festivals in the United States, according to USA Today
Joshua Tree Music Festival - Joshua Tree, Calif.
Bristol Rhythm and Roots Reunion - Bristol, Tenn. and Bristol, Va.
CMA Fest - Nashville, Tenn.
Island Hopper Songwriters Fest - Fort Myers, Fla.
Monterey Jazz Festival - Monterey, Calif.
Electric Fest - Rothbury, Mich.
Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival - Manchester, Tenn.
Sea.Hear.Now Festival - Asbury Park, N.J.
Austin City Limits Music Festival - Austin, Texas
Newport Jazz Festival - Newport, R.I.
Methodology
To determine the best music festivals in the U.S., a panel of USA Today festival aficionados hand-picked essential festivals from coast to coast, where fans can enjoy several artists and genres in one place. USA Today readers then voted for their favorites.
Diana Leyva covers trending news and service for The Tennessean. Contact her at [email protected] or follow her on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter at @_leyvadiana
This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Best music festivals in the U.S.? Bristol, CMA Fest made top 10 list