What are the best festivals in the US, from food to film? Vote now!
Millions of people attend at least one festival in the U.S. per year — and those numbers are on the rise.
With so many events to choose from (and ticket prices in the hundreds, if not thousands of dollars for some festivals), it can be difficult to decide where to spend your time and money. That’s why USA TODAY 10BEST teamed up with a panel of festival experts to nominate the top events across seven categories.
We need you to help crown the best fests in the United States by voting once per day until voting ends on Monday, March 3 at noon ET, and you can vote once per day, per category.
Click on each category below to vote:
Best Art Festival
Which art festival do you think is the best in the nation? — Photo courtesy of JodiJacobson / E+
Art festivals are a great way to discover new artists, enjoy live performances, and immerse yourself in creative works. Millions of people attend art festivals across the U.S. every year, with each event offering its own unique appeal. But which ones are the best?
To answer that question, an expert panel has nominated their top 20 picks. These festivals feature awe-inspiring works from emerging and established artists, offer engaging activities, and have a strong lineup of food and performances. Now, it’s your turn to decide the winners by voting for the festival you think is the best.
Best City Food Festival
Which city food festival tantalizes your taste buds the most? — Photo courtesy of Aleksandr_Vorobev / iStock via Getty Images Plus
Mouthwatering tastings, live cooking demos, beautiful venues, and top-notch chefs: food festivals celebrate the cuisine of cities across the United States, each delivering a travel-worthy epicurean adventure. But with so many wonderful city food festivals held every year, which ones are the most irresistible?
USA TODAY 10BEST assembled a panel of culinary experts who nominated their top picks — festivals that feature quality food vendors and strong lineups of entertainment and activities. Which one would you most like to indulge in?
Vote: Best City Food Festival »
Best Cultural Festival
Which cultural festival do you think is the best? — Photo courtesy of FatCamera / E+
Cultural festivals celebrate the rich heritages and diversity that have shaped the United States, whether through music, visual art, dance, competitions, or sumptuous culinary delights. These vibrant festivals bridge generations and broaden horizons, and every one of them delivers something special.
To honor the country’s most remarkable cultural festivals, USA TODAY 10BEST teamed up with a panel of experts to create a list of 20 exceptional nominees. Each one reflects the heritage, customs, or history of the culture being celebrated, inviting attendees to engage and learn more. Which one gets your vote?
Vote: Best Cultural Festival »
Best Film Festival
Which film festival gets your vote for being the best celebration of cinema? — Photo courtesy of izusek / E+
Film festivals can be as astonishingly varied as cinema itself, showcasing everything from glossy premieres to daring independent productions to underground cult films. Whether its focus is on an underrepresented group, specific genres or mediums, or just a celebration of film in all its many forms, each of the 20 film festivals nominated by our panel of experts is truly special.
Now, it’s your turn to decide which of these film festivals is the best of the best.
Best Flower Festival
Which flower festival ranks at the top of your list? — Photo courtesy of Dimensions / E+
What better way is there to enjoy a bounty of blossoms than by visiting some of the most amazing flower festivals in the country? These travel-worthy flower festivals — nominated by an expert panel as the best in the U.S. — allow attendees to enjoy fragrant, colorful blooms and learn about flowers and plants. Some events even offer a marketplace of flowers and plants that you can take home with you.
But which flower festival is the best? That’s up to you to decide!
Best Music Festival
Which music festival do you want to attend the most? — Photo courtesy of Ivan Pantic / E+
Music festival season is fast approaching, and each year, more and more events are joining the lineup, expanding and diversifying the music festival circuit in the United States.
Our panel of music festival aficionados has nominated essential festivals from coast to coast where music fans can enjoy several artists (and even genres) in one place. Each travel-worthy event features a strong lineup of top-notch talent. Which one are you buying tickets for?
Best Specialty Food Festival
Which specialty food festival do you find the most tempting? — Photo courtesy of SolStock / E+
These festivals — nominated by an expert panel as the best across the United States — celebrate specific foods, often local specialties grown or produced in the region. And these themed events promise attendees good food, good times, and plenty of opportunities to indulge.
Which specialty food festival would you most like to attend?
Vote: Best Specialty Food Festival »
Remember, you can vote once per day in each category. The 10 nominees with the most votes in each category will be announced on Wednesday, March 12.
