The festival season is upon us! With rising festival costs and an unpredictable economy, budgeting for your festival fun, cutting costs where you can and using money-saving hacks should be top priority as you plan your trips.
Here’s a quick 4-step list on where to start when making a successful music festival budget. Consider starting a budget as soon as you know you’ll be attending a festival.
Planning ahead and setting a budget are two great ways to get ready for your summer music fest adventures.
Many venues no longer accept cash, so you can only pay with a card. Make sure you check on this before you go. You may want to load your festival funds onto a prepaid debit card to keep yourself from overspending. It’s also not a bad idea to keep $20 or $50 on hand in case of an emergency.
Consider these strategies to save money on festival costs.
If you don’t have the cash you need, consider these options to help you finance your festival experience.
Tickets for musical fests can run you anywhere from around $200 to $600, and that’s just for general admission tickets. If you want a VIP experience, expect to pay $1,500 or more for a three-day festival. But that’s just the tip of the iceberg. There are many other expenses to factor in. Even if you’re frugal, a multi-day music event could cost you at least $1,000 or more.
Here’s a breakdown of other costs to keep in mind as you plan for summer festival fun.
Unless the festival is local, you’ll need money to get there. Flying is typically the most expensive way, with average domestic flights around $400, according to the Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS). But keep in mind that costs vary widely depending on where you’re coming from and will likely be higher if you’re flying to a peak destination on a weekend.
You could drive, or take a bus or train, which saves you money. But whatever your means of travel, estimate the costs and add them to your total musical festival budget.
Depending on where you stay, you may need to pay for travel to and from the venue. Some places may offer shuttles, or you may need an Uber, bus or other means of transportation. That could add another $20 to $100 each way, depending on how far your lodging is. If you drive, you’ll typically have to pay for parking or walk a good distance, which is not a bad idea to save money and get your steps in.
The average price of a hotel room is around $158, as of May 2024, according to a study by JD Power. And, like airline tickets, prices tend to go up on weekends or when events are going on in the area.
Home rentals, through sites like Airbnb or VRBO, could save you money if you’re splitting with a group of friends. But they could fill up fast, so you may need to book months in advance.
Some music festivals allow camping, but it’s usually not free. You might be better off getting a campsite nearby, which could cost anywhere from $10 to $50 for basic sites without hookups or amenities. However, campgrounds, like hotels, may also jack up prices in anticipation of a huge festival crowd.
You might pay as much as $15 for a lemonade or $20 for a burger at festival prices. If you’re there for three or four days, that could add hundreds to your tab. Eating before you enter the festival grounds can help keep temptation at bay — even better if you’re allowed to bring food and drinks in.
Like food and drinks, you’re probably going to pay premium prices for souvenirs while you’re there. Think $45 for a T-shirt, $80 for a hoodie, $35 for a hat or $25 to buy a tote. If you must buy something while you’re there, pick just one item to help stick to your budget.
It’s also a good idea to allot a portion of your budget for incidentals like sunscreen, a portable charger, an extra hat or anything you might have forgotten to pack.
Here are our top picks for some of the biggest and most popular music festivals in the United States. All dates are for 2025 general admission tickets unless otherwise indicated.
| Festival | Cost | Where | When | Genres |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival | $369 for a 4-day pass | New Orleans, Louisiana | April 24–27 May 1–4 | Jazz, gospel, blues, funk, R&B |
| Electric Daisy Carnival (EDC) | $280 for Sunday pass (3-day passes sold out) | Las Vegas, Nevada | May 16–18 | EDM |
| Governors Ball | $359 for a 3-day pass | New York City | June 6–8 | Rock, electronic, hip hop, folk, pop |
| Bonnaroo Music & Arts Festival | $460 for a 4-day pass | Manchester, Tennessee | June 12–15 | Rock, jazz, Americana, hip hop, electronic |
| Lollapalooza | $415 for a 4-day pass | Chicago, IL | July 31–August 3 | Alternative rock, heavy metal, hip hop, techno, punk rock |
| Outside Lands | $529 for a 3-day pass | San Francisco, California | August 8–10 | Indie rock, pop, hip hop, R&B, electronic |
| Austin City Limits | Not released | Austin, Texas | October 3–5, 10–12 | Rock, country, folk, hip hop, EDM |
| Rolling Loud | Not released | Miami, Florida | December 13–15 | Hip hop, rap |
| Ultra Music Festival | $349.95 for a 3-day pass | Miami, Florida | 2026: March 27–29 | Electronic dance music (EDM) |
| Coachella Valley Music & Arts Festival | $599 for a 3-day pass | Indio, California | 2026: April 10–12 April 17–19 | Pop, hip hop, indie, rock, electronic |
Looking to enjoy a music festival without going broke in the process? Check out these free or more budget-friendly festivals around the country. We also included options for single-day passes or one-day events. All dates are for 2025.
| Festival | Cost | Where | When | Genres |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Breakaway Music Festival | Varies by city, $69 to $139 for a 2-day pass | Multiple cities | April–October | EDM, hip hop, pop |
| Country Thunder | $166 for a 1-day pass | Multiple cities | April, May, July | Country |
| Roots Picnic | $225 for a 2-day pass | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania | May 31–June 1 | Hip hop, blues, soul, electronic, funk, jazz |
| Chicago Blues Festival | Free | Chicago, IL | June 5–8 | Blues |
| Summerfest | $30/day | Milwaukee, Wisconsin | June 19–21 June 26–28 July 3–5 | Mixed |
| Telluride Bluegrass festival | $130 for a 1-day pass | Telluride, Colorado | June 19–22 | Bluegrass, folk, country, brass |
| ComFest | Free | Columbus, Ohio | June 27–29 | Mixed |
| Reggae on the Rocks | $110 | Near Morrison, Colorado | August 23 | Reggae |
| Hardly Strictly Bluegrass | Free | San Francisco, California | October 3–5 | Bluegrass, country, funk, rock, soul |
| Dusk Music Festival | Not released | Tucson, Arizona | November 15–16 | Pop, indie, rock, electronic, hip hop |
Saving for summer festivals can be tough if you’re living paycheck to paycheck. Consider these ways to bring in extra cash before your trip without going into debt.
Attending a two- or three-day music festival can get pricey, and some of the expenses are unavoidable. But planning ahead and sticking to a budget can help manage the costs while still having a great time. Camping instead of staying in a hotel, road tripping instead of flying and bringing your own food and drinks are just a few ways to save big.
Don’t forget your sunscreen, a refillable water bottle and a debit or credit card — because some festivals may not accept cash. You may also want to pack a hat, sunglasses and a see-through bag to carry your gear.
It may be easier said than done, but do your best to stay hydrated, protect your skin and get enough sleep. Another good idea is to map out the acts you most want to see — that way, you won’t miss your faves.
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