Top 10 Most Popular Summer Cultural Festivals In The US
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Cultural festivals are a fun and unique way to immerse ourselves in our culture, whether it is our own or that of another, and gain a better appreciation and understanding of what it all means. Celebrate various cultural customs and traditions by immersing yourself in the offerings of cultural festivals.
KnowInsiders selects and presents the 10 most famous and popular cultural festivals in the US during the summer:
1. Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival
When: Mid-June
Where: Manchester, Tennessee
Bonnaroo got its name from a Creole word that means "a good time." Perhaps it is no coincidence that every June, approximately 90,000 people flock to Manchester, Tennessee for four nights, when a 700-acre plot of land transforms into a thriving tent city. The festival is a melting pot of musical styles ranging from indie folk to late-night electronica, with performances by everyone from Kanye West to Bob Dylan.
When people aren't dancing to the music, they can enjoy a wide variety of crafts and food vendors, as well as the Cinema Tent, Comedy Tent, and Silent Disco. Bonnaroo was named one of Rolling Stone's "50 Moments That Changed Rock and Roll."
2. Jacob's Pillow Dance Festival
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When: All summer long
Where: Becket, Massachusetts
The Pillow, as it's known for short, is a perfect getaway for international dance enthusiasts, nestled deep in the picturesque Berkshire Mountains of western Massachusetts. Artists come from all over the world, including the United States, Australia, Brazil, China, Italy, and Israel. The country's oldest continuous summer dance festival, the event includes approximately 200 free events in addition to its ticketed shows. As an educational institution, the Pillow also hosts a regular series of scholarly talks, panel discussions, interviews, and other events.
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3. Shakespeare in the Park, New York City
When: July and August
Where: Central Park, New York City
At this excellent summer festival sponsored by the Public Theater, Broadway and Hollywood's brightest stars compete to perform works by Shakespeare. Meryl Streep, Al Pacino, and Denzel Washington are just a few of the many celebrities who have performed at this festival in previous years. The best part is that tickets are always free!
Is there any other Shakespeare festival in the US?YES. The Oregon Shakespeare Festival is the place to go if you want to see world-class acting, outstanding production value, and brilliant costumes. Offering 5 to 11 plays in both morning and evening performances. The Festival has attracted over 20 million visitors and features works by a number of well-known artists. The Oregon Shakespeare Festival has grown from a three-day event in 1935 to a nationally recognized theatre arts organization that offers spectacular plays, both old and new, almost year-round. It's pure magic, and if you're looking for one of America's most significant cultural events, look no further than Ashland, Oregon. |
4. Artscape
When: Mid-July
Where: Baltimore
Artscape, the largest free arts festival in the United States, takes over Baltimore's Mount Royal neighborhood every July for a three-day celebration of visual and performing arts. There is something for everyone, from craftspeople to fashion designers to large-scale musical acts.
Every year, approximately 250,000 people attend the event to view a wide variety of high-quality handmade goods. When festivalgoers aren't browsing vendor booths, they can catch a dance, music, or theater performance.
5. New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival
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Where: New Orleans
When: Late April to early May
Since the first concert in 1970, when Mahalia Jackson performed, the New Orleans Jazz Fest has focused on local talent, only recently expanding to include internationally renowned acts. The event features both traditional and contemporary music, providing listeners with an interesting mix. The food and craft vendors draw on the city's rich cultural heritage as well.
With over 70 food booths run by locally owned businesses, the selection of Louisiana delicacies available is limitless—boiled crawfish, sausage po' boy sandwiches, and Cajun jambalaya. You name it, they have it.
6. Hawai'i - Honolulu Festival
Every March, the Honolulu Festival brings together the vibrant cultures of Asia, the Pacific, and Hawai'i to create an unforgettable cultural experience. This three-day spectacular draws thousands of visitors each year, as well as performers from various countries and regions such as Japan, Australia, Tahiti, and others.
Honolulu Festival is a one-of-a-kind Hawaiian celebration, featuring live performances, traditional art demonstrations, education programs and activities, and an extravagant parade down Kalakaua Avenue.
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7. Williamstown Theatre Festival
When: All summer long
Where: Williamstown, Massachusetts
The Tony-winning Williamstown Theatre Festival, founded in 1954, serves as a stage for both reimagined classic plays and innovative new ones. The festival, which is held on the campus of Williams College, has deep historical ties to both the institution and the Yale School of Drama.
8. Traverse City Film Festival
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When: Late July
Where: Traverse City, Michigan
The Traverse City Film Festival, founded in 2005 by Oscar winner Michael Moore, screens top-tier independent films and documentaries that don't get much screenplay elsewhere. The festival is a non-profit organization that is primarily supported by outside businesses, dedicated volunteers, and community groups.
Aside from the new releases, one of the festival's highlights is its free classic movie screenings on a massive, inflatable outdoor screen. More than a decade after its inception, the festival has grown to become one of the Midwest's largest events of its kind.
9. Firefly Festival
When: September 22nd to 25th
Where: Dover, Delaware
Features: A roller skating rink, pride parade, hammock hangout, drag brunch, and nonprofit causes
You may be familiar with Dover Motor Speedway from NASCAR Cup Series races or the Indy Racing League, but get ready for the Firefly Festival. Every summer, The Woodlands of Dover Motor Speedway transforms into a magical musical fantasy land for four days.
There are seven stages spread across the 105-acre concert grounds, each with its own theme and atmosphere, such as The Treehouse, Thicket Silent Disco, The Nest, and others. Throughout the weekend, 100+ bands take the stage to perform their biggest hits for the crowds. If that isn't enough, you can skate and shake to your favorite songs at the roller rink or glam up your day at a drag brunch. Whatever your interests are, the Firefly Festival has something for you.
10. Cheyenne Frontier Days
Where: Cheyenne, Wyoming
This summer, saddle up for a trip to Cheyenne Frontier Days, one of the country's largest western culture celebrations.
Want to relive the Wild West while also seeing modern cowboys? This is the location for you. There is no end to the spectacular sights and sounds of Cheyenne Frontier Days, which hosts numerous spectacular live events that draw a crowd, carnivals, fairs, performances, parades, and more.
For example, the Grand Parade is a rowdy, wild adventure filled with floats, cars, carriages, period-dressed riders, and marching bands.
The Native American Village even has some native cultures on display. This free event focuses on storytelling by including authentic dancing, music, and storytelling as part of the experience.
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