Forget about sun, sand, and surf: summertime in the United States is festival season! From coast to coast, festivals overtake small towns and big cities alike to celebrate everything from art and music to food and wine.
Hopefully, you’ve banked enough vacation time to take on the eight hottest summer events in the United States — start packing!
Denver Chalk Art Festival 6/1 – 6/2
This summer, Denver artists will paint the town red… and green, blue, pink, yellow, and all the colors that chalk comes in. This highly anticipated chalk art event turns sidewalks and streetscapes into beautiful works of art. Watch artists in action as they practice their craft live.
Essence Festival 7/5 – 7/7
New Orleans’ Essence Festival is known as the Party with a Purpose, complete with the vocals and sounds of Pharrell, Missy Elliott, and Mary J Blige, among countless others. The festival is a full weekend of experiences in film, food, and music, bringing together the unique cultural aspects that have become synonymous with New Orleans.
Taste of Chicago 7/10 – 7/14
The world’s largest food festival, Taste of Chicago is the must-do event of the year. For five days, Grant Park turns into a mecca of the most delicious, flavorable, unique, and intriguing dishes from Chicago’s top restaurateurs. The event also serves up secondary courses of live music and other family-friendly activities. Admission to the event is free; pay only for food and drink tickets.
Festival Napa Valley 7/12 – 7/21
Napa Valley’s epic wine festival is one of the most culture-rich experiences of the year. More than just wine dinners and tastings, the beautiful scenery and savorings of the area are paired with music, art galas, luncheons, and tours that exhibit the region’s finest offerings.
Atlanta Ice Cream Festival 7/22
Perfect for the scorching Georgia summer, the Atlanta Ice Cream Festival is the quintessential way to chase away the heat. Celebrating its ninth year, Piedmont Park transforms into the sweetest place in the city. An ice cream eating contest, yoga, health screenings, fitness activities, and plenty of cold frozen treats make this an event that tastes good and is good for you!
Panorama 7/28 – 7/30
New York City is no stranger to festivals, but Panorama will give every other event in the city a run for its money. Three days are jam packed with music, including The Weekend, Janet Jackson, Lil Wayne, and The Killers. The fare is top notch, and specialty features like the open-air club and THE LAB tech-art fusion are reason enough to clear your entire calendar for this event.
Le Diner en Blanc NY and LA
Le Diner en Blanc is an international sensation that’s known for its zero waste practices. This multi-location festival is a celebration of French art and chic dining. Diners provide their own tables, tablecloth, chairs, and food, and only a select few are invited to attend.
Burning Man 8/25 – 9/2
To close out a star-studded summer, Burning Man returns to strengthen its network of dreamers and doers. This micro city in the desert is a fan favorite for creative and cultural enrichment that allows them to emerge with a new mindset and approach to life.
Taking a Mindful Approach to Festivals
Most people don’t see the ugly side of festivals, but know that every festival has one. When the music stops playing and the guests go home, others are left behind to pick up the pieces of others’ livelihood.
If you’re attending a festival this year, be mindful of your waste. Recycle when possible, reduce the waste you create, and do your part in leaving the grounds the way you found them. Using a professional event cleaning service like PopUp CleanUP is the best way to reduce waste and help to preserve event spaces for future festivals.
For more event mindfulness and inspiration, head back to the PopUp CleanUP blog.
