The world is a musical melting pot with a broad range of genres and a thriving festival scene that caters to all tastes. From the pulsing beats of electronic dance music to the soulful sounds of folk and everything in between, there are multiple music events across the world worth planning a vacation around. A recent survey suggests that tune-based trips are on the rise, with 44% of U.S. travelers saying they’re willing to fly to see their favorite artists.
The only question is: Which festival will inspire your next adventure? Here are six ideas to help make music the main event when you get away with Hilton Grand Vacations.
1. Coachella Valley Music & Arts Festival
When: April
Where: Indio, California
Headliners have included: Bad Bunny, Blink-182, Frank Ocean, Billie Eilish, The Weeknd, Red Hot Chili Peppers and Beyoncé
Nestled amid the sun-kissed desert landscape of Indio, California, Coachella is more than a just a world-renowned music festival — it’s a cultural phenomenon.
The event’s star-studded lineup spans genres and generations to draw upwards of 250,000 music lovers and trendsetters each year. Held over two consecutive three-day weekends in April at the Empire Polo Club, this unforgettable festival features several stages and hosts popular and emerging artists across pop, rock, hip-hop, indie and electronic dance music. It’s also well known for its free-spirited vibe and bohemian-style fashion choices.
Insider tip: Spring is action packed in Indio. When Coachella ends, the Empire Polo Club saddles up for the Stagecoach festival — a three-day country music extravaganza held annually on the last weekend in April. Multiple stages come alive with everything from mainstream country and bluegrass to Americana and alternative country. Past performers include Carrie Underwood, Garth Brooks, Eric Church, Lee Brice and Maren Morris.
Where to stay: You’ll find a chic desert retreat at Palm Canyon Resort — where you can kick back in comfortable Studios and spacious 1-, 2- and 3-Bedroom Suites with full kitchens and private balconies or patios. It’s an ideal place to relax in Palm Springs while you discover all that the Coachella Valley offers.
2. New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival
When: April/May
Where: New Orleans, Louisiana
Headliners have included: Leon Bridges, Jon Batiste, Lizzo, The Lumineers and Mumford & Sons
The birthplace of jazz beckons music lovers of all ages to enjoy the iconic sounds and cultural roots that NOLA is famous for. The New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival (affectionately known as Jazz Fest) is among the longest-running and best-attended music events in the world, drawing nearly half a million festival attendees every year.
This memorable gathering always spans two weekends — the last weekend in April and the first in May. Whether you prefer swaying to the soulful rhythm of a brass band or dancing along to a popular song from an international superstar, you’re sure to enjoy an illustrious lineup of performers that span jazz, blues, R&B, gospel, rock and funk.
Where to stay: One of the top benefits of timeshare is having the flexibility to stay anywhere within the Hilton portfolio. Convert HGV ClubPoints to Hilton Honors points and reserve your room in the heart of the Big Easy at Hilton New Orleans — St. Charles Avenue.
3. Electric Daisy Carnival (EDC)
When: May
Where: Las Vegas, Nevada and Orland, Florida
Headliners have included: 2AR, Martin Garrix, Alesso, Alison Wonderland and Zedd
Step into a world where high-energy electronic dance music meets dazzling light shows and impressive stage setups. EDC Las Vegas is truly a feast for the senses, where music is just one component of a completely mesmerizing audio-visual experience. At EDC, world-renowned DJs and producers take the stage to create the kind of heart-pounding beats and ethereal melodies that will keep you dancing all night long.
Insider tip: Electric Daisy Carnival also makes its way to Orlando, Florida, every year — complete with full-size carnival rides, unique performers and unforgettable art installations.
Where to stay in Las Vegas: Find yourself at the center of the world’s most famous strip when you stay at Elara, a Hilton Grand Vacations Club. This 52-story Las Vegas timeshare resort features stylish Studios and multi-bedroom Suites with fully equipped kitchens and floor-to-ceiling views of the city below. You’ll also find elevated luxury on the top four floors at Elara, a Hilton Club.
Where to stay in Orlando: After a night of music and dancing, come home to your cozy Studio or spacious multi-bedroom Suite at Parc Soleil, a Hilton Grand Vacations Club.
4. CMA Fest
When: June
Where: Nashville, Tennessee
Headliners have included: Carrie Underwood, Keith Urban, Lady A, Jimmie Allen, Miranda Lambert and Luke Bryan
Nashville is home to the Grand Ole Opry, a host of honky-tonks and one of the biggest country music festivals around — CMA Fest. Every summer, the Country Music Association invites a stellar lineup of chart-topping legends and emerging artists to entertain visitors for a four-day festival centered on celebrating the heart and soul of country music. Spread across various stages in Music City, CMA Fest takes over downtown Nashville and creates an atmosphere that’s meant to feel like one big country family reunion.
5. Lollapalooza
When: August
Where: Chicago, Illinois
Headliners have included: Foo Fighters, Dua Lipa, Post Malone, Kendrick Lamar, Lana Del Rey and The 1975
Every August, Chicago’s Grant Park transforms into a live-music mecca for a four-day festival that draws fans from all over the world. With the city’s iconic skyline as a backdrop, Lollapalooza delivers a diverse lineup of popular artists that span rock, hip-hop, electronic, punk and heavy metal.
Insider tip: Younger Lolla fans can enjoy Kidzapalooza — which features a family-friendly lineup of performers, music workshops, interactive art exhibits and other fun activities.
Where to stay: Your sky-high sanctuary in the windy city awaits at Chicago Magnificent Mile, a Hilton Grand Vacations Club. This urban retreat is just steps away from the city’s premier attractions and features stylish Studios and 1-Bedroom Suites.
6. Austin City Limits Music Festival
Where: Austin, Texas
When: October
Headliners have included: The Killers, SZA, P!NK, Childish Gambino, Coldplay, Alanis Morissette, Nathaniel Rateliff and Hozier
In the fall, the “Live Music Capital of the World” welcomes one of the best family-friendly festivals to town — Austin City Limits. Set against the city’s iconic skyline in Zilker Park, ACL Fest continues to host some of the biggest names in the music industry. More than 100 artists perform across multiple stages to entertain nearly 500,000 visitors over the course of two full weekends in October. It’s a live-music extravaganza with sounds that cover everything from pop and hip-hop to rock and indie music.
Insider tip: Every March, Austin also welcomes the legendary South by Southwest (SXSW) Music Festival, which transforms the city into a hub for musical discovery. Thousands of artists perform across Austin’s renowned venues, clubs and outdoor spaces.
Bonus Idea: HGV Live!
Where: Multiple Destinations
When: Browse Upcoming Events
Headliners have included: LeAnn Rimes, Boys II Men, Lee Brice, Carly Pearce and Joey Fatone of *NSYNC
Hilton Grand Vacations hosts private concerts exclusively for our Members and Guests. Our HGV Live! events bring you so close to the music, you’ll feel like you’ve stepped on stage. We partner with incredible performers and plan every detail — all so you feel like the star.
Read “We Attended 6 HGV Ultimate Access Events — Here’s What We Experienced” to get the inside scoop from an HGV Centum+ Member.
*To attend HGV Ultimate Access events (valued between $500–$3,500), Guests must attend a membership review or timeshare sales presentation during their stay in the same week as the event. If you do not attend the membership review or timeshare presentation, the retail value of the event may be charged to your credit card. HGV Ultimate Access events are subject to availability, nontransferable and subject to change without notice. Experience fee applies, minimum of $99 per event, to be paid at time of booking. Offer dates may change due to event availability. Offers may not be used in conjunction with any other promotion.