Credit: TN Vacation
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As April ushers in the lead-up to summer, thoughts turn to festivals, both headline events and smaller celebrations rich in local character. While music is at the heart of these gatherings, they also reflect the wider stories, traditions and cultural influences that make each destination special. From the Newport Jazz Festival, with its links to the Civil Rights Movement, to Festival International de Louisiane, which brings artists from around the world together in one setting. These events showcase the spirit, diversity and creativity of their communities.
Summary of Contents
- Double Decker Festival, Mississippi
- Juke Joint Festival, Mississippi
- New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, New Orleans
- Southern Decadence, New Orleans
- Festival International de Louisiane, Louisiana
- Breaux Bridge Crawfish Festival, Louisiana
- Bonnaroo, Tennessee
- Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion, Tennessee
- Elvis Festival, Tupelo
- Blue Suede Cruise, Tupelo
- Moon Festival, Boston
- Frostival, Boston
- Newport Jazz Festival, New England
- The Big E, New England
- Arts Festival, Raleigh
- International Food Festival, Raleigh
- Día de los Muertos, San Antonio
- Fiesta, San Antonio
- International Mariachi Conference, Tucson
- Tucson’s Immersive Cultural Experience, Tucson
- Electric Daisy Carnival, Maverick Helicopters
- Coachella Festival, Maverick Helicopters
- Plus a further Top 10 festivals we had to mention!
Visit Mississippi
In Oxford, Mississippi, the community comes together annually to celebrate the arts at the Double Decker Festival, showcasing the creativity and passion of local artists, musicians and vendors. The festival features its own double-decker bus, imported from the UK in 1994, the familiar red bus brings some British charm to Oxford. The two-day event features art demonstrations, live music, and a variety of local food and art stalls. This year, the festival returns on 24th and 25th April. Free to attend and family-friendly, the Double Decker Festival promises to show the artistic side of Mississippi.
For grassroots and spirited, Clarksdale’s Juke Joint Festival is a celebration of Delta music, art and culture. The 2026 festival is running now, and will be back on 17th April 2027. The Juke Joint Festival brings together musicians, artists and visitors in the heart of Clarksdale, the setting of the Academy Award-winning film Sinners. Clarksdale is widely recognised as the home of blues music. Festivalgoers can expect more than 100 blues performances, authentic juke joints, music workshops, and mouthwatering Southern food. The Juke Joint Festival draws crowds from around the world, and best of all, dozens of the performances and activities are free to attend.
Visit New Orleans
The New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival takes place over 10 days, from the 26th April to 3rd May 2026. The festival attracts musical icons every year, and 2026 is no exception, with headliners including Stevie Nicks, The Eagles, Kings of Leon and so many more. Welcoming around 400,000 visitors, the festival continues to grow thanks to its commitment to musicians, craftspeople and food vendors who demonstrate the very best of Southern artistry and hospitality. Taking place not far from the French Quarter, the festival promises an unforgettable New Orleans experience.
For something smaller in scale but no less vibrant, Southern Decadence is one of New Orleans’ premier festivals. Taking place over Labor Day weekend, the festival aims to honour and celebrate the LGBTQIA+ community, with more than 210,000 participants expected. Positioned around the French Quarter, the festival brings a sea of colour, with street parties, popular DJs, live entertainers and a dedicated parade route delivering feel-good celebration. The festival is a joyful display of community, with crowds of both LGBTQIA+ revellers and allies.
Explore Louisiana
This year marks the 40th anniversary of Festival International de Louisiane in downtown Lafayette. Taking place from the 22nd to 26th April, the festival reflects Louisiana’s rich cultural mix, bringing together influences from around the world. Considered the largest international music festival in the USA, it is also free to attend. Alongside performances by artists from across the globe, the festival promises to celebrate an array of native and international cultures through performing arts and, of course, cuisine.
The Breaux Bridge Crawfish Festival brings together world-famous Cajun, zydeco and swamp pop musicians for a celebration of cultures unique to Louisiana. Held over three days across three stages, the festival is as much about food as it is about music. The region’s famous dish of crawfish is served in a variety of delicious and imaginative ways. Visitors can also enjoy eating contests, cooking demonstrations, arts and crafts, and dance competitions, which all showcase the spirit and tradition of Cajun and zydeco culture.
https://www.explorelouisiana.com/
TN Vacation
For an epic experience, head to Manchester, Tennessee, for the Bonnaroo Music & Arts Festival. The festival takes place from 11th to 14th June 2026 and promises a magical world of music and discovery on a 700-acre farm. Headliners this year include The Strokes, Major Lazer, Alabama Shakes and Chase & Status. Festivalgoers flock annually for the immersive camping experience in the peaceful woodland. With plenty to do beyond the music, guests are welcome to take a break and focus on wellness with village markets and yoga classes.
The Bristol Rhythm and Roots Reunion takes place over three days from 11th to 13th September 2026. The festival celebrates Bristol’s claim as the birthplace of country music, with a legacy which stretches back to the 1920s and the landmark Bristol Sessions. Established in 2001, Bristol Rhythm honours the state’s musical heritage and showcases the best of Appalachian roots music. Alongside musical performances, the festival offers special exhibitions and interactive experiences for children, such as music-making and mini golf.
Tupelo CVB
As the birthplace of Elvis Presley, it is only fitting that Tupelo hosts its own annual Elvis Festival. Held in downtown Tupelo from the 2nd to 6th June 2026, the festival celebrates the legacy of the King through various events. Visitors can explore personal collections at the GumTree Museum of Art and listen to conversations with Betty Harper, the official artist of Elvis Presley Enterprises. With live performances and a tribute artists competition, a Southern gospel hour and a Tupelo to Vegas Concert, which promises a nostalgic journey through the music of Elvis.
The Tupelo Blue Suede Cruise car show is weekend-long celebration of vintage American cars, great music and family-friendly experiences. The event, which started in 2003, has continued to celebrate the best of classic American automobile engineering alongside local food, live entertainment and giveaways. Highlights include poker walks, movie nights under the stars and plenty of good-old-fashioned family fun.
Meet Boston
Held in August, with this year’s dates still to be confirmed, Boston Chinatown’s Moon Festival is a vibrant celebration of the city’s Chinese community. The event draws thousands of visitors with a multitude of colourful performances. The Moon Festival is regarded as a time for gratitude and is centred around health and the harvest, with food vendors, martial arts displays and various traditional performances. The festival offers attendees a chance to experience and learn more about traditional Chinese culture, from opera and music to the significance of mooncakes.
The first Boston Frostival was held from November 2025 to the end of February 2026 to embrace and celebrate the charm of winter in this coastal New England city. The event was such a success, and so popular with both locals and international visitors that bookings are already open for 2026/27, with exact dates to be confirmed. With so much happening across the city during the festive season, the festival offers special hotel packages, spectacular drone shows on Boston Common, a beautiful Ferris wheel on the Rose Kennedy Greenway (which proved so popular its stay had to be extended) and a variety of seasonal activations in Copley Square to capture the magic of Boston in winter.
Discover Newport
The Newport Jazz Festival takes place from 31st July to 2nd August 2026. Held each summer in Rhode Island, the festival is a celebration of music, community and hope. Newport Jazz Festival holds a seasoned legacy, shaped by jazz history and its ties to the civil rights movement. In past decades, music icons like Nina Simone and James Brown performed songs that helped influence American, black and global history. Although the 2026 line-up has yet to be announced, major players are set to take the stage, which means visitors can expect an unforgettable weekend of performances.
The Big E, also known as the Eastern States Exposition, runs from 18th September to 4th October 2026 in Springfield, Massachusetts. As the largest event of its kind on the East Coast and the fourth-largest fair in North America, it offers visitors hours of entertainment, attractions and food. One of its key features is its ‘state houses’, each representing one of the six New England states, and showcasing state traditions, products and flavours. The Big E is a celebration of Eastern American culture, complete with concerts and amusements.
https://discovernewengland.org/
Visit Raleigh
The Raleigh Arts Festival is one of the longest-running festivals in North Carolina. Taking place over two days on 16th and 17th May, it brings 175 visual artists to the city to showcase their work, from ceramics and glass to jewellery and much more. With more than 85,000 people expected to attend over the weekend, the festival is a major celebration of creativity, craftsmanship and community in Raleigh.
Held in downtown Raleigh, the International Food Festival takes place on Saturday, 6th June 2026. The festival offers a celebration of global culture through food, music and performance. With free admission, the festival is expected to draw more than 43,000 attendees and represents over 50 countries.
Visit San Antonio
San Antonio hosts the largest Día De Los Muertos celebration in the US, a reflection of the city’s deep Mexican roots and rich cultural heritage. Through its vibrant parade and timeless traditions, the event honours loved ones who have passed away, giving families a chance to share their stories and remember them. Across the city, more than 100 altars are decorated with candles, flowers and photos. Day of the Dead is a celebration of remembrance, community and the influence of Mexican heritage in San Antonio.
Fiesta San Antonio began in 1891 as a tribute to the heroes who lost their lives at the Alamo. Over the years, it has grown into a citywide, home-grown multi-day celebration that takes over San Antonio each April. The festival features a variety of parades, carnivals, student marching band competitions, river parades and much more. But nothing would be complete without food in a city celebrated for its gastronomy. Visitors can expect every corner to be filled with stalls and vendors serving some of the best flavours San Antonio has to offer. As part of the celebrations, visitors can enjoy A Night in Old San Antonio in La Villita, the city’s carefully preserved settlement, for artisan crafts, shopping and more authentic cuisine.
https://www.visitsanantonio.com/
Visit Tucson
The Tucson International Mariachi Conference has celebrated the tradition of mariachi music since 1982. Over the decades, the conference has supported the growth and development of mariachi while proudly championing Mexican American culture through music, education and performance. Taking place from 29th April to 3rd May, the event draws visitors with its programme of concerts and festivities, which help to support children’s services, adding community focus to the celebration.
Tucson’s Immersive Cultural Experience takes place in downtown Tucson from 16th to 18th October. Free to attend, the festival describes itself as a folklife celebration, bringing more than 500 artists, musicians, dancers and cooks to share their traditions and skills across various disciplines. It is widely recognised as one of the longest-running folk festivals in the US. Founder Jim Griffith said the festival was born from the idea that Tucson is a “plural society”, shaped by people from all walks of life with something to share, teach and celebrate.
https://www.visittucson.org/events/festivals-and-annual-events/
Maverick Helicopters
Electric Daisy Carnival takes place in Las Vegas from 15th to 17th May at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway. Maverick Helicopters offers transfers to and from the festival, flying directly from the Strip to the heart of the action. Visitors can also book the Electric Sky Tour, a 10-minute helicopter experience that promises unforgettable views high above the EDC grounds.
In Los Angeles, Maverick Helicopters offers a stylish way to avoid the city’s notorious traffic to reach Coachella festival. The festival ran on 10th – 12th and 17th – 19th April this year, with dates in 2027 sure to be announced later in the year. In under an hour, festivalgoers can travel to Coachella by helicopter, turning the journey itself into part of the experience. Designed for those who want to spend less time travelling and more time enjoying the festival, the VIP service begins the moment passengers arrive at the departure lounge.
https://www.maverickhelicopter.com/
Other Top Festivals through the year
- Fifa Fan Festival, Boston (TBC)
- Tennessee Williams & New Orleans Literary Festival, New Orleans (March)
- Ponchatoula Strawberry Festival, Louisiana (April)
- Memphis in May, Tennessee (May)
- International Festival of Arts and Ideas, New England (May/June)
- Jacobs Pillow, New England (June – August)
- Essence Festival, New Orleans (July)
- Satchmo Summer Fest, New Orleans (August)
- Mississippi Delta Tennessee Williams Festival, Mississippi (October)
- All Souls Procession Weekend, Tucson (November)
ENDS
For more information on the above destinations, please visit www.ttmworld.co.uk
For media enquiries, more information, hi-res images or video, please contact:
Caroline Donaldson-Sinclair, PR Account Director: caroline@ttmworld.co.uk
For Meet Boston, Discover New England, and Visit San Antonio
Jennie Jordan, Senior PR Account Manager: jennie@ttmworld.co.uk
For Visit Mississippi and Tupelo CVB
Adam Aspinall, PR Account Manager: adam@ttmworld.co.uk
For New Orleans & Company, Explore Louisiana, Maverick Aviation and Tennessee Tourism
Anisha Hegde, PR Account Executive: anisha@ttmworld.co.uk
For Visit Tucson and Visit Raleigh
Maxine Hanson, PR Executive: maxine@ttmworld.co.uk
Kirsty Dillury, Chief Communications Officer: kirsty@ttmworld.co.uk
For any other enquiries, please visit www.ttmworld.co.uk, email ttmoffice@ttmworld.co.uk or
call +44 (0)208 313 1717