Ultimate Country Music Festival Guide
FestPop’s mission is simplifying music festival discovery and travel. Each music festival has unique attributes whether its the atmosphere, lineup, or the community. We recognize everyone’s preferences and welcome music festival fans from across the globe to discover new festivals. In 2018, the country music industry offers some of the biggest festivals for the year. These festivals include new and returning adventures for festival-goers to add to their long lists of festivals they need to attend. All country music lovers can find their favorite festival below, while also finding some new fests that you may want to add to your festival bucket list.
April
ACM Party For A Cause Festival
4/12/18-4/15/18
Las Vegas, NV
ACM takes over Las Vegas, with ACM Award Show at MGM Grand Garden Arena. The Lifting Lives golf tournament hosted by Charles Kelley (Lady Antebellum) and Darius Rucker.
The Academy of Country Music is gearing up for the 53rd-annual ACM Awards in April, but first comes 2018’s ACM Party for a Cause. All of the proceeds generated throughout the week goes toward ACM Lifting Lives, which provides music therapy and education programs while also serving those facing unexpected tragedies with the Diane Holcomb Emergency Relief Fund. Leading up to the big ACM Awards show on April 15 are a series of events over the course of three days. Fans have the opportunity to see ACM Stories, Songs & Stars — which features the genre’s best songwriters who offer insight intro the stories behind the songs while performing alongside some of country’s top artists.
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Stagecoach Festival
4/27/18-4/29/18
Indio, CA
Kick back in the Coachella Valley sun while enjoying scenic views and performances from some of the hottest names in country music at Stagecoach Festival on April 27 – 29, 2018! As one of the world’s premier country music festivals, Stagecoach is guaranteed to feature a massive lineup full of artists you won’t want to miss. The festival is held at the Empire Polo Club in Indio, California. Various artists attend, whether they be mainstream or relatively unknown, ranging from folk, mainstream country, bluegrass, roots rock, and alternative country. It is the highest-grossing festival centered on country music in the world.
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May
Suwannee River Jam
5/2/18-5/5/18
Live Oak, FL
This revered country music festival features an exciting pre-party in the Music Hall May 2 with music from a variety of artists from 6 p.m. until. Thursday, May 3, is a huge opening night show on the Amphitheater Stage with national country artists. Friday and Saturday SRJ Audition winners entertain on the Amphitheater Stage as well as national artists. National artists will also perform on the Main Stage Friday and Saturday. Other activities include Soap for Soldiers, a patriotic event to help our soldiers overseas a salute to our military at the Main Stage and a silent auction with autographed items donated by artists and others will aid area high school bands. One of the main attractions is family and friend reunions that have in some cases gone on for more than 26 years, campfire pickin’ and singing, golf cart parade and so much more!
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Rooster Walk
5/24/18-5/27/18
Axton, VA
The Rooster Walk Music and Arts Festival was created in memory of two of the creator’s best childhood friends who passed away while still in their 20s: Edwin “the Rooster” Penn and Walker Shank. This festival celebrates life and the notion that you shouldn’t waste a moment of it. Rooster Walk was created, with the idea that proceeds from the festival go toward a college scholarship fund at their alma mater, Martinsville High School.
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Tree Town Music Festival
5/24/18-5/27/18
Forest City, IA
Tree Town has become the premier country music festival in the Midwest. Tree Town first made its mark in Forest City, Iowa, Memorial Day Weekend in 2013. With over 15,000 fans in attendance, Tree Town made a name for itself in its second year and became known as one of the top ten best country music festivals in the United States by Country Living Magazine by its third year in 2016. Now with over 20,000 festival attendees and campers, Tree Town is setting its heights for bigger and better things in 2018 for their fifth anniversary. The four-day festival will take place on the Winnebago rally campgrounds and Heritage Park in Forest City, Iowa, May 24-27, 2018 with headlining acts Keith Urban, Cole Swindell, Alabama and Eddie Money.
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Country 500
5/25/18-5/27/18
Daytona, FL
Headliners: Toby Keith, Chris Stapleton, Dierks Bentley, Sugarland (reunited)
Memorial Day Weekend at Daytona International speedway. Also called “The Great American Music Fest at Daytona.” Country 500 takes place on the infield of the world-famous Daytona International Speedway, a mega-music festival inside the hallowed grounds of one of the most iconic motorsports venues in America. Country 500 allows fans to actually camp out in the infield, literally inside the festival. The fest features the biggest stars in country music spread over three days and nights, programmed on multiple performance stages—specially designed and built for the festival.
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Bayou Country Superfest
5/27/18
New Orleans, LA
For its second year in the Superdome, the Bayou Country Superfest has scaled back from two nights to one. However, the Memorial Day weekend will also include a “Salute to America” fireworks display along the Mississippi River on Friday, May 25, and a free concert at Champions Square on Saturday, May 26, featuring Randy Houser, Michael Ray and Runaway June.
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June
Rock the South
6/1/18-6/2/18
Cullman, AL
Originally intended to be a one-year celebration of recovery from that horrific day, Rock the South has continued to expand to become a massive celebration of this area and what it has to offer. Since the first event in 2012, Rock the South has given over $500,000 to multiple community partners including Cullman City Parks and Recreation, The Link of Cullman County, Cullman Caring for Kids and many more. Every major country music star from Luke Bryan, Sam Hunt, Dierks Bentley, Florida-Georgia Line, Alan Jackson and Thomas Rhett have graced the Rock the South stage.
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CMA Fest
6/7/18-6/10/18
Nashville, TN
The CMA Music Festival is a four-day music festival centered on country music hosted each June by the Country Music Association in Nashville, Tennessee. Nearly 90,000 Country fans attend CMA Fest events in downtown Nashville each day of the festival! Nashville is the true home to country music, even nicknamed “Music City USA” and the CMA Music Festival is the premier event in all of country music. The top performers in the industry come out for concerts, autograph sessions, and picture opportunities. Many use this opportunity to have a special time with their fan clubs or participate in the City of Hope Celebrity Softball game for fun and competition.
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Caroline Country Music Fest
6/7/18-6/10/18
Myrtle Beach, SC
Headliners: Toby Keith, Luke Bryan, Zac Brown Band
Carolina Country Music Fest (CCMF), the East Coast’s largest outdoor country music fest, is located on the shores of Myrtle Beach. A unique blend of today’s country headliners and up-and-comers, CCMF is host to the industry’s biggest stars. With the combination of country music and the scenic Myrtle Beach backdrop, this family-friendly, three-day fest is a summer vacation destination.
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Taste of Country Festival
6/8/18-6/10/18
Hunter, NY
The country music weekend of a lifetime awaits at Taste of Country Music Festival 2018 at Hunter Mountain, N.Y. Set among the beautiful Catskill Mountains, Taste of Country Music Festival has set itself apart as one of the most unique festival experiences in the United States. Offering not only the biggest names in country music, but also the opportunity to camp under the stars in the mountains of Hunter Mountain ski resort. Join fans on June 8-10 for a weekend of the biggest names in country music, including headliners Eric Church, Florida Georgia Line and Sam Hunt. Advanced Pricing ends at 11:59 PM ET on Tuesday, April 17th, so grab your tickets now and save. See you this summer!
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Headwaters Country Jam
6/14/18-6/16/18
Three Forks, MT
Headwaters Country Jam is a three-day country music festival featuring over a dozen bands, surrounded by the beautiful Montana landscape. National and local acts perform as fans enjoy an ice cold beer, play a round of horseshoes or dance the night away!
The annual Headwaters Country Jam is the largest country music festival in the state of Montana, and 2018’s event promises to be full of can’t-miss performances for country music fans. Previous years’ lineups have featured artists such as Frankie Ballard, Chris Young, Randy Houser, Sasha McVeigh and the Cold Hard Cash Show, to name just a few. The three-day festival will feature onsite camping and a star-studded schedule against the backdrop of the western Montana countryside.
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Country Jam CO
6/14/18-6/17/18
Grand Junction, CO
Headliners: FGL, Miranda Lambert, Brantley Gilbert, Brett Eldridge
Country Jam is known as one of Colorado’s biggest parties. It is the largest country music and camping festival in Colorado.
Country Jam was purchased by Townsquare Media in 2013 and since that time has delivered robust lineups bringing even more people to Jam Ranch than ever before, including some of country music’s most recognizable names: Miranda Lambert, Florida Georgia Line, Kid Rock, Montgomery Gentry, Rascal Flatts, Lady Antebellum, Jake Owen, Keith Urban, Tim McGraw, Eric Church, Brantley Gilbert, Thomas Rhett, Billy Currington, Dierks Bentley, Toby Keith, The Band Perry, and many more.
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Tumbleweed
6/15/18 – 6/16/18
Kansas City
Tumbleweed 2018 is set to go off June 14-16th, 2018. The evening of June 14th is optional for early arrivals… for fans setting up camp or who are to antsy to sit at home on Tumbleweed Eve. They will have campfires, grills and great music from national and emerging artists on Thursday night. The main festival days are June 15th and 16th. You can expect incredible and unforgettable ‘special moments’ in music artistry that you can’t experience anywhere else. Beyond the lineup, the venue aesthetics, added amenities, country activities and vendors are exactly what you’d expect from America’s REAL Country Music Festival.
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Country Summer Music Festival
6/15/18-6/17/18
Santa Rosa, CA
Headliners: GFL, Little Big Town, Toby Keith
Northern California’s biggest country music festival and Sonoma County’s biggest party. In 2017, Country Summer attracted more than 30,000 fans from 34 states and four countries. Western-themed attractions, a variety of culinary delights and an array of libations from your favorite Anheuser-Busch beverages for beer drinkers to a wide selection of wine and spirits.
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Country USA Oshkosh
6/19/18-6/23/18
Oshkosh, WI
Country USA Oshkosh returns for five days of non-stop, world class entertainment, featuring country music’s biggest and hottest headliners. Keith Urban, Maren Morris, Brett Eldredge, Jason Aldean and Brantley Gilbert are your 2018 Country USA headliners. The annual bash at Ford Festival Park is set for its 23rd year next summer. It runs June 19-23. Also headed to the five-day event are Easton Corbin, LANCO, Josh Turner, Walker Hayes, Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, Lauren Alaina, Jake Owen, Chase Bryant, Kip Moore and Neal McCoy, among others.
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Country Fest
6/21/18-6/23/18
Cadott, WI
Headliners: Jason Aldean, Brad Paisley, Brantley Gilbert
Celebrating the best of all things Country, Country Festers enjoy three days of music and entertainment, RFID wristbands, cashless option in the concert grounds, delicious food, interactive exhibits, exciting activations, and the largest campground in WI, with more than 7,000 campsites all within easy walking distance of the Concert Grounds. Country Fest is held in a natural 380-acre amphitheater in central Wisconsin. The main stage, four side stages, and surrounding infrastructure are permanent structures with over 7,000 campsites surrounding the concert grounds.
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Kicker Country Stampede
6/21/18-6/23/18
Manhattan, KS
Country LakeShake
6/22/18-6/24/18
Chicago, IL
Kicker Country Stampede is a three-day country music and camping festival located at Tuttle Creek State Park in Manhattan, KS. Kicker Country Stampede is Kansas’s premier music festival. The 3-day festival features Florida Georgia Line, Alabama, Cole Swindell, Randy Rogers Band, Kane Brown.
The festival has been held annually since 1996, on the last weekend in June. It is the largest annual music festival in Kansas. Total combined attendance for all days exceeds 170,000 – in 2012 it was approximately 175,000. The record for largest single-day attendance was set on June 23, 2012, when an estimated 55,000 fans watched Toby Keith perform. Camping is common for attendees, and 2,400 camp sites are available on the grounds. Vendors, and many activities are also present at the festival.
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Moondance Jammin Country
6/21/18-6/23/18
Walker, MN
This year is the 12th Annual. There will be a Burger Battle along with beer & wine tasting in the Saloon.
Moondance Jammin Country Fest is a country music festival held annually on the 300 acre Moondance Events grounds near Walker, MN. The event features open festival seating, camping, well kept facilities, two indoor regional stages, excellent security, an organized staff and much more. Fans are treated to a country music and camping celebration in a clean, safe and friendly atmosphere. In conjunction with the music festival is the Annual Softball Tournament.
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Black Deer Festival
6/22/18-6/24/18
Eridge Park, Kent
Black Deer Festival will be debuting their first year in 2018. Festival of Americana and Country, 50 minutes from London. 50 artist performances across five stages, offering a mix of country, Americana, and UK-based country artists. The three day event will be authentic good times coupled with a family friendly vibe aim to make this new festival one not to be missed.
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Summerfest
6/27/18-7/8/18
Milwaukee, WI
“The World’s Largest Music Festival,” with more than 800 acts performing across 11 days, is also the country’s most musically diverse. Versatile R&B artist Janelle Monae, seminal alt-rock band the Pixies, breakout country newcomer Kane Brown, and “Late Show With Stephen Colbert” bandleader Jon Batiste (with the Dap-Kings) are among the acts headlining one of Summerfest’s seven grounds stages. 2017 was an exciting year for Summerfest with the renovation of the Miller Lite Oasis opening in time for the 50th and the historic announcement of the new partnership with American Family Insurance.
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Dauphin’s Countryfest
6/28/18-7/1/18
Dauphin, MB
Countryfest, Canada’s longest running country music festival since 1990, opens the evening of June 28, with the B.C. country-rockers the Road Hammers and Edmonton singer Dan Davidson performing at Countryfest’s hilltop Bell MTS Stage. “We couldn’t be happier with the way things are shaping up for 2018, and we’re looking forward to hosting some of the biggest acts in country music, along with some of Canada’s best homegrown artists,” says Countryfest producer Rob Waloschuk in a release.
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July
Country Concert 18
7/5/18-7/7/18
Fort Loramie, OH
Headliners: Toby Keith, Brad Paisley, Eric Church
Coolers are welcome at Country Concert which is rare at a country music festival. There are two grounds for anyone who wants to camp out for the weekend. You can either set up in vera camping, which includes a free shuttle into the shows, or you can opt for concert camping.
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Jam in the Valley
7/5/18-7/7/18
Varysburg, NY
Jam in the Valley is a country music concert and fireworks celebration of Independence Day. Billed as a family style event, Jam in the Valley has also become known as a pretty wild party. With the beautiful hills of Wyoming County as a backdrop, Jam in the Valley takes place at Buffalo Hill Village Campgrounds, a 30 minute drive from downtown Buffalo, NY.
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Cavendish Beach Festival
7/6/18-7/8/18
Cavendish, Prince Edward Island
The 10th Anniversary of the Cavendish Beach Music Festival. Draws 17,000 to 22,000 people per day. What was once a cow pasture in Cavendish, Prince Edward Island, is now the home of the largest multi-day outdoor music festival in Atlantic Canada – the Cavendish Beach Music Festival. More than 60,000 visitors annually flock to the festival for the biggest names in country music, camping, dining, the warmest waters north of the Carolina’s and to create memories that last a lifetime.
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Country Thunder Saskatchewan
7/12/18-7/15/18
Craven, Saskatchewan
Headliners: Big & Rich, Dierks Bentley, Chris Young, Luke Bryan
“We’re going to get the Country Thunder Saskatchewan party started a little early in 2018,” said Troy Vollhoffer, CEO of Country Thunder Music Festivals. “After all of the site renovations last year, it’s going to be amazing for our fans to be able spend a little more time in the Craven Valley next summer — all at the same low price.”
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Windy City Smokeout
7/13/18-7/15/18
Chicago, IL
Serving the best finger-lickin’, smokey eats from 13 of the finest pitmasters nationwide, there’s no shortage of BBQ at the Smokeout. Get ready to get down with the best of country music featuring both world-renowned artists and up-and-coming talent. Because nothing goes better with BBQ eats than sudsy brews from an abundance of breweries, both local and national. Tap on into the beer vendors.
Elevate your 2018 Smokeout experience with exciting events happening throughout the weekend including The Biggest Happy Hour of the Summer, Casamigos Mixology Class, BBQ Brunch and more! More than 40,000 guests are expected to attend the sixth annual festival hosted by Chicago’s popular BBQ destination, Bub City, while enjoying some of the nation’s most celebrated BBQ restaurants and top country music acts like Brett Young, Brett Eldredge, Brothers Osborne, Turnpike Troubadours, and more!
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Country Jam USA
7/19/18-7/21/18
Eau Claire, WI
This huge party scene welcomes 65,000 fans every year. Country Jam USA returns to perform at the Three-Day Camping and Country Music Festival – July 19-21, 2018 – in Eau Claire, WI. Heading into the 29th year the festival takes place on the beautiful shores of the Chippewa River on the Foster Farm grounds. Country Jam USA is excited to announce Blake Shelton as well as more for the 2018 Country Jam USA lineup. Including, Dustin Lynch, Justin Moore, Clay Walker, Tracy Lawrence, Aaron Tippin, Collin Raye, and Sammy Kershaw. __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Jamboree in the Hills
7/19/18-7/22/18
Belmont, OH
Headliners: Charlie Daniel Band, Travis Tritt, Toby Keith, Brantley Gilbert, Neal McCoy
Celebrating its 42nd year, Jamboree in the Hills is back to bring Jambo fans the landmark festival they’ve grown to love! Thousands of fans from the Tri-State region attend the 4-day festival headlined by some of the best talent in country music.
This must see 4-Day outdoor festival takes places in Belmont County, Ohio, just a little west of Wheeling, WV. Year after year, thousands make the annual pilgrimage to southern Ohio and turn the peaceful acreage in Morristown, OH into the “Country Music Capital”. The 4-day party actually starts on the prior Monday with wild contests and activities in the ultimate on-site campground where more than 5000 campers arrive early. The 25 hours of live music features country music legends, current chart toppers and rising stars. The Jamboree fans are the greatest – they are really the other half of the show. That’s why Jamboree In The Hills just isn’t another concert…..It’s The Ultimate Country Music Experience!
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Faster Horses Country Festival
7/20/18-7/22/18
Brooklyn, MI
Faster Horses Festival reveal that country superstars Brooks & Dunn, Florida Georgia Line, Blake Shelton, Brantley Gilbert and more will take to the stage for the 3-day camping festival’s sixth year in Brooklyn, MI taking place from July 20-22. Following the festival’s monumental 5th anniversary last year, Billboard praised that “Faster Horses is not just another music festival…it definitely has a personality” and since its establishment in 2013, has earned a reputation for ”great stage performances to lots of action in the campgrounds” (MLive.) Fans descend on Michigan International Speedway each year, for a self-declared three-day hillbilly sleepover, embracing the spirit permeating through the festival grounds, as well as the unique fringe activities on offer including the annual “Campsite Contest”, “Faster Humans Fun Run” and first-class vendors.
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Night in the Country
7/26/18-7/28/18
Yerington, NV
Country music on pure Nevada farmland. Night in the Country is held away from the big city lights for over 15 years, out in the quiet farming town of Yerington, Nevada. It makes the perfect spot for 3 days of camping, music and great times.
The three-day music festival started in 2002 with just 900 attendees and has grown every year since. With an expected crowd of more than 30,000 fans this year, NITC is once again slated to be Nevada’s second largest rural event behind Burning Man; it’s also the longest-running country music festival in Nevada, attracting visitors from more than 36 states.
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Country Crossings
7/26/18-7/29/18
Central Point, OR
Headliners: Cole Swindell, Alan Jackson, Brad Paisley, Eric Church
The first year at the Jackson County Expo is in the books, and 2018 will be even bigger and better! A star-studded line-up is headed your way once again—your favorite country music artists on three stages across four days. Join the 2nd annual event and enjoy everything Country Crossings Music Festival has to offer—great music, family fun, memories that will last a lifetime and so much more.
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Calgary Fold Music Festival
7/26/18-7/29/18
Calgary, AB
One of Calgary’s most anticipated summer events. It’s a genre-defying, continent-linking festival where fiercely independent, creative troubadours and master instrumentalists from Mauritania, Korea, New Zealand, Australia, the UK, Ethiopia, the United States and Canada celebrate diverse traditions, deep roots and cool grooves.
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Mountain Home Country Festival
7/27/18-7/29/18
Mountain Home, ID
The Willamette Country Music Concert family has grown again and is happy to welcome the third—and better looking—sibling to the family. Meet the Mountain Home Country Music Festival! The Mountain Home Country Music Festival venue is in Elmore County, just thirty minutes from Mountain Home, ID. This inviting weekend home is situated at the base of Sawtooth National Forest and the Sawtooth Range—a perfect location for 3 days of the best music Country has to offer, brought to you by Bi-Mart.
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August
WE Fest
8/2/18-8/4/18
Detroit Lakes, MN
Headliners: Jason Aldean, Carrie Underwood, FGL, Vince Gill, Chris Young, Justin Moore, Josh Turner, Chris Janson, Tyler Farr, Carly Pearce, Rodney Atkins, Devin Dawson, The Cadillac Three, Ashley McBryde
Since WE Fest’s inception in 1983, it has been one of the leading country music festivals in the nation. Twice nominated for the Country Music Association’s prestigious Best Special Event award, WE Fest is widely regarded as one of the most outstanding events of its kind in the nation. WE Fest offices are located on the scenic Soo Pass Ranch, which also contains a natural amphitheater that accommodates up to 50,000 people, including 7,000 reserved seats, and 10 separate campgrounds with a total camping capacity of 35,000 people. WE Fest employs a year-round staff of professional sales, marketing and administrative staff. Fully developed as a concert venue, the Soo Pass Ranch has a permanent stage and backstage compound inclusive of air-conditioned dressing rooms with running water, catering and production facilities including permanent sound towers and mix station. The concert bowl also contains 50+ concession stands, and locations for dozens of additional portable concessions.
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Big Valley Jamboree
8/2/18-8/5/18
Camrose, Alberta
Headliners: Thomas Rhett, Alabama, FGL
One of the biggest country music festivals on this continent in central Canadian town of Camrose. A paradise for country music and country music lovers. The 26-year-old festival last year featured the amazing roster of Willie Nelson, Tanya Tucker and Colter Wall, and averages 25,000 people a day behind the compound fences featuring big belt buckles, bigger trucks and an unstoppable will to party. This year will, for the first time, feature a thrust stage up to 100 feet running up through the centre, as well as two standing-room pits in front of the stage — as well as more aisles running through all those white plastic chairs.
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Sunfest Country Music Festival
8/2/18-8/5/18
Cowichan Valley, British Columbia
Headliner: Eric Church
Join the 16th annual Sunfest Country Music Festival, B.C.’s premiere country event! 4 days of music, camping, activites and more right in the heart of the Cowichan Valley! Featuring Toby Keith, Little Big Town and more!
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Watershed Country Music Festival
8/3/18-8/5/18
George, WA
Ever since its debut in 2012, the Watershed Festival at the Gorge Amphitheatre has brought the finest country music artists to one stage year after year for this three-day celebration. Performers like Dierks Bentley, Brantley Gilbert, Miranda Lambert, Blake Shelton, Luke Bryan, and Toby Keith have been known to jam out alongside packed crowds perched along the scenic Columbia River. Be a part of the 2018 Watershed Music Festival and see everything this event has to offer.
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Oregon Jamboree
8/3/18-8/5/18
Sweet Home, OR
Headliners: Brantley Gilbert, Locash, Jerrod Niemann, Diamond Rio, Carly Pearch, Marren Morris, Brett Eldredge
Oregon Jamboree is returning for its’ 25th year. The Oregon Jamboree in Sweet Home is the Northwest’s Premier Country Music & Camping Festival. In addition to great entertainment, this family style event hosts RV/tent camping, food booths, beer & wine gardens, kids activities, and much more!
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Boots and Hearts
8/9/18-8/12/18
Oro-Medonte, Ontario
Headliners: Florida Georgia Line, Alan Jackson, Thomas Rhett
#bootslife Republic Live, organizers of the Boots and Hearts Music Festival confirmed this will be at Canada’s largest music and camping festival for summer 2018. It will span over 4 days with more than 40 artists, 60 hours of live entertainment, and many other attractions. Expect a spectacular LED Ferris Wheel and 100 foot swing ride.
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Bi-Mart Willamette Country Music Festival
8/16/18-8/19/18
Brownsville, OR
The Bi‑Mart Willamette Country Music Festival has become the Northwest’s largest, premier country music and camping event. It continues to surpass expectations for attendance and excitement with 25,000 attendees expected in 2018! People come from all over the Northwest to enjoy the Bi‑Mart Willamette Country Music Festival. Families of all kinds join us each year and make plans to come back again and again.
The venue sits in a sprawling field. The camping can’t be beat and the music is just a walk away for many concert-goers. Besides featuring the best country music entertainers in the business, the Bi‑Mart Willamette Country Music Festival also offers a variety of food, beverage, craft and clothing vendors.
*VIP Seating is only $240 and is the first section in front of the Main Stage.
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Country Thunder Alberta
8/17/18-8/19/18
Alberta, Canada
It is about that time to get back to Prairie Winds Park in Calgary Alberta! Country Thunder Alberta will have Eric Church, Toby Keith and Dierks Bentley headlining for its 3rd year!! Dean Brody, Midland, Jess Moskaluke, Lindsay Ell, Bryan White, Hunter Brothers and Madeline Merlo will all be taking the Main Stage.
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Pepsi Gulf Coast Jam
8/31/18-9/2/18
Panama City Beach, FL
Pepsi Gulf Coast Jam has become one of the most popular music festivals in the country – drawing over 64,000 country music fans to last year’s event at Frank Brown Park in beautiful Panama City Beach, Florida. The festival began in 2013 and has featured artists like Jason Aldean, Miranda Lambert, Toby Keith, Lady Antebellum and more. It has wrangled in over 260,000 attendees and had a $66 million economic impact since its inception — even after it was canceled in its entirety by Hurricane Hermine in 2016.
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September
Country Thunder WI
9/19/18-9/22/18
Twin Lakes, WI
Country Thunder is a place where country music fans get to fly their flags. It’s a place where it’s not only totally OK, but it’s embraced to wear your Spiderman Underoos with your cowboy boots. Where tower beer bongs are everywhere. Where jean shorts aren’t jorts; they’re everyday clothing. Where camping under the stars with thousands of other people is not a hipster thing to do; it’s standard.
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Pilgrimage Music and Cultural Festival
9/22/18-9/23/18
Franklin, TN
Headliners: Jack White, Chris Stapleton, Lionel Richie
Pilgrimage Music & Cultural Festival was inspired by friendship, history, experience and the desire to create an authentic music festival. Three years ago, Musician and Franklin, TN resident Kevin Griffin was on a September morning run through The Park at Harlinsdale, a century-old horse farm recently purchased by the City of Franklin. Kevin was so taken by the rolling hills, natural amphitheaters, and breathtaking vistas of the 230-acre farm, he envisioned it as a natural fit for a music festival venue. Considering Franklin’s music and cultural history, Kevin wanted the community to further appreciate combining this with the beauty and rustic quality of Middle Tennessee in the fall, and with the blessing of the City, began to dream up a music festival to do it justice.
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October
Las Cruces Country Music Festival
10/19/18-10/21/18
Las Cruces, NM
The Las Cruces Country Music Festival has announced that it will be moving to October 19-21, 2018. And due to the increase of attendees over the last few years, the festival will also be relocating from downtown Las Cruces to the ballfields off Hadley Avenue.
“As everyone in Las Cruces knows, the weather in the spring can be a bit unpredictable,” said Jennifer Bales, executive director of Visit Las Cruces, who puts on the event. “We have seen tremendous growth in the number of attendees every year since the festival started, and we needed to find a location that can accommodate an even larger crowd,” Bales said. “We loved being downtown, but we are simply outgrowing the space we had to work with — which is great problem to have for the festival and Las Cruces.” The festival is also looking to expand hours and activities, putting it more in line with other country music festivals around the country.
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December
Beach Town Music Festival
12/7/18-12/8/18
Vero Beach, FL
Last year featured country and rock ‘n’ roll with the like of David Nail and Jake Owen, Gin Blossoms and Bret Michaels. “Not everybody has the same taste in music, so we chose to do country and do rock and separate the days,” Gary DeWaard, festival manager, said. “If you’re just a country fan or just a rock fan, you have a day where you can see everything you want.”
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FestPop Staff Writer, Katherine Bennett