7 Best US Music Festivals of 2023

As 2023 comes to a close, it’s finally time to reveal the best music festivals that took place in the US this year.

 

1. Electric Forest

Electric Forest consistently earns its spot on every top festival list. Each year, the festival delivers on all facets including talent, production, camping, and innovation. For its 2023 edition, the festival implemented major changes to the design that gave a classic event a fresh look and feel. Most notably, it completely redesigned The Hangar (a beloved staple for years), making room for the beautiful new Dream Emporium.

With Odesza, Rezz, Goose, Illenium, and more, Electric Forest’s 2023 lineup was also one to remember. 

2. Ultra Miami

Ultra’s rebellious spirit, stacked lineup, and out-of-this-world production earned it a spot on our Best Music Festivals of 2023 list. Despite what feels like the city of Miami’s ongoing battle against Miami Music Week, Ultra is a force to be reckoned with amidst the chaos. 

This year, Ultra Miami boasted an impressive lineup with some of the most sought-after dance music acts, including Subtronics, Eric Prydz HOLO, deadmau5, and Swedish House Mafia amidst their historic return. 

3. Secret Dreams

Secret Dreams is one of the best-kept festival secrets of 2023. The festival focuses on community, talent, and production above all. Although you won’t find elaborate stage designs or intricate interactive art structures, you will find speaker systems like nothing you’ve ever experienced before. 

The gem of a festival took place at Legend Valley, the same venue that hosts Lost Lands every September. It already has the infrastructure for camping and is an ideal middle ground between the East Coast and Denver areas (which is presumably where most of its crowd travels from). 

As Tipper draws back from the live music space, the Tipper & Friends Takeover marks perhaps one of the last gatherings of its kind. Secret Dreams 2023 was something special that easily earned a spot on this list. 

4. Hulaween

Year after year, Hulaween delivers an unforgettable arts and music experience. Today, it stands as one of the only longstanding boutique festivals on the East Coast. 

For its 2023 edition, Hulaween presented a lineup that was untouchable. It hosted not only one but two sets from Pretty Lights amid the artist’s return to the live music scene. Hulaween 2023 marked Pretty Lights’ only East Coast festival of the year, making it that much more magical. 

Hulaween also boasted major expansions to the grounds this year, particularly in the beloved Spirit Lake area. The expansions allowed the festival to offer an immersive experience like no other. Hulaween undoubtedly secured its spot as one of the best festivals of 2023. 

5. Coachella

Although some would argue that the East Coast dominates the US festival scene, Coachella easily challenges that narrative. “Mainstream” or not, you can’t argue the festival’s sheer quality of output in 2023.

Coachella consistently delivers superb production, a diverse lineup, and one of the most beautiful settings for a widescale, outdoor gathering. This year, Coachella’s EDM representation included Chris Lake, Porter Robinson, Tale of Us, Eric Prydz, and other sought-after performers. Even the Frank Ocean disaster somehow resulted in good press for Coachella.

 

6. Elements

Elements Festival serves as the undercard that took everyone by surprise in 2023. This year, the boutique festival appealed to the masses, making major stage expansions and booking fan favorites across all dance music genres, including John Summit, Skrillex, Chris Lake, STS9, and Subtronics. 

Situated in the heart of the Poconos, Elements combines music, art, community, and nature to deliver one of the most unforgettable camping festival experiences on the East Coast. Elements’ 2023 growth was quite impressive and goes to show the upward trend for the festival in years to come.

7. Summoning of The Eclipse 

Svdden Death is known as one of the most innovative artists in modern dance music, particularly in the dubstep space. The DJ, producer, and festival organizer is constantly expressing his art in creative and unique ways. In 2023, he brought the second edition of Summoning of The Eclipse to The Caverns in Tennessee.

This year, Summoning of The Eclipse added a third day and even more artists than the year before. The spooky cave dubstep vibe was a curation like no other, and fans clearly loved it as ticket sales went quickly.