When September finally arrives, you’ll have plenty of exciting music festivals to add to your itinerary.
Tons of world-class events mean you’re sure to find at least one you love. But if you need recommendations, we’re here to help.
Today, we’re highlighting three unbeatable music festivals where you can celebrate the changing seasons and jam to your new favorite band.
Let’s rock!
Plan for the Ultimate September Music Festivals
As the temperatures begin to chill and you feel that cool autumn breeze in the air, you might find yourself longing for a killer music festival to attend. After all, a long, sweltering summer will take it out of you, but fall is on the way, and you can finally go outside without melting.
It’s hard to beat the many September music festivals that take place each year from coast to coast. There’s a good chance you won’t be the only one eager to shake off the summer blues and welcome a new season with live tunes and exhilarating outdoor adventures.
Of course, not every music festival has on-site camping, but the ones that do are typically worth hitting. They provide a unique atmosphere for folks with similar interests looking to have a good time. However, during major events, local campgrounds tend to fill up with ticket holders and turn ordinarily quiet accommodations into an extension of the party.
Whether you’re camping at the event headquarters or booking a spot at a nearby RV park, it’s essential to make your reservations well in advance to ensure you have a place to stay. We recommend teaming up with friends and securing a group site to serve as a hub for the festivities even after the encores wrap up for the night.
If you want the best September music festivals to hit this year, you’re in the right place! Here are three excellent options to check out.
#1 Caveman Music Festival
One of Colorado’s newest music festivals debuted in September 2022 at Monument Lake Resort in Weston. The inaugural event featured headliners like Grace Potter, Lucero, and the North Mississippi Allstars. Fortunately for us, it’s only continued to grow. Big names like JJ Grey & Mofro, Dawes, The Wallflowers, and Jamestown Revival have joined the list.
The venue is part of a historic 368-acre resort set in the idyllic Sangre De Cristo Mountains. This property boasts a mile-long lake and all the breathtaking beauty of the Purgatoire River Valley.
Creators bill this event as three days of music, fishing, and camping, so you can expect to meet plenty of like-minded folks here. You’ll also find great food and beverage options throughout the festival grounds.
Caveman Music Festival typically takes place during the first weekend of September. We suggest buying tickets as early as possible!
Best Camping Near Caveman Music Festival
According to the organizers’ description, as well as many experienced attendees, the best place to camp is on the festival grounds! You can purchase one- or three-night camping passes for tents or RVs as long as you also have tickets to the big event.
Only dry camping is permitted, and you may not have a fire pit. But you’ll have easy access to the biggest party around and unrivaled views of the pristine surroundings. You can even rent a pontoon boat, kayak, canoe, or paddleboard to get a new perspective of the striking scenery.
Ready to pack your bags? Check out our 15 Secrets to Successful Fall Camping!
#2 Americanafest
For well over 20 years, artists, fans, and industry leaders have flocked to Nashville in mid-September for a six-day music festival unlike any other.
You might think of Americanafest as the Music City’s equivalent to South-by-Southwest. During the day, big names in the biz host seminars, Q&A panels, and other networking opportunities. But once the sun goes down, the city comes alive with performances at venues all over town. You can purchase tickets for live tunes only or get access to both shows and daytime events.
The 2024 installment includes concerts by over 200 artists, such as Nathaniel Rateliff & the Night Sweats, My Morning Jacket, John Oates, Robert Earl Keen, and Paula Cole. Past performers have spanned the genres, with artists like Bahamas, Keb’ Mo’, and Neko Case of the New Pornographers.
Before you head to Americanafest, read up on 5 Awesome Places to Grab a Bite in Nashville!
Best Camping Near Americanafest
You’ll need to leave downtown to find the best camping near this Nashville music festival, but the payoff will be worth it. The Army Corps of Engineers operates the Anderson Road Recreation Area Campground. It has many waterfront sites on a small peninsula in the J Percy Priest Reservoir.
You can choose from dry and serviced sites with water and full-spectrum electrical hookups. Modern restrooms, laundry facilities, and a dump station are all available. Several pull-thru spots allow for big rigs to fit comfortably.
#3 South Star
Our final September music festival is new to the event calendar but promises to draw a lively, diverse crowd to Huntsville, Alabama. South Star is a multi-genre, two-day extravaganza that packs a ton of world-renowned megastars into a single weekend. The inaugural 2024 affair features Gwen Stefani, Blink-182, Beck, Jane’s Addiction, Big Boi, Goo Goo Dolls, and many more folks you won’t want to miss.
South Star takes place at the city’s beloved John Hunt Park. This 450-acre location has mountain biking trails, a disc golf course, volleyball courts, and plenty of other places to burn off steam. There’s also a dedicated festival area where you’ll do most of your partying during the last weekend of September.
Best Camping Near South Star
Monte Sano State Park is a highly-rated destination only 15 minutes from the South Star venue. The campground offers sites with full hookups, a picnic table, and a fire pit. You’ll have access to a dump station, trash service, and restrooms with showers and flushing toilets.
Folks with bigger RVs can enter and exit the convenient pull-thru spots with ease.
Hitting all three September festivals? Grab a National Geographic Road Atlas to help you navigate!
Don’t Miss These September Music Festivals!
Throughout the month of September, you can get your fill of incredible live music at festivals across the country. From hip-hop and R&B to country and folk, there’s an excellent option for every fan.
We suggest buying tickets sooner rather than later and making campground reservations well in advance to ensure your spot!
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