Country music has the power to move us on an emotional level and these top country music festivals celebrate that experience with amazing lineups, stunning venues and unforgettable experiences.
Stagecoach, widely considered the country version of Coachella, boasts an upcoming lineup full of chart-topping stars and iconic names that brings in thousands of attendees each year to West Coast festival grounds.
1. Country Music Association Festival
Established in 1958, the Country Music Association is one of the original trade organizations designed to advance an individual music genre. Most renowned for hosting annual awards show CMA Fest and special television special “CMA Country Christmas”, membership includes musicians, songwriters, record producers, managers, publicists and radio executives as well as others from various fields in music. Each year at CMA Awards ceremony members vote on nominees and winners voted upon by peers within their industry.
Country Music Festival brings thousands of country music fans from around the globe each year to Nashville for four-day event dedicated to Country music, and draws hundreds of stars performing across multiple stages to enthusiastic crowds. Artists also host autograph sessions and meet with fans. Proceeds from the festival benefit music education through CMA Foundation.
CMA Fest 2024 attracted massive crowds that waited in line for hours just to enter Nissan Stadium and Music City Center venues, such as Dolly Parton’s appearance. She made her debut with an intimate conversation, Q&A session and singalong to capacity audiences at Nissan Stadium; other highlights included Chevy Riverfront Stage, Dr Pepper Amp Stage, Chevrolet Vibes Stage, Good Molecules Reverb Stage as well as CMA X’s panels on women in country music, Latin roots in country and the history of Opry.
CMA Awards winners are determined by members of the Country Music Association, with nominations based on recordings that were among the most popular releases across both America and Canada in a given calendar period. Voters also take into account both recordings’ personal popularity as well as impactful music that had on society or culture – before live broadcasts from Bridgestone Arena downtown Nashville occur on November 9th with winners revealed there.
2. Stagecoach
Stagecoach Country Music Festival, California’s Empire Polo Club in Indio. Each April, Stagecoach provides an opportunity to let out your inner cowboy/cowgirl while also indulging in plenty of twang and barbecue sauce!
2025’s lineup has recently been unveiled, and it features some star power. Luke Combs, Jelly Roll and Zach Bryan will kick-off the three-day festival as openers while musical acts such as Brothers Osborne, Lana Del Rey, Sturgill Simpson and rising star Shaboozey will perform throughout. Additionally, legendary hip-hop artist Snoop Dogg may cover a country classic and legendary rock band Creed will make an appearance as well.
Church has shown this year that his Stagecoach set will not be typical. The singer brought a choir to his Mane Stage show and performed to an organ soundtrack; giving an unforgettable show. Church’s unconventional performance defied expectations and proved that not all country artists want to deliver only hits and classic songs over and over.
Church took an extraordinary risk in breaking from his usual performances at other festivals by doing something so unexpected, yet its results were outstanding. Audience members were engaged and enthusiastic; it provided an exciting change from what many fans have come to expect at other festivals. His unconventional performance should serve as inspiration for other headliners at future festivals.
3. Braun Brothers Reunion
Every August, Challis plays host to music enthusiasts from near and far who travel for the Braun Brothers Reunion to experience some of the finest Americana, Texas Country, Red Dirt and Bluegrass performances from around the country. Muzzie and JoAnn Braun host this annual family and community event called the BBR. Their love for Idaho inspires them to bring in great musicians year after year for this festival-style concert series. These Idaho fans treat performers with the same dignity they would their own families, and it shows in how the crowd responds; they truly listen. Bands such as Turnpike Troubadours, Randy Rogers Band, Ned LeDoux and Cody Canada have expressed how much they appreciate Idaho fans – their audiences make them feel special!
At the Braun Brothers Reunion, there’s always an eclectic and captivating lineup. Reckless Kelly, Corb Lund & The Hurtin’ Albertans, Micky and the Motorcars and Django Walker & Friends feat Tylor Ketchum have been some of the many talented acts who have taken part over time – there truly is something for everyone here at BBR! There’s always an atmosphere of community at these shows with children dancing happily in strollers alongside senior citizens sipping beer from folding chairs all enjoying musical acts together!
Contrary to other festivals, Braun Brothers Reunion does not permit food and beverage vendors on its grounds; this helps maintain an atmosphere conducive to music performance while creating an open and respectful environment where artists feel at ease performing in front of an attentive, appreciative audience. Cody Canada from Ragweed and the Departed has said he finds many of his best audiences at BBR.
4. Faster Horses Festival
The 2024 Faster Horses Festival — widely dubbed #PartyoftheSummer — brought country music fans together for a weekend of friendship, good times and memorable performances at Michigan International Speedway in Brooklyn Michigan. This three-day camping and concert event attracted some of the biggest names in country music to an estimated audience of 40,000; Tyler Hubbard, Lainey Wilson and Jelly Roll were first-time headliners, while Old Dominion, HARDY Sawyer Brown as well as other rising stars were featured among others.
This year’s lineup reflected the vastly different landscape of country music. Combining established artists with up-and-comers, each performer left an imprintful mark on the crowd’s spirits; from young girls with silken voices like whiskey to Texas natives whose distinct twang revealed their roots; each artist connected with fans while providing insight into their worlds of existence.
Contrasting with the “bro culture” typically associated with this genre, many of this year’s artists managed to keep the party going while also crafting lyrics and melodies that provoke both laughter and introspection – a key reason for why this year’s festival was both lively and diverse.
Contrast that with the tragic 2021 Astroworld tragedy in Houston, where 10 people lost their lives while crowds surged and collapsed. Perhaps due to one or more factors — for example, it being one of few country music festivals where alcohol service was handled by licensed vendors instead of volunteers — or possibly due to Live Nation producing it as it has an established track record in running safe, clean events successfully.
5. Myrtle Beach Music Festival
The Carolina Country Music Festival (CCMF) is an epic three-day music event featuring chart-topping country artists as well as rising stars of country music. Set against a stunning Atlantic Ocean backdrop, CCMF makes for the ideal way to combine beach vacationing and country music festival!
CCMF is one of the world’s premier country music festivals, receiving multiple nominations from the ACM Fest of the Year award and named by local and national media outlets as being the Best Country Music Festival. Fans from around the globe attend this exciting event.
If you’re planning on attending the Carolina Classic Music Festival (CCMF), be sure to book your accommodations early! Vacation Myrtle Beach offers plenty of resort options just a short drive from the venue, such as Beach Colony Resort with beautiful beachfront property like Beach Colony’s beautiful grounds, multiple pools, lazy river and plenty of room to relax – as well as one to four bedroom rooms to ensure the ideal fit for you and your family.
No matter your musical taste or schedule, CCMF 2024 offers something for everyone! If it’s headliners like Carrie Underwood, Morgan Wallen, Parker McCollum or Old Dominion you want, or one of many other acts performing, Vivid Seats provides tickets with 100% buyer guarantees and has been named Newsweek’s Best Customer Service companies three consecutive years – save even more by entering a promo code when checking out!