Summer Holidays 2024: 5 Must-Visit North American Festivals.
Summer is a time of festivals. When we lived in Montreal, summer is when the city would wake up from 6 months of winter. The city would be buzzing with festivals. Montreal is in fact one of the best cities in North American for fans of world-class festivals.
But there are great festivals all across North America and there’s a festival for every interest, from jazz music to pop culture extravaganzas and from rodeos to radical self-expression.
This post covers five must-visit festivals in North America that you won’t want to miss this summer.
1. Montreal International Jazz Festival
- Dates: June 27 – July 6, 2024
- Location: Various venues across downtown Montreal, Quebec
- Significance: Recognized internationally as a premier jazz event
- Expectations: Dazzling shows by world-renowned and rising jazz stars, open-air concerts, and a plethora of festivities ideal for genuine jazz lovers and casual listeners alike
The Montreal International Jazz Festival is the most famous Jazz festival in the world. Every year about two million attendees come here to celebrate different types of jazz. The Montreal International Jazz Festival actually boasts a Guinness World Record as the world’s largest jazz gathering.
You can expect an immersive experience where the historical streets of Montreal echo with the harmonious blend of saxophones and pianos. This music festival is a celebration of creativity, unity, and a love for jazz. People wear festive costumes and dance in the street (often with a beer in hand).
The Montreal International Jazz Festival is a must-visit for music lovers.
2. Calgary Stampede
- Dates: July 5 – July 14, 2024
- Location: Stampede Park, Calgary, Alberta
- Historical significance: Since 1912, showcasing Western culture and rodeo sports.
- 2024 highlights: Rodeo competitions, evening shows, a vibrant parade, and diverse cuisine.
Next is the Calgary Stampede, a celebration of Western heritage and values. Often called the “Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth,” the rodeo features events like bull riding and barrel racing that test skill and bravery. You can expect a lineup of events that capture the essence of the Wild West.
The Calgary Stampede is one of Canada’s most iconic events and shouldn’t be missed.
3. Comic-Con International
- Dates: July 25 – July 28, 2024
- Location: San Diego Convention Center, California
- Significance: A platform elevating comics and popular arts.
- 2024 highlights: Panels, celebrity meet-ups, and first looks at new releases.
Comic-Con International is the ultimate destination for pop culture fans. With exclusive previewing on July 24, this cult favorite will see the San Diego Convention Center morph into a vibrant festival background.
You can expect panels with star-studded celebrity appearances, exclusive film and TV sneak peeks, and encounters with comic legends. The packed exhibitor floor, rare collectibles, exclusive merchandise, and artist showcases appeal to collectors and creatives alike.
The festival brings about 135,000 die-hard fans, making it one of North America’s summer highlights.
5 costumes ideas to wear to Comic-Con International in 2024
Every year different costumes make it on the highlight list. On 2023’s “The Best of Cosplay” Barbie, Indiana Jones, and old favorites like Batman, Snow White, The Joker and Austin Powers made the list.
What to wear in 2024? The key is to be original but not too original (you want your costume be recognizable). How about Spider Man, Captain Kirk, Xena-Warrior Princess, or the Michael Douglas character from “Falling Down” (that’s an interesting one which might have people scratching their heads…).
4. Lollapalooza
- Dates: August 1 – August 4, 2024
- Location: Grant Park, Chicago, Illinois
- Lineup: Expect over 170 global acts across eight stages. Headliners include Megan Thee Stallion, SZA, Stray Kids, The Killers, and blink-182.
- Unique experiences: “Kidzapalooza” for younger attendees and “Chow Town” offering culinary delights to ensure that there’s something for everyone.
Lollapalooza in Chicago is always a great music spectacle. And it’s in the heart of Grant Park with the iconic skyline as a stunning backdrop. Starting at 11 a.m. and closing at 10 p.m. for four days straight, it’s a not-to-be-missed summer extravaganza for every music lover. You can enrich your music festival journey with 4-Day VIP and Platinum passes, which give you access to exclusive lounges and premium viewing spots.
5. Burning Man
- Dates: August 25 to September 2, 2024
- Location: Black Rock City, Nevada
- Cultural significance: Burning Man fosters principles of radical inclusion, gifting, and collective effort, nudging attendees towards active community contribution.
- Unique experiences: The event boasts awe-inspiring art, themed camps, and workshops, all promoting interactive participation.
It’s a bit hard to explain Burning Man. It’s partly art festival, partly desert rave, partly social experiment. Held in Nevada’s Black Rock Desert, is a unique festival that champions radical self-expression, communal living, and creativity. Scheduled for August 2024, this gathering turns a vast desert into a lively city of art, self-reliance, and idea-sharing.
This gathering will showcase an array of art installations, such as the revered “Temple,” where you can reflect on your personal journey. Burning Man’s ethos of human connection and artistic expression in a singular festival atmosphere offers an unforgettable transformation journey. Embrace this magical week, which concludes with the symbolic incineration of the “Man” effigy and marks the communal spirit.
3 Iconic Burning man locations for great photos
- The Man effigy: The festival’s symbolic nucleus, magnificent at sunset or during its final night blaze.
- Mutant vehicles: From dragons to pirate ships, these art cars are kinetic masterpieces perfect for dynamic shots.
- The Temple: A sanctuary for contemplation and renewal, capturing the spirit of the event, especially during its ceremonial burn.
And there’s more….
There are many more great summer festivals all over North America. Here are a few:
Bonnaroo, one of the smaller music festivals bringing in about 100,000 every year. But popular for hippie vibe and world-class line-up. June 13- 16 in Manchester, Tennessee.
Montreal’s Just for Laughs Festival is the largest comedy festival in the World. July 19 – 28 in Montreal.
Pitchfork Music Festival includes all kind of music including Alanis Morissette, Jamie xx, Black Pumas and Carly Rae Jepsen. July 19 – 21 in Chicago.
Afropunk Festival for all things hip-hop, rap, trap, and R&B. August 23 – 25 Brooklyn, NY.
The Toronto International Film Festival is one of the biggest film festivals in the world. September 5 – 15 in Toronto.
Summing up
The Summer of 2024 offers a spectacular array of festivals across North America, each with its unique charm and excitement. Whether you’re a music lover, a pop culture enthusiast, or someone seeking cultural experiences, these festivals promise unforgettable memories and enriching adventures. Pack your bags, mark your calendars, and get ready to capture striking festival photographs to commemorate your summer experience.
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