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Best Music Festivals for Country Fans

Many popular music festivals will not feature a single country song. But the best music festivals for country fans will help you get your fix of not only great music, but beautiful scenery, great company, and all the beer you can drink.

By Kelsey LangePublished 6 years ago 5 min read
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When it comes to lists of the top music festivals, electronic and rap music can tend to overpower country. Country fans may be discouraged by this, but they don't need to be.

Music festivals for country fans can be found all over the United States and are being constantly announced. Sign up for websites like Ticketmaster, StubHub, Vividseats, Ticketsnow, and Ticketbooth to get updates on your favorite country artists. Or if you have previously been to a music festival you enjoyed, subscribe to their email list to get updates on dates and line up announcements.

However, before purchasing your tickets make sure you that you are a lover of nature, beer, scenery, warm weather, and America. When stepping foot into any of the best music festivals for country fans, be prepared to dance, sing, drink, and make a few friends along the way.

Crash My Playa

Luke Bryan fans can spend up to four days enjoying country music on the Riviera Maya beaches of Mexico. You can expect performances from Luke Bryan's friends, Blake Shelton and Sam Hunt, while you are vacationing. 2016's year's biggest surprise came from Shelton's girlfriend, Gwen Stefani, where they performed their song "Footloose" together after shocking the audience with her reveal.

The best part besides the view? This music festival for country fans is held at an all-inclusive resort. The fourth annual Crash My Playa will take place on January 17 through 20, 2018, but purchase your tickets as soon as possible because this event sells out. The rest of the lineup has still yet to be announced.

CMA Music Festival

This is one the biggest music festivals for country fans in terms of artists and performances. In June 2017, Thomas Rett and Kelsea Ballerini hosted Nashville's "CMA Fest: The Music Event of the Summer." The event hosted a total of 24 artists, 28 performances, and 137 songs over four nights.

Each year the lineup is kept a secret to the public to allow the audience to be shocked by each cowboy boot that steps foot on the stage. The 2017 audience of 50,000 was most excited by Garth Brook's reveal where he sang hits "Ask Me How I Know" and "Friends in Low Places." Garth Brooks was ranked as number 10 in Rolling Stone's 100 Greatest Country Artists Of All Time. The Chevrolet Riverfront Stage, Chevrolet Park Stage, and the Gildan Broadway Stage has also held performances by Miranda Lambert, Dierks Bentley, and Jessie Chris.

Pepsi Gulf Coast Jam

Panama City, Florida hosts a Labor Day weekend event for both country music fans and beach lovers. Headliners in 2016 and 2017 have included Eric Church, Jason Aldean, and Darius Rucker. However, you are going to have to spend the entire weekend under the Florida sun (how sad) because tickets are only available for purchase in 3 day packages.

While you are spending three full days, might as well get the VIP package. This includes features like priority shuttle boarding, VIP pit areas for an increased view, and very glamorous VIP restroom access. The lineup for this country music festival will likely be announced in the spring.

Austin City Limits Music Festival

Though Austin City Limits is not solely a music festival for country fans, it has been named one of the best music festivals in the US. 450,000 attendees are brought together to enjoy music ranging from country to rap and rock to techno over a span of 6 days and two weekends. Previous year's country artists included stars like Maren Morris, Amanda Shires, and Asleep at the Wheel.

If you can't make it to Texas this year, Amazon offers an audio CD that features all of the the country music performed live. The CD is titled "The Best of Austin City Limits: Country Music's Finest Hour." Some tracks include "Texas" by Charlie Daniels, "What A Crying Shame" by The Mavericks, and "He Stopped Loving Her Today" by George Jones.

Stagecoach

Stagecoach is the country genre's version of Coachella with it's California campground location. At the end of April, enjoy huge headliners like Shania Twain, Kenny Chesny, Willie Nelson, and Jerry Lee Lewis for three full days.

There have been 11 Stagecoach festivals thus far, all hosted by the producers of Coachella in Indio, California. Garth Brooks has been announced to headline 2018's edition on April 27 through 29. The rest of the lineup is expected to be announced by the end of the fall.

Taste of Country

Hunter Mountain, New York hosts a three day music festival for country fans and camping experience on June 8-10, 2018. Taste of Country has already announced headliners including Eric Church, Florida Georgie Line, and Sam Hunt. The scenic view of Hunter Mountain allows fans to enjoy both nature and their favorite artists.

However, if camping isn't your thing, tickets are available with and without camping options. 2017's camping country experience hosted 53,000 fans. 2018's festival is expecting even more of a come out.

Faster Horses Festival

Faster Horses hosted their fifth music festival in 2017 with superstars like Dierks Bentley, Brett Eldredge, Lauren Alaina, and High Valley in Brooklyn, Michigan.

Join 45,000 other country music fans in your appreciation for America, beer, and the summer sun. Expect tickets to go on sale around February for the 2018 July show.

Watershed Music Festival

The Gorge Amphitheater in Gorge, Washington holds a three day, summer, country experience. Some stars to grace Gorge Theatre have been Tim McGraw, Carrie Underwood, and Brad Paisley.

Join 20,000 other country fans in one of the most scenic arenas. Though 2017's festival has already come and gone on August 25-27, keep a look out for the 7th annual line up announcement. This is one of the top music festivals for country fans in America you're not going to want to miss.

Beach Town

With Jake Owen and Bret Michaels headlining, this music festival for country fans allows you to get your fix for both country and pop-rock. Hosted in Jake Owen's own hometown, Vero Beach, he invites his own friends to join him on the stage. This even includes David Nail and Clare Dunn. 2016's festival was sadly canceled due to Hurricane Matthew, but these tickets can be used for the December 8-9 2017 shows.

The Outlaw Country Cruise

This experience might be much different from your typical music festival, but this country cruise will be one of the most unique concerts you will attend. You will board the same cruise ship as your favorite, outlaw, country artists for four days. Enjoy music, party, and indulge with Blackberry Smoke, The Mavericks, and Lucinda Williams.

2018 marks the Outlaw's third voyage and will take place on January 22 through 26, 2018.

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About the Creator

Kelsey Lange

Passionate about writing, animals, makeup, movies, friends, family, learning, exercising, and laughing!

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