September 2025 Music Festivals in the US: Full Guide to Bourbon & Beyond, Riot Fest, Shaky Knees and More

As September rolls in, the US festival circuit hits a golden stride. The air cools just enough for comfort, the sunsets feel richer, and lineups across the country showcase the biggest artists alongside daring newcomers.

Summer’s energy lingers, but the vibe softens into something more intimate and immersive.

In 2025, the festival calendar is overflowing with bourbon-scented rock weekends, punk-fueled carnivals, and indie-packed park gatherings.

It doesn’t matter if you’re planning a cross-country run or just one perfect weekend, here’s a clear, detailed look at what’s waiting.

A Quick Look

1. Bourbon & Beyond

Golden-hour sun streaks across Kentucky bluegrass fields while the smell of barbecue rises from chef-run pop-ups. Bourbon & Beyond has built its reputation as the ultimate mash-up of America’s favorite spirit and its rawest sounds since 2019.

Organized by the same team behind Louder Than Life, the four-day event draws over 100,000 people annually and turns Louisville’s Highland Festival Grounds into a playground of music, food, and craftsmanship.

Dates, Location, and Access

• Dates: September 11 to 14, 2025
• Venue: Kentucky Exposition Center’s Highland Festival Grounds, Louisville
• Getting there: Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport sits only 10 minutes away. Shuttle services run from downtown hotels, and I-65 connects the site to major driving routes.
• Weather: Daytime highs hover in the low 70s Fahrenheit, dropping to the 50s after dark. Plan on layers for evening shows.

Lineup Highlights

The 2025 roster skews Americana, indie rock, and jam-band flair. Headliners include:

• Noah Kahan closing out the festival with folk-tinged anthems that have earned billions of streams.
• Sturgill Simpson (as Johnny Blue Skies) bringing cosmic country vibes.
• Phish delivering marathon psychedelic jams to thousands each day.

 

Daily highlights show off how curated the programming is:

• Thursday: The Lumineers’ foot-stomping folk-rock plus Benson Boone’s soaring pop-soul ballads.
• Friday: Phish’s genre-blending grooves alongside Khruangbin’s funky riffs.
• Saturday: Sturgill Simpson paired with Jack White’s blistering guitar runs.
• Sunday: Ringo Starr & His All-Starr Band alongside Goo Goo Dolls for a nostalgia-tinged finish.

Supporting acts add real depth. Alabama Shakes reunite for their gritty Southern soul; Cage the Elephant brings their Kentucky-bred indie edge; Pixies tap into ‘90s alt-grunge memories.

With four stages and more than 50 acts, you can wander between Waxahatchee’s introspection and Third Eye Blind’s singalong hooks without feeling like you’re missing out.

Tickets and Budgeting

 

• Four-day GA: Starts around $300 early, climbing to $485 with fees closer to showtime.
• VIP: Around $600 for perks like elevated viewing areas, private bars, and priority entry.
• Group deals: Four-packs for about $1,900.
• Single-day GA: About $150 per day.

Booking hotel packages through the official site can save up to 20 percent on nearby stays.

Beyond the Music

Bourbon & Beyond lives up to its name with over 40 bourbon brands pouring tastings. Expect everything from rare small-batch releases to cocktail demos led by master distillers.

Food stands number more than 25, including Nashville hot chicken, plant-based bowls, and rotating chef-led supper clubs. Daytime yoga sessions, artisan markets, shaded lounges, and misting stations make downtime pleasant.

Many regulars even create a mini photo book after the festival using customizable layouts and recycled paper to capture bourbon tastings, setlists, and new friends.

Bourbon & Beyond blends indulgence with intimacy, making it a memorable opener for your September festival lineup.

2. Riot Fest

If Bourbon & Beyond feels like a slow sip, Riot Fest is a jolt straight to the system. Celebrating its 20th anniversary in 2025, the festival has gone from gritty warehouse beginnings to a three-day punk paradise at Douglass Park, bringing about 45,000 people per day.

Known for its tongue-in-cheek marketing and reputation for surprise reunions, Riot Fest offers nostalgia, chaos, and a sense of community for fans across generations.

Dates, Location, and Logistics

• Dates: September 19 to 21, 2025
• Venue: Douglass Park, Chicago’s Humboldt Park neighborhood
• Getting there: Fly into O’Hare or Midway, both under 30 minutes by L train, or arrive via Amtrak for a greener option.
• Weather: Mid-60s with a chance of rain. Ponchos are smart packing.
• Parking: Limited. Consider rideshares or the fest’s bike valet with 5,000 spots.

Lineup Highlights

 

Riot Fest thrives on full-album performances, punk icons, and eclectic bookings. The 2025 bill includes:

• Green Day with pop-punk classics.
• Blink-182 returning with their irreverent humor.
• Weezer delivering geek-rock staples.

Daily breakdown:

• Friday: Jack White’s garage-blues shredding plus IDLES’ post-punk intensity.
• Saturday: Green Day’s headlining set with The Bouncing Souls and The Damned.
• Sunday: Blink-182 closing, plus Rilo Kiley’s indie revival and “Weird Al” Yankovic for a comedic twist.

Undercard surprises: Sex Pistols members collaborating with Frank Carter, Hanson offering bubblegum nostalgia, Rico Nasty spitting rapid-fire bars, and Bad Religion continuing their four-decade reign.

Past years have shown that reunion announcements can spike ticket sales by 20 percent overnight.

Tickets and Passes

 

• Three-day GA: Around $250.
• Single-day GA: About $100.
• VIP: Starting at $400 with lounge access and express lines.
• Aftershows: Local clubs host late-night gigs (separate $50–100 tickets).

Merch bundles can save about 15 percent if you grab them with your passes.

Beyond the Music

Riot Fest transforms Douglass Park into RiotLand, a carnival complete with Ferris wheels, arcade games, and skate ramps where pros like Tony Hawk have performed.

The infamous chapel has hosted over 50 weddings since 2014, making it a quirky festival tradition. Food trucks span deep-dish pizza to vegan tacos, fueling crowds between mosh pits.

Riot Fest is punk’s living, breathing time capsule. It’s where longtime fans relive the chaos and newcomers catch their first taste of unfiltered live energy.

3. Shaky Knees

Shaky Knees has carved out its niche as Atlanta’s indie-rock haven since 2013. Founded by Tim Sweetwood, the festival focuses on guitar-driven acts, offering a reprieve from the heavy EDM circuits. Piedmont Park’s skyline backdrop gives each set a postcard-worthy view.

Dates, Location, and Access

• Dates: September 19 to 21, 2025
• Venue: Piedmont Park, Atlanta
• Getting there: Hartsfield-Jackson Airport connects easily to MARTA. Many hotels sit along the BeltLine, offering pedestrian paths to the venue.
• Weather: 80s during the day, cooling to 65 in the evening. Humidity is a factor, so dress accordingly.

Lineup Highlights

 

The 2025 bill underscores Shaky Knees’ commitment to eclectic yet cohesive curation:

• Headliners: Deftones, My Chemical Romance, Blink-182, The Black Keys, Vampire Weekend.
• Friday: Lenny Kravitz’s funk-rock and Sublime’s reggae-punk blend.
• Saturday: Cage the Elephant and Alabama Shakes’ soulful return.
• Sunday: Public Enemy’s politically charged hip-hop and “Weird Al” Yankovic’s satire.

Supporting acts include IDLES, Pixies, and Franz Ferdinand. About 85 percent of past attendees praised the minimal set overlaps, making it easy to see almost every act you want.

Tickets and Options

• Three-day GA: Starting at $250.
• VIP: Around $500 with shaded decks and better sightlines.
• Aftershows: Terminal West and other Atlanta venues host intimate nightcaps ($40–80 tickets).

 

Beyond the Music

Piedmont Park’s urban charm pairs with skyline photo ops, merch villages, and free water stations. Food options lean Southern with BBQ trucks, veggie corn dogs, and local favorites.

Shaky Knees’ blend of indie authenticity and Southern hospitality gives September a different kind of charge – one that’s soulful, communal, and unpretentious.

More September 2025 Highlights

If you still have stamina after the big three, consider other standout events:

• iHeartRadio Music Festival (Las Vegas, Sept 20–21): T-Mobile Arena hosts pop titans like The Weeknd and Doja Cat, drawing 25,000 fans for mainstream hits.
• Lost Lands (Thornville, OH, Sept 19–21): An EDM bass wonderland headlined by Excision and Subtronics with about 30,000 ravers in a quarry setting.
• Big Blues Bender (Las Vegas, Sept 10–14): More than 100 blues acts across casino stages.
• FreshGrass (Massachusetts, Sept 19–21): A family-friendly bluegrass gathering with banjo battles and music workshops.

Budgeting and Logistics

If you’re plotting multiple weekends, consider:

• Travel Costs: Flights average $150–300 domestic, depending on route.
• Accommodation: Budget $150–200 per night for midrange hotels near venues.
• Food and Merch: Around $50–80 per day.
• Tickets: $250–500 per festival for GA passes.

A single festival weekend can run $500–1,000, including travel, tickets, and lodging. Booking early helps keep costs in check.

Wrapping Up

September 2025 offers an unbeatable mix of lineups, cities, and atmospheres. From sipping bourbon in Louisville to shouting choruses in Chicago and swaying to indie in Atlanta, each festival brings its own culture and rituals.

With a little planning and a touch of adventure, you can string together a month’s worth of music memories that’ll last well past autumn.

Whether you’re eyeing a single weekend or an all-out tour, the takeaway is simple: bring your enthusiasm, prep smartly, and let the music carry you. September’s stages are set — now it’s your turn to step in and make it unforgettable.