The Best Country Music Festivals
Tractors, beer, and cowboy hats. Check out the best country festivals here.
Last updated: 29th Apr 2024
Originally published: 25th May 2023
Yeehaw! Country music has seen a rapid rise in Britain, with streams shooting up almost 50% over 2021-22, and as of last year country music is officially the fastest-growing genre in the country.
As a result, we are sure Country festivals will be all the rage. While there are more country music festivals popping up in the UK, there are some classic and established festivals across the pond (where Country started) that are worth visiting if you have the funds and fervour.
If you’re one of those who can’t get enough of immersive storytelling, acoustic guitars, and the occasional mentions of tractors, whiskey, and beer, we’re here to help you out.
Instead of spending hours and hours researching the best country festivals, we put them all here, to make choosing that bit easier. Check them out below with some in the UK, Canada, and Australia, and, as you’d imagine, loads in America!
When: Friday 19th - Sunday 21st July 2024
Where: Whitebottom Farm in Stockport
2024 lineup: B*Witched, Nathan Carter, The Tumbling Paddies, All Folk'd Up, Johnny Brady, Honkyyonk Roadshow, Matt & Donal, and more
A little different to the rest on this list, Craic by the Creek is more focused on traditional and contemporary Irish country and folk music than American country. Here, they’ve got plenty of Irish country and folk artists with acoustic, world music, indie pop, cover bands, and more.
Going down the weekend after St Patrick's Day, it’s probably the best festival to join in with the celebrations. Expect a huge variety of food, drink, music, camping facilities, and an unbeatable atmosphere. Over in Stockport, using public transport from Manchester, you’ll get there in a little over an hour.
Find tickets and more information on Craic by the Creek Festival - HERE
Stagecoach
When: Friday 26th April - Sunday 28th April 2024
Where: Empire Polo Club in Indio, California
2024 lineup: Eric Church, Miranda Lambert, Morgan Wallen, Post Malone, Willie Nelson, Leon Bridges, Jerry Roll, Elle King, Hardy, Bailey Zimmerman, and more
One of the world’s biggest country music festivals, Stagecoach celebrates country, folk, bluegrass, rockabilly and fusion genres.
Regularly attracting the biggest country artists to its stages, the fest also boasts country culture with barbecued treats, line dancing, and cowboys. They get a big DJ on the decks (this year’s was Diplo) to keep the party going strong until late, and there’s loads more to check out.
The lineup is massive, and one of the absolute biggest on the whole planet when it comes to Country music. Head over the their website and book those tickets and flights, it'll be one of the best experiences you can have as a country music fan.
CMA Music Festival
When: Thursday 6th - Sunday 9th June 2024
Where: Music City Center in Nashville, Tennessee, America
2024 lineup: Kelsea Ballerini, Brothers Osborne, Luke Bryan, Hardy, Jordan Davis, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Bailey Zimmerman, Lainey Wilson, Keith Urban, and many many more
CMA is the longest-running country music festival in the world and is found in the genre's spiritual home of Nashville Tennesee. Having last year celebrated 50 years, if you’re keen to attend a festival steeped in Country Heritage, then CMS is the place to be.
Always welcoming some of the biggest names from the genre - with this year seeing the likes of Kelsea Ballerini, Brothers Osborne, Luke Bryan, Hardy, Jordan Davis, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Bailey Zimmerman, Lainey Wilson, Keith Urban, and many many more play - CMA has countless fans and plenty of other activities to get stuck into. For example, tickets for the fest also grant entry to Fan Fair X, where you can find acoustic performances, interviews, games, merch, shops and more.
It's arguably THE country festival on the planet, and you can guarantee it'll be massive. So head over to their website and secure your spot!
Country Thunder Music Festivals
When: 3 day Festivals, all taking place at different times and places throughout the year
Where: The US - Arizona, Wisconsin, Tennessee, Florida / Canada - Alberta and Saskatchewan
2024 lineups: Luke Combs, Lainey Wilson, Nickleback, Koe Wetzel, Jelly Roll, Eric Church, and more - lineup dependent on location
This country music festival travels across North America and Canada to spread the love as far as possible.
Operating since 1996 before expanding into different states and provinces, it's known for catering to many country fans with the hottest artists, legends from the past, and the next big names.
It's a travelling country extravaganza, that always attracts humongous crowds wherever it stops. Plan your trip around one of them (We recommended Saskatchewan this year as it has BOTH Luke Combs and Nickleback) and you are sure to have an incredible experience of all things Country.
When: Friday 25th - Sunday 27th August 2023 (bank holiday weekend)
Where: Stanford Hall in Leicestershire
2024 lineup: Russell Dickerson, American Aquarium, Brittany Spener, Chape Hart, Colbie Caillat, Randall King, Red Clay Strays, Wyatt Flores, and many more
This family-friendly festival is now in its fourth year and just keeps getting bigger. And in 2024, it's doing just that. With a lineup that features ussell Dickerson, American Aquarium, Brittany Spener, Chape Hart, Colbie Caillat, Randall King, Red Clay Strays, Wyatt Flores, and so many more play at the Festival; we're sure it'll be surpassing last year.
Alongside all these incredible country, Americana and roots artists across five stages, there's a classic car show, dance classes, a kid's area, wellbeing workshops, tractor racing, and so much more to explore. Perfectly blending modern activities with those classic country vibes, The Long Road is definitely one of the best country festivals in the UK.
Find more information on The Long Road Festival 2024 - HERE
Black Deer Festival of Americana
When: Friday 16th - Sunday 18th June 2024
Where: Eridge Park in Kent
2024 lineup: Sheryl Crow, Seasick Steve, Hermanos Gutierrez, The Shires, Courtney Barnett, The Staves, and so many more
Another one with more than music in its offering, Black Deer celebrates the best in Americana counter-culture including huge, custom-built motorbikes and BBQ dishes. The whole festival pays homage to the culture.
A family-friendly bash, there are plenty of activities for the littluns to check out, like zip wires, tree climbing, tie-dying, music and circus workshops, and more.
Find more information on the Black Deer Festival of Americana 2024 - HERE
When: Friday 30th June - Sunday 2nd July
Where: Easton Farm Park in Suffolk
2024 lineup: Over the Moon, Tara MacLean, The Sadies, Todd Day Wait, Catherine MacLellan, Ben De La Cour, Angel Snow, Diana Jones, and many more
Priding itself as the UK's first Americana festival with roots music from all over, Maverick was born in 2008 and has a home among restored Victorian barns and out-buildings in the Suffolk countryside.
Maverick showcases music, comedy, film, dance, and workshops featuring over fifty artists across six indoor and outdoor stages. The team has ensured there are lots of foods available including vegetarian options, Greek street food, award-winning local deserts, Suffolk cider and ale, nachos, and more.
Just over two and a half hour drive from London, it’s accessible for many and allows attendees to step into the peaceful countryside to enjoy their favourite music.
Find more information on Maverick Festival 2024 - HERE
Tamworth Country Music Festival
When: Friday 17th - Sunday 26th January 2024
Where: Tamworth, Australia
2024 lineup: Drew Blundell, Imogen Hall, Cody Walker, Col Finley, Floreena Forbes OAM, and so much more
Tamworth has been and gone in 2024, already but they’ve already set a date for 2025. As it’s too early for a 2025 lineup reveal, we’ve included this year's lineup above to get an idea of who might play next year.
One of Australia’s best country festivals, Tamworth brings the biggest Aussie country names and has over 120 venues getting involved in the festival for a huge pub crawl, family zones and activities, parties, and obviously live music. Going strong for over 30 years now, Tamworth is Australia’s biggest country fest and is a vital part of the genre's history over there.
Read about more Australian music festivals here
C2C: Country to Country
When: Friday 8th - Sunday 10th March 2024
2024 lineup: Kane Brown, Brad Paisley, Old Dominion, Carly Pearce, Jake Owen, Brothers Osbourne, and more
CTC is Europe’s biggest country music festival, attracting huge names and emerging talents from the UK, Europe, and Nashville. Stopping off at the O2 in London for three days straight, across a multitude of stages, this is THE place in the UK to see Country music.
With huge headline artists on the arena stage like Kane Brown, Brad Paisley, Old Dominion, Carly Pearce, Jake Owen, and Brothers Osbourne, the fest also has smaller stages outside the venue for rising stars. Secure your spot now, and experience some classic country vibes without taking a trip across the pond.
Cavendish Beach Music Festival
When: Thursday 5th - Saturday 7th July 2024
Where: Cavendish, Prince Edward Island in Canada
2024 lineup: Brothers Osbourne, Tyler Childers, Zac Brown Band, and more
CBMF, or Cavy to the fest’s fans, attracts over 60,000 country music lovers to its home by the beach in the Prince Edward Island National Park. In front of the Gulf of St. Lawrence, the natural beach hosts Atlantic Canada’s largest outdoor music event with live BBQ cooking with chefs, beer, and sunshine.
Plus, the lineup is STACKED with Country stars, and whilst only the headliners have been announced so far, it's some three... Head to their website to find more information and tickets!
Crash My Playa
Photo: Crash My Playa / Facebook.com
When: TBA for 2025
Where: Moon Palace in Cancun, Mexico
2024 lineup: Luke Bryan, Dierks Bently, Eddie Montgomery, Jelly Roll, Jon Pardi, Bailey Zimmerman, and so many more
Luke Bryan's Crash My Playa takes place in a stunning Mexican resort with pool parties, a beach stage, and late-night music. Whilst the 2024 edition has been and gone, we've included the lineup for it so you can see the likes of who play, and so you can keep an eye on this one for 2025 if you fancy country music in the sun!
This four-night, all-inclusive festival/holiday picks you up from the airport. From there, you can enjoy beaches, pools, and explore the stunning oceanfront resort. Complimentary bevs, performance art, interactive art installations, staff to help you out, food, and your favourite country artists. It doesn't get much better than this.
Carolina Country Music Fest
When: Thursday 6th - Sunday 9th June 2024
Where: Myrtle Beach, South Carolina in America
2024 lineup: Morgan Wallen, Carrie Underwood, Parker McCollum, Old Dominion, and so many more
Growing every year, in 2022, CCMF attracted 35,000 country fans to its 18-acre coastal fest. CCMF has five stages of music, a zip line (get up there for some amazing pictures and videos!), classic Southern food, and more. Plus, the reason we all actually go; CCMF brings 40+ of Country's Hottest Artists to the shores of Myrtle Beach.
So yes, this is a country festival close to the ocean! If you’re heading here, don’t be fooled into thinking it’ll be hot as hell - it might actually be a bit on the breezy side. Head over to their website for more information and how to get tickets!
Tortuga Music Festival
When: Friday 5th - Sunday 7th April 2024
Where: Fort Lauderdale Beach in Florida, America
2024 lineup: Lainey Wilson, Hardy, Jason Aldean, Bailey Zimmerman, Old Dominion, Ashley McBryde, Turnpike Troubadours, Koe Wetzel, and so so so much more
Celebrating country, rock, and roots, Tortuga might just have the prettiest setting of all American country festivals. On the beach with palm trees, boats in the sea, and sand beneath your feet, the festival aims to raise awareness about the issues our oceans face whisl;t bringing you a lineup of all the biggest country stars on the planet.
Organised by Rock the Ocean, the fests fans have already donated over $1,000,000 from ticket sales. HEad to their website to grab tickets, donate, and find out more!
Click or tap here for the best beach festivals
With country music on the rise, now is a fantastic time to check out some of these festivals. The scene is thriving and growing by the minute, and the festivals dedicated to the genre have plenty of activities surrounding the culture. So stick on your cowboy hat, pick up a cold one, and get out into a field and sing until you lose your voice!
Search Skiddle now to find more festivals in the UK or abroad. Or click or tap here for some inspiration.
Check out our What's On Guide to discover even more rowdy raves and sweaty gigs taking place over the coming weeks and months. For festivals, lifestyle events and more, head on over to our Things To Do page or be inspired by the event selections on our Inspire Me page.
Header: CMA Country Music Association / Facebook.com