Popular music festivals

Travel

A roundup of some of America's most popular music festivals.

Music Midtown is making a triumphant return in 2011 after its original run from 1994-2005. Music Midtown 2011 will take place in Piedmont Park on Sept. 24, 2011. The festival had to endure venue changes and severe weather over the years, which led to the festival going on hiatus in 2006.

The Bonnaroo festival draws 80,000 people to a farm in rural Manchester, Tenn. each June. The festival started in 2002 and initially was more jam-band focused, but now has diversified its music offerings.

The New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival, referred to as the "Jazz Fest" by regulars, is in its 40th year of entertaining crowds. Seen here is the late Wilson Pickett, performing in 2001 at the festival.

Lollapalooza was founded in 1991 by Jane's Addiction frontman Perry Farrell. It was designed to be a festival of music, arts and political and social causes, a sort of modern-day Woodstock. The festival went on hiatus in 1997, then was revived. It's current home is in Chicago's Grant Park.

Coachella Valley Music & Arts Festival in Indio, Calif. is a popular annual music event. With its desert setting, scorching heat is often a factor, but those attending the festival don't seem to mind.

The original Woodstock that took place in 1969 in upstate N.Y. is one of history's best know musical festivals. It is often seen as one of the symbolic events of the hippie era, and featured musical greats like Santana, the Grateful Dead, The Who and Jefferson Airplane. In 1999, to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the event, a modern-day version of Woodstock was held, but unfortunately, the 1999 festival was marred by violence.

Billed as the "world's largest music festival," Summerfest in Milwaukee features 11 days of entertainment along a lakefront location. In addition to music, there's comedy acts and a popular fireworks show.

The Newport Jazz Festival held in Newport, R.I. is one of the most historic and beloved music festivals in the U.S. It started in 1954, and over the years, jazz legends such as Billie Holiday, Miles Davis, Ella Fitzgerald, Carmen McRae and John Coltrane have performed at the festival.

The Jacksonville Jazz Festival is an annual music and cultural event that takes place in Jacksonville, Fla. in April. Art exhibits, music competitions and a wine tasting are all part of the fun.

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Music Midtown is making a triumphant return in 2011 after its original run from 1994-2005. Music Midtown 2011 will take place in Piedmont Park on Sept. 24, 2011. The festival had to endure venue changes and severe weather over the years, which led to the festival going on hiatus in 2006.

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