We here at Wanderu are on a mission to help you have a good time, so we discovered the best festivals of 2018 that you should definitely attend in 2019. Whether you want to rock out, see new movies, appreciate artistic expression or eat and drink all the things, we’ve got the perfect festival for you!
Music Festivals
Hangout Music Festival
Where: Gulf Shores, AL
When: May 16-19, 2019
Website: www.hangoutmusicfest.com
Taking place on the gulf shores of Alabama, Hangout Music Festival is everything you can hope for and expect from a summer fest held in a beach resort – shirtless guys, bikini-clad girls, bottomless margaritas and three days of non-stop partying. The best part is that all of that doesn’t happen to the sound of some random bands and performers that you’ve never heard of before. In fact, for seven years in a row, Hangout Music Festival has been delivering quite the impressive lineup.
In 2018, the fest was headlined by none others but Zedd, Blackbear and The Killers with additional performances by Halsey, the Chainsmokers and Logic. The 2019 edition is shaping up to be even more exciting as the lineup includes some of this year’s biggest hitmakers like Travis Scott, Khalid, Vampire Weekend and Cardi B. And that’s not all! If you head over to Hangout Music Festival in May, you’ll also get to experience live performances by Lenny Kravitz, Haim, Flume, Panic! At The Disco and The Chainsmokers, among many other awesome acts. Check out the complete lineup here.
Now, excuse us while we book our trip to Gulf Shores, AL!
How to get there: Take a bus to Mobile, AL and then either rent a car to get to Gulf Shores, AL or take advantage of the festival’s social media presence to find other people who are going and possibly hitch a ride with them.
Chiku Tip: If you have extra cash to spend, make sure to check out the VIP and Super VIP ticket options. Yes, they are quite pricey but you get to enjoy the fest from the stage-side pool or one of the VIP-only hot tubs (yes, please!). You’ll also get an open bar and food included in the price. Good tunes, beautiful people, sun, booze and food around the clock – what more can one ask for?!
New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival
Where: New Orleans, LA
When: April 25 – May 5, 2019
Website: www.nojazzfest.com
Jazz music may not be everyone’s cup of tea but this 10-day festival is such a captivating experience that it has the power to turn even the most hardcore heavy metal fans into jazz enthusiasts. We speak from experience here!
Appropriately taking place in the very birthplace of jazz music, the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival boasts more than ten stages and tents offering various performances or special interviews and intriguing panel discussions all throughout the day for the entire duration of the fest.
What makes this a truly unique must-visit festival, though, is the fact that it’s not all about the music. There are also designated marketplaces and stages for crafts and food. How awesome is that! So, aside from enjoying performances from world-renowned musicians, you can also find unique art pieces, jewelry, pine needles baskets, hand-colored photographs and what-not brought to you directly by the artist or designer. On the food side, various chefs and cooks eagerly demonstrate Louisiana’s culinary traditions, providing for the ultimate wholesome southern experience. Umm, sign us up!
The 2019 lineup includes some amazing artists and bands such as the Rolling Stones, Dave Matthews Band, Katy Perry, Logic and many more. With such a large lineup of artists over the course of eight days, we believe it’s safe to say that this festival is a good time, guaranteed.
How to get there: Take one of many buses and train that travel to New Orleans, LA on a daily basis.
Chiku Tip: Take advantage of the Jazz Fest Express – the shuttle bus service provided by the organizers that goes back and forth between downtown NOLA and the festival village, making it easy for everyone to get to all the fun and back safe and sound.
Bayou Country Superfest
Where: Baton Rouge, LA
When: May 25th & 26th, 2019
Website: www.bayoucountrysuperfest.com
We haven’t forgotten about you, country music fans! With an exciting lineup and the opportunity to park your RV right outside LSU Tiger Stadium where all the performances take place, Bayou Country Superfest combines two of America’s biggest passions – country music and tailgating! In 2019, the two-day event kicks off on Memorial Day Weekend and will come out with the lineup soon!
Half of the fun, though, comes from hanging out at the Fan Fest that takes place outside the stadium and features a variety of fun activities involving giveaways and free booze, including a special Bud Light Stage with additional music performances. There’s also a so-called Artist Meet & Greet area where attendees can meet the performers from the fest. So, don’t hesitate but clean that front-facing camera and head over to Baton Rouge for a selfie session with your favorite country singers!
How to get there: Hop on a bus or train to Baton Rouge, LA. Once you’re there, take a cab or a ride-share service to LSU Tiger Stadium.
Chiku Tip: Local radio stations will be broadcasting live from the Fan Fest area holding ongoing contests and giveaways, so make sure you find their location and test your luck to win one of the many awesome prizes they will be offering.
Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival
Where: Manchester, TN
When: Jun 13-16, 2019
Website: www.bonnaroo.com
If SXSW and Burning Man had a baby, its name would be Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival. The four-day event is an eclectic and extremely fun combination of music concerts, movie screenings with guest speaker panels, art installations, comedy shows, random costume parties, and tent camping all wrapped in one big happy Farm (that’s what the festival grounds are called).
There are also various athletic activities taking place like the Dancercise (a hybrid dance-fitness workout routine), Yoga-Roo (a diverse program of yoga classes), and the annual Roo Run (a 5k race across the festival grounds & costume party). Oh, and you can also find stages and tents dedicated specifically to educating people about preserving the environment and leading a nature-conscious and sustainable life.
So, in other words, Bonnaroo has a little bit of something for everybody which means you should definitely give it a shot. You will not be disappointed, that’s for sure!
How to get there: We recommend taking a bus or train to Nashville, TN and then taking advantage of the festival’s Shuttle Pass that will get you from Nashville right to The Farm.
Chiku Tip: As this fest involves hanging out under the sizzling summer Tennessee sun, make sure to stock up on water and sunscreen to avoid developing bad associations with the otherwise awesome fest.
Art Festivals
ArtPrize
Need a pick-me-up while viewing the museum’s wonderful art work? You’re in luck because the MFA has a few great places to satisfy your appetite. If you’re in need of coffee, go to the Taste Café and Wine Bar, there you can get anything from espresso to wine, as well as a salad or sandwich. The Garden Cafeteria is another food option, where you can get everything from salad to chicken nuggets. However, if you’d rather have a nice sit-down meal to relax for a while, try the New American Café or Bravo, the two more upscale eateries at the MFA.
Need a pick-me-up while viewing the museum’s wonderful art work? You’re in luck because the MFA has a few great places to satisfy your appetite. If you’re in need of coffee, go to the Taste Café and Wine Bar, there you can get anything from espresso to wine, as well as a salad or sandwich. The Garden Cafeteria is another food option, where you can get everything from salad to chicken nuggets. However, if you’d rather have a nice sit-down meal to relax for a while, try the New American Café or Bravo, the two more upscale eateries at the MFA.
The Penny and Jeff Vink Gallery
Found in the Art of Americas wing, this wine-colored gallery will bring out your inner wonder. It holds grand sculptures, beautifully painted portraits of waterfalls, and other landscapes that will make you feel as if you’re there. When you look at some of the paintings, it’s like a dreamy summer’s day. Artists such as William Forest Hunt and William Lamb Picknell are featured in the gallery.
Pablo Picasso
Pablo Picasso is one of the most well-known painters of the art world, and normally his paintings and other art pieces are shared in a smaller exhibition room. But from February-June 2016, the special exhibition “Visiting Masterpieces: Pairing Picasso.” will showcase some of the MFA’s own works alongside other pieces on loan to highlight the range and themes of Picasso’s work.
“Picture Gallery with Modern Views of Rome”
Out of the many beautiful paintings in the Arts of Europe wing, the Picture Gallery with Modern Views of Rome has to be one of the most fascinating to look at. This huge painting is basically the “Inception” of paintings. If you look at it closely enough (without tripping the sensor alarm, of course!) you can see delicately painted scenes of Rome.
The Japanese Garden
Although not accessible during the winter, in the spring, the Japanese garden Tenshin-en(Garden of the Heart of Heaven) is a beautiful oasis away from the hustle and bustle of the city. You can take a walk around the small, peaceful garden and let all your care float away.
The Price
Though the MFA charges an admission fee of $25 for non-members, it is free for students from many participating colleges in Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Maine with a student ID.
The MFA is a fun place to go with friends, family and even by yourself (I know it might be scary, but take yourself on a date, you deserve it!). So delight your artsy soul by taking a lovely trip to the MFA, and discover something new!
Nestled near Northeastern University and Wentworth University, the MFA is just a hop, skip and a jump off of the Museum of Fine Arts stop off the Green E line, which you can catch at Park Street station.
You can book a ticket to Boston from New York City, Philadelphia, Portland, ME and many other places around the Northeast and beyond!
About the author: Haleigh Santilli is a sophomore commuter college student from Lasell College, with a passion for anything artsy and delicious. She loves old movies and, shamelessly, the Jonas Brothers. She longs to travel around the world and write a children’s book.
