SOUTHLAKE, Texas--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The weather’s getting warmer and it can only mean one thing – months full of fun, outdoor festivals to enjoy and celebrate music, food, drinks and more.
For the first time, Travelocity polled its employee travel experts to gauge what top-10 festivals made their can’t-miss list for travelers in North America.
“Travelocity employees are all travel experts, and, of course, travel enthusiasts who have been all over the world,” said Courtney Scott, senior editor for Travelocity. “Who better to poll for the best festivals this spring and summer than our own travel specialists?”
The list of top-10 festivals below are listed in order of date. For more information on festivals Travelocity employees love, and associated hotel deals, visit: Top Festivals.
1. Fiesta® - San Antonio, Texas (April 19 – 29): This 11-day family friendly festival is as rich in heritage as it is in events. Every year, this event gives back proceeds to benefit the San Antonio community, and this year marks the 121st Fiesta® in San Antonio with over 100 events including parades, competitions, food and events that honor veterans.
2. The World Championship Barbecue Cooking Contest - Memphis, Tenn. (May 17-19): As a part of the annual Memphis in May International Festival, Inc.℠ hundreds of barbecue aficionados gather to watch one of the largest barbecue contests worldwide as competition teams try their fate with the $110,000 prize. Guided tours to visit each competition team, barbecue tastings, concerts and a Ms. Piggie Idol contest are all a part of the fun.
3. Portland Rose Festival - Portland, Ore. (May 20 – June 17): Stop and smell the roses – literally – at this rose-filled soiree. In 2010, the Portland Rose Festival was named ‘Portland’s Official Festival’ and for more than 100 years, the festival has been a Portland tradition with its four parades and a three-weekend urban fair with entertainment, food and more.
4. Atlanta Jazz Festival - Atlanta, Ga. (May 26-28): Jazz lovers looking for something to do Memorial Day Weekend needn’t look any further. The infamous 30-something-year-old Atlanta Jazz Festival is free of cost for the public and puts harmonic music at the forefront as they invite jazz professionals from around the world to perform for attendees.
5. Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival - Manchester, Tenn. (June 7-10): More than 80,000 campers and 10 stages of music are what attract music fanatics to this Tennessee music festival spanned more than 700 acres. In addition, guests can enjoy an air-conditioned movie theatre, comedy theatre, arts and even a kids-friendly area.
6. Food & Wine Classic in Aspen - Aspen, Colo. (June 15-17): This year marks the 30-year milestone for the legendary Food & Wine Classic in Aspen event filled with good wine, good food and, of course, good times. Foodies and wine enthusiasts alike will get to enjoy more events than ever this year including a concert, charity 5K and fireworks show in celebration of the 30th event, not to mention the usual famous chefs, tastings and expert panels.
7. Summerfest - Milwaukee, Wis. (June 27-July 1; July 3-8):“The World’s Largest Music Festival” charges into its 45th year with more than 700 bands over the 11-day period of the event. Picturesque Lake Michigan sets the scene for this music spectacular including concerts from headliners, up and comers and even local Milwaukee talent.
8. Montreal International Jazz Festival - Montreal, Quebec, Canada (June 28-July 7): Past attendees have described the Montreal International Jazz Festival as one of the main reasons to visit Montreal and that there’s nothing else quite like it. As the world’s largest jazz festival according to the Guinness Book of World Records, this festival is definitely a sight to see with guests from 30 countries, 3,000 entertainers and 1,000 concerts and activities.
9. Calgary Stampede - Calgary, Alberta, Canada (July 6 – 15): Every year, guests near and far flock to this annual event celebrating Alberta and its western heritage. This year marks the Centennial Calgary Stampede and in addition to its yearly 10-day rodeo, agriculture, parade, music events and more – the Centennial Calgary Stampede will be adorned in 100th anniversary cakes, have nightly celebration fireworks, merchandise and musical icons such as Garth Brooks, Paul Brandt and The Young Canadians.
10. Taste of Chicago - Chicago, Ill. (July 11-15): For a taste of “The Windy City,” travelers can partake in Chicago’s largest yearly event filled with great-tasting food and more than 3 million guests. The five-day food extravaganza includes live music, entertainment and a “Humana Race to Taste” run for all adults and “Fleet Feet Sports Kids’ Dash” for the kiddos.
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