From music to food, these are the best festivals across the nation
Top events to attend
Millions of people attend at least one festival in the U.S. per year — and those numbers are on the rise. With so many events to choose from (and ticket prices in the hundreds, if not thousands of dollars for some festivals), it can be difficult to decide where to spend your time and money.
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That's why USA TODAY 10Best teamed up with a panel of festival experts to nominate the top events across seven categories. Then, we asked readers to cast their votes to decide the winners, and the results are in.
Click on each category below to see the full winners list:
Best Art Festival: Orange Beach Festival of Art in Orange Beach, Alabama
Head to the Gulf Coast for the Orange Beach Festival of Art — Photo courtesy of Courtland Richards
For over 50 years, Orange Beach Festival of Art has celebrated the artistic talent within Alabama's Gulf Coast with an impressive showcase of fine art, crafts, and performances. Featuring both local and regional artists, this waterfront festival highlights diverse media, including painting, pottery, glasswork, and woodcraft.
Attendees can enjoy live music, interactive demonstrations, and even a culinary arts section, blending creativity with coastal flavors. The festival also offers family-friendly activities, making it a perfect outing for all ages.
Full list of winners: Best Art Festival »
Best City Food Festival: Queens Night Market in Queens, New York
Enjoy global flavors at Queens Night Market — Photo courtesy of Queens Night Market
New Yorkers know that the borough of Queens is culinary catnip, a smorgasbord of global goodies that makes a ride on the subway an ambrosial proposal. The weekly, seasonal Queens Night Market is modeled after the popular open-air night markets of Asia, offering street food that showcases the ethnic and cultural diversity of the borough — all at wallet-friendly prices.
Full list of winners: Best City Food Festival »
Best Cultural Festival: Dublin Irish Festival in Dublin, Ohio
You don't even have to leave the country to attend the Dublin Irish Festival — Photo courtesy of Robb McCormick Photography/ City of Dublin
Dublin, Ohio, hosts the popular Dublin Irish Festival each summer. This love letter to all things Irish includes Irish dance performances, Celtic music, a Wee Folk play area for children, and traditional Irish food and drinks. Visitors can delve into the richness of Gaelic culture with literary presentations, hands-on workshops, and athletic demonstrations.
Full list of winners: Best Cultural Festival »
Best Film Festival: Cinema Columbus Film Festival in Columbus, Ohio
Experience a diverse range of genres at the Cinema Columbus Film Festival — Photo courtesy of Mitchell Multimedia
With a mission to inspire and connect audiences through the power of cinema, the Cinema Columbus Film Festival collaborates with venues throughout central Ohio to showcase a curated selection of independent films from around the world.
Spanning multiple genres including drama, comedy, documentary, and experimental works, the festival highlights the diversity and creativity of contemporary filmmaking. Attendees can immerse themselves in engaging screenings, thought-provoking panel discussions, and Q&A sessions.
Full list of winners: Best Film Festival »
Best Flower Festival: Daffodil Festival at Gibbs Gardens in Ball Ground, Georgia
See millions of flowers in bloom at the Daffodil Festival at Gibbs Gardens — Photo courtesy of Gibbs Gardens
Spring begins at Gibbs Gardens as 20-plus million daffodil blooms adorn 50 acres of valleys, hillsides, and fields across its 376 acres. Named one of 'The World's 10 Best Places to See Daffodils" by Flower Magazine, Gibbs Gardens offers more than 60 daffodil varieties for six weeks of blooms in shades of yellow, orange, white, peach, and deep gold. The huge number of daffodils is enhanced by intricate planting designs, vibrant color contrasts, easy walking paths, and dramatic mountain vistas.
Full list of winners: Best Flower Festival »
Best Music Festival: Mile 0 Fest in Key West, Florida
Take in the good vibes at the Mile 0 Fest — Photo courtesy of Mile 0 Fest
Featuring a stellar lineup and laid-back vibes, Mile 0 Fest is a premier destination music festival in Key West, Florida, featuring the best of red dirt and Americana music. Over five days, attendees can enjoy their favorite artists in a variety of unique venues. Depending on ticket package, guests can also participate in exclusive artist meet-and-greets, go fishing, or kick back at a pool party or cruise.
Full list of winners: Best Music Festival »
Best Specialty Food Festival: Picklesburgh in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Get yourself into the best kind of pickle at Picklesburgh — Photo courtesy of Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership
Picklesburgh bills itself as "the destination for all things pickled." For one weekend each July, downtown Pittsburgh transforms into Picklesburgh, complete with a giant flying Heinz pickle balloon. Attendees can expect an assortment of foods and cocktails that feature pickled ingredients, as well as a pickle juice drinking contest, live entertainment, pickle merchandise, and a "Li'l Gherkins" play area for the kids.
Full list of winners: Best Specialty Food Festival »
Congratulations to all these winners! Remember to visit 10best.usatoday.com to vote in more Readers' Choice Awards.
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