The Pitchfork Guide to 2021 Music Festivals

A regularly updated guide to upcoming music festivals happening across the globe.
Fans attending one of many music festivals returning in 2021
Graphic by Derek Abella, photo by Joseph Okpako/WireImage

After a year without live music, festivals are back, from Riot Fest and Lollapalooza, to Made in America and our very own Pitchfork Music Festival. Say hello again to tents, sunburns, and beer gardens, and get ready jostle past a few thousand strangers for a front-row look at Phoebe Bridgers or Nine Inch Nails. This year’s fests will of course be a little different from the ones you remember—at most events, COVID-19 protocols will be in effect, so be prepared to mask up and show proof of vaccination or a recent negative test. Here is a chronological list of the most exciting festivals to make a weekend out of. Don’t forget the sunscreen!


Austin City Limits

Austin, TX; October 1-3 & 8-10, 2021
Featuring: George Straight, Miley Cyrus, Tyler, the Creator, Duran Duran

Enjoy some vegan tacos while bopping to Doja Cat in Texas’ most laid-back city. Austin City Limits is carrying on at its usual Zilker Park location, with 100-plus acts—including Jack Harlow, Erykah Badu, and Bleachers—performing across eight stages. To enter, attendees must show proof of a COVID vaccination or a negative test obtained within 72 hours.


All Things Go

Columbus, MD; October 16, 2021
Featuring: HAIM, Charli XCX, Lauv, Tai Verdes

In 2006, a group of friends started a music blog and named it after a Sufjan Stevens lyric; their project has since blossomed into a outdoor music festival, which will take place this year at Maryland’s Merriweather Post Pavilion Center. At the top of the bill are HAIM, St. Vincent, and Charli XCX, and the festival seems to be catering to Gen Z tastes with acts like girl in red and Role Model and TikTok phenoms such as Tai Verdes and Blu DeTiger. COVID precautions will be determined based on guidance from local and state health department officials.


Outside Lands

San Francisco; October 29-31
Featuring: The Strokes, Lizzo, Vampire Weekend, Tame Impala, J Balvin

If you’re looking to spend your Halloweekend at San Francisco’s Golden Gate Park, then Outside Lands is where you’ll want to head. Festival goers can expect a one-of-a-kind experience as the 3-day event hosts 75-plus music artists alongside Grass Lands, “the first curated cannabis experience at a major American music festival.” (Attendees will be able to legally purchase cannabis from certified vendors.) COVID-19 protocols haven’t been finalized.

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Outside Lands 2021

Pitchfork Music Festival London

London, UK; November 10-14
Featuring: Stereolab, Remi Wolf, Black Midi, Moor Mother

While Pitchfork has been hosting music festivals in Chicago and Paris for years, it’s coming to London for the first time ever. Performances will take place over five days, in 12 venues across the city; tickets are available individually for each event. Watch a PC Music showcase one day, and see Tirzah, L’Rain, and Lucinda Chua another. The festival will be following all local COVID regulations.

Tickets are available here.


Pitchfork Music Festival Paris

Paris, France; November 15-21
Featuring: Nubya Garcia, Amaarae, Erika de Casier, KeiyaA

It’s Pitchfork Music Festival Paris’s tenth year, and this time it'll happen back to back with the inaugural Pitchfork Music Festival London, so if you’re feeling  ambitious, why not hit both? The festival will showcase 48 different artists across seven days; there will also be after shows featuring artists like Sofia Kourtesis and India Jordan.  The festival will follow all local COVID regulations.

Tickets are available here.