Road trip-worthy music festivals in 2023: Bonnaroo, Lollapalooza, Wonderbus, more

It's almost summer, which means it's almost time for summer music festivals. Here's everything you need to know about the best festivals within a respectable driving distance of Cincinnati this summer. We'll look at the whens and wheres, but also some not-to-miss hidden acts, how long the drive would be and the best day to aim for.

Bonnaroo (Manchester, Tennessee)

• When: June 15-18

• Where: Manchester, Tennessee

• Headliners: Kendrick Lamar, Odesza, Lil Nas X, Rainbow Kitten Surprise

• Tickets: $175 1-Day GA and $340 4-Day GA

• Distance from Cincinnati: 5 hours, 30 minutes

• Non-headliners not-to-miss: 070 Shake, Fleet Foxes, Sylvan Esso, Alex G, Sampa the Great, Remi Wolf, Thee Sacred Souls, Girl in Red, Peach Pit, Men I Trust, Sammy Rae & the Friends

• Recommended day: Friday, June 16.

WonderRoad (Indianapolis, Indiana)

• When: June 17-18

• Where: Garfield Park, Indianapolis, Indiana

• Headliners: Weezer, Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit

• Tickets: $49 (Father's Day discount) - $99 1-Day GA; $85 (Fathers) - $175 2-Day GA

• Distance from Cincinnati: 2 hours

• Don't miss: Local Natives, X Ambassadors

• Recommended day: Saturday, June 17

Summer Smash Festival (Chicago, Illinois)

• When: June 23-25

• Where: Chicago, Illinois

• Headliners: Kid Cudi, Future with Lil Uzi Vert, Playboi Carti

• Tickets: $99 1-Day GA, $299 3-Day GA

• Distance from Cincinnati: 4 hours, 30 minutes

• Don't miss: Vince Staples, Ice Spice, Freddie Gibbs, Ski Mask the Slump God, Tee Grizzley, Famous Dex, Rico Nasty, Central Cee

• Recommended day: Friday, June 23

Summerfest (Milwaukee, Wisconsin, "World's Largest Music Festival")

• When: June 22-25, June 29-July 1, July 6-8

• Where: Milwaukee, Wisconsin

• Headliners: June 22-25: Eric Church, Elle King, Zac Brown Band; June 29-July 1: Dave Matthews, Odesza, A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie; July 6-8: Jimmy Buffet, Zach Bryan, Imagine Dragons

• Tickets: $60 and up for multi-day passes

• Distance from Cincinnati: 6 hours, roughly

• Don't miss: The Avett Brothers, Dear Tick, Bleachers, Yungblud, Cheap Trick, Declan McKenna, Cautious Clay

• Recommended weekend: June 22-25

Wonderstruck (Cleveland, Ohio)

• When: July 8-9

• Where: 7700 Clocktower Drive, Kirtland, Ohio

• Headliners: Walker Hayes, Khalid

• Tickets: $99 1-Day GA, $175 2-Day GA

• Distance from Cincinnati: 4 hours

• Don't miss: Flo Rida, Tai Verdes

• Recommended day: Friday, July 9

Cincinnati Music Festival (Cincinnati, Ohio)

• When: July 20-22

• Where: Paycor Stadium, Cincinnati, Ohio

• Headliners: Al Green, Snoop Dogg

• Tickets: $60-$175 per seat

• Distance from Cincinnati: 0 hours, 0 minutes

Nelsonville Music Festival (Nelsonville, Ohio)

• When: July 21-23

• Where: 52 Public Square, Nelsonville, Ohio

• Headliners: Big Thief, Alex G, Kurt Vile and the Violators

• Tickets: $100 1-Day GA, $169 3-Day Adult GA; $85 3-Day Teen GA

• Distance from Cincinnati: 2 hours, 30 minutes

• Recommended day: Sunday, July 23

Pitchfork Music Festival (Chicago, Illinois)

• When: July 21-23

• Where: Union Park, Chicago, Ilinois

• Headliners: The Smile, Big Thief, Bon Iver

• Tickets: $115 1-Day GA, $249 3-Day GA

• Distance from Cincinnati: 4 hours, 30 minutes

• Don't miss: Alvvays, Snail Mail, Julia Jacklin, King Krule, Weyes Blood, JPEGMAFIA, Koffee

• Recommended day: Saturday, July 22

Lollapalooza (Chicago, Illinois)

• When: Aug. 3-6

• Where: Grant Park, Chicago, Illinois

• Headliners: Billie Eilish, Kendrick Lamar, The 1975, Odesza, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Lana Del Rey

• Tickets: $130 1-Day GA, $380 4-Day GA, $4350 4-Day Platinum

• Distance from Cincinnati: 4 hours, 30 minutes

• Don't miss: Men I Trust, Dope Lemon, Fred Again..., Beadadoobee, Jessie Reyez, Peach Pit, Declan McKenna, Maggie Rogers, JID, Pusha T, Sylvan Esso, Thee Sacred Souls, Zack Fox, A Boogie, Louis the Child, Lil Yachty, Mt. Joy, The Backseat Lovers, Joey Bada$$, L'Imperatrice, Michelle

• Recommended day: Sunday, August 6th

RuidoFest (Chicago, Illinois)

• When: Aug. 19-20

• Where: Chicagoland Fairgrounds, Chicago, Illinois

• Headliners: Kali Uchis, Juanes

• Tickets: $105 1-Day GA, $185 2-Day GA

• Distance from Cincinnati: 4 hours, 30 minutes

• Recommended day: Saturday, Aug. 19

Wonderbus (Columbus, Ohio)

• When: Aug. 25-27

• Where: 2540 River Road, Columbus, Ohio

• Headliners: Pitbull, Demi Lovato, Caamp

• Tickets: $99 1-Day GA, $219 3-Day GA – discounts for four pack

• Distance from Cincinnati: 1 hour, 45 minutes

• Don't miss: Oliver Tree, Dayglow, Brittany Howard, Saint Motel, Briscoe

• Recommended day: Sunday, Aug. 27

Riot Fest (Chicago, Illinois)

• When: Sept. 15-17

• Where: Douglass Park, Chicago, Illinois

• Headliners: Foo Fighters, Death Cab for Cutie, The Cure

• Tickets: $289 3-Day GA

• Distance from Cincinnati: 4 hours, 30 minutes

• Don't miss: 070 Shake, Frank Turner, 100 Gecs

Louder than Life (Louisville, Kentucky)

• When: Sept. 21-24

• Where: Highland Festival Grounds, Louisville, Kentucky

• Headliners: Foo Fighters, Weezer, Green Day

• Tickets: $119-139 1-Day GA, $299 4-Day GA

• Distance from Cincinnati: 2 hours

• Recommended day: Sunday, Sept. 24

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Music festivals worth a road trip: Bonnaroo, Lollapalooza, Wonderbus