music themed vacations
[Photos via Instagram]

11 music-themed vacations you need to book immediately

Does a weekend in the desert for emo Coachella (aka the Maine’s 8123 Fest in Arizona) sound like a nice getaway? How about a few days at sea with Kesha? There’s a ton of unique upcoming music-themed vacations and concert-centered destinations for you to escape to during the remainder of 2018 and into 2019.

Whether you seek to fill up some days off work, need a good Christmas gift idea or are looking to satisfy some wanderlust, here are a few trips centered around music events that you do not want to miss out on.

Read more: 10 concert posters from your favorite bands before they blew up

Eat To The Beat Concert Series – Walt Disney World 


During the International Food and Wine Festival, Walt Disney World’s Epcot hosts the Eat To The Beat Concert Series, a free concert with park admission featuring acts in pop, rock, R&B, country and more.
Where: Epcot – Walt Disney World, Florida
When: August-November, 2018
Acts: Blue October, Plain White T’s, Sugar Ray, David Cook, Everclear, Smash Mouth, Hanson and more.
What else you can do: Check out the new Toy Story Land at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, or on select nights you can head over to the Magic Kingdom for an after-dark soiree of chills and thrills at Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party.

Paramore Art + Friends


A “celebration of Nashville music, art and community” hosted by Paramore featuring local businesses, artists, food and more.  
Where: Nashville, Tennessee
When: Sept. 7, 2018
Acts: Paramore, COIN, Bully, Canon Blue, Liza Anne and Nightingail.
What else you can do: It wouldn’t be a trip to music city without bar hopping on Broadway, taking a visit to the Country Music Hall of Fame  or catching a show at the legendary Grand Ole Opry.

Riot Fest

The Windy City hosts the epically stacked 2018 Riot Fest. Go or suffer from major FOMO.
Where: Chicago
When: Sept. 14-16, 2018
Acts: blink-182, Incubus, Blondie, Dropkick Murphys, Bleachers, Underoath, Sum 41, the Wonder Years, SWMRS, to name a few.
What else you can do: The highly anticipated, yet-to-be-announced  Riot Fest after-parties will be taking place at venues around Chicago, but in the meantime check out the Willis Tower Skydeck, Millennium Park  and the Garfield Park Conservatory.

KAABOO

It doesn’t get much better than a festival featuring music, comedy, contemporary art and gourmet cuisine right on the beach in Del Mar.
Where: San Diego
When: Sept. 14-16, 2018
Acts: Foo Fighters, Halsey, Jimmy Eat World, Katy Perry, Imagine Dragons, Bebe Rexha, Wiz Khalifa, the All-American Rejects and more.
What else you can do: Surf and sunbathe at Del Mar City Beach, hike through Torrey Pines State Nature Reserve and visit the Del Mar Farmers/Artisan Open Air Market.

Sea.Hear.Now

Head to the Jersey Shore for a weekend full of music and surf culture, yoga and good food.
Where: Asbury Park, New Jersey
When: Sept. 29-30, 2018
Acts: Incubus, Jack Johnson, Blondie, Frank Turner, Social Distortion, Milky Chance, the Front Bottoms, the Menzingers, Twin Peaks, Deal Casino and more.
What else you can do: Spend a day on the Asbury Park Beach and Boardwalk, pop into Bruce Springsteen’s old stomping ground, and legendary venue, The Stone Pony and catch a movie on The Asbury Hotel rooftop.

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Posty Fest 2018

@travisscott x postyfest 10/28/18

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Post Malone hosts the first ever Posty Fest at the Dos Equis Pavilion in Dallas this fall.
Where: Dallas
When: Oct. 28, 2018
Acts: Post Malone, Travis Scott, Tyler, The Creator and more TBA.
What else you can do: Hop on the McKinney Avenue Trolley and take it to Klyde Warren Park, a public park above the Woodall Rodgers Freeway with food trucks, laser tag, yoga, music and more.

blink-182 Kings Of The Weekend Las Vegas Residency


A quick weekend trip to sin city to see blink-182 at the Palms Casino Resort? We think yes.

Where: Las Vegas
When: Oct. 26-27, Nov. 2-3, 9-10, 16-17, 2018
Acts: blink-182
What else you can do: Walk the Las Vegas Strip and catch the Bellagio fountains, zip line through Fremont Street and visit The Neon Museum  to learn about neon signs from old hotels, restaurants and productions.

8123 Fest

It’s BACK! Find out more at 81-23.com/fest

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The Maine celebrate the 10-year anniversary of Can’t Stop Won’t Stop at the second 8123 Fest which will feature live performances from the Maine and friends (TBA), food trucks, an 8123 museum, a free meet-and-greet, games, art and more.
Where: Phoenix
When: Jan. 18-20, 2019
Acts: The Maine, This Century and more TBA.
What else you can do: Attend the Make America Emo Again after-party at The Van Buren and join 8123 Impact to volunteer in the valley the weekend of the fest.

The Rock Boat XIX

Sister Hazel hosts a “floating music festival” aboard the Norwegian Pearl. The boat is currently full, but you can join waitlist in hopes of getting on this incredible cruise.
Where: Tampa, Florida to Key West, Florida and Nassau, Bahamas
When: Feb. 1-6, 2019
Acts: Andrew McMahon & The Wilderness, Matt Nathanson, Plain White T’s, Kevin Devine, Young Rising Sons and more TBA.
What else you can do: When you’re not enjoying all of the killer live sets, hang at the pool, relax at the spa or spend some time at the ship’s casino.

Kesha’s Weird & Wonderful Rainbow Ride

Quite possibly the most magical cruise you will ever go on. BYOBG (Bring Your Own Body Glitter)
Where: Tampa, Florida to Nassau, Bahamas
When: Feb. 17-21, 2019
Acts: Kesha, Betty Who, Superfruit, Jonathan Van Ness, Big Freedia, Wrabel, Bob The Drag Queen, Detox, Thorgy Thor and more TBA.
What else you can do: While the full cruise itinerary is TBA, some confirmed activities include pool deck dance parties and a Lip Sync For Your Lifeboat contest hosted by Kesha.

Walk On The Wild Side Tours NYC


Solidify your music-lover status by signing up for a walking tour of NYC that takes you to significant spots where classic album cover photos were taken, bands formed, demos were recorded and more.
Where: New York City
When: Weekdays, 2 and 5 p.m.
Acts: The Ramones, Blondie, Patti Smith, Sonic Youth, Beastie Boys, Madonna, the Strokes and more.
What else you can do: Catch a Broadway show, walk the High Line and shop your way through SoHo.