Summer is the season to pack the family into the car and hit the road. Whether you’re road tripping to beach campgrounds or your favorite mountain state park this summer, we put together the ultimate guide to summer events happening around the country. From state fairs to music festivals and chili cookoffs, these family-friendly events are worth the detour and will add fun to your family vacation.
These are America’s coolest family summer events in 2019.
Best June Events
What: Cannon Beach Sandcastle Contest
Where: Cannon Beach, Oregon
When: June 9
Teams of professional and amateur sand sculpture artists descend upon Cannon Beach to build elaborate and impressive sand castles. You can watch the sculpting with your family or build your own sand castles along the water.
What: Juneteenth Celebration
Where: Galveston, Texas
When: June 15
Although Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation to end slavery on September 22, 1862, many slaves weren’t freed until the news of the proclamation reached their town. When the Emancipation Proclamation was read in Galveston, Texas on June 19, 1865, the last slaves were finally freed. The Juneteenth Celebration honors this important moment in history.
What: Make Music Boston Festival
Where: Boston, Massachusetts
When: June 21
Dance in the streets of Boston during this free, live music festival where concerts take place on streets, sidewalks and in parks across the city. Put your dancing shoes on and attend any of the 100 concerts happening on a single day in Beantown.
What: Telluride Bluegrass Festival
Where: Telluride, Colorado
When: June 20-23
Each June the beautiful mountain town of Telluride holds the Telluride Bluegrass Festival. Filled with fun for all ages, children can enjoy a kid parade, kid yoga and a kid’s tent with whimsical, musical and educational activities for kids and their parents.
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Best July Events
What: Festival for the Eno
Where: Durham, North Carolina
When: July 4 & July 6
Described by The New York Times as “a giant backyard barbeque for the creative class: it’s homey and raucous, full of music, dancing, crafts…” the annual Festival for the Eno is held on the banks of the Eno River each July. Its central purpose is to raise funds for and awareness of conservation of the Eno River, but it’s also a fun celebration of music, art and community.
What: Breckenridge Fourth of July Celebration
Where: Breckenridge, Colorado
When: July 4-7
Happening in collaboration with the Street Arts Festival and the July Arts Festival, Breckenridge’s Fourth of July celebration features everything from a 70+ float parade to a massive fireworks display and live music. Kids can participate in the chalk art contest or the water fight.
What: The Taste of Chicago
Where: Chicago, Illinois
When: July 10-14
One of the country’s best food festivals, the Taste of Chicago features mouthwatering food, live music and fun for the entire family. Let the kids sample new-to-them dishes while you indulge in old favorites. The whole family is guaranteed to have fun and leave satisfied.
What: FloydFest
Where: Floyd, Virginia
When: July 24-28
Located in the Blue Ridge Mountains, FloydFest is a family-friendly music and arts festival featuring a “Children’s Universe,” where little ones can take Taekwondo class, join a tetherball game or impress their parents at the open mic stage. Family camping is also available.
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Best August Events
What: LEAF Downtown AVL
Where: Asheville, North Carolina
When: August 2-3
Held in the heart of downtown Asheville, LEAF Downtown AVL is a free family-friendly festival with live music, cultural arts performances and craft and food vendors. Young kids will enjoy the LEAF Family Adventure Zone featuring costume tents, jugglers, puppets and face painting, while older kids will love the community stages and the mobile art lab.
What: Falcon Ridge Folk Festival
Where: Hillsdale, New York
When: August 2-4
A three-day celebration of folk music and dance in the foothills of the Berkshire Mountains, the Falcon Ridge Folk Festival is a low-key, laid-back event with fun for the whole family. Performers at the family stage will entertain the little ones, and the dance tent can be enjoyed by young and old alike. RV and tent camping are both available on-site.
What: Iowa State Fair
Where: Des Moines, Iowa
When: August 8-18
When it comes to state fairs, no one does it better than Iowa. Aside from the hair-raising rides, greasy food and carnival games, the fair also boasts a dedicated kid zone, where little ones can interact with farmers, and a petting zoo for hands-on learning. Don’t miss the world-famous butter cow, a sculpture the size of a real cow made with butter, displayed inside a refrigerated case.
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Best September Events
What: Hanover Chili Cookoff
Where: Hanover, Pennsylvania
When: September 1
There’s a chili tasting for everyone at the Hanover Chili Cookoff. Come for a bowl of the good stuff and stay for the live music, coloring contest and the street party atmosphere.
What: Riverfest
Where: Cincinnati, Ohio
When: September 1
Taking place on the banks of the Ohio River over Labor Day Weekend, Riverfest is a family-friendly party with music, entertainment and a strong community vibe. When the sun goes down the party caps off with one of the largest fireworks displays in the U.S.
What: Lewiston Roundup
Where: Lewiston, Idaho
When: September 4-7
The Lewiston Roundup isn’t just about riding and roping (though that’s a big part of it!). Bring the kids to this rodeo, with a parade, live music, dancing and the bull-bucking main event.
Are you ready for an outdoor adventure? Plan your camping trip!