There¡¯s no sense in denying it anymore: summer is on the wane, slipping through our fingers one day at a time. Yep, once the calendar flips to August, it¡¯s officially last call for summer shindigs. But before the back-to-school sales and the waft of pumpkin spice throws you into a summertime sadness spiral, take solace in this article, because it¡¯s packed with events brimming with late-summer magic.
From state fairs full of fried food and rock stars to cowboy poetry gatherings, surf contests, tennis tournaments and world-class music festivals, there¡¯s no shortage of ways to keep the good times rolling up until Labor Day. Chances are, there¡¯s something exciting happening just down the road from you (or something worthy of a spontaneous road trip).
So, before you pack away the swimsuits and make that first shopping trip to Spirit Halloween, scroll down to find an August event that¡¯ll help you squeeze every last drop of fun out of summer.
Lollapalooza - Chicago, Illinois
These days, the eighth month of the year in the Windy City is synonymous with Lolla' and this year's edition of the world famous music festival will run through August 3. The 2025 version will see headline acts like Tyler the Creator, Luke Combs, Sabrina Carpenter, Korn, Olivia Rodrigo, R¨¹f¨¹s Du Sol, A$AP Rocky and Twice take the stage at Grant Park, in addition to scores of other awesome artists.?
Fresh Lobster at the Maine Lobster Festival (Photo via Maine Lobster Festival)
The Maine Lobster Festival - Rockland, Maine?
One of the East Coast¡¯s most anticipated¡ªand delicious¡ªlate summer events, the Maine Lobster Festival returns through August 3. This "crustacean celebration" is a feast for the senses, with loads of fresh, buttery lobster and plenty of local brews to help wash it all down with. Besides the food, you'll also be able to enjoy live music, carnival rides and games, cooking contests and the one-of-a-kind, always quirky lobster crate race. Come for the lobster, stay for the magical Coastal Maine vibes.?
Coast Guard Festival - Grand Haven, Michigan
They¡¯ll be saluting heroes for the 101st time at the annual Coast Guard Festival, which runs through August 3. This celebration honors the brave men and women of the Coast Guard with nonstop fun that includes¡ªbut is not limited to¡ªwacky cardboard boat races, concerts?and a great range of tasty food and drinks.
Jon Bastiste and Stay Human perform at the Newport Jazz Festival. (Photo via digboston / Flickr)
Newport Jazz Festival - Newport, Rhode Island
The "grandaddy of them all" is back and will fill Newport with the sounds of jazz and other great genres from August 1-3. Scheduled performers in 2025 include The Roots, RAYE, Flying Lotus, Janelle Mon¨¢e, Jacob Collier, Jorja Smith and dozens more.?
Salmonfest - Ninilchik, Alaska
Start your month with a splash at Salmonfest (August 1-3) in the cute Alaskan coastal town of Ninilchik, where the good times will flow to protect Alaska¡¯s waters and the salmon that swim in them. This year¡¯s lineup is stellar with The Revivalists, Elle King, The Allman Betts Band, Sierra Hull and many more taking the stage.
Classic cards cruise through Reno during Hot August Nights (Photo via Reno Tahoe Territory / Flickr)
Hot August Nights - Reno, Nevada
Reno will light up once again as the nation¡¯s largest nostalgic car show returns to town from August 1¨C10. Hot August Nights is essentially one big celebration of rock ¡¯n¡¯ roll and classic cars, transforming the city into a nonstop party with retro concerts, epic car shows featuring vintage rides and a buzzing atmosphere that¡¯s equal parts nostalgia and pure fun. And you're invited to get in on the fun.?
Sturgis Motorcycle Rally - Sturgis, South Dakota
The Black Hills will roar back to life for the 85th Annual Sturgis Motorcycle Rally on August 1-10. This iconic event brings together riders from all over the nation (and world!) for epic group rides, wild & woolly pub crawls, bike shows and tattoo contests. The fun doesn't stop there though as live music lights up the nights at Sturgis with shows from the likes of ZZ Top, Jefferson Starship, Night Ranger, Tesla, Buckcherry, Nickelback, Jason Aldean, Stone Temple Pilots and many more.?
Crowds enjoy the Wisconsin State Fair. (Photo via Sulfur / Wikimedia Commons)
Wisconsin State Fair - Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Wisconsin knows how to do summer right with its unbeatable seasonal duo: Summerfest in July followed by the Wisconsin State Fair, running through August 10. Expect all the classics¡ªthrilling carnival rides, agricultural showcases and mind-blowing fair food but add to it an epic concert lineup featuring Midland, Boyz II Men, NE-YO, Jon Pardi and Darius Rucker, and you¡¯ve got one of the best ways to send summer off in style anywhere in the country.
The Cincinnati Open - Cincinnati, Ohio
Tennis fans will once again head to The Queen City this month for America¡¯s top summer hardcourt tournament not named the U.S. Open (August 5¨C18). This high-energy event draws the biggest names in the game, delivering intense matches and an electric atmosphere off the court. It¡¯s a prime opportunity to witness world-class talent battling it out just before the season¡¯s grand slam finale at Flushing Meadows-Corona Park.
A slice of the fun at the Hope Watermelon Festival (Photo via Mike Ross / Wikimedia Commons)
Hope Watermelon Festival - Hope, Arkansas
You're in for a super weekend full of seed spittin' and melon slicin' at the 49th Annual Hope Watermelon Festival (August 7-9), where small-town Arkansas charm meets big-time summer fun. Part fruit carnival, part concert (Jason Scheff of Chicago and Tommy DeCarlo of Boston take the stage this year), some of the most cherished annual events include the Watermelon Olympics, the always-entertaining Watermelon Idol talent show and the beloved Watermelon Festival Parade. ??
Montana Cowboy Poetry Gathering and Western Music Rendezvous - Lewiston, Montana
For a real taste of the West, head to the 40th annual edition of this unique event (August 7¨C10), where you¡¯ll be able to listen to poets, musicians and storytellers who celebrate the rugged lifestyle of cowboys and the wide-open spaces of the American West. Basically, it's the closest you can get to being a cowboy for the weekend.
Crowds at the Iowa State Fair. (Photo via Fairfield1854 / Wikimedia Commons)
The Iowa State Fair - Des Moines, Iowa
Every year around this time, the Iowa State Fair (August 7-17) takes center stage to end Hawkeye State Summer with a bang. Think fair food that will light up a social media feed (and get your mouth watering) alongside thrilling carnival rides, classic agricultural shows and a concert lineup featuring big names like Parker McCollum, Megan Moroney, Pitbull, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Rascal Flatts,? T-Pain and more.?
Kool-Aid Days - Hastings, Nebraska
Raise a glass to everyone¡¯s favorite sweet & smiley sip at the 27th Annual Kool-Aid Days in Hastings (August 15¨C17). This colorful and quirky festival honors one of America¡¯s most cherished drinks with loads of fun activities, live music, tasty food and plenty of Kool-Aid-themed surprises. Oh, and of course, there will be endless opportunities to sample the powdered nectar of the gods.
Waikiki Beach, Honolulu, Hawaii. (Photo Credit: SCStock / Adobe Stock)
Oceanfest - Honolulu, Hawai'i
Head to O?ahu for Duke¡¯s OceanFest on August 15, the ultimate celebration of surf, sea and the spirit of aloha. Held on the shores of Waikiki, this riveting ocean sports festival pays tribute to the one and only Duke Kahanamoku, the "father of surfing," with days full of wave-riding, beachy vibes and plenty of Hawaiian pride.
Minnesota State Fair - St. Paul, Minnesota
The Minnesota State Fair is back and better than ever, running from August 21 through September 1. Enjoy the fair¡¯s signature smorgasbord of mouthwatering eats¡ªthink pimento cheese puffs, chicken-fried bacon fries, a bison meatball sub and much more¡ªalongside the usual array of exciting rides and attractions. Musical stars scheduled to perform include Old Dominion, Meghan Trainor, Melissa Etheridge, Def Leppard, Hank Williams Jr., Nelly and more.
Maryland Renaissance Festival. (Photo by Patrick Clarke)
Maryland Renaissance Festival -? Crownsville, Maryland
Located near Annapolis, the Maryland Renaissance Festival will kick off its 49th season on August 23 (select weekends through October 19), once again transporting all who visit to a 16th-century village filled with jousting knights, jesters, artisans selling their wares and characters of all stripes. Whether you¡¯re a history buff or just a big fan of turkey legs and mead, this event is for you.?
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