Looking for a reason to travel this spring? Or, are you on the lookout for ideas for a trip for next year? If you’re wanting somewhere new to explore, take a look at this list of the best annual (and pretty iconic) festivals and events that will all allow you to experience their host destinations fully. We’ve curated this list to have a little something for everyone, so keep reading and happy traveling!
If you’re wondering what Hilton Head Island is up to this spring, check out our collection of festivals and events happening on the island.
National Cherry Blossom Festival
March 20th-April 13th, 2025
Washington DC
Festival Website
Every year, our nation’s capital hosts its annual National Cherry Blossom Festival, welcoming travelers from across the globe to see the beautiful pink blooms and to join in the festival’s wide array of events throughout the city. More specifically, the event celebrates the thousands of cherry trees that line the Tidal Basin (where you’ll also find popular landmarks like the Thomas Jefferson Memorial, Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial, Washington Monument, and more), as these were a gifted to the U.S. in 1912 from the mayor of Tokyo, Yukio Ozaki, to symbolize the friendship between Japan and the United States.
The festival only gets better year after year, as more art installations, parties, and other events are added to its calendar. Either leaning into the Japanese culture, the fabulous color, pink, or truly just celebrating the tree’s gorgeous blooms themselves, each event is unique and brings the DC community together. Examples of events range from Stumpy’s Petals & Paddles Race in the Tidal Basin, to the Opening Ceremony, Pink Beats three-part music series, Blossom Kite Festival, Petalpalooza, and even to the Credit Union Cherry Blossom 10 Mile, 5K and Half Mile Kids Run. And that’s only just scratching the surface. Take a look at the schedule of events for yourself, or even keep an eye on the BloomCam.
Conch Republic Independence Celebration
April 18th-27th, 2025
Key West, FL: Destination Highlight
Festival Website
To better understand this festival, we’ve got to explain the connection between Key West, and the Conch Republic. The short version? Key West is the Conch Republic. In the spring of 1982, the U.S. Federal Government placed a roadblock on US 1 in order to stop every vehicle driving in or out of the Florida Keys to search for illegal activity and substances. Stunned that the government would put a roadblock within its own country, and appalled that it was creating not only a massive traffic jam, but a stir across the nation that caused travelers to cancel their vacations in the Keys, the Conch Republic was born (mostly as a joke) when Mayor Dennis Wardlow decided to “secede” from the United States.
The Conch Republic Independence Celebration serves as a reminder to the Keys’ community that shares a “Sovereign State of Mind” and the punny motto, “People who seceded where others have failed.” The festival is a full 10 days of activities, parties, and more both on the land and out on the beautiful surrounding waters that celebrate their fictional independence. Expect cruises, live music, markets, parades, competitions, and even community cleanups to honor Earth Day and to respect the natural beauty of the Keys. See the festival’s schedule of events here.
New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival
April 24th-27th & May 1st-4th, 2025
Fair Grounds Race Course in New Orleans: Destination Highlight
Festival Website
Also called the Jazz Fest, the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival is an annual event that features 10 days of festivities that celebrate New Orleans’ heritage. And if you know anything about NOLA, you’ll understand that the city’s culture and heritage is closely intertwined with music—especially, jazz. For two consecutive long weekends, Jazz Fest allows locals and visitors alike to enjoy live music, local food, and handmade arts and crafts. Held at the Fair Grounds Race Course, the festival offers multiple stages and a plethora of different food vendors to choose from.
Let’s focus on the music for a moment, because the lineup is incredible. For starters, Jazz Fest doesn’t just offer live performances in the jazz genre alone. The festival’s multiple stages host musicians known for rock, funk, blues, R&B, folk, Latin, Cajun, zydeco, and much more. Take a look at the festival’s lineup poster, and you’ll see headliners like Pearl Jam, Dave Matthews Band, Luke Combs, Santana, HAIM, Kacey Musgraves…just to name a few! Check the schedule to see what days you’ll want to be in town for, or better yet, take advantage of one of the weekend ticket packages to see as many artists as possible!
Kentucky Derby
Saturday, May 3rd, 2025
Churchill Downs in Louisville, KY: Destination Highlight
Event Website
Arguably the most iconic event in the United States during the spring season, the Kentucky Derby is held every year on the first Saturday in May. Communities across the country hold their own watch parties and themed celebrations, but how amazing would it be to see The Run for the Roses in person? While the race technically only lasts around two minutes, visitors can watch other horse races before the main events, walk around Churchill Downs to see the horses, and of course, people watch—the impressive hats don’t spot themselves!
What most people don’t know is that the anticipation of the Kentucky Derby builds tremendously in Louisville weeks ahead of time in what’s known as the Kentucky Derby Festival. Events as early as March dot the festival’s calendar and include events like the Kentucky Derby Museum Hat Show, Thunder of Louisville firework show, Taste of Derby Festival, L&N Federal Credit Union Great BalloonFest, and many more fun and unexpected activities throughout Louisville, KY. Take a look at the schedule of events, here.
Spoleto Festival USA
May 22nd-June 8th, 2025
Charleston, SC: Destination Highlight
Festival Website
Held every spring in downtown Charleston, South Carolina, the Spoleto Festival USA was originally founded by Pulitzer Prize-winning composer Gian Carlo Menotti, who founded the original Festival of Two Worlds in Spoleto, Italy. The American counterpart started in 1977, whereas the original festival in Italy began in 1958. Now the country’s premier performing arts festival, each year more than 10 venues host 150 performances that vary from operas, dance productions, and theater performances.
This year, festivalgoers have from May 22nd until June 8th to attend and enjoy as many live performances, concerts, artists talks, and more in the beautiful and historic city of Charleston. From spoken word poetry, to Rock and Roll Hall of Fame stars, and even to orchestras performing one of Mozart’s symphonies, this festival has such a wide range of genres that really showcases and celebrates the arts. Take a look at the schedule of events and purchase tickets here.
