Summer vacations often include a visit to a state fair, food festival, or even listening to some live music in the open air. It’s also the perfect time to head out to the beach, explore the country on a road trip, or even spend a weekend or week somewhere new. If you’re looking for a unique trip this summer, read on for some of the best state fairs and other summer festivals and events throughout the United States that are definitely worth traveling for. You can even attend one of them during your summer visit to Hilton Head Island!
State Fairs
Minnesota State Fair: August 21st-September 1st, 2025
While many state fairs are worth visiting, the Minnesota State Fair is pretty up there on the list. Its daily attendance is historically the highest in the country, with longstanding traditions like the Butter Sculptures, family-friendly attractions, and of course, a plethora of food vendors attracting visitors form near and far. This fair’s Grandstand Stage is also known for having big-name artists and an otherwise great musical lineup. This year’s fair will host Old Dominion, Meghan Trainor, Def Leppard, and more.
Iowa State Fair: August 7th-17th, 2025
More than a million people from across the globe visit Des Moines for the state’s largest event, the Iowa State Fair. Inspiring a novel, three motion pictures, and even a Broadway musical, this summertime event is known as “America’s Classic State Fair” and has one of the largest livestock shows in the world. Dating back to 1854, the Iowa State Fair has a long history of agricultural and industrial displays, as well as plenty of entertainment over the years–the most famous of which has been locomotive crashes.
Wisconsin State Fair: July 13th-August 10th, 2025
Located in the city of West Allis, a suburb of Milwaukee, the Wisconsin State Fair celebrates the state’s agriculture, industries, and other components of its history and culture in a family-friendly and educational environment. Like many fairs, its competitions, attractions, and entertainment options are all top-notch, along with food vendors that offer classic fair food and crazy concoctions celebrating “America’s Dairyland.” That’s right, if you like cheese curds, you’re in the right place!
Food & Drink Festivals
Maine Lobster Festival: July 30th-August 3rd, 2025
An entire festival dedicated to delicious, Maine lobsters? Sign us up! Every summer for five days, the Maine Lobster Festival is held at Rockland’s Harbor Park and features delicious seafood bites, a sea goddess coronation, parade, local crafts, the international crate race, and more. Completely run by volunteers, all festival proceeds are given to Midcoast Maine communities, supporting local food pantries, sports teams, scholarships, and other service groups. Find out how to get there and where to stay on the festival’s website.
Gilroy Garlic Festival: July 25th-27th, 2025
Here’s a fun fact for you: Gilroy, California, is known as the “Garlic Capital of the World”. After reading about a small town in France that hosted an annual garlic festival, claiming that they were the Garlic Capital, Dr. Melone, President of Gavilan College in Gilroy, decided the town needed a festival of its own. During the first festival in 1979, more visitors than festival planners ever imagined flooded the event, and one of the United States’ most favorite festivals was born. The festival is actually making its return this year, after being closed since 2022.
Windy City Smokeout: July 10th-13th, 2025
Would you like some barbecue with that country music? Technically considered a food festival, the Windy City Smokeout in Chicago, IL, brings out fans of country music with its star-studded lineup on the main stage. This year’s festival will host artists like Bailey Zimmerman, Old Dominion, Kane Brown, Megan Moroney, Jon Pardi, and many, many more! More than 20 award-winning pitmasters will be cooking up some delicious barbecue, and additional bars, concessions, and family-friendly activities will be found throughout the festival grounds.
Miscellaneous Summer Festivals & Events
Annual Beaufort Water Festival: July 11th-20th, 2025
Every year, the Beaufort Water Festival is held along Henry C. Chambers Waterfront Park and in the city’s historic downtown. A great way to experience local life in the Lowcountry, festivalgoers can shop in the daily Arts & Crafts Market, attend nightly entertainment like Caribbean Night, the festival’s Talent Show, ROCKIN’ the River, and more along with special entertainment like the Air Show, Water Festival Grand Parade, and Annual Bed Race. The festival closes with the Blessing of the Fleet and Parade of Boats on Sunday afternoon.
Hemingway Days: July 23rd-27th, 2025
Head to Duval Street to celebrate and pay tribute to the author, Ernest Hemingway. Hemingway’s legacy on Key West continues year-round, but it’s especially apparent during Hemingway Days every summer. Author-specific events include the Lorian Hemingway Short Story Competition and Look-Alike Contests, while other festivities include the Key West Marlin Tournament, Caribbean Street Fair, Running of the Bulls, the Hemingway Rum Bar Stroll, and more.
Synchronous Fireflies in the Great Smoky Mountains: May 29th-June 5th
Not technically a festival, the viewing of the Synchronous Fireflies happens every year in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Not everyone can attend, as the viewing opportunities are limited and a lottery for vehicle reservations is in place. Participants are notified if they’ve been selected or not, but for those who can attend, know that this is definitely a bucket list event! Not completely understood, the national park’s fireflies flash in a synchronized manner, resulting in an extraordinary display. Keep an eye out for next summer’s lottery!
