Recent findings indicate that Summerfest offers the most economical music festival experience for 2024, costing attendees merely $0.62 for each artist performing.
In a study by McLuck, a casino website, ticket prices and the number of artists at America’s major festivals were examined to ascertain the most cost-effective options. By dividing the total cost of a ticket by the number of artists, the study computed the expense per artist for each event.
Heralded as “The World’s Largest Music Festival,” Summerfest also emerges as the most budget-friendly. The event, based in Milwaukee, offers a nine-day general admission pass for $130 (spanning June 20-22, June 27-29, July 4-6), breaking down to roughly $0.62 per artist. Although some performances may require additional tickets, the lineup features top names such as Mötley Crüe, SZA, Keith Urban, Maroon 5, and Lil Uzi Vert.
Here’s a table listing the best value mega-festivals based on the cost per performing artist:
| Rank | Festival | Cost per Performing Artist |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Summerfest | $0.62 |
| 2 | EDC Las Vegas | $1.52 |
| 3 | Hard Summer | $2.73 |
| 4 | Coachella Music Festival | $2.98 |
| 5 | Lollapalooza Chicago | $3.10 |
| 6 | Sonic Temple Festival | $3.36 |
| 7 | Sunfest | $3.69 |
| 8 | Sick New World | $4.58 |
| 9 | When We Were Young Festival | $6.13 |
| 10 | Lovers & Friends Fest | $7.39 |
EDC Las Vegas is a close second in value, with entry to 249 EDM artists at a cost of $1.52 per artist. The festival, scheduled for May 17-19 at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway, has general admission priced at $379. Big EDM names like Tiesto, David Guetta, and Eric Prydz are among the performers, with VIP packages starting at $1,200, offering exclusive benefits.
Hard Summer is third in line, presenting 74 artists at $2.73 each. This Los Angeles-based event, set for August 3rd and 4th at Hollywood Park, charges $202 for a two-day general admission. The impressive lineup includes artists like Disclosure, Jamie XX, and Nelly Furtado. VIP passes, offering perks like poolside access and special viewing areas, are available for an additional $142.
Coachella Music Festival, priced at $499 for a three-day pass, translates to about $2.98 per performer across its 167 acts. Occurring this month in Coachella Valley, attendees enjoyed a high-profile lineup including Lana Del Rey, Tyler, the Creator, and Doja Cat, with VIP upgrades costing an additional $570.
Lastly, Lollapalooza in Chicago delivers strong value at $3.10 per artist. Spanning four days (August 1st-4th) in Grant Park, a $409 general admission ticket provides access to big acts like Hozier, The Killers, Blink-182, and Skrillex over eight stages.
Other notable festivals ranked for value include Sonic Temple Festival at $3.36 per artist, Sunfest at $3.69, Sick New World at $4.58, When We Were Young Festival at $6.13, and Lovers & Friends Fest at $7.39.
Joerg Nottebaum, McLuck spokesperson, remarked on the study, “Enjoying the sunshine and world-class music are key aspects of these festivals, along with experiencing great food and singing with friends. They are essential summer experiences. However, as ticket prices have surged by 55% since 2014, this analysis helps music enthusiasts identify the festivals that provide the most value, making it easier to choose events that fit their budget for a memorable summer.”
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