As the year begins to fly by, festival season is just around the corner. Whether it’s as soon as March, some of the best festivals in the world are based here in Los Angeles. From beachside music festivals that capture the essence of Southern California culture to niche fests focusing on indie music from the early 2000s or darkwave synth-pop, as well as large-scale hip-hop festivals, we have compiled a list* of six upcoming festivals for the spring season that you should consider attending. So whether you’re an Angeleno, like us, or visiting for Spring break, take your pick at any of these music festivals in Los Angeles.

*Festivals are listed in chronological order.

1. Rolling Loud

Rolling Loud, the city-hopping hip-hop festival, makes its return to the grounds near SoFi Stadium with a new look and two dates–March 15 and 16–for headliners/mainstays A$AP Rocky and Playboi Carti. However, their biggest change is hosting Peso Pluma, who’s the first-ever non-hip-hop headliner to play Rolling Loud. Peso Pluma’s addition is a new direction for the festival that’s sure to bring in new audiences. Their reputation for big, often rowdy crowds is sure to continue with rappers like A$AP Rocky and Playboi Carti at the top of the bill.

While Rolling Loud continues to plan festivals everywhere from Europe to Thailand, LA remains one of their core locations over the past decade. They’re also giving back via Rebuild LA shirts and a Loud Aid Livestream on Twitch; efforts will go towards fire relief. Other performers include YG, Quavo, Ab-Soul, Ken Carson, and Sexyy Red, among many others across the weekend.

Tickets can be found here.

2. Just Like Heaven

Like last year, the lineup for Just Like Heaven makes it seem as though the 2000s and 2010s never ended. Once again taking place at Brookside at the Rose Bowl, with all 21 acts performing on May 10, the festival continues to embrace the indie artists who made it big at the turn of the 21st Century.

Headliner Vampire Weekend, who hit their stride with “A-Punk” back in 2008, are still going strong, having dropped one of their most acclaimed albums, Only God Was Above Us, last year. True to their The Cure-inspired name, they also make room for long-established bands and acts, including special guests Slowdive, shoegaze legends who reunited years after albums like Souvlaki. Rilo Kiley, Empire of the Sun, TV on the Radio, and The Drums are also part of the lineup.

Tickets can be found here.

See our photos from Just Like Heaven.

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3. Cruel World

Also coming to Brookside at the Rose Bowl is Cruel World on May 17. The festival goes back in time even further, mostly spanning the 70s-80s with headliners Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds–on the last date of The Wild God Tour–and New Order. In keeping post-punk and new wave alive, Cruel World makes it a point to highlight bands that made it big during the genres’ initial rise.

As part of that preservation, artists often reunite at Cruel World, and 2025 is no different. The original members of Death Cult, AKA The Cult, are coming together, as well as ‘Til Tuesday, performing for the first time in 35 years. While Orchestral Maneuvers in the Dark and The Go-Go’s are common at the festival, more recent acts such as She Wants Revenge and Nation of Language are set to perform.

Tickets can be found here.

See our photos from Cruel World.

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4. BeachLife

If you’re looking for an escape from festivals taking place too far inland, then BeachLife at Redondo Beach on May 2, 3, and 4 is where you want to be. Occurring along the coast of Redondo Beach, the music, art, and culinary weekend is unsurprisingly taking full advantage of the surroundings and the SoCal music that defines the area, with Lenny Kravitz, Sublime, and Alanis Morissette headlining.

Rounding out the lineup are Aloe Blacc, The Beach Boys, Susanna Hoffs of Bangles fame, and many more. Despite there not being many immediate connections that tie each artist and band together, their music similarly fits the view, capturing what it’s like to be catching some rays at the beach. Besides music, there will also be food and drinks from chefs, art installations, and interactive activities.

Tickets can be found here.

See our photos from Beachlife.

5. Head in the Clouds

Although they are also known in NYC, Jakarta, and many other cities, Head in the Clouds is returning to Brookside at the Rose Bowl for their “10 Year Finale” or anniversary on May 31 and June 1. Spearheaded by 88rising, the management and record label that spotlights Asian talent, Head in the Clouds is the sort of music-art festival that seeks to make a community as much as it aims to bring out heavy hitters from their roster.

Boasting an international lineup, this time around, artists like G-Dragon and 2NE1 are making a splash in the US for what is likely many’s first time seeing them live. As for returners, Rich Brian and the Higher Brothers will also be appearing between the two days. Considering many festivals are geared towards musicians from California and the broader US, Head in the Clouds offers a lineup unbound by borders or seas.

Tickets can be found here.

See our photos from Head In The Clouds.

6. Cali Vibes

True to its name, Cali Vibes is coming back this year, now in the summer, on June 7 and June 8 at Marina Green Park in Long Beach. With an eclectic lineup that keeps the sunny atmosphere in mind, headliners include Kid Cudi, Rebelution, Dirty Heads, Stick Figure, and Cypress Hill, with other artists like Slightly Stoopid and Ludacris also performing.

The few names mentioned go to show how Cali Vibes aims to gather music that makes California special, whether it’s hip-hop, ska, or reggae. And with the weekend moving to the summer, there’s no escaping the sunshine, especially with the beach just right there. The festival is similarly raising money for communities affected by the fires through limited edition shirts, with 100% of net proceeds going to the California Fire Foundation.

Tickets can be found here.

Check out our 16 Best Music Festivals in Southern California for a peek at more music festivals we love. We’ll be updating this feature for 2025.