We won’t sugarcoat it: Music festivals can cost a lot. Weekend passes are often several hundred dollars and don’t include travel expenses and other extras. That doesn’t mean you should skip music festivals altogether. The events are a great way to sample many different artists, meet people, and enjoy time outdoors.
Keep reading to learn more about the average cost of going to a music festival, the main expenses to consider, and how to make attending one of these events more affordable.
Key Points
• The main expenses for attending a music festival include tickets, travel, lodging, and drinks/meals.
• Buying tickets early can help save money by avoiding last-minute price increases.
• Booking travel in advance can also lead to better deals.
• Camping at the festival can be a cost-effective and enjoyable alternative to hotel stays.
• Bringing your own food and water, if permitted, can greatly reduce meal expenses.
What Is the Average Cost of a Popular Music Festival?
The average cost of music festival tickets — typically for an event that lasts several days — ranges from $200 to $600. If travel is required, expenses can shoot up quickly: Spending $2,000+ for a long weekend is not unusual. Transportation and lodging are often premium-priced during a festival, since businesses know they can get top dollar.
Music festival costs also depend on where the festival is located and the type of experience the attendee is looking to have. Camping out will save you money, as will skipping the VIP experience for basic tickets bought at early-bird pricing.
Main Expenses to Consider When Going to a Music Festival
Because everyone’s music festival experience looks different, costs can vary. That said, these are the common music festival expenses worth planning for.
Tickets
Tickets for a multi-day event can cost hundreds of dollars. For instance, in 2025, general admission (including fees) to Coachella is approximately $550, Stagecoach is close to $400, and Lollapalooza runs around $385.
Costs will vary depending on when you buy tickets (they generally get more expensive closer to the actual performance date), and whether you decide to shell out for the VIP options. Also keep in mind that tickets typically don’t include parking, food, or any accommodations.
Travel
Don’t forget to budget for travel for out-of-town events. Driving may cost less than flying, and if you opt to travel via camper, it could save you money on hotels. Just keep in mind that the cost of gas for driving an RV can be high.
These tips on saving up for a vacation can help you project your travel costs.
Recommended: Let SoFi help you map out your next trip.
Transportation
Even if you live nearby, you may need to pay for a rideshare or shuttle pass to get to the event. At the very least, remember to account for gas and parking.
Lodging
Music festivals attract large crowds and visitors from around the world. That means local hotel and home rental costs can become inflated. Book early to avoid overpaying once pickings are slim.
Meals
Because music festivals have their attendees held somewhat captive for the day or days of the event, the food and drinks for sale there can be exorbitant. Think about what you pay at a concert or in an airport to get a sense of what you might need to pay.
Clothing
Part of the fun for many festival-goers is planning what you’ll wear. Sure, some people are happy in their usual jeans and a T-shirt, but if you want to buy some new clothes or accessories before a music festival — be honest! — add those costs to your budget.
Recommended: 15 Ways to Save Money on Clothes
Tips for Saving Money on a Music Festival
The price tag for a music festival experience can be steep, but it can also be an amazing and memorable experience. Here are some ways to bring the costs down so you can be part of the fun.
Project Your Expenses
From tickets to transportation to food, plan out what the day or weekend will entail cost-wise and make a budget. If you can plan for this outing well in advance, you can slowly save up for it so your overall budget doesn’t take a major hit.
Once you know the total amount needed, you can divide that by the number of months until it’s time to pay for your expenses. The figure you see is how much you should save monthly to afford the festival.
💡 Quick Tip: Want a simple way to save more each month? Grow your personal savings by opening an online savings account. SoFi offers high-interest savings accounts with no account fees. Open your savings account today!
Take a Pass on VIP Tickets
Music festivals often have different tiers of tickets and offer some sort of VIP experience for a much higher price than the cost of general admission. You may want to skip these overpriced tickets, and spend the money on food or transportation instead.
Buy Tickets Early
Some music festivals offer cheaper tickets for people who book early, so don’t sleep on those good deals. If possible, save up before tickets go on sale to take advantage of early booking deals.
Book Travel Far in Advance
It can be possible to save on travel and lodging by booking those things sooner rather than later as well. (This is a wise move when trying to save money for a trip of any kind.) Once your festival tickets are booked, try to find some travel deals. When flights and hotels get down to the last few available options, prices tend to soar.
BYO Food and Water
If allowed, pack food and lots of water to avoid overspending on food and drinks at the event. Bonus: You’ll spend less time in line and more time enjoying the music. Some music festivals won’t allow attendees to bring in their own food, but most allow water from outside sources. Not overspending on water is a great way to save money and stay hydrated while out in the sun all day.
Volunteer
Some music festivals offer volunteers the chance to trade work for access to the festival. It’s always worth seeing whether such opportunities are available — they may very well be worth the trade-off.
Walk Whenever You Can
If you’re staying nearby, try walking to the event. Parking is often expensive at music festivals, and ride-share prices surge as well due to high demand.
Camp Out
Because it can be hard for the many attendees of music festivals to find affordable lodging nearby, some music festivals are held at campgrounds. Camping generally costs significantly less than hotels, and it can add to the fun of the weekend.
The Takeaway
Music festival costs can vary greatly, but the major ones are undeniably expensive. Planning ahead for these events is one of the best ways to manage costs. By booking early, camping instead of staying at a hotel, and considering volunteer opportunities on-site, you may be able to listen to your fill of music and still have money in the bank.
If you’re looking to save up for a music festival or other short-term goal, SoFi has you covered.
Interested in opening an online bank account? When you sign up for a SoFi Checking and Savings account with direct deposit, you’ll get a competitive annual percentage yield (APY), pay zero account fees, and enjoy an array of rewards, such as access to the Allpoint Network of 55,000+ fee-free ATMs globally. Qualifying accounts can even access their paycheck up to two days early.
FAQ
Why are music festivals so expensive?
Attending music festivals can be expensive these days. For one reason, higher artist fees have led to higher ticket prices. Organizers also have to cover the cost of the space, set-up, advertising, and more. Fans not only have to pay for tickets but also cover the cost of traveling to the event, staying in a hotel or campground, and food and drinks at the venue.
How much does it cost to hold the festival?
The cost of holding a music festival varies widely depending on the size and scale of the event. A small, local music fair might cost $5,000 to $20,000, while a large-scale, multi-day festival featuring top tier artists can run well into the millions.
Should I use my emergency fund for a festival?
Emergency funds are a type of savings fund specifically earmarked for unexpected expenses that interrupt daily life, such as a car repair, medical bill, or loss of one’s income. Since a music festival is a planned expense, you generally do not want to tap your emergency fund for this. Instead, it’s better to gradually save up for the cost of the festival in advance.
Should you layaway your festival tickets?
Using layaway can make buying a festival ticket more manageable by spreading the cost over several months. However, there are some downsides and risks. For one, committing to a payment plan may strain your finances if an unexpected expense crops up. Also in some cases, failure to complete the payment plan leads to forfeiting the ticket — and the money you’ve already paid. In addition, some layaway plans charge service fees, which can increase the overall cost of the ticket. In general, it’s better to create a budget for attending a music festival and to save up for the tickets in advance.
About the author
Jacqueline DeMarco
Jacqueline DeMarco is a freelance writer who specializes in financial topics. Her first job out of college was in the financial industry, and it was there she gained a passion for helping others understand tricky financial topics. Read full bio.
Photo credit: iStock/urbazon
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