Slane Castle // County Meath, Ireland
Slane Castle // County Meath, Ireland
The legendary castle in the Boyne Valley has been a favorite of mega artists since the early 1980s. Each August, the grounds are opened up to performers such as U2, Madonna and David Bowie—plus a hundred thousand of their most avid fans.
Also on our list (but not pictured):
Alpine Valley Music Theatre // East Troy, Wisconsin. This large amphitheater and lawn is nestled into the rolling hills of southern Wisconsin. Since opening in 1977, it’s been the venue of Guns ‘N Roses, Radiohead, Jimmy Buffett, Pearl Jam and, this summer, Jack Johnson.
Nikon at Jones Beach Theater // Long Island, New York. New Yorkers should flock to the summer concert series featuring a stellar lineup of Rihanna, Sting and Chicago, only an hour train ride from Penn Station.
The Gorge // George, Washington. The Gorge, which overlooks the Columbia River, is a scenic spot for 25,000 people to catch a concert or the annual Sasquatch! Music Festival.
Red Rocks // Denver
Red Rocks // Denver
The natural amphitheater is known for its superb acoustics and stunning view of Denver, making it popular with jam bands such as the Dave Matthews Band and Widespread Panic.
Ravinia // Chicago
Ravinia // Chicago
Pack a picnic, a few lawn chairs and a bottle of wine for an evening on the magical lawn at Rivinia Park (named for the ravines around Lake Michigan). Performers range from Yo-Yo Ma to Crosby, Stills and Nash.
Pyramid Stage at Glastonbury // Pilton, England
Pyramid Stage at Glastonbury // Pilton, England
Pilton hosts the largest lawn music festival in the world, and Pyramid Stage is home to the weekend’s headliners. The festival turns 40 this year, and the lineup is one for the record books.
Hollywood Bowl // Los Angeles
Hollywood Bowl // Los Angeles
The Bowl (the name refers to the bowl shape of the hillside the amphitheater is carved into) opened in 1922. This summer, the shell is hosting the likes of Goldfrapp, Kings of Leon and the Los Angeles Philharmonic.
Greek Theatre // Berkeley
Greek Theatre // Berkeley
Located on the University of California, Berkeley, campus, the theater traditionally hosts the annual Berkeley Jazz Fest. This summer, the columned stage will feature Phish for a three-night engagement.
The Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion// Houston
The Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion// Houston
Surrounded by lush woods, the pavilion hosts concerts March through November. This summer’s lineup is packed with symphonies and headliners alike, including the not-to-be-missed Iron Maiden show June 11.