Sometimes staying in Los Angeles just isn’t enough when it comes to getting your music fix. Without the stress of classes and a fixed schedule for most music lovers, summertime is the ideal time for getting out of your comfort zone and exploring the rest of the country. In the next couple of months, the music festivals are diverse and plentiful, awaiting your presence amongst thousands of other music lovers. So pack up the water bottles, sun block and iPod playlists for an exciting trip to these music festivals.



Lollapalooza

Aug. 5-7 @ Grant Park, Chicago, Ill.; lollapalooza.com

For the adventurous, a trip to Illinois is more than worth it if you buy tickets to Lollapalooza. Started back in 1991, this festival is still going strong and will feature an impressive set of artists, ranging from Eminem to Deadmau5 to Cee Lo Green. Other major acts include Muse, Foo Fighters and Coldplay along with duo bands the Kills and Cults, and even Cage the Elephant and Cold War Kids. It’s enough to make an alternative music lover’s head swim, with three days and plenty of choices. Tickets are already sold out, but keep an eye out for any last-minute sales from festivalgoers whose plans have changed.



Outside Lands

Aug. 12-14 @ Golden Gate Park, San Francisco, Calif.; sfoutsidelands.com

If you’re itching to see Muse or Deadmau5 but don’t feel like going to Chicago, they are also going to visit San Francisco for the Outside Lands festival. Boasting music, wine, art and food all in one place, Outside Lands is three days of acts in Golden Gate Park featuring artists such as the Black Keys, Major Lazer, Arcade Fire and Ana Tijoux. Outside Lands will also focus on going green, with Eco Lands pushing attendees to have as a green a concert experience as possible. There will even be a stage that is solar-powered. With this much emphasis on the earth and a great lineup of artists, Outside Lands is bound to be a unique experience all around.



Pacific Festival OC

Aug. 13 @ Oak Canyon Ranch, Orange County, Calif.; pacificfestival.com

So if the prospect of sitting in an airplane high in the sky for hours or being cramped inside a car for endless hours is anything but attractive, you can just head to the freeway and travel to Orange County. The Pacific Festival OC promises musical fun in the sun in one day with more than 50 acts. Rap legend Snoop Dogg will be there along with electronic artists Steve Aoki and Cut Copy. It’s that not quite up your alley, !!! will also be gracing the outdoor venue along with Toro y Moi. The festival is one day only and gates open Saturday, Aug. 13 at 11 a.m. so you can start dancing and headbanging early. The event is 18-and-over and proceeds will be donated to Surfrider Foundation. If you visit the Web site, you can sign up to win two free tickets.



Virgin Mobile FreeFest

Sept. 10 @ Merriweather Post Pavilion, Columbia, Md.; virginmobilefestival.com

You read right. Freefest is Virgin Mobile’s absolutely free music festival. Tickets were given away via online means with attendees being encourage to donate to RE*Generation, a program created by Virgin Mobile for youth without a home, in exchange for the ticket. All the tickets are unfortunately gone by now but you still have a chance to snag one if you sign up for a volunteering opportunity or purchase a Fan ePak, which is $49.50 and available online. You can start rocking out at 11 a.m. to acts like the Black Keys, Big Sean, Cut Copy and Grace Potter and the Nocturnals. The fun doesn’t stop with the music though – there will also be art on display, circus performers and a variety of food and drinks to meet your stomach’s every need.