The Best August Events in Each State

There's no denying that when the calendar flips over to August, the days of pure summer fun are on the dwindle. But just because the start of school is right around the corner and the pumpkin spice products are already showing up on the shelves, that doesn't mean there isn't time for tons of last-minute summer fun at a great August event. In fact, the calendar is full of fun August events all over America that specialize in soaking up those last carefree days of the season. Ranging from regional food festivals, state fairs, film fests, bluegrass get-togethers, balloon fiestas and even a party dedicated to twins, the best August events in America are all set to end your summer right way. Click on the slideshow to see what's happening in your state.

August gets off to a swinging start in Alabama at the Rock the South music festival (August 5-6) in Cullman, which will feature sets from Morgan Wallen, Alabama and a solid roster of other performers. Head to the Franklin County Watermelon Festival in downtown Russellville on August 19-20 for great music and plenty of melon-centric recreation and slide over to Birmingham's historic Theater District for the always-enthralling Sidewalk Film Festival (August 22-28).

The Alaska State Fair is one of the Last Frontier's top annual events and this year the party will kick off on August 19 in Palmer and run all the way through early September. Expect the usual array of carnival rides, agricultural displays & exhibits, delicious fair food and concerts from the likes of Leann Rimes, Barenaked Ladies and Lauren Daigle among many others. Seward will hold the 67th Annual Silver Salmon Derby on August 13-21 while Anchorage will be the place to be the weekend of August 19-21 as the city will play host to both the RunFest race and the Greek Festival.

Flagstaff will play host to the Route 66 Chili Cook-Off on August 6-7 while that same weekend will see the Fine Art and Wine Festival take place in Prescott. A trip to Tucson is always a good idea, but if you want to wish the city a happy 247th birthday, head down on August 20 and make your way to the Presidio San Agustin del Tucson Museum for the city's official birthday fiesta. And last but not least, while the heat is most definitely still on in Phoenix, you'll be able to cool down at Maya Day Club and the W Scottsdale, which will both be hosting their sizzling pool parties all August long.

August will get off to a smooth start in Little Rock as the A Work of Art Jazz Festival returns after a two-year hiatus (August 1-6). Hope will hold its 46th Annual Watermelon Festival August 11-13 featuring the usual array of concessions, arts & crafts and signature events like the Watermelon Olympics and "Watermelon Idol" talent contest-and this year will also feature a concert from Uncle Kracker. Head to Hot Springs the last weekend of the month for the annual Baseball Weekend (August 26-27)-a celebration of the city's love for the game and its oft-overlooked role as the birthplace of Spring Training.

If you dig colorful murals and street art, you'll find heaven in Eureka during their annual Street Art Festival (August 1-6), but if the sand, sea and surfing are your things, then make your way to Manhattan Beach for the 59th Annual International Surfing Festival (August 3-7). The event will include its usual array of lifeguard relay races, surf contests and beach volleyball tournaments in addition to youth events. The start of the month is also the time for one of the state's best music festivals: Outside Lands at Golden Gate Park in San Francisco (August 5-7), which will feature headlining sets from Green Day, Post Malone and SZA. Last but not least, Pan-Asian Pop music fans will want to head to the Rose Bowl in LA for the Head in the Clouds Festival (August 20-21).

The Moffat County Balloon Festival will take to the skies over Craig on August 6 while Vail's world-renowned Dance Festival continues through August 9, once again combining elite dance performances with a stunning natural setting. The sounds of jazz will echo through the mountains during the Telluride Jazz Festival (August 12-14) while the Colorado State Fair-the Centennial State's biggest party of the year-kicks off on August 27 in Pueblo.

August will see the 55th Paul Brown Monday Night Jazz Series at Hartford's Bushnell Park come to a close with performances on the first three Mondays of the month. The park will also host a Puerto Rican Day parade on August 21. The Podunk Bluegrass Festival (August 11-14) will celebrate its 25th anniversary with four days of great music at the Goshen Fairgrounds, and finally, you'll want to circle August 4 on your calendar as it's the start of the Insta-tastic Sunflower Festival at The Farm in Woodbury.

The charming small town of Wyoming, Delaware will hold its annual Peach Festival on August 6 and it will once again feature crafters, vendors and plenty of peachy desserts. Homegrown country star Jimmie Allen will host his second annual 2022 Bettie James Fest in Milton, which he will headline alongside acts like We The Kings and Lainey Wilson. Head to Wilmington on Thursday evenings in August to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the Riverfront Summer Concert Series and the town of Townsend will host another edition of the Reggae Roots Festival on August 19.

Make for Miami early in the month to take in the graceful moves of some of the world's best dancers at the International Ballet Festival, which will run through August 14. Key West will once again go crazy for all things crustacean at the Key West Lobster Festival (August 11-14) and August 13 will see the return of the Jacksonville Caribbean Carnival to Metropolitan Park.

Savannah starts the month with the tasty Southeast Crab Feast at Lake Mayer Park (August 6) while over in Atlanta, Piedmont Park is the place to be in as it will be the setting for not one, but two stellar events in August. The BeREGGAE Music & Arts Festival takes over the park August 12-14 with performances from artists like Wayne Wonder, Tito Puente, Junior and a host of local artists while during the weekend of August 20-21 see the park play host to the Piedmont Park Arts Festival, a get together dedicated to the arts and family fun. And for the foodies, Black Restaurant Week runs August 5-14 in Atlanta.

When the eighth month of the year rolls around on Waikiki, there's only one event everyone's talking about: Duke's Oceanfest. Taking place August 20-28, the festival will once again pay tribute to legendary Hawaiian ocean athlete Duke Kahanamoku with scores of ocean sports competitions and events (paddle boarding, surfing, water polo and even dog surfing are on the agenda). On the Big Island, August 13 is the day for the annual Mango Festival at Hale Halawai Beach Park and back over on Oahu, the Korean Festival will once again celebrate Korean culture through dance, food, music and art in Honolulu on August 20.

Arguably Idaho's best event period, The Festival at Sandpoint runs through August 7 on the shores of Lake Pend Oreille and will once again feature excellent music and mouthwatering food. Performers in August include Kaleo, The Beach Boys, Lindsey Stirling, Lisa Livesay and a grand finale of wine tasting and music by the Spokane Symphony. Down south, they will be celebrating classical music at the annual Sun Valley Music Festival (through August 18) and over in Boise, August 27 is the day for the annual Goathead Festival, a wacky and wonderful celebration of cycling.

Peoria's premier event of the month will be the R&B and soul-centric River City Soul Fest (August 5-6) while that same weekend will see the Windy City Smokeout bring great beer & barbecue and the bodacious tunes of Willie Nelson, Sam Hunt, Miranda Lambert and Tim McGraw to Chicago. The Windy City winds down summer in style as the Grant Park Music Festival continues its annual run of free outdoor classical concerts through August 2 while the much-loved free Millenium Park Music Series will come to a crescendo on August 18. Elsewhere, Floatzilla will celebrate paddling on the Mississippi in Rockford on August 20 and back in River City, they will celebrate all things Emerald Isle at the annual Peoria Irish Festival (August 26-28).

Indy will overflow with fun (agricultural exhibits, carnival rides, stunt dogs and a mullet haircut contest are among the highlights this year) during the annual Indiana State Fair, which will run through August 21 at the State Fairgrounds. During the middle of the month, Delphi will hold its 167th Annual Settlers Festival (August 11) and Fiesta Fort Wayne will celebrate Latino and Hispanic culture on August 13. Finish the month back in Fort Wayne at the Taste of the Arts Festival (August 27-28), the city's biggest food and arts fest, or stay in Indy and get yourself to the Greek Festival (August 26-27).

Start your month off in Davenport at the Mississippi Valley Festival (August 2-7) then join people from all over Iowa and the entire Upper Midwest in Des Moines for the Iowa State Fair, which will bring its famous brand of deep-fried, family-friendly fun to the State Fairgrounds on August 11-21. Elsewhere, Amana Colonies will hold the Festival of the Arts on August 13 and the town of Lisbon will throw its annual Sauerkraut Days soiree on August 18-20 with carnival rides, concerts, a cabbage growing contest and plenty of bratwurst and sauerkraut for sampling.

Start your month by experiencing a great party in one of the nation's best Old West towns at Dodge City Days (through August 7) or by dancing to some great EDM at the Breakaway Festival in Bonner Springs (August 5-6), where The Chainsmokers, Illenium, Alison Wonderland and scores more will take the stage. The Duck Jam in Winfield (August 4 & 25) will pair up great music and the great outdoors while down in Liberal, the 109th Annual Seward County Five State Fair will bring its special brand of southwest Kansas fun to the crowds (August 22-28).

Get yourself to Covington's riverfront-across the Ohio River from Cincinnati-for Glier's Goettafest (August 4-7), which will see the region's famous meaty treat served up dozens of different ways amid plenty of fun diversions. Next door in Newport, the Great Inland Seafood Festival will bring lobster, crab and other flavors of the coast to Kentucky alongside live music and libations on August 11-14 while the sensational Kentucky State Fair kicks off in Louisville on August 18 (runs through August 28). End your month in Danville, celebrating the city's rich African-American culture at the Soul of Second Street Festival on August 27.

New Orleans' Satchmo Summerfest (August 6-7) will once again pay tribute to Louis Armstrong through great food and even better music while all month long the city's amazing restaurants will be offering up great discounts during the COOLinary event. The middle of the month is highlighted by the Delcambre Shrimp Festival (August 17-21), which will once again honor the shrimping heritage of the region with crustacean cook-offs, carnival rides, the blessing of the fleet and plenty of tasty food. End your month sampling the rich cultures and flavors of Shreveport at the Louisiana SoulFood Festival (August 26-28).

Celebrating its 75th edition in 2022, The Maine Lobster Festival is back and better than ever. The fest will take place August 3-7 at Harbor Park in Rockland and will feature sensational seafood, arts & crafts, seafood cooking contests, entertainment, a parade and the crowning of the Maine Sea Goddess. Up north on that same weekend (August 4-7), the Bangor State Fair returns with its live music, Midway rides and demolition derby while Rockport, Maine will host three weeks of live music during the Summer Concert Series and Screen Door Festival, which run from August 3-21.

Head to Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore August 6-7 for one of the best EDM events on the East Coast: the Moonrise Festival. That same weekend will see the Old Fashioned Corn Roast Festival take place in Westminster (August 6) while in Berlin on that day, they will put the peach on a pedestal at the Berlin Peach Festival. In Crownsville near Annapolis, August 27 sees the start of the cherished annual tradition that is the Maryland Renaissance Festival, which will transport visitors to 16th century England with its ye olde costumes, competitions and "faire" food.

The fabulous Free Shakespeare on the Common Festival will continue through August 7, performing a sensational rendition of Much Ado About Nothing al fresco in the heart of Boston. After you've seen the show there, make your way to Onset on August 7 for the 30-ish Annual Onset Blues Festival, where you will be able to hear sensational sounds near the seashore. Other great events in the Bay State include the Boston Seafood Festival (August 7), the Boston Jazz Fest (August 27) and Provincetown Carnival (August 13-20).

Each summer, Grand Haven salutes the men and women of the Coast Gaurd during the Coast Gaurd Festival, which will bring live entertainment, great food, carboard board races and other fun events to the crowds through August 7. Blue Water Sand Fest-the state's only master sand sculpting festival-returns to Port Huron on August 5-7 and those same days are the dates for the much-loved Coloma Glad-Peach Festival. Last but certainly not least, South Haven will hold its National Blueberry Festival on August 11-14.

Glide into Two Harbors for the Festival of Sail (August 4-7), which will show off historic ships from around the world in addition to plenty of great music and festival food. Minneapolis will play host to the Minnesota Fringe Festival (August 4-14) and the MLS All-Star Game and its assorted festivities (August 8-10). The Land of 10,000 Lakes saves the best for last as the Great Minnesota Get-Together-also known as the State Fair-starts up on August 15. Once again, this party in St. Paul will be bringing hundreds of unique diversions, rides and delicious snacks to the crowds.

Start your month off in Water Valley at the annual Watermelon Carnival, which will bring contests, parades, fireworks and lots of happy reunions to City Park (August 5-6). Clarksdale will hold its annual Sunflower River Blues & Gospel Festival on August 12-14 while the Mississippi Book Festival will once again throw a "literary lawn party" at the state capitol grounds on August 20.

Springfield sees the Birthplace of Route 66 Festival roll into town August 11-13, where the Mother Road and motoring will be celebrated with gusto. There will be over 300 craft vendors, live music and tantalizing food at the Festival of the Little Hills in St. Charles (August 19-21) while the Missouri State Fair will take place in Sedalia on August 11-21 and will once again feature bushels of family-friendly fun, entertainment, demolition derbies and agricultural exhibitions. A fine way to end your month is at the Festival of Nations in St. Louis (August 27-28), which will celebrate the cultures, cuisine and spirit of countries from around the world.

Big Sky fun will bubble over at the Montana State Fair, which will run through August 6 in Great Falls, while the equally-awesome Montana Fair will run August 12-20 in Billings. This so-called "last best place of summer" will feature rodeos, stunt dogs, concerts from Elle King, Nelly and Collective Soul in addition to scores of other amusements. Celebrate the heritage of the Western ranching lifestyle and the culture of the cowboy at the 37th Annual Montana Cowboy Poetry Gathering and Western Music Rendezvous in Lewiston (August 11-14) and get an insight into Native culture at the Crow Fair & Rodeo, which takes place on August 19 in Crow Agency.

Head to Hastings Fairground on August 19-21 to raise a glass to everybody's favorite summer beverage at Kool-Aid Days. In Omaha, you can enjoy the Nebraska Balloon & Wine Festival (August 19-20), soak up Greek culture at the Omaha Greek Festival (August 19-21) or watch al fresco opera at Opera Outdoors at Turner Park (August 19). End your month in style at the Nebraska State Fair, which will kick off on August 16 and run through early September. Highlights of this hootenanny include livestock competitions, live music, dirt events (bullfighters, horse relays and demolition derbies are among the highlights) and delicious fair food.

In Reno, August means classic cars and rock & roll during Hot August Nights, which will take place August 2-7 and once again take attendees on a memorable trip down memory lane. Big shows in Vegas include Red Hot Chili Peppers (August 6), The Weeknd (August 20) and the Killers (August 26) and residencies by Katy Perry, Silk Sonic and Luke Bryan. Finally, talk about late summer happenings in the Silver State would be complete without mention of the one-of-a-kind Burning Man event-the temporary city in the Black Rock Desert-which will welcome art and self-expressing revelers for the first time since 2019 beginning on August 28.

Start August out by going off-road in Berlin at the Journey to Jericho ATV Jamboree (August 5-6) then make your way to Hampton Beach for Children's Week (August 15-19), which will once again feature storytellers, magicians and puppets by the beach. Music fans will want to take the trip to Thornton for the White Mountain Boogie and Blues Festival,(August 19-21) and swing down to the 39th Annual Tommy Gallant Jazz Festival in Portsmouth (August 28), where local, regional and national talent will fill the Seacoast with the smooth sounds of jazz.

Sink your teeth into scrumptious seafood and take in the live entertainment and assorted activities at the annual Clam Festival (August 5-7) in Highlands before making for the ultimate family-friendly fiesta at the Sussex County Fairgrounds: the New Jersey State Fair (August 5-13). If you're into ink, make your way to Wildwood for the Tattoo Beach Beach (August 12-14), and if you like surf-centric rock and other exotic music sounds, head to Asbury Park for the Hi-Tide Summer Holiday (August 19-21) event.

Gallup will hold their 100th Annual Gallup Intertribal Ceremonial (August 4-14), which is regarded as one of the finest cultural events in the West. There, you can enjoy Native American & Indigenous dances and songs, artisans and a rodeo among many other engaging activities. August 12-14 sees Balloons Over Angel Fire seek the skies come alive over the Angel Fire Airport while the Santa Fe Indian Market-the world's biggest Native American art show-will take over the capital August 17-21. End your month in Deming at the Great American Duck Race (August 25-28), a family-friendly weekend of fun crowned by ducks taking to the water.

Head to Binghamton August 5-7 to celebrate the beloved local dish of tasty cubed meat served on soft Italian bread called spiedie at the Spiedie Fest and Balloon Rally. The cultural heritage of Harlem will be celebrated during Harlem Week (August 12-21) while August 18-21 will see the Hudson Valley Jazz Festival return for another year. To cap things off, NYC Restaurant Week will run all the way through August 21 this year, celebrating the 30th anniversary of this delicious annual event.

The month will start with a bang in Murfreesboro at the 37th Annual NC Watermelon Festival (August 3-6), which will feature plenty of rides, live music, fair food and fresh & cool watermelon. If you needed more reasons to make one last run to the Outer Banks this summer, Okracoke Island will hold its annual Fig Festival August 4-6- serving up fun and the usual array of tasty, local fig-filled treats-and Nags Head will host the OBX Pirate Festival on August 10-11. Elsewhere, Winston-Salem is the spot for the National Black Theatre Festival (August 1-6), Marion hosts the North Carolina State Bluegrass Festival (August 18-20) and Rocky Mount will see Reggae Fest return on August 26.

Kick off your month at the 66th Annual Home On The Range Champions Ride in Sentinel Butte (August 6), which will once again see the best saddle bronc riders battle it out for the title. Elsewhere, Drayton will host the Catfish Captial Challenge Catfish Tournament August 12-13, the Fargo Food Truck Festival will delight the crowds August 12-14 and the Off The Charts Music Festival will once again be bringing free tunes to the crowds in Cavalier (August 20-21).

Head to Dublin, Ohio for the world's largest three-day Irish Festival (August 5-7), where you'll be able to enjoy all aspects of culture from Ireland. Or, for something really unique, spend that weekend seeing double in Twinsburg at Twins Days-the "largest annual gathering of twins and multiples in the world". Festival Latino will bring the spirit of Latin America to Columbus on August 13-14 and sports fans should swing down to Cincinnati for the Western & Southern Open (August 13-21)-the prestigious hardcourt warm-up for the US Open.

You have until August 8 to take in the 50th Annual Prix de West-the country's most esteemed Western art exhibition-at the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum in Oklahoma City while August 4 sees the return of the VIBES art experience in downtown Edmond. The Oklahoma Festival of Ballooning will take to the skies over Muskogee on August 26-28 and that same weekend sees the World Paddlesport Festival take to the Oklahoma River in OKC (August 27).

Portland will play host to the Vanport Jazz Festival (August 5-6) and Hip Hop Week (August 20-26) while nearby Happy Valley is the place to be for Pickathon (August 4-7), an eclectic and green folk festival. Arguably saving the best for last, the Beaver State will finish summer at the Oregon State Fair, which will begin on August 26 and run through Labor Day. In addition to the livestock shows, carnival rides and mouthwatering food, the fair will feature August concerts from the likes of Shaggy and Gary LeVox.

Begin your month in Philadelphia at the BlackStar Film Festival (August 3-7), a yearly celebration of the storytelling and visual traditions of the African diaspora and worldwide societies of color. Another early August can't-miss is Musikfest in Bethlehem, the annual arts & concert festival (August 4-14). This year's musical acts include Ziggy Marley, Willie Nelson, Kelsea Ballerini, Boyz II Men and Ja Rule & Ashanti. Elsewhere, black-owned breweries will shine at the Barrel & Flow festival in Pittsburgh on August 13 and the Pennsylvania Renaissance Faire in Mount Hope opens up on August 20.

Plan to be at Providence's beloved Roger Williams Park on August 3 for Pops in the Park: A Night at The Oscars-an evening of sensational music by the Rhode Island Philharmonic Orchestra themed around film. The grand park will also host World Music concerts (August 13 & 27) and Afro-Rican Jazz (August 14). Down on the coast in Newport, horsedrawn coaches will take center stage during A Weekend of Coaching (August 19-21) and the Schooner Aurora will host three lobster boils and sunset sails during the month (August 3, 17, 21).

Expect everything from operas and orchestras to Broadway tunes at Myrtle Beach's Muzika! Festival, which runs through August 3. Beer from Here at the South Carolina Aquarium in Charleston returns on August 19, offering the unique experience of sipping locally made suds while surrounded by sea life and August 27 sees the city full of spice and rhythmic Caribbean sounds at the SC Reggae Jerk & Wine Festival. In the town of Awendaw on August 17 they'll be throwing a food-themed party too, but this one is all about crustaceans at the annual Blue Crab Festival.

The town of Clark will be celebrating its celebrated local crop during Potato Days (August 5-7) and Mitchell will throw a party during the Corn Palace Festival (August 24-28)-which will include a performance by Randy Travis-but South Dakota in August is synonymous with one event and one event alone: Sturgis. The world-famous motorcycle rally returns for ten days of roaring engines and revelry on August 5-14 and it promises to be better than ever. Take part in one of the organized rides or just hang back in town for the concerts (Snoop Dogg, Blackberry Smoke, Buckcherry and Rob Zombie are among the big names), pub crawl or tattoo contest.

Knoxville starts out the month with the 41st Annual Smoky Mountain Quilter's Quilt Show & Competition (August 5-6), which will see over 200 quilts competing for prize money and adoration from the attendees while Murfreesboro hosts the Peach Cobbler Festival on August 13. In Memphis, Graceland will host Elvis Week August 9-17, which will once again feature conversations, tributes and concerts all dedicated to the King and over in Gatlinburg, August 18-21 will see the Songwriter's Festival return to town offering great music and insights from the people who penned numerous hit songs.

Head to El Paso through August 7 to experience the magic of the Plaza Classic Film Festival, the world's largest such event and then swing up north to Palo Duro Canyon by August 17 to catch the moving live performance of the TEXAS outdoor musical. Houston will host the SummerJazz festival August 19-20 and over in Austin, they will throw a party for its most famous nocturnal residents during Bat Fest (August 27), which will feature live music, children's activities and costume contests.

Get yourself to Garden City for the annual Raspberry Days (August 4-6) festival which will feature a pie-eating contest, pancake breakfast, parades and fireworks. Snowbird Ski Resort will kick off its Oktoberfest celebration on August 13 and the nationally-acclaimed Moab Music Festival will start up on August 22, once again combining exquisite music with breathtaking backdrops all around Moab.

The much-loved Lake Champlain Dragon Boat Festival returns on August 7 while the Shelburne Museum will end its 2022 Ben & Jerry's Concerts on the Green season with performances from Lyle Lovett (August 11), The Wild Hearts Tour (August 15), Wilco (August 24) and Caamp (August 25). Elsewhere, the Enduro World Series of mountain biking will take place in East Burke August 13-14 and the Green Mountain Bluegrass & Roots Festival will bring Americana, roots and bluegrass to Manchester August 19-21.

The Shenandoah Valley Music Festival will shine with concerts from America (August 12) and the Village People (August 13) while in Manassas, the Prince William County County Fair will bring its fabulous brand of All-American fun back to town on August 12-20. In Norfolk, the 39th Annual Waterfront Jazz Festival will bring its sensational sounds back to town on August 26-27 and over in Portsmouth, August 27-28 will be the dates of the 50th Annual Seawall Art Show.

Seattle's sensational summer-long Seafair comes to a crescendo with Seafair Weekend Festival (August 5-7), an event that sees races on the water, air shows above from the Blue Angels, and a festival taking place on the shores of Lake Washington. This year's National Lentil Festival will take place in Pullman on August 19-20 while August 19-21 is the time for Taste Edmonds, a food & music gathering in the charming town of Edmonds.

Start August off at the West Virginia Peach Festival in Romney (August 5-7), which will feature music, an antique car show, peach-eating competitions and dance parties in the streets. The State Fair of West Virginia makes its return to the Mountain State on August 11-20, bringing with the usual array of carnival rides, concerts, fair food and livestock shows. Beer lovers will want to make a beeline for Wheeling on August 20, as it will play host to Mountaineer Brewfest, a celebration of West Virginia brewing.

The second half of Wisconsin's amazing summer double act (July's Summerfest being the other), the Wisconsin State Fair returns to Milwaukee on August 4-14. You can expect the usual array of thrilling rides, tasty bites, agricultural displays, concerts and a few new surprises, too. Elsewhere, the Sugar Maple Festival (August 5-6) will bring awesome American roots music to Madison, plenty of mouthwatering bratwursts will be served at Johnsonville Brat Days (August 5-6) in Sheboygan and Cherry Fest (August 6) will toast the annual Door County cherry harvest.

Riverton will hold its 109th Annual Fremont County Fair & Rodeo through August 6 while Jackson Hole's Grand Teton Music Festival continues through August 27, bringing back its sensational array of orchestral, chamber, and soloist performances for another year. Green River will celebrate the local waterway during the annual River Festival (August 19) while Cheyenne will celebrate the arts with visual art vendors, music and food trucks at the Cheyenne Arts Celebration on August 20.