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Best Music Festivals Near Pittsburgh

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Spring and summer are the best times to attend a local music festival around Pittsburgh and there is certainly no shortage of live music events throughout the region. No matter what genre of music you prefer, there is a festival for you. From blues and folk festivals to country campouts, these concerts will kick off your summer right and bring the fun all through the start of fall. Celebrate the culture and great local artists from Pittsburgh at these five music festivals happening in and around the city.

2015 Pittsburgh Folk Festival
Monroeville Convention Center
209 Mall Plaza Blvd.
Monroeville, PA 15146
(412) 278-1267
www.pghfolkfest.org

Date: May 15, 2015 at 4 p.m. and May 16, 2015 at 11 a.m.

If you appreciate the entertaining and unique sounds of folk music, score your tickets early to the Pittsburgh Folk Festival. This year's event will be held at the Monroeville Convention Center that provides plenty of space for the thousands of performers and musicians that will take the stage the weekend of May 15 and 16. Surround yourself in the sounds of the many diverse nationalities and cultures that make up this great city. Tickets are $5 in advance or $6 at the door. Service men and women and children ages 12 and under enter for free.

Dollar Bank Three Rivers Arts Festival
Point State Park – Various Locations
Pittsburgh, PA 15222
(412) 456-6666
www.3riversartsfest.org

Date: June 5 through June 14, 2015

One of Pittsburgh's most eagerly anticipated music festivals is the Dollar Bank Three Rivers Arts Festival. While visual arts take the main stage during this annual summer event, many of the area's most entertaining bands and musicians are not to be missed throughout the course of this 10-day festival. Head down to Point State Park to hear local entertainers and view hundreds of performance and visual artists. Admission to the Dollar Bank Three Rivers Arts Festival is free.

Blues Fest 2015
Hartwood Acres
200 Hartwood Acres
Pittsburgh, PA 15238
(412) 460-BLUE
www.pghblues.com

Date: July 24 through July 26, 2015

Fans of blues music won't want to miss the city's annual Blues Festival. Now entering its twenty first year, the Pittsburgh Blues Festival draws a large gathering of music lovers looking to hear the region's best blues musicians during several summer days of food, arts, crafts and games. KidZone and PetZone make this festival fun for the whole family. Friday admission is free with a donation to the Food Bank of a bag of non-perishable grocery items. Admission ranges from advance tickets at $30 to $35 at the gate. A two-day weekend pass is also available for $50. Children ages 12 and under enter free. Student and military discounts are offered.

Related: Best Up-And-Coming Pittsburgh Bands Of 2014

MuSic For MS Roots Music Festival
Hartwood Acres
200 Hartwood Acres
Pittsburgh, PA 15238
www.musicforms.org

Date: August 15, 2015

MuSic for MS Roots Musical Festival returns for its second year to Hartwood Acres main stage and brings with it a slew of top local acts. Major Pittsburgh musicians like the Gathering Field's Bill Deasy, City Dwelling Nature Seekers and the Weedrags will be joined by several national acts in a festival created to help raise money and awareness for the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. WDVE's own Michele Michaels will be back as the event's MC to welcome bands and singers like Maddie Arnold, The Mulligan Brothers and Humming House. MuSic for MS Roots Musical Festival is sponsored by National Multiple Sclerosis Society Pennsylvania Keystone Chapter and McMahon Financial. Get your tickets for $15 during the festival's pre-sale individual admission special via its website.

Jamboree In The Hills
43510 National Rd.
Belmont, OH 43718
(800) 594-8499
www.jamboreeinthehills.com

Date: July 16 through July 19, 2015

A nearly two hour drive southwest from downtown Pittsburgh will lead you to Belmont, Ohio and the wildly popular Jamboree In The Hills. Now in its third year, this four-day music festival is a favorite among Pittsburgh's country music fans who regularly make the drive to camp, party and enjoy the nation's biggest and best country artists. This year's line-up features musicians like Dierks Bentley, Toby Keith, Florida Georgia Line, Thomas Rett, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Frankie Ballard and more. Tickets are available through Music Today, including the festival's multiple-day passes, camping passes and premium car parking tickets.

Related: Best Small Rock Clubs To See A Band Up Close

Jessica Wasik is a graduate of Robert Morris University with a degree in English Studies. She is also a contributing writer for AXS.com and Examiner.com. Her work can be found at Examiner.com.
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