Temperatures are heating up and that means one thing: music festival season is upon us! With more than 300 festivals to attend before summer ends, there’s something for every taste. Whether you’re listening to pop, punk, EDM, country, or anything in between, though, festival style and safety are a must.
As any seasoned festivalgoer knows, sunglasses are a crucial accessory. Not only do they pull together any look, but they protect the eyes from harmful UV rays and keep out damaging particles like sweat, sand, and dust.
With hundreds of brands and styles at every price point, it’s possible to find a pair of sunnies that works for your wallet, personal style, eyecare needs, and the vibe of each and every festival. Check out our rundown of this summer’s biggest bashes and our top picks to promote eye health and keep you looking cool:
Governors Ball Music Festival
The TLDR: Featuring more than 60 artists across three stages over one long weekend, Governor’s Ball is New York City’s quintessential music festival. This year’s lineup features more than its fair share of pop, hip hop, and rap stars, and has a certifiably young and cool feel.
Our top pick: The attendees of Gov Ball are always amongst festival season’s most fashionable, so you should plan to dress to impress. These shades from Prada lean into the sporty, chic look – one of this season’s biggest trends – and are a great choice for anyone hoping to make a splash. Additionally, thanks to their polarized lenses, these sunglasses are a practical choice, too.
Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival
The TLDR: Held on a 700-acre farm in Tennessee, Bonnaroo is a mainstay in the United States’ festival scene. While it’s known for its multiple stages, 24-hour dance parties, and diverse array of top talent, what really sets it apart is their out-of-this-world theme, focus on sustainability, and southern hospitality!
Our top pick: These Pride Iconic Monogram Cat Eye Sunglasses from Calvin Klein are our top pick for Bonnaroo. With purple lenses, periwinkle frames, and a sleek, futuristic shape you’ll fit right in amongst the other colorful aliens and space cadets. The best part? These shades have 100% UV A and B protection, and Marchon brands are made with a focus on sustainability, making them the perfect fit for this eco-conscious concert series.
Summerfest
The TLDR: With 12 stages, three weekends of performances, more than 800 acts, and a whopping 900,000 attendees, Milwaukee, Wisconsin’s Summerfest is the largest music festival in the world. And with tickets starting as low as $26, and performances from top names in country, rock, blues, hip hop, and R & B, it’s easy to see why this festival draws a crowd.
Our top pick: With a massive crowd of more than 900,000, it’s easy to lose track of your possessions. Luckily these affordable and chic sunnies from Vogue Eyewear come with a cute gold chain that will ensure that your sunglasses stay firmly on your head. As an added bonus, they come in three trendy color options!
Newport Folk Festival
The TLDR: The Newport Folk Festival is the cool, laid-back older cousin of the festival scene. One of the first modern music festivals in America, the Newport Folk has featured its fair share of historic moments in its 60+ year run including Bob Dylan’s first electric Rock-and-Roll set and the Pixies’ first acoustic performance. These days, the waterfront festival continues to expand the folk scene with performances by up-and-comers and big names, alike.
Our top pick: With a boxy square frame and a classic tortoise shell, these retro-inspired Ray Bans will have you channeling your inner Daisy Jones and are perfectly suited for this historic festival. Additionally, with protective polarized lenses, these shades will help keep your eyes safe from the sun’s rays and the harsh glare coming off the Atlantic Ocean.
Lollapalooza
The TLDR: Set in Downtown Chicago’s Grant Park with scenic Lake Michigan in the background, Lollapalooza brings some of the biggest names in hip-hop, techno, and alternative rock together for a four-day jam sesh. A certifiably trendy and young crowd, Lolla is one of the nation’s top music destinations.
Our top pick: These baby blue, cat-eyed shades from Cutler and Gross are the ultimate choice for Lollapalooza 2023. With a playful color and a subtle take on the “puffy” glasses trend, you will be sure to look fashionable amidst this cool kid crowd while keeping the sun’s harmful UV A and B rays at bay.
Riot Fest
The TLDR: Another Chicago-based festival, Riot Fest is a departure from some of the more pop-heavy lineups of the summer. Here, fans will see some of the biggest names in punk, alt-rock, and Y2K emo faves. Riot Fest attendees can expect to enjoy carnival rides and delicious food vendors, in addition to stellar performances.
Our top pick: With a skinny wire frame and all black everything, these sunnies from Emporio Armani are fun and edgy, just like Riot Fest.
While festivals are certainly a space to flaunt your eyewear, wearing sunglasses year round is crucial to vision health. Don’t forget to celebrate National Sunglasses Day on June 27th by sharing a #NationalSunglassesDay selfie!
