Chill Beats: Winter Music Festivals

When thinking of the music festival experience, images of hot sun and desert landscapes come to mind. But why must we limit our festival fun to the sweet summertime? April through August, we never miss Coachella, Outside Lands and Pacific Festival. And now, we’re here to fill your festival schedule December through March.

The best winter music festivals include the annual Snow Globe in Tahoe, Snow Ball in Vail and Ultra Music Festival in Miami. And of course we can’t forget about the big daddy Winter Music Conference which also takes place in Miami. New this year is A.W.O.L., a music lifestyle experience that was first born in Cabo San Lucas but is now embracing the fresh powder for A.W.O.L. Snow in Tahoe. While many of these winter music festivals are still waiting to announce their official entertainment lineups, we do have a few hot acts to begin obsessing over. Get ready to rage with Bassnectar, Pretty Lights, Thievery Corporation, The Glitch Mob, Childish Gambino and many more.

Discover the best winter music festivals.

Snow Globe Music Festival in South Lake Tahoe

If you’re craving a unique New Year’s Eve party experience, let your ears guide you to the Snow Globe Music Festival in South Lake Tahoe. Combining a majestic winter wonderland atmosphere with a mega entertainment lineup, Snow Globe is our top pick for a music-inspired New Year’s Eve celebration and it’s going down December 29 – 31, 2011. The three-day festival features headliners Bassnectar, Pretty Lights, Thievery Corporation, The Glitch Mob, Childish Gambino and Porter Robinson, as well as performances by Dillon Francis, Big Gigantic, Star Slinger and Robotic Pirate Monkey. Three-day festival passes are $149.95, and a variety of festival packages are also available, including lodging, transportation and preferred heated seating. Learn more at snowglobemusicfestival.com

A.W.O.L. Snow in South Lake Tahoe

Another Way of Life is a music lifestyle experience that was born on the beaches of Cabo San Lucas but is now embracing its alter ego for a new snow-inspired event in Lake Tahoe. A.W.O.L. Snow is going off February 24 – 27, 2012 and will take place at Harrah’s Resort & Casino, with additional parties through the night at Bleu Nightclub, Mont Bleu Theatre and more Tahoe nightclubs. A.W.O.L. is bringing back supporters Tara Brooks, Kevin Brown, Amanda Panda and Stellar, and the main headlining acts will be announced soon. The 2011 A.W.O.L. Cabo lineup featured Dirty South, Sharam and Chris Lake, so you can expect a big roster this winter. Learn more at facebook.com and tryawol.com

Snow Ball Music Festival in Vail Valley

End the winter season in style during the Snow Ball Music Festival in Vail Valley, Colorado. Snow Ball returns March 2 – 4, 2012 and the new lineup has yet to be announced. The 2011 lineup featured Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros, Diplo, Pretty Lights and Bassnectar, so we’re expecting big things from the 2012 lineup. Snow Ball stands for the principles of Music, Adventure, Party. Learn more at snowballmusicfestival.com (pictured)

Winter Music Conference in Miami Beach

Now in its 27th year, Winter Music Conference (WMC) is one of the largest annual music gatherings in the world. In addition to 400+ parties and live performances, WMC is a crucial platform for the continued advancement of the music industry, and attracts thousands of artists, professionals and fans every year. WMC is back in Miami Beach March 16 – 25, 2012, and will feature the International Dance Music Awards, WMC VJ Challenge, pool parties, club events, concerts and more. Get the full lineup and learn more at wintermusicconference.com

Ultra Music Festival in Downtown Miami

Miami is the place to be for all things music during the month of March. While the Winter Music Conference goes down, Ultra Music Festival takes off in downtown Miami. Regarded as the world’s premier electronic music festival, Ultra is coming back to town March 23 – 25, 2012. Even more reason to head east is the official Miami Music Week, which runs March 20 – 25, 2012. Three-day festival packages are available for $299.95 and the official entertainment lineup will be announced soon. Learn more at ultramusicfestival.com

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