Want to Play a Festival in 2027? Here Are 15 Accepting Artist Submissions Right Now

Festival season might feel far away, but for independent artists hoping to get onstage in 2027, the application process has already started.

Festivals across the United States, Canada, the UK, and Europe are currently accepting submissions from independent and emerging artists. Some are major industry showcases built around music discovery, while others offer opportunities to perform in front of new regional audiences.

The important part? Don't wait until 2027 to start looking.

Here are 15 festival opportunities independent artists can have on their radar right now.

Application information below is current as of September 15, 2026. Artists should confirm deadlines and eligibility directly with each festival before applying.

SXSW Music Festival

Location: Austin, Texas Submission Deadline: November 20, 2026

SXSW remains one of the biggest international showcase opportunities for artists looking to perform in front of fans, media, labels, booking professionals, and other members of the global music industry. Official 2027 showcase applications are currently open to artists across genres.

NXNE

Location: Toronto, Ontario Submission Deadline: December 31, 2026

North by Northeast takes over venues throughout Toronto with a lineup heavily focused on emerging and independent music. Applications for the 2027 festival are free, making NXNE one of the more accessible opportunities for artists looking to break into the Canadian festival circuit.

The Great Escape

Location: Brighton, England Submission Deadline: February 15, 2027

The Great Escape has built its reputation around discovering what's next. Hundreds of emerging artists perform across Brighton each year in front of music fans and international industry professionals. Artists from around the world and across genres can submit for consideration.

Treefort Music Fest

Location: Boise, Idaho Festival Dates: March 31–April 4, 2027 Submissions: Open now

Treefort has become a destination for music discovery, bringing established names together with independent and emerging talent across venues throughout Boise. Artist submissions for its 2027 edition are currently open.

Tallinn Music Week

Location: Tallinn, Estonia Submission Deadline: October 26, 2026

Independent artists looking beyond North America should know Tallinn Music Week. The international showcase welcomes applications from artists across countries and genres, bringing performers together with a large audience of music-industry professionals, media, and fans.

The New Colossus Festival

Location: New York City, New York Submission Deadline: December 1, 2026

Taking place across Manhattan's Lower East Side, The New Colossus Festival puts emerging independent artists at the center of its programming. The festival is particularly relevant for indie, alternative, rock, and adjacent artists looking for a showcase opportunity in New York City.

Musikfest

Location: Bethlehem, Pennsylvania Submission Deadline: January 31, 2027

Musikfest is a massive multi-day music event produced by ArtsQuest in Bethlehem. Artists can submit their music for consideration by the festival's programming department and music committee, and there is currently no application fee.

Ignite the Arts Festival

Location: Penticton, British Columbia Submission Deadline: November 30, 2026

Ignite the Arts combines live music with visual art and multidisciplinary performances, making it an interesting option for artists whose work crosses creative boundaries. Applications are open for its March 26–28, 2027 edition.

Will McLean Music Festival

Location: Brooksville, Florida Submission Deadline: September 30, 2026

Artists working in folk, acoustic, Americana, roots, and singer-songwriter spaces can look toward Florida's Will McLean Music Festival. The festival accepts applications from performers and workshop presenters, with a particular connection to Florida's songwriting and folk communities.

Mostly Jazz Funk & Soul Festival

Location: Birmingham, England Festival Dates: July 9–11, 2027 Submissions: Open now

Birmingham's Mostly Jazz Funk & Soul Festival brings together major performers and emerging talent across jazz, funk, soul, and related genres. Its artist application process gives up-and-coming musicians an opportunity to be considered for the festival lineup.

Decimate Metalfest

Location: Millet, Alberta Submission Deadline: October 15, 2026

Heavy artists, this one's for you. Decimate Metalfest focuses primarily on metal while also considering punk, hard rock, and other high-energy genres. Bands, solo performers, and DJs can currently submit for the 2027 festival.

ValhallaFest

Location: Terrace, British Columbia Festival Dates: June 25–27, 2027 Submissions: Open now

ValhallaFest offers opportunities for both live musicians and electronic artists, with separate application routes available for performers. That broader programming makes it worth checking out for independent acts that don't necessarily fit neatly into traditional festival categories.

615 Indie Live Festival

Location: Nashville, Tennessee Submissions: Open now

Deadline: No deadline currently listed

615 Indie Live puts Nashville's independent music ecosystem front and center, connecting local artists with independent venues throughout the city. The event is built around supporting the city's independent scene, with a significant portion of its event budget dedicated to compensating participating artists, performers, and musicians.

Strawberry Music Festival

Location: Grass Valley, California

Festival Dates: May 27–31, 2027

Submissions: Open now

Northern California's long-running Strawberry Music Festival focuses on roots-driven sounds spanning Americana, folk, bluegrass, and acoustic music. Artists interested in being considered for the 2027 lineup can currently send their music and supporting materials directly to the festival's booking department.

Don't Wait Until Festival Season to Start Applying

One of the easiest mistakes independent artists can make is assuming festival booking happens a few months before the actual event. In reality, applications and programming decisions can begin many months in advance.

Before submitting, artists should have the basics ready: strong live footage, updated press photos, a concise artist bio, streaming links, recent music, social profiles, and an EPK that doesn't require a booking team to dig through ten pages to figure out who you are.

And don't shotgun the same application to every festival you find.

Look at the existing lineup. Understand the genres being programmed. Check geographic and eligibility requirements. Find out whether performances are compensated and whether travel or accommodations are included. If an application carries a fee, decide whether the opportunity genuinely makes sense for where you are in your career.

Getting onto a festival lineup isn't just about having good music. It's about finding the right stage for it. With 2027 submissions already underway, now is the time to start looking.