Now that winter's coming to a close and the weather's beginning to warm up, it's time for some outdoor fun in the sun. Music festival season is upon us, with some of the biggest names in the industry taking to stages small and large around the world. Here are just a few of the awesome events happening this March.
SXSW 2011 — Photo courtesy of Jason Persse
South by Southwest - Austin, TX - March 12-17
South by Southwest (SXSW), one of the world's premier music events, returns to Austin this month bringing more than 2,000 musical acts to 90 venues in downtown. While SXSW always aims to showcase the best up-and-coming Texas talent, it'll host acts from over 50 countries this year as well.
SnowBall - Winter Park, CO - March 8-10
Music lovers in Winter Park don't even have to wait for the snow to melt to enjoy good music. Put on your coat and earmuffs for 45 artists on three stages, with headline performances by Pretty Lights, STS9, Big Gigantic and Kendrick Lamar. They'll even be a ski and snowboard jump area next to the stage where extreme winter athletes can show off.
Electro Beach - Puerto Vallarta, Mexico - March 3-29
March is the start of spring break season on the coast of Mexico, and in Puerto Vallarta, you can celebrate with four weeks of international DJ talent at the turntables in some of the town's best nightclubs.
Hammerfest - North Wales, UK - March 14-17
Metal heads rejoice! Hammerfest is back for its fifth installment, this time with a Japanese samurai theme with 50 bands on three stages. Fans of every style of metal will be catered to.
Hammerfest — Photo courtesy of Yasir Alani
Canadian Music Fest - Toronto, Canada - March 19-24
Over the course of six nights, Toronto will host more than 1,000 musical acts from 40 countries on 60 stages throughout the city. Mac Demarco, Charlotte Church, Nick Cave & the Bad Seeds and Hunter Valentine are among the talent who'll take the stage.
Canadian Music Fest — Photo courtesy of Daniel Acuña
Treefort Music Festival - Boise, ID - March 21-24
Drawing inspiration from festivals like SXSW, the Treefort Music Festival will take place for only the second time this month with four days of music focusing on new and local talent.
Ravers at Ultra Music Festival Miami — Photo courtesy of najarich
Ultra Music Festival Miami - Miami, FL - March 15-17 and 22-24
Polish up your dancing shoes for this one. Miami yet again will host the world's biggest dance music event in the form of Ultra Music Festival Miami. This year, all the action will be happening at Bayfront Park.