Groupie getaways fuel concert tourism this summer

Key Takeaways

• Fans are increasingly “show hopping” across cities to catch their favorite artists live, driving a triple-digit percentage increase in searches for major concerts.
  
  
• Gen Z music lovers are planning “groupie getaways” for headline residencies and festival weekends, redefining the fan experience on the road.
  
  
• Airbnb is making concert and festival travel easier, offering unique stays and services that help fans relax and maximize their music adventures.
  
  

Emerging fan trends are redefining how music lovers will experience 2026’s major concert tours and festivals. Fans are “show hopping” across cities to catch chart-topping artists, Gen Z travelers are planning “groupie getaways” — searching for places to stay together — for headline residencies, and “festival fever” is sweeping the nation with travelers planning trips even before the performer lineup is revealed.

This summer, some of the world’s biggest artists with devoted fans are lighting up stages across the US, with chart-toppers like BTS, Noah Kahan, Ariana Grande, and more inspiring fans to “show hop”—traveling far and wide to catch their favorite acts live. In Boston — a major tour stop this summer — excitement is off the charts, with triple-digit spikes in guest searches in the city during the two-week period after their tour announcements. For several artists, it’s their first headline tour since 2019, making these shows even more coveted:

• BTS: Searches are up almost 600% in Boston ¹
• Noah Kahan: Searches are up more than 200% in Boston ²
• Ariana Grande: Searches are up approximately 200% in Boston ³
• Ed Sheeran: Searches are up almost 170% in Boston ⁴
• Bruno Mars: Searches are up more than 130% in Boston ⁵

This fall, Gen Z fans are set to bring an electrifying wave of excitement to the New York and New Jersey area, as Harry Styles’ highly anticipated residency draws crowds from near and far. Since the announcement, Gen Z searches for New York and New Jersey area stays during select weekends during Harry’s residency are up over 200 percent.⁶ These fans are planning “groupie getaways”—searching for places to stay together, with group travel searches up almost 300 percent by Gen Z guests.⁷ Airbnb makes group getaways seamless, providing stays in New Jersey where groups can spend more time together like bigger gathering spaces, kitchens to cook together—which is better than having multiple separate rooms.

The nationwide festival season in the US has begun, and travelers are eagerly planning their trips. Some start searching as soon as the lineup is announced, while others are ready to plan a trip even before official dates or artists are revealed. Gen Z is leading the excitement, driving the highest share of searches for the country’s most iconic festivals.⁸ Overall, interest in these top events is on the rise, with standout increases for:

• Coachella: Searches are up over 70%, with more than 55% of searches made in September when the lineup was announced.⁹
• Lollapalooza: Searches are up over 40%, including an almost 40% increase in searches by out-of-state travelers—even before the official event dates and lineup were announced.¹⁰
• Ultra Music Festival: Searches up are more than 10%, including an approximately 15% increase in searches by international travelers.¹¹

Airbnb can help festival-goers relax and recharge with unique services – like a private chef preparing delicious meals or an in-home massage to soothe tired feet and muscles. For those wanting to expand their trip beyond a festival, we offer experiences like learning to DJ or getting a private tarot reading.

• Palm Springs, CA: Guests can keep the energy going in the desert with their very own after-party taco bar hosted right at their listing. While there, guests can also make the most of their trip with a private tarot reading.
  
  
• Chicago, IL: Festivals-goers can maximize their time in Chicago by enjoying chef-prepped meals delivered to their door, or by exploring the food scene in the neighborhood.
  
  
• Miami, FL: During a weekend of watching the top DJs, fans can elevate their style with an on-demand glam session to perfect their festival look, or even learn how to DJ themselves.

When it comes to traveling for concerts and festivals, we make planning effortless and stress-free. Here are some top tips to help fans make the most out of their music adventures:

• Find your ideal home: Get what you’re looking for with search filters for must-have amenities. Keep an eye out for “Guest Favorite” and “Superhost” badges, which highlight top-quality homes and hosts.
  
  
• Avoid debates over where to stay: Spend less time debating by sharing wishlists. Everyone can add their favorite homes, leave notes, and vote for their top picks, making it easy to choose a place everyone loves.
  
  
• Check out reviews: See what previous guests thought by reading the reviews. We only allows guests who have booked to leave a review to make sure they’re based on real experiences. You can also search reviews by specific keywords. Any questions? Just message the host before you book.
  
  
• Stay budget-friendly: Our price settings help you stay on budget, while transparent pricing means the cost you see in search results is what you’ll pay. Plus, with “Reserve Now, Pay Later”, you can book right away and pay closer to your trip.
  
  
• Pick a flexible cancellation policy: Plans can change, and we have flexible cancellation policies so you can choose one that’s right for you. Before booking, you’ll see the cancellation policy for your trip.
  
  
• Know before you go: We ban disruptive parties and only allow bookings by guests aged 18 or older. Reservations must be made by those staying, and minors are welcome only if accompanied by a registered adult.
  
  
• Airbnb is here to help: Our support teams are on hand 24/7 if you need assistance during a stay. Plus, every booking comes with free AirCover for guests for refund and rebooking support, just in case.
  
  

¹Based on % increase in searches for Boston, MA for 8/4-7, 2026 compared to 8/5-8, 2025 (based on Q1 2026 data of searches made from 1/13-27, 2026 when the tour dates were announced and 1/14-28, 2025, respectively)

²Based on % increase in searches for Boston, MA for 7/10-12, 2026 compared to 7/11-13, 2025 (based on Q1 2026 data of searches made from 2/2-16, 2026 when the tour dates were announced and 2/3-17, 2025, respectively)

³Based on % increase in searches for Boston, MA for 7/21-7/26, 2026 compared to 7/22-7/27, 2025 (based on Q4 2025 data of searches made from 8/28-9/11, 2025 when the tour dates were announced and 8/29-9/12, 2024, respectively)

⁴Based on % increase in searches for Boston, MA for 9/24-27, 2026 compared to 9/25-28, 2025 (based on Q4 2025 data of searches made from 9/18-10/2, 2025 when the tour dates were announced and 8/19-10/3, 2024, respectively)

⁵Based on % increase in searches for Boston, MA for 9/4-7, 2026 compared to 9/5-8, 2025 (based on Q1 2026 data of searches made from 1/8-22, 2026 when the tour dates were announced and 1/9-23, 2025, respectively)

⁶Based on % increase in searches for New York and New Jersey for 8/25-8/30; 9/25-27; 10/30-11/1, 2026 compared to 8/26-8/31; 9/26-28; 10/31-11/2, 2025 (based on Q1 2026 data of searches made from 1/23-2/6, 2026 when the tour dates were announced and 1/24-2/7, 2025, respectively by Gen Z)

⁷Based on % increase in searches for New York and New Jersey area for 8/25-8/30; 9/25-27; 10/30-11/1, 2026 compared to 8/26-8/31; 9/26-28; 10/31-11/2, 2025 (based on Q1 2026 data of searches from 1/23-2/6, 2026 when the tour dates were announced and 1/24-2/7, 2025, respectively, by Gen Z guests)

⁸Based on share of searches by generation for Indio, CA & Palm Springs Desert for 4/10-12, 2026, Chicago, IL for 7/30-8/2, 2026, and Miami, FL for 3/24-30, 2026 (based on Q4 2025 data)

⁹Based on % increase in searches for Indio, CA & Palm Springs Desert for 4/10-12, 2026 & 4/17-19, 2026 compared to 4/11-13, 2025 & 4/18-20, 2025 (based on H1 2025 searches in 2026 vs. H1 2024 searches for 2025); Based on share searches in 2025 for Indio, CA & Palm Springs Desert for 4/10-12, 2026.

¹⁰Based on % increase in searches for Chicago, IL for 7/30-8/2, 2026 compared to 7/31-8/3, 2025 (based on H1 2025 searches in 2026 vs. H1 2024 searches for 2025 overall & by Gen Z guests)

¹¹Based on % increase in searches for Miami, FL for 3/24-30, 2026 compared to 3/25-31, 2025 (based on H1 2025 searches in 2026 vs. H1 2024 searches for 2025 overall & by international travelers)