All the Significant Cultural Events to Travel for This Summer—Accommodation Suggestions and Packing Tips for Each

      I'm not going to soften the truth: Organizing a summer itinerary can be quite stressful. Requesting time off from work is intimidating. Coordinating in a group chat? That's overwhelming, to say the least. Choosing the wrong hotel can feel like a disaster. And based on past experience, packing at the last minute rarely turns out well. To avoid any mishaps, I've dedicated 13 hours to compiling a list of the most exciting and worth-the-trip events for summer 2026, alongside recommendations for accommodations and packing lists. This summer will be diverse—covering art, culture, music, and sports. If you're not up to date on the events happening until September, don't worry. I'm here to fill you in. Harry Styles is hitting the road—yes, that's right! After performances in Amsterdam, London, São Paulo, and Mexico City, he'll be in NYC for an extensive 30-show residency at Madison Square Garden. Ariana Grande is also making her return with her rendition of The Eras Tour. Additionally, in the sports arena, the FIFA World Cup, US Open, and British Grand Prix are all vying for our attention. Up next, I'll share the trendiest hotels in L.A., NYC, and Austin; fashion inspirations from Coachella influencing Lollapalooza styles; and the stylish art exhibit drawing New Yorkers to Paris. And don’t forget to watch out for insider tips on navigating public transport in New York and New Jersey.

      If your Instagram feed resembles mine, you’ve likely witnessed the outfit transformations and setlist teasers from Ariana Grande’s Eternal Sunshine Tour. After a six-and-a-half-year hiatus following her Sweetener Tour, Grande has returned with her stunning vocals and storytelling performances. Taking inspiration from Dangerous Woman, Thank U, Next, Positions, and her latest single from the eagerly awaited Petal (slated for July 31), she guides her audience through her past eras and into the future. Simply put, the setlist is iconic. For accommodations, Grande began her tour in Oakland, California, with stops in various North American cities, from Los Angeles to Austin, Brooklyn to Montreal, and a 10-night engagement in London at the O2 arena until September 1. If you're vibing with L.A., the Fairmont Century Plaza is recommended for its prime location. If you're drawn to Austin's culinary scene, check out the Carpenter Hotel or the Austin Motel, and make sure to experience Terry Black’s BBQ while there. For anyone traveling overseas, One Hundred Shoreditch in East London is a solid choice, or, as our entertainment director Jessica Baker describes it, “Think L.A.’s Eagle Rock.”

      As a New Jersey native raised in a football-loving home—yes, we refer to it as football—having the FIFA World Cup 2026 finals at New York New Jersey Stadium is a monumental event: 48 teams, 104 matches, 16 host cities, one champion. Argentina, the defending champion, triumphed over France in the 2022 games. Watch for standout players like France’s Kylian Mbappé, Spain’s Lamine Yamal, and Argentina’s Lionel Messi, who boasts over 22 years in the sport, along with fan favorites England and Brazil. For accommodations: the USA, Mexico, and Canada will host several matches, ranging from L.A. to Monterrey to Vancouver. But the finals? That’s at New York New Jersey Stadium. While I wouldn’t speak poorly of my home state, if you're heading to the East Coast, NYC should be your goal. Consider staying at the Mercer Hotel in SoHo, or if you want an authentic Jersey experience, try the George in Montclair. Just a heads-up: navigating NJ Transit can be quite an adventure. Be punctual and ready for delays.

      The US Open stands as a landmark in tennis history, famous for memorable moments such as the 2001 women’s final between Venus and Serena Williams, Billie Jean King's fight for equal prize money, and Althea Gibson being the first Black player to compete in the US Nationals (now the US Open). Whether you attend to watch or be seen, there’s buzz surrounding the players (hello, Naomi Osaka's outfits), celebrities courtside, and the usual preppy vibes like popped collars and tennis skirts. For accommodations, the US Open, held in Flushing, Queens, is yet another NYC summer event where staying in Manhattan is advisable. The Kimberly Hotel and Pendry Manhattan West are both just a five-minute stroll from the express 7 train.

      Harry Styles will return to Madison Square Garden for an impressive 30-show residency starting August 26 and wrapping up October 31. (Rumors suggest another “Harryween” may be in the works.) His latest album, Kiss All the Time. Disco, Occasionally, will likely dominate the setlist. "American Girls" seems a perfect fit—considering the NYC setting and the Zoë Kravitz