Believe it or not, it’s time to start booking your spring break shit. ASAP.

When you’re mentally and physically trudging through the stone-cold misery of winter, you’re going to want a glowing sunny light at the end of the tunnel motivating you to reconsider ordering pizza tonight. And while the term “Spring Break” warms you with thoughts of tan lines and daiquiris, this year could be the perfect opportunity to check out a place you normally wouldn’t think of. Better yet, pick your destination around entertainment and live performances rather than wet t-shirt contests. There will be incredible music festivals taking place all around the world during break that you’re guaranteed to love, and won’t even make you have FOMO of PV:

Festival Name: South by South West

Location: Austin, TX

Dates: March 10th-19th

Cost:$1000-$1300

Every March the SXSW Music Festival invites an eclectic mix of brand new, up-and-coming, international, and headlining artists across all genres to perform in clubs, parks, bars, hotels, and just about everywhere else you can find a stage around the Texas capital. So while you won’t find a seashore in the middle of the lone star state, from March 10th to March 19th, you’ll have the opportunity break out your crochet festival bikini and jam out to some amazing music. We’re on standby for a full lineup, but the first wave of slotted artists can be found here.

Festival Name: Buku Music + Art Project

Location: New Orleans, Louisiana

Dates: March 10th-11th

Cost: $180-$270

Though you might not be able to make it to Mardi Gras this year, the Buku Music + Art Project will bring its sixth incarnation to New Orleans in March, offering a spring break experience along the Mississippi River like no other. The festival typically features a variety of electronic, hip-hop and indie artists, as well as urban art installations, pop-up street performers, and more. Though there’s no lineup yet, last year’s event showcased performances by Kid Cudi and CHVRCHES, so the festival’s hosts know how to deliver. With six gigantic stages (one of which is on a boat), you surely won’t be bored by the bayou.

Festival Name: Pot of Gold

Location: Chandler, AZ

Dates: March 17th-18th

Cost:$70-$130

If you’d rather celebrate (not) being Irish in the states, Arizona holds the two-day, outdoor Pot of Gold festival filled with music, artists, and vendors around Phoenix every March. Not only is Pot of Gold known for friendly vibes and lots of lager, but its creator, Lucky Man Concerts, also does a great job at finding a wide range of artists to headline. This year’s lineup includes G-Eazy, Desiigner, X Ambassadors, Death Cab for Cutie, and NOFX; in other words, start shopping for some Irish sweaters now, and may the luck of the Irish be with you.

Festival Name: Gasparilla

Location: Tampa, Florida

Dates: March 11th-12th

Cost:$350

Make philanthropy a part of your Spring Break by attending the Gasparilla Music Festival in Florida this March. The festival, which borrows a name from the city's century-old Gasparilla Pirate Festival, will be held in three parks lining the Hillsborough River in downtown Tampa: Curtis Hixon Park, Kiley Gardens, and Macdill Park. Founded in 2011, the organization hosting the event aims to support and promote music and education, and it is involved in several initiatives, including providing scholarships and instruments to music students. Also, visit your grandparents or check out some pre-season baseball games while you’re there, too.

The Official Spring Break Festival Guide