Still unsure about what festival suits your musical needs? Here’s a complete guide to summer music festivals both local and nationally.

What: Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival

Where: Indio, Calif.

When: April 17-19

Cost: $269 for a three-day pass; $99 for a single-day pass

Who’s playing: Paul McCartney, The Cure, Morrissey, My Bloody Valentine, The Killers, Leonard Cohen, Yeah Yeah Yeahs, M.I.A., Franz Ferdinand, Thievery Corporation, Conor Oberst and the Mystic Valley Band and many more

Why you should go: Easily the most expensive of the bunch, not to mention one of the more distant, Coachella may be for serious music-lovers only. What it lacks in affordability, it more than makes up for with its powerful lineup headed by the ex-Beatle and the equally timeless The Cure. A single-day ticket may be the best bet for those crunched for time and money.

What: Sasquatch! Music Festival

Where: George, Wash.

When: May 23-25

Cost: $66.50 for a single-day pass

Who’s playing: Jane’s Addiction, Kings of Leon, Nine Inch Nails, TV on the Radio, Yeah Yeah Yeahs, The Decemberists, Animal Collective, Ben Harper and Relentless7, Erykah Badu and many more

Why you should go: Possibly the best combination of quality and price, Sasquatch! annually turns George, Washington’s Gorge Amphitheater into a celebration spot every Memorial Day weekend. Unique to this fest is the comedy tent, which features big-name stand-ups like Zach Galifianakis, Demetri Martin, Aziz Ansari, Tim and Eric and The Whitest Kids U’ Know.

What: Bonnaroo

Where: Manchester, Tenn.

When: June 11-14

Cost: $249.50 for a general admission four-day pass

Who’s playing: Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band, Phish, Beastie Boys, Nine Inch Nails, Wilco, Snoop Dogg, Elvis Costello, TV on the Radio, Yeah Yeah Yeahs, The Decemberists, Animal Collective, Girl Talk and many more

Why you should go: Like Coachella, entrance to Bonnaroo is rather steep and will require a bit of traveling just to get there. But the opportunity to see The Boss, the reunited Phish (twice) and Nine Inch Nails before its indefinite hiatus may be too much to pass up. Being a four-day festival also helps soften the blow of the $250 price tag.

What: Belmont Arts & Music Festival

Where: Chicago (Belmont & Damen)

When: June 20-21

Cost: Free

Who’s playing: Lineup to be announced

Why you should go: Located in the heart of the wholesome Roscoe Village, this fest boasts a tight-knit neighborhood atmosphere. The stages are smaller, the food is cheaper, the bathrooms are less crowded and for free, there may be no better deal all summer. Last year’s performers included The Smoking Popes, Cursive, Maria Taylor, Maritime and Casiotone for the Painfully Alone, among others.

What: Pitchfork Music Festival

Where: Chicago (Union Park)

When: July 17-19

Cost: $75 for a three-day pass

Who’s playing: Tortoise, Yo La Tengo, The Jesus Lizard, Built to Spill, The National, Pharoahe Monch, The Pains of Being Young at Heart, Grizzly Bear, The Walkmen, Vivian Girls and more to be announced

Why you should go: Decidedly cheaper than Lollapalooza, Pitchfork retains much of the star power while featuring a number of lesser-known acts in the early afternoon slots. Unique to this year are “setlists by request,” which gives the ticket-buyer the power to choose the songs they want to hear from the headlining bands.

What: Lollapalooza

Where: Chicago (Grant Park)

When: August 7-9

Cost: To be determined; last year’s three-day passes started at $175

Who’s playing: Beastie Boys, Depeche Mode, Lou Reed, Kings of Leon, Kaiser Chiefs, Ben Folds, Andrew Bird, Jane’s Addiction, Neko Case, The Raveonettes, Atmosphere and more to be announced

Why you should go: Perry Farrell’s perennial favorite has often been criticized for its towering ticket and concession prices, and this year’s festival looks to be no different. While the lineup still has a ways to go, the annual Grant Park get-together has been known to attract some of the biggest names in music history, including Radiohead (2008), Kanye West (2008), Daft Punk (2007), Pearl Jam (2007) and Red Hot Chili Peppers (2006).

Also in Chicago: Blues Fest (June 12-14; free), Wicker Park Fest (July; price TBD)