On Saturday, thousands of music fans gathered about a half hour away from the campus in Columbia and jammed out to the likes of Lana Del Ray, Chromeo and Bastille. Oh, and Foster the People was there. And 2 Chainz.

The 2014 Sweetlife festival at Merriweather Post Pavilion is not only a popular event every spring for music and food lovers, but it also marks the start of summer and the other great events that season provides. So if you spent your Saturday in McKeldin Library experiencing summertime sadness instead of listening to it, here are some great festivals taking place relatively close to the area in the coming months. There are plenty more happening all over the country, so if you’re willing to put the money and time into serious travel, there are tons of options.

1) WMZQ Fest: Saturday at Jiffy Lube Live in Bristow, Virginia

This annual music festival, put on by popular radio station 98.7 WMZQ, is a must-attend for fans of good country. Last year, festival-goers fought through some serious rain to enjoy Luke Bryan and Florida Georgia Line. This year, the big names are back with Dierks Bentley and Chris Young headlining a packed group. Now organizers just need to hope for some sunshine.

2) The Governors Ball: June 6-8 on Randall’s Island in New York City

Arguably the cultural center of the country’s biggest summer music festival, The Governors Ball rarely disappoints. The three-day event mixes just about every genre imaginable, and this year’s variety is represented in the headliners alone: Outkast, Jack White, Vampire Weekend and The Strokes.

3) Bonnaroo: June 12-15 in Manchester, Tennessee

OK, maybe I broke my “relatively close” rule here, but exceptions can be made for a festival this big. Besides, it’s only 10 hours away from College Park — prime road trip material. Bonnaroo might be the largest festival this summer, and it is certainly the most eclectic. Do you like rap or hip hop? Frank Ocean, Pusha T, Wiz Khalifa and Chance the Rapper are just some of the acts who will be in attendance. Love Kanye? He’s one of the headliners. How about alternative? Then go for Vampire Weekend, Phoenix or Neutral Milk Hotel. EDM? It’s got Skrillex conducting his own “SuperJam,” which is just one crazy set filled with tons of famous guests. Consider yourself an old-school person? How do Lionel Ritchie and Elton John sound? Not even a music fan but love to laugh? Hannibal Buress and Rory Scovel are among the many comedians who will perform. Now I know what you’re thinking: What about legendary traditional African music? Have no fear, The Master Musicians of Jajouka will be there. You get the point. Go check out the festival’s large, impressive full lineup online.

4) Firefly: June 19-22 in Dover, Delaware

Firefly is possibly the most popular summer festival among music fans in this area, considering its proximity and consistently great lineups. Held in a scenic woodland area, the four-day event is also known for creating a great environment for music fans with everything from a farmers market for those people who choose to camp to a designated hammock area for those seeking a nap. So if you like Foo Fighters, Outkast, Beck or Weezer and you also love to nap, this is the festival for you.

5) Made in America: Aug. 30-31 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Jay Z’s third annual music festival will be returning to Philadelphia this year but will also have another festival on the same days in Los Angeles. So it’s a two-day bicoastal event that spreads good music to fans all over the country. (Sorry, that reads like a tagline.) No lineups have been announced for this late summer event, but if it’s anything like last year (Kendrick Lamar, Nine Inch Nails, Macklemore and Ryan Lewis), it’ll be a nice way to close out the summer.

The fun doesn’t stop there, as the ever-elongated summer music festival period now stretches into October and November. No date has been announced for Merriweather’s Virgin Mobile FreeFest, but it usually falls in mid-September or October, so keep an eye out for that. Who knows, Washington might even get another shot at Rock the Bells. No matter where you choose to go, good music and good times are sure to be waiting.