Summerfest has described itself as the World Largest Music Festival for decades. Given the 11-day duration and the number of bands required to fill the slots on 11 stages, it's probably a technically accurate label, even if Summerfest doesn't get as much national attention as some of the country's other summer music fests.

Each large-scale music festival brings something unique to the spectrum of outdoor concert experiences, and there's room for all of them (if not more) during our nation's stretch of warm weather. But we also thought it might be interesting to see how they stacked up against each other when we broke them down to the basics. Some have already come and gone, but there are still a few to catch as the summer rolls on, if you can afford them. Turns out, Summerfest is a pretty good deal!

10,000 Lakes Music Festival
Cost: Starts at $75, plus fees and tax
When: July 22-25
Where: Detroit Lakes, Minn.
What: It's a jam-packed jam band marathon of on-site camping and live performances. Unfortunately, the nearly $75 ticket price does not include lodging, so once you make your site reservation, you're looking at $100.
Music: More than 60 artists and bands on five stages. This year's headliners include Dave Mathews Band, Wilco, Widespread Panic, Atmosphere, William Elliott Whitmore and Sharon Jones & The Dap Kings.

All Points West Music And Arts Festival
Cost: One day, $89; Three days, $199
When: July 31-Aug. 2
Where: Jersey City, N.J.
What: The powers that be at Coachella have taken their successful multi-media summer festival to the other coast with All Points West, which launched in 2008. Like its big brother, this festival has plenty of indie cred but isn't afraid to book Coldplay and Tool. It's a much smaller affair, but that's something of a relief if you've ever survived that desert party.
Music: More than 65 acts on three stags. This year's headliners include My Bloody Valentine, Tool, Coldplay, MGMT, Echo & The Bunnymen, Arctic Monkeys and Neko Case.

Bonaroo
Cost: About $250
When: June 11-14
Where: Manchester, Tenn.
What: Although it started out pretty hippie-heavy in 2002, Bonaroo has evolved into something quite diverse, usually highlighting a little something from indie rock, bluegrass, hip hop, punk, country and, of course, its share of jammers. It's all about the music, man, with sets (and fans) going non-stop for the four days -- and some former member of the Dead is invariably playing as the run rises.
Music: More than 100 bands on 13 stages. This year's headliners include Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band, Phish, Beastie Boys, Nine Inch Nails, Snoop Dog, Elvis Costello and Bon Iver.

Coachella Valley Music & Arts Festival
Cost: One day, $90; Three days, $269
When: April 17-19
Where: Indio, Calif.
What: It's hotter than hell and the water is limited, but it's the biggest party in the desert you're going to find. It's got all its indie rock and underground hip-hop bases covered, but also ventures into the mainstream (notice Paul McCartney in the lineup). Oh, and there's some visual art and independent film screenings, too.
Music: More than 130 acts on five stages. This year's headliners include Paul McCartney, The Cure, The Killers, Fleet Foxes, Devendra Banhart, Leonard Cohen, Morrissey and TV on The Radio.

Lollapalooza
Cost: One day, $80; Three days, $190
When: Aug. 7-9
Where: Chicago
What: It's like major-label version of Pitchfork: You know all the bands, everyone knows all the bands (you're mom's even heard of most of them), but that doesn't mean it's not going to rock. Perry Farrell's creation used to be a traveling musical circus, but these days it's nestled into its Grant Park home in Chicago.
Music: More than 120 acts on four stages over the course of three days. This year's headliners include Tool, Depeche Mode, Kings of Leon, Andrew Bird, Vampire Weekend and The Decemberists.

New Orleans Jazz Festival
Cost: $40-$50
When: April 25-27, May 1-4
Where: New Orleans
What: There are a couple GenNext draws in Spoon, Wilco and Erykah Badu, but for the most part, this festival's target is their still-groovin' parents. The fest began in 1970 and Duke Ellington was among the first performers.
Music: More than 300 bands on 12 stages. This year's headliners include Etta James & The Roots, Joe Cocker, Drive-By Truckers, James Taylor, Ben Harper, Sugarland, Neil Young and The Neville Brothers.

Pitchfork Music Festival
Cost: One day, $30; Two days, $60; Three days, $75
When: July 17-19
Where: Chicago
What: The Chicago-based online mag Pitchfork Media put its money where its mouth is in 2006 and started corralling all the nuanced indie bands it's constantly touting or bashing to play live for 35,000 of its closest hipster friends. It's been growing and collaborating with All Tomorrow's Parties ever since.
Music: More than 40 bands on three stages. This year's headliners include The National, Built to Spill, Blitzen Trapper, The Black Lips, The Flaming Lips and Grizzly Bear.

Sasquatch Music Festival
Cost: One day: $76; Three days: $154
When: May 23-25
Where: Sasquatch, Wash.
What: It's another one of those three-day events that are probably best experienced in a tent, venturing out into the elements for your most beloved of musical or comedy acts.
The Gorge amphitheater is a favorite in the music world and it's in Washington state, so, of course, entire festival has been certified as carbon neutral for the environment.
Music: Nearly 100 acts on four stages. This year's headliners include Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Animal Collective, M Ward, Jane's Addiction, Of Montreal, Gogol Bordello, Santigold, Blind Pilot and AA Bondy.

Summerfest
Cost: $15; $8 weekdays, 12-4 p.m.
When: June 25-July 5
Where: Milwaukee
What: It hardly needs an introduction in this venue, but for the sake of this comparison chat, it's earned the title of "World's Largest Music Festival." But any Milwaukeean knows that music isn't its only draw. The lakefront, the people, the beer and the sticky 'Sconie weather make Summerfest a local celebration of all things Brew City has to offer.
Music: More than 700 (!) acts on 11 stages. This year's headliners include Bon Jovi, Keith Urban, Counting Crows, KISS, Stevie Wonder, George Strait, Chicago, Earth, Wind & Fire, Bob Dylan, Willie Nelson, No Doubt, Kenny Chesney, The Fray, Kid Rock and Lynyrd Skynyrd.

Taste of Chicago
Cost: Free
When: June 26-July 5
Where: Chicago
What: This one holds the title for "World's Largest Food Festival," where millions of people flock to Grant Park to nibble on samples from the Windy City's best restaurants. Music is something of an afterthought here, but you really can't complain for the price.
Music: About 20 acts at the Petrillo Music Shell in Grant Park. The headliners this year are broken up into categories: indie rock and power pop, Bloodshot Records bands, cover bands, world music, Earwig Records bands, tribute bands, Thrill Jockey Records bands, variety and gospel and jazz.