The northeast festival scene is booming in 2025 with an incredible variety of music experiences spanning electronic, rock, indie, jam bands, and more. Whether you’re in New England, tri-state, mid-Atlantic, or even eastern Canada, there is something for you within a one-day driving distance on this list. From multi-day camping experiences to urban showcases, here’s your essential guide to the most anticipated festivals across the region.
1. Elements Music & Arts Festival (August 8-10, 2025)
Location: Long Pond, PA
Notable Artists: Pretty Lights, deadmau5, Illenium, Kaskade Redux, Mau P, Leivty, Zeds Dead, Tipper, Sofi Tukker
Elements continues to grow as the Northeast’s premier electronic music camping festival. The 2025 edition features an incredible lineup spanning mainstream EDM, techno, experimental bass, and house music. What sets Elements apart is its immersive themed areas representing earth, fire, water, and air elements, each with distinct production design and musical focus. The festival has built a reputation for its stunning art installations, wellness programming, and immersive nature setting in the Pocono Mountains.
2. Secret Dreams Music & Arts Festival (July 17-19, 2025)
Location: Legend Valley, Thornville, OH
Notable Artists: Pretty Lights (2 sets), Tipper (2nights), Of The Trees, Daily Bread, Shpongle (hallucinogen set), Lotus (2 nights), Papadosio (2 nights)
Secret Dreams returns to Legend Valley with a stellar lineup focused on electronic music, bass, jam bands, and experimental sounds. Pretty Lights’ dual sets will be a major draw, bringing their immersive light show and soulful electronic production. Tipper’s two nights promise cutting-edge sound design for audiophiles, while the psychedelic Shpongle will perform a special set of his downtempo project hallucinogen. The festival grounds at Legend Valley provide an ideal setting for the immersive art installations and interactive experiences that accompany the music.
3. Boston Calling (May 23-25, 2025)
Location: Harvard Athletic Complex, Boston, MA
Notable Artists: Luke Combs, Megan Moroney, Fall Out Boy, Avril Lavigne, Dave Matthews Band, Vampire Weekend, Sublime, Public Enemy
Boston Calling brings a diverse lineup to the Harvard Athletic Complex for Memorial Day weekend. Country superstar Luke Combs headlines Friday, while rock legends Fall Out Boy take Saturday and jam icons Dave Matthews Band close out Sunday. The festival offers something for everyone with hip-hop pioneers Public Enemy, R&B legend T-Pain, indie darlings Vampire Weekend, and pop-punk queen Avril Lavigne. As Boston’s premier music festival, it combines convenient urban accessibility with a well-curated mix of established headliners and emerging talent across three stages.
4. Vans Warped Tour Washington D.C. (June 14-15, 2025)
Location: Washington, D.C.
Notable Artists: All Time Low, Asking Alexandria, Avril Lavigne, Bowling For Soup, Simple Plan, The Maine, Silverstein, Sublime, Pennywise
The legendary Warped Tour returns to Washington D.C. in 2025, bringing together the best of punk, pop-punk, metalcore, and alternative rock. Nostalgia acts like Simple Plan and Bowling For Soup share billing with scene veterans Silverstein and The Maine, alongside pop-punk princess Avril Lavigne. Known for its multiple stages, skateboard demonstrations, and vendor village, Warped Tour continues its tradition of celebrating alternative youth culture. The festival’s return marks a significant moment for the punk and alternative community after its limited runs in recent years. Can’t make it to D.C.? Warped tour will also be visiting Long Beach, CA and Orlando Beach, FL.
5. Osheaga Festival (August 1-3, 2025)
Location: Parc Jean-Drapeau, Montreal, Quebec
Notable Artists: The Killers, Glass Animals, Tyler, The Creator, Olivia Rodrigo, Cage The Elephant, Jamie XX, Gracie Abrams, The Chainsmokers
Though technically just across the U.S. border, Osheaga remains a must-visit destination for Northeastern festival-goers. The 2025 lineup delivers an incredible mix of indie rock, pop, and electronic music across three days on Montreal’s picturesque Parc Jean-Drapeau. Friday brings The Killers and Glass Animals, Saturday features Tyler, The Creator and The Chainsmokers, while Sunday closes with pop sensation Olivia Rodrigo and indie rockers Cage The Elephant. Osheaga’s beautiful island setting, sophisticated food offerings, and proximity to Montreal’s vibrant downtown make it a perfect cultural experience beyond just the music.
6. World Pride Music Festival (June 6-7, 2025)
Location: RFK Festival Grounds, Washington, D.C.
Notable Artists: Jennifer Lopez, Troye Sivan, Galantis, Grimes, Kim Petras, Marina, Paris Hilton, RuPaul, Zedd
The World Pride Music Festival brings together LGBTQ+ artists and allies for a massive celebration in the nation’s capital. Headliners Jennifer Lopez and Troye Sivan lead a diverse lineup spanning pop, electronic, and dance music. The festival coincides with Washington D.C.’s hosting of World Pride 2025, making it a centerpiece of global Pride celebrations. Beyond the music, attendees can expect spectacular production, drag performances, and a powerful sense of community. Zedd’s special closing set promises to be an emotional dance music finale to the weekend’s festivities.
7. Oceans Calling Festival (September 26-28, 2025)
Location: Ocean City, Maryland
Notable Artists: Green Day, Noah Kahan, Fall Out Boy, Weezer, Lenny Kravitz, Vampire Weekend, The Black Crowes, Good Charlotte, Train, Devo
Oceans Calling returns to the Maryland coast with an impressive lineup spanning multiple generations and genres of rock, pop, and alternative music. Friday’s headliner Green Day promises an electrifying pop-punk performance alongside Lenny Kravitz and 90s icons like The Black Crowes and The Fray. Saturday brings indie-folk sensation Noah Kahan and alt-rock favorites Vampire Weekend and Good Charlotte. The festival closes strong on Sunday with pop-punk legends Fall Out Boy and alt-rock pioneers Weezer sharing top billing. Beyond the music, the festival features a culinary component with acclaimed chefs Robert Irvine, Michael Voltaggio, Bryan Voltaggio, and Anne Burrell making appearances, all hosted by Jason Biggs. The oceanfront setting provides a unique backdrop for this diverse music celebration with the iconic Ocean City boardwalk and beach just steps away.
8. Showcation (May 16-18, 2025)
Location: Camp Ramblewood, Maryland
Notable Artists: Feed Me, Justin Martin, Big Blitz, Honeycomb, MNTRA, Vincent Antone, The Sponges
Showcation offers a truly unique festival concept with its “summer camp reimagined” approach at Camp Ramblewood. Beyond the music lineup featuring electronic acts like Feed Me and Justin Martin, attendees can participate in activities like canoeing, exercise classes, mixology workshops, and even a tomato food fight. The music is divided between a main stage and the “Pretty Good Show” area, with additional comedy performances in the Comedy Barn. This boutique festival emphasizes community and participation, creating an intimate experience unlike the larger festivals on this list.
9. Northlands Music & Arts Festival (June 13-15, 2025)
Location: Swanzey, NH
Notable Artists: The String Cheese Incident (2 sets), Cory Wong, Umphrey’s McGee (2 sets), moe. (2 sets), Lettuce, Lotus, Andy Frasco & the U.N.
Jam band fans will flock to New Hampshire for Northlands Festival, featuring extended performances from scene favorites. The String Cheese Incident headlines with their unique blend of bluegrass, electronic, and rock across two special sets. Improvisational rock bands Umphrey’s McGee and moe. each get two sets to showcase their technical prowess. Funk outfit Lettuce and electronic jam band Lotus round out a lineup that promises extended musical journeys. The festival’s natural setting in Swanzey provides the perfect backdrop for the long-form musical explorations that define the jam band experience.
10. Escapade (June 20-22, 2025)
Location: Ottawa, Ontario, Canada)
Notable Artists: Above & Beyond, The Chainsmokers, Chris Lake, Disclosure, Liquid Stranger, KYGO, Oliver Smith, Subtronics
Escapade’s 15th anniversary edition promises to be a monumental electronic music event drawing Northeastern dance music fans. The festival brings together trance legends Above & Beyond, mainstream hitmakers The Chainsmokers, house music pioneer Chris Lake, and bass music dynamo Subtronics. As Ontario’s premier EDM festival, Escapade offers immersive production and multiple stages serving different electronic music sub-genres. The 15th anniversary edition promises to be a special experience.
Planning Your Festival Season
With so many incredible options across the Northeast in 2025, music fans will have difficult choices to make. Many of these festivals offer early bird pricing, payment plans, and VIP experiences that are worth exploring well in advance.
Whether you’re drawn to EDM at Elements, indie rock at Boston Calling, or jam bands at Northlands, the Northeast’s 2025 festival season promises unforgettable musical experiences for every taste.
