While the popularity of our region hasn’t always served its audiophiles justly, Philadelphia and Atlantic City have become two of the biggest hot spots for music festivals in recent years.
As someone who’s been to their fair share of music festivals, there’s nothing quite like the energy and excitement of watching a series of live performances with the glorious backdrop of the Philadelphia skyline.
Since I couldn’t find any good resources without keeping a hundred tabs open, I’ve put together one kickass guide to help you navigate the music festival scene in the Philadelphia region like a pro.
Neighbor or a traveler, you’re in for a treat – Philadelphia and the surrounding area are home to some of the best music festivals in the country.
Whether you’re a music lover looking for your next favorite band, or a party-goer seeking the ultimate festival experience, Philly has just what you need. From electronic beats to classic rock, we’ve got all your musical needs covered.
Buckle up, grab your sunscreen and your festival gear, and welcome to the ultimate guide to the best music festivals in the Philadelphia area.
Music Festivals In Philly
Made In America
When: Labor Day Weekend
Where: Ben Franklin Parkway, Philadelphia, PA
Genre: Mixed
How Long: Two Days
If you’re looking for a music festival that truly represents the diverse sounds of Philadelphia, look no further than the Made in America music festival. As one of the most popular music festivals in Philadelphia, Made in America is a must-attend event for music lovers of all genres and brings thousands of guests to the Philadelphia Art Museum steps every year.
Created by billionaire music mogul Jay Z, Made in America features a lineup that is always a mix of genres, from pop legends to rappers to electronic and alternative rock artists. With past headliners like Beyonce and Pearl Jam, You can count on the festival headlines to be some of the biggest names in the music industry including Grammy award-winning artists and up-and-coming stars.
This annual event, which takes place on the Ben Franklin Parkway, Philly home to three world-class art museums just northwest of Center City, has been drawing crowds since its inaugural year in 2016. One of the unique features of Made in America is the 5 and 7 stages scattered throughout the Parkway, with the main stage located just before the famous Philadelphia Art Museum steps.
As you make your way around the festival, Find a variety of local vendors, food trucks, and art installations by local Philadelphia artists. It’s a great way to support the local community and discover some hidden gems.
Local Tips: While you’re welcome to eat and drink within the festival grounds, there are also plenty of great spots within walking distance of the Parkway. The Victory Brewing Tap Room is a quick walk down the Parkway. The Fairmont neighborhood and Center City both have a wide variety of restaurants and hotel accommodations as well. From experience, Made In America music festival is one of the biggest attractions and the best things to do in Philly.
Roots Picnic
When: June
Where: Mann Center, Fairmount Park, Philadelphia, PA
Genre: Pop, Hip hop, Podcasts, Comedy
How Long: Two days
Who better to hand select a hip hop music festival lineup than the legendary Philadelphia legendary hip hop group, The Roots? Held every year in the City of Brotherly Love’s Fairmount Park, this music festival is the perfect opportunity to Experience some of the hottest hip-hop and R&B acts around.
Whether you’re into melodic r&b or lyrical geniuses, hometown favorites to global music moguls, The Roots Picnic is One of the best experiences to do for Music lovers in Philadelphia! But that’s not all – the festival also offers food and drinks from local vendors, many black-owned, interactive art installations, and much more.
One of the coolest things about The Roots Picnic is the sense of community that you’ll feel at the festival. It’s not just about the music – it’s about coming together with your neighbors to share in the experience. And with the festival being held in Philly, you’ll also get a taste of the city’s vibrant culture.
If you’re planning on attending The Roots Picnic, there are a few things you’ll want to keep in mind. First, make sure you dress comfortably and wear shoes that you can dance in – you’re going to be on your feet all day! And don’t forget to bring sunscreen and a hat to protect yourself from the sun.
The Roots Picnic is one of the best music festivals in Philadelphia, and it’s a must-attend event for any hip-hop or R&B fan. So grab your tickets, gather your crew, and get ready to move!
HiJinx
When: Right before New Year’s
Where: The Philadelphia Convention Center in Center City Philadelphia
Genre: Electronic
How long: Two days
If you’re looking for imaculate vibes to ring in the new year, the HiJinx electronic music festival is for you. With a whopping 20,000 attendees decked out in neon apparel, this festival is the biggest electronic music celebration in the heart of Philadelphia.
Get ready for a massive party at the 1-million-square-foot convention center. The huge warehouse-like space provides an enormous stage with plenty of room to dance. It’s so big that you and your friends can dance to your heart’s content without feeling cramped or getting stepped on.
The Excitement doesn’t stop at the music – the HiJinx Festival has more to offer than just Mesmerizing DJs. Take a break from the bass drops and check out the flow art performances or indulge in some local fare from the craft and food bazaar. This year-end celebration is not to be missed!
If you’re a tourist coming to Philly for the festival, don’t miss out on lunch at Reading Terminal Market or breakfast in Midtown Village while you’re here. And don’t worry about parking, there are plenty of garages nearby that you can find by visiting philapark.org. Just remember that re-entry is not allowed, so be sure to grab everything you need before you head inside.
Check out the Instagram to get a feel for the vibes or check out this review for a detailed overview.
Music Festivals In Camden, NJ
MMR BQ
When: Start of Summer
Where: Camden
Genre: Rock
How Long: One day
Kick in the door to summer with one of Phillys best traditions, the M*M*R*BQ (Like MMR meets BBQ). The small rock and roll festival has been bringing rocks’ biggest names to the Philadelphia/Camden area for 15 years and counting.
Hosted by Philadelphia’s longest-running rock music station, WMMR brings thousands to the BB&T Pavilion in Camden.
Widely regarded as one of Philadelphia’s best parties, particularly for rockers, metalheads, and loud music enthusiasts, the festival one-day music festival brings a lineup of bands that keeps the head banging. If you’re wondering why we included it, we would be remiss if we did not mention the legendary day of concerts.
The concert also hosts plenty of local vendors including food and booze that represent the local Philadelphia scene. The Riverlink Ferry is easily the best way to get to the festival grounds from Philly, however, the PATCO trail line to Camden City Hall and a quick transfer to the River Line is a quick and easy way to avoid the traffic and parking chaos.
XpoNential Music Fest
When: September
Where: Camden Waterfront
Genre: Alt Rock, Indie Rock
How Long: Three days
If you’re a fan of indie rock and Americana, then you’re going to want to check out the XpoNential Music Festival in Philly. Hosted by the non-profit organization, WXPN, the festival takes place at Freedom Mortgage Pavilion and Wiggins Park on the Camden Waterfront.
The XpoNential Music Festival has been a staple of Philly’s music scene for over a decade, and it’s not hard to see why. With multiple stages and over 30 acts performing over the course of three days, there’s something for everyone at this festival.
Music Festivals Near Philadelphia
Firefly Festival
When: Summers
Where: The Woodlands, Dover, Delaware
Genre: Mixed
How long: Four Days
Unless you’re living under a rock you’ve probably already heard of Firefly Music Festival, the northeast’s largest music and camping festival. Many consider Firefly to be the east coast Coachella, the Northeasts Bonaroo – packed with a star-studded lineup and plenty of Instagram-able features throughout the festival grounds.
Located outside of Dover, Delaware, Firefly is one of the largest and most anticipated festivals in the tri-state area. The festival is well regarded as an annual tradition because of how much the attendees love the event. In fact, the music festival is often listed among the top music festivals to visit in the US.
With 50,000 people in attendance, Firefly caters to everyone with its huge variety of genres and attractions, including but definitely not limited to a silent disco, a roller rink, a hammock hangout, and a drag bingo. Not to mention a huge selection of incredible local food trucks and restaurant vendors.
Need a ride? Regional Shuttles through bus.com provide festival-goers a convenient option to and from the festival grounds. There will be plenty of room for suitcases and camping gear, all while meeting fellow music lovers along the way. Routes from Philly, Baltimore, DC, and New York are all available.
Elements Music and Arts Festival
When: August
Where: Log Lond, PA
Genre: Various Electronic Subgenres
How Long: Four Days
Get your glow sticks ready folks, if you’re looking for an immersive music festival experience near Philadelphia, Elements Lakewood is a must-visit. Located in Log Lond, PA, this festival offers three days of non-stop music, art, and adventure.
Elements Lakewood promises to blow your mind with top-notch electronic music, large-scale art installations, interactive performances, 3D video projection mapping, games, yoga, unique craft vendors, and much more.
One of the biggest draws of Elements Lakewood is its BYOB policy. Yes, you read that right! You can bring one pack of beer or a box of wine per person. Just remember that glass containers and hard liquor are not permitted.
At this festival, you can anticipate hidden forests, beachfront parties, wellness workshops, outdoor activities, interactive performers, and captivating experiences of all kinds.
When you’re not dancing, refuel at the 24-hour food court with an array of healthy and organic local food, including vegan and gluten-free options. Stay hydrated on the dance floor by filling up your hydration pack or water bottles at their water stations.
Whether you’re looking for unique jewelry, creative art, or festival outfits, Elements Lakewood’s vendor village has got you covered. Shop through a variety of craft and artisan vendors or check out their Elements merch tent for exclusive festival gear. You never know what treasures await. So pack your bags, grab your dancing shoes, and get ready to experience an unforgettable music festival at Elements Lakewood.
Getting to the festival is easy as there are shuttles running to and from NYC, Philadelphia, Boston, and D.C. You can find information including car passes and camping passes on their website. Additionally, Elements Lakewood offers three full days of carefully curated health and wellness programming, including yoga, aromatherapy, dance, comedy, sound baths, multidisciplinary workshops, and more.
Big Dub
When: July
Where: Artemas, PA (halfway between Philly and Pittsburgh)
Genre: Electronic
How long: 6 days
If you’re looking for an unforgettable electronic music festival experience, look no further than Big Dub! Held every July in Artemas, PA, halfway between Philly and Pittsburgh, this five-day festival takes the creativity of Burning Man and brings it to our own East Coast. Big Dub is the perfect opportunity to dance the night away to the hottest electronic dance DJs and discover new talent on the rise, within driving distance to Philly.
At Big Dub, you’ll find a diverse range of music genres including dubstep, deep dub, bass music, freeform/experimental, drum & bass, and house music. But it’s not just about the music – the festival also offers workshops, seminars, yoga classes, and an introduction to fire arts, aerial arts, raver crafts, object manipulation, and much more. Plus, all admission tickets to the festival include complimentary camping, so you can truly immerse yourself in the Big Dub experience.
One of the unique features of Big Dub is the community-led aspect of the festival. Campers are encouraged to express their creativity by creating theme camps and hosting their own micro-events. So, what is a theme camp, you ask? Essentially, it’s a visually stimulating presence that provides a communal space or other opportunities for interaction. Think Burning Man, but with an electronic music twist.
If you’re thinking about creating your own theme camp, Big Dub has some expectations that you’ll want to be aware of. The main goal is to provide a fun and interactive experience for festival-goers, so make sure your camp has a clear purpose and a creative theme. And don’t forget to have fun with it!
In short, Big Dub is the perfect destination for music festival lovers who are looking for an immersive and community-driven experience. So grab your tickets, set up your camp, and get ready to dance the night away!
While headlining bands perform at the Freedom Mortgage Pavilion, the smaller stage focuses on indie and up-and-coming artists, so stop by to discover some new favorites.
The festival not only boasts multiple stages with impressive musical acts but also caters to families with a range of fun-filled activities in and around Wiggins Park, including a range of food and craft vendors for attendees to enjoy.
The best way to get to the park is the RiverLink Ferry, crossing the Delaware River.The RiverLink Ferry leaves from Penn’s Landing and brings visitors directly to Wiggins Park
PATCO has stations located in Center City at 8th and Market, 10th and Locust, 12th and Locust, and 16th and Locust in Philadelphia, as well as all over South Jersey. Exit at Broadway station and change underground to NJ Transit’s RiverLINE for a quick ride or go to ground level and walk 3 blocks.
Music Festivals at the New Jersey Shore and Atlantic City
The full descriptions of these festivals can be found at our Atlantic City and Jersey Shore region Music Festival article found at the links below:
Adjacent Music Fest
Adjacent Music Festival is a two-day music festival in Atlantic City featuring alternative, indie, and punk rock bands from the early 2000s. The festival is family-friendly and includes local food and beverage vendors, artisans, and small businesses. Lifeguards will be on duty, and the festival takes place on the beach next to the Atlantic City Boardwalk. Transportation to the festival is available by train or bus from Philadelphia, and nearby hotels are available for overnight stays.
Tidalwave Country Music Festival
The Tidalwave country music festival is held annually on Atlantic City Beach. It features two stages and 30 artists, including up-and-coming artists on the “Next from Nashville” stage. Towels and beach chairs are allowed in the beach zone, and visitors can explore the Atlantic City boardwalk and Steel Pier amusement park. The festival attracts locals and tourists, with a diverse crowd of 25,000 people expected to attend.
Barefoot Country Festival
The Barefoot Country Music Fest is a popular music festival held annually on the beach in Wildwood, NJ. The festival features over 40 artists across five stages and offers plenty of food and alcohol options. The festival is family-friendly and has something for everyone, from big-name headliners to local up-and-comers. The festival is a must-see event for true country music fans.
Bamboozle Music Fest (Cancelled in 2023)
Bamboozle Music Festivals is making a comeback in Atlantic City after 10 years. The multi-genre music festival will feature dozens of artists from different genres on three stages for three days. The festival will also have amusement park rides, a B-Boy Dance Competition, art installations, merchandise and fan booths, local food vendors, DJs, clowns, poets, and more. There will also be a stage dedicated to showcasing new up-and-coming talent through “The Break Contest” happening all three days.
Sea.Hear.Now
The Sea. Hear. Now music festival takes place every September in Asbury Park, featuring over 25 rock bands on three stages and a surf competition. The festival also offers food and drinks from various stands on the boardwalk and nearby Bradley Park, an art gallery, and installations by local artists. As an all-ages event, it is a great opportunity to meet new people and make memories. Asbury Park is an hour’s drive from Philly, but the festival is worth the journey.
AC Beer and Music Festival
The Atlantic City Beer and Music Festival is a popular event in Atlantic City, NJ that features over 150 breweries showcasing their craft beer alongside live music and entertainment. The festival takes place in early June at Bader Field and has been running for over 15 years, making it one of the leading beer celebrations on the East Coast of the USA. The event offers two sessions for attendees to enjoy the beer and music, and it’s a must-see experience for all music lovers who enjoy good beer.
