From Rockville to EDC: A roundup of Florida music festivals
With Florida's endless summer and year-round temperatures that are conducive to being outdoors, the Sunshine State is known as a destination for dozens of outdoor music festivals each year.
While St. Pete's Reggae Rise Up is already in the rearview mirror for 2025 and Country Thunder Florida is happening this weekend at its new home in Tampa, this calendar year still has a lot in store for music lovers of all tastes.
From electronic dance music to hard rock to folk to jam bands, Florida's festival scene has plenty to offer now through December. While far from an exhaustive list, here are some of the highlights.
Billed as a festival for 'We the People,' Rock the Country tours with stops in 10 small towns around the United States. At Florida Horse Park in Ocala, country music fans can see performances by Kid Rock, Nickelback, Hank Williams Jr. and Tracy Lawrence. Attendees can also experience a throwback happy hour each day with appearances from Afroman, the Ying Yang Twins and Dee Jay Silver.
Dates: May 9-10
Location: Florida Horse Park in Ocala
Tickets: Starting at $99.99 for a single day, $149.99 for weekend general admission
More information: rockthecountry.com
Four days of hard rock and heavy metal land at Daytona International Speedway in mid-May as Welcome to Rockville sets up shop for its annual festival. 150 bands appear on five stages throughout the long weekend. Lineup highlights include Green Day, Linkin Park, Rob Zombie, Shinedown and Korn.
Dates: May 15-18
Location: Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach
Tickets: Starting at $195 for a single day, $476.74 for weekend general admission
More information: welcometorockville.com
For more than 40 years, this festival has united jazz fans of all ages and backgrounds for a weekend of food, drinks, community and music. This year's festival features The Roots, Trombone Shorty, Kool & The Gang, Janelle Monáe and Maysa. The outdoor festival is free to attend and takes place in Tailgaters Parking near EverBank Stadium.
Dates: May 23-25
Location: Tailgaters Parking in Jacksonville
Tickets: Free to attend; VIP and preferred seating upgrades available
More information: jacksonvillejazzfest.com
A tradition of more than seven decades returns to the banks of the Suwannee River for Memorial Day weekend. The 73rd annual Florida Folk Festival celebrates the music, dance, stories, crafts and food that make the Sunshine State unique. Attendees can enjoy more than 300 performances that focus on Florida's heritage, a banjo and fiddle contest, workshops, food and craft vendors. The festival's Folklife Area features demonstrations that celebrate the diverse and historical living traditions of Florida.
Dates: May 23-25
Location: Stephen Foster Folk Culture Center State Park in White Springs
Tickets: $70 in advance for an adult weekend ticket, $80 at the gate
More information: floridastateparks.org
Electronic dance music fans looking for a heavy dose of bass can find what they need at Forbidden Kingdom, a two-day festival featuring dubstep and bass-heavy music for attendees ages 18 and older. The Central Florida Fairgrounds plays host to a lineup of dozens of EDM artists and DJs. Highlights include Slander, Excision, Svdden Death, RL Grime and Deadmau5. Insomniac, the same event producer behind EDC Orlando, puts on this festival.
Dates: May 20-21
Location: Central Florida Fairgrounds in Orlando
Tickets: $104 for a single day; $199 for a two-day pass
More information: forbiddenkingdomfestival.com
St. Augustine's annual celebration of live entertainment lands in the city's historic downtown at Francis Field. Headliners for this year's festival include Hozier, Beabadoobee, Vance Joy, Father John Misty, The Teskey Brothers and more.
Dates: Sept. 30-31
Location: Francis Field in St. Augustine
Tickets: $245 for two-day general admission
More information: singoutloudfestival.com
This homegrown Miami music festival features genre-blending artists at the intersection of electronic, hip-hop, indie and experimental music. Taking place in the Wynwood neighborhood of Miami, the event features art and community across five city blocks. Artists on the 2025 lineup include Denzel Curry, Peggy Gou, Sean Paul and Turnstile.
Dates: Oct. 17-18
Location: Wynwood in Miami
Tickets: $229 for two-day general admission
More information: iiipoints.com
This independent festival celebrates underground punk, metal and ska in venues spread across Gainesville. Propagandhi, Dillinger Four, Jeff Rosenstock and RX Bandits are at the top of this year's festival poster. The Fest includes 300 bands, comedians and wrestlers at 15 venues over three days.
Dates: Oct. 24-26
Location: Gainesville
Tickets: $216.95 for a three-day pass (1st tier)
More information: thefestfl.com
Halloween, fantasy, art, music and the great outdoors all collide at this colorful and festive fall celebration at Spirit of the Suwannee Music Park. While the 800-acre park is known for hosting festivals throughout the year — from bluegrass to jam bands and DJs — Hulaween is its most popular. Attendees can dress up for the camping festival while listening to jam bands, electronic music, funk and more.
Dates: Oct. 30-Nov. 2
Location: Spirit of Suwannee Music Park in Live Oak
Tickets: $499.82 for a four-day pass
More information: hulaween.com
Orlando's larger-than-life electronic dance music festival returns each November to Tinker Field outside of Camping World Stadium, welcoming in an estimated 300,000 ravers over the course of three days. While the 2025 lineup has yet to be revealed, ravers (ages 18 and older) can expect the same high-caliber showing of art, pyrotechnics, dancers and DJs as every year.
Dates: Nov. 7-9
Location: Tinker Field in Orlando
Tickets: $243.64 for a three-day pass
More information: orlando.electricdaisycarnival.com
The highly-anticipated return of Vans Warped Tour lands in three cities this year, each hosting a two-day festival of alternative rock and punk music. While the Washington, D.C., and Long Beach, California, dates are sold out, there are still tickets available for the Orlando festival. All Time Low, Escape the Fate, Senses Fail, The Wonder Years, Black Veil Brides and A Day to Remember are just a few of the more than 100 bands on the Orlando lineup.
Dates: Nov. 15-16
Location: Camping World Stadium Campus in Orlando
Tickets: $249.98 for a two-day pass (tier 6)
More information: vanswarpedtourorlando.com
Find me @PConnPie on Instagram or send me an email: pconnolly@orlandosentinel.com. Stay up to date with our latest travel, arts and events coverage by subscribing to our newsletters at orlandosentinel.com/newsletters.
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