WXPN’s guide to Philly-area music festivals

We here at WXPN not only love introducing you to new music on our airwaves, but also shepherding you to the best live music happening in and around the Philadelphia region.

And to help you make the most of the bevy of live performances coming up in 2026, we’re offering up a running guide to music festivals in the area.

From our own XPoNential Music Festival in September (get your passes now!) to Wayne Music Fest next month, the rest of the year is full of festivals with stacked lineups.

Check out festivals we’re stoked about below:

Not Just Jazz
June 2 to Sept. 22

FDR Park is hosting numerous free performances at The Lakes through the end of the summer on Tuesday evenings, and a few Saturday afternoons.

Guests can bring blankets and chairs to enjoy the music and dine at food trucks.

A quick note, Tuesday shows begin at 6 p.m. Starting Aug. 25, they will begin at 5:30 p.m. Saturday performances begin at noon.

River Roads Music Festival
June 27

Hueser Park in King Of Prussia is hosting Dar Williams’ River Roads Music Festival for another year.

In addition to Williams, 10,000 Maniacs are headlining, with Billy Bragg, Shawn Colvin, Susan Werner, Miko Marks, and Amythyst Kiah also on the bill.

“The Philly area, particularly King of Prussia, is my first home, the first place that welcomed me thirty years ago, and River Roads will be there soon,” Williams said. “I can’t wait!”

Strawberry Moon Festival
June 27 and June 28

The Strawberry Moon Festival is all set for two days at Mother Hylde Retreat Center in Pottstown in late June.

On the bill are Hezekiah Jones, The Keystone Breakers, Andrea Nardello, Emily Drinker, Hurlock & Hinton, Greg Weeks, Woodwose, Jess + Jill, and Jonathan Hayes.

While at the festival, you can camp, get bites from food trucks, make flower crowns, sit by bonfires, and even get tarot readings.

One Philly: Unity Concert for America
July 4

The Ben Franklin Parkway is throwing its free annual July 4 concert and is bringing in some big names, and local names.

The One Philly: Unity Concert for America is being headlined by Christina Aguilera, as well as Philadelphia’s own Jill Scott and Meek Mill. On top of that, The Roots are performing and will be joined by Will Smith and DJ Jazzy Jeff, Kathy Sledge, and hip hop collective State Property, featuring Freeway, Beanie Sigel, Young Gunz, and Peedi Crakk.

Seal and Infinity Song are also set to perform, while appearances by Gillie Da King, Wallo267, and more are planned.

To top it off, the whole event is being hosted by legendary stand up comedian Wanda Sykes and will close out in traditional fashion with a fireworks display.

AFBA Bluegrass Festival
July 30 to Aug. 2

The Appalachian Fiddle & Bluegrass Association’s festival will return to Mountain View Park in Wind Gap for three days of pickin’, bowin’, mouth harpin’, and more.

Numerous performances are scheduled for the three-day event:

Make The World Better Foundation Concerts
July 24 and July 25

Technically billed as a festival, Make The World Better Co-Founder and former Philadelphia Eagles player Connor Barwin’s annual benefit concert has expanded to two days this year, with Kurt Vile and Pavement headlining.

Ratboys, Philly’s own The Are Gutting A Body Of Water, and Twisted Teens are supporting, as well.

Funds from the concert help the foundation rehabilitate recreation centers, parks, and playgrounds in Philadelphia.

Robin & Beth Music & Arts Festival
July 30 to Aug. 1

Peaceful Woodlands Campground in Blakeslee is hosting this year’s Robin & Beth Music & Arts Festival, which promises alt folk, rock, Americana, and roots music over three days.

Attendees can reserve tent and RV sites, as well as cabins, to take in the music.

See who’s performing below:

AFBA Bluegrass Festival
July 30 to Aug. 2

The Appalachian Fiddle & Bluegrass Association’s festival will return to Mountain View Park in Wind Gap for three days of pickin’, bowin’, mouth harpin’, and more.

Numerous performances are scheduled for the three-day event:

Philadelphia Folk Festival
Aug. 14 to Aug. 16

Old Pool Farm in Montgomery County’s Upper Salford Township is hosting the 63rd Philadelphia Folk Festival over three days.

Set to perform are The Tisburys, Tom Rush, John Flynn, Eddie 9V, Mary Gauthier, and many more.

The festival also offers on-site camping for those looking to make a full weekend of it.

Sweet Juice Fest
Aug. 22

Sweet Juice Fest will once again take place at Awbury Arboretum in Philly’s Germantown neighborhood in late August.

While tickets are not on sale yet (sale date is to be determined), the lineup was just announced:

Delaware Valley Bluegrass Festival
Sept. 4 to Sept. 6

The 54th Delaware Valley Bluegrass Festival is set to bring for than a dozen acts to Woodstown, New Jersey over Labor Day Weekend.

Not only will the festival feature plenty of bluegrass tunes, it has a clogging class, a children’s play area, an instrument petting zoo, a songwriting workshop, a jamming class, and more. Attendees can also camp out over the three days.

See the performance schedule below:

XPoNential Music Festival
Sept. 18 to Sept. 20

Dawes, Portugal. The Man, and Little Feat are headlining our own XPoNential Music Festival at Camden’s Wiggins Waterfront Park over three days.

Others playing include Ratboys, Te Vista, Mackenzie Johnson, Madison Cunningham, Langhorne Slim, Tyler Ballgame, Devon Gilfillian, and Sierra Hull.

See all the details of this year’s XPoNential Music Festival here.

Haverford Music Festival
Sept. 26

Sixteen artists will hit two stages at this year’s Haverford Music Festival at Eagle and Darby roads in Havertown.

Grammy Award–nominated singer-songwriter Shannon McNally, blues guitarist Buffalo Nichols, and bluegrass outfit Demolition String Band will headline the free event.

Festival goers will also find kids activities, a beer garden, and food trucks on site as they take in the tunes.

Collingswood Porchfest
Sept. 26

Collingswood Porchfest is back for another year this September, and since it’s so far away (as of late May) no performers have been scheduled. In fact, registration to participate in Collingswood Porchfest opens June 6.

Anyone interested in performing, or hosting performances, as part of the festival will want to save this link so they can sign up on June 6. Frequently asked questions are answered here.

Additional details of Collingswood Porchfest will be shared at a later date.

Philly Music Fest
Oct. 12 to Oct. 18

The 10th Philly Music Fest is all set to dish up seven nights of eclectic music across six venues: Milkboy, Johnny Brenda’s, Underground Arts, Solar Myth, and The Fallser Club.

Set to headline the various nights are Mo Lowda & the Humble, The Dillinger Escape Plan, RJD2, Owen Stewart, Sweet Pill, Marietta, Immanuel Wilkins, and a surprise headliner on the first two nights.

Tickets go on sale at 10 a.m. Friday. Act quickly, because these shows will sell out!