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.

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.

Mt. Airy Porchfest
Sept. 19

From 1 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Sept. 19, porches across Mt. Airy will host live music for the Fifth Annual Mt. Airy Porchfest.

While the festival does not have a lineup, or a list of performance locations, those interested in hosting a performance can sign up online here.

The boundaries of porchfest are Cresheim Valley to Johnson Street, and from Wissahickon Avenue to Stenton Avenue.

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!