Get ready to lace up your Vans, as the legendary Warped Tour is set to make a triumphant return in 2025! This iconic punk-rock festival, which first kicked off in 1995, will be celebrating its 30th anniversary with two-day shows across three major cities. Following its supposed farewell tour in 2018 and a brief commemorative event in 2019, fans are eager to see what the revamped festival will bring.
Kevin Lyman, the founder of the Vans Warped Tour, recently shared insights into the festival’s comeback, expressing his desire to recapture the excitement and energy that made Warped Tour a staple in the music community. “Since 1997, I said I was hoping that there was some kid in a garage that was going to come out and kick Kevin Lyman’s ass someday, and put on a better festival,” he stated, emphasizing that the absence of the festival has made fans realize its importance. Lyman hopes to reignite that passion and fun with the return of Warped Tour.
The 2025 edition of Warped Tour will kick off in Washington, D.C., at the RFK Campus on June 14 and 15. After that, the tour will head west to Long Beach, California, where it will take place at the Shoreline Waterfront on July 26 and 27. Finally, the tour will wrap up in Orlando, Florida, at the Camping World Stadium Campus on November 15 and 16. Lyman explained that the decision to limit the tour to three cities was influenced by the physical demands of touring, stating, “My body won’t take riding around on a tour bus for 40 cities.” However, he remains open to expanding the tour in the future, depending on the success of the 2025 events.
While the lineup for Warped Tour 2025 has yet to be announced, Lyman promises an exciting mix of both returning acts and fresh talent. He mentioned that the festival will feature between 70 to 100 bands at each location, with a focus on creating a unique and memorable experience. Previous Warped Tour favorites such as Blink-182, Green Day, Fall Out Boy, Paramore, and Katy Perry have graced the stages in the past, and staples like Less Than Jake and Simple Plan have made multiple appearances over the years.
Despite the nostalgia associated with the festival, Lyman emphasizes that the goal is not to simply relive the past. “I’ve always felt we need to pay homage to the past, but we’re looking to the future of the artists and the community,” he stated. The festival has a long history of launching rising artists, and the 2025 edition aims to continue that tradition by featuring a mix of established and emerging bands. To keep the excitement alive, the festival plans to unveil its lineup weekly, highlighting smaller bands and giving them a platform to reach new audiences.
As fans eagerly await more details about the festival, the return of Warped Tour is shaping up to be a significant event in the music calendar. With its rich history and commitment to showcasing diverse talent, the 2025 Warped Tour promises to be a celebration of punk-rock culture and community.
Mark your calendars and prepare for an unforgettable experience that pays tribute to the past while looking ahead to the future of music. The Warped Tour’s return is not just a revival; it’s a chance to create new memories and support the artists who are shaping the sound of tomorrow.
