The iconic Wonderfront Music & Arts Festival returns to San Diego’s waterfront May 16-18, 2025, transforming downtown’s bayfront into a multi-stage music, art, and culture celebration. The three-day celebration features world-class performances paired with Southern California’s coastal beauty in seven diverse venues.
Highlights
- The festival will feature 80+ bands across 7 stages, culinary delights, immersive arts and games experiences.
- A diverse lineup featuring some of the world’s hottest new breakout artists and new music from the career bands.
- Water taxis supplement walking paths between venues.
Experience the Wonderfront Music & Arts Festival 2025
Unlike most festivals, Wonderfront occupies San Diego’s entire waterfront. Stages range from Broadway Pier’s intimate setting to Embarcadero Park South’s 10,000-capacity main stage. The festival footprint includes Embarcadero Marina Park North, Seaport Village, and Ruocco Park.
- Dates: May 16-18, 2025
- Location: Downtown San Diego Waterfront – including Embarcadero Marina Park North, Seaport Village, and Ruocco Park
Wonderfront Music & Arts Festival 2025 Lineup
The latest additions to the Wonderfront Music & Arts Festival 2025 lineup (Source: Instagram @wonderfrontfest)
Wonderfront Music & Arts Festival 2025 editions offer more than 80 artists across seven stages set along the harbor:
- Harbor Stage
- Sunset Stage
- Pier Pressure
- Seaport Sessions
- Park Pavilion
- Coronado View
- The Baja Beat
Featured Artists
The lineup for 2025 represents Wonderfront’s attention to musical variety and artistic diversity through:
Headline Performers:
- Anderson.Paak & The Free Nationals
- Khruangbin
- Peggy Gou
- Daniel Caesar
- Foster the People
- Jason Mraz
- Gary Clark Jr.
- Janelle Monae
- Portugal. The Man
- Isaiah Rashad
Genre-Spanning Highlights:
- Strong electronic roster with Disclosure, Jamie xx, and Kaytranada
- Hip-hop highlight with Kendrick Lamar, Megan Thee Stallion, and Joey Bada $
- Rock and alternative roster with Arctic Monkeys, HAIM, and The War On Drugs
- Latin programming with J Balvin, Rosalía, and Los Tucanes de Tijuana
- Local San Diego performers on all stages
Special Performances:
- Group sunset jam sessions with cross-genre artist duos
- Surprise pop-up concerts on water taxis and small satellite stages
- Late-night DJ sets on docked yachts in the harbor
For more information and updates, visit wonderfrontfestival.com.
Beyond the Music: Workshops & More
Festival’s Creativity Zones feature interactive workshops with local artists, wellness activities, and panel discussions with musicians and cultural leaders.
The Bayside Innovation Lab highlights sustainable innovations that make ocean conservation a top priority, with demonstrations by companies in the development of solutions to critical environmental challenges.
Artist Meet & Greets
The Connection Points program provides exclusive engagement opportunities for audiences with performing artists in scheduled meet-and-greets, Q&As, and intimate acoustic performances. Exclusive songwriter sessions at the Maritime Stage feature artists speaking about their creative process in a relaxed setting with the harbor as the backdrop.
Sustainability Initiatives
Wonderfront practices what it preaches with inherent sustainability measures tailored specifically to waterfront venues:
- Zero-waste systems: Comprehensive recycling/composting
- Plastic-free: 50+ water stations with free refills
- Eco-transit: Bike/transit users get discounts
- Clean energy: Solar-powered vendor spaces
- Conservation funding: 5% of ticket proceeds go towards harbor cleanup.
Culinary Journey: Food & Beverage
Wonderfront celebrates San Diego’s multicultural culinary scene with thoughtfully selected food and beverage choices that highlight local flavors:
- Local flavors: 30+ vendors featuring Baja-inspired cuisine
- Seafood program: Collaboration with sustainable fisheries
- Craft beverages:
- 15+ San Diego breweries (including festival collaborations)
- Signature cocktails made with CA spirits
Ticket Options & VIP Privileges
The tickets are to be bought in advance to reserve the seats. Open-ticketing options are available to suit diverse tastes and budgets:
- General Admission ($375)
- 3-day pass to all stages/art
- Food/drink purchases
- GA+ ($599)
- Priority entry lanes
- Dedicated viewing areas
- Upgraded restrooms
- VIP ($899)
- Stage viewing decks
- Lounge access with complimentary snacks
- Artist meet-and-greet experiences
- Ultimate Harbor ($1,499)
- Private yacht viewing
- All-inclusive F&B
- Backstage tours
- Single-Day Passes
- GA: $165
- GA+: $275
- VIP: $399
All tickets include water taxi access.
Navigate Festival Adventure
Wonderfront Music & Arts Festival 2025 map (Source: wonderfrontfestival.com)
Wonderfront’s multi-venue strategy allows for a unique festival experience that encourages exploration:
- Festival App: All-in-one guide with schedules, maps, and live updates.
- Discovery Zones: Themed strolling routes featuring art and surprise performances between the stages.
- Information Hubs: Staffed service, maps, and accessibility support.
Wonderfront Music & Arts Festival 2025 is the ultimate convergence of San Diego’s natural beauty, cultural diversity, and creative energy.
