South Jersey has long been home to a vibrant and diverse music scene, and 2025 is shaping up to be an incredible year for local talent! Whether you’re an indie artist, a metal band, a jazz musician, or a country singer, Jersey has a wealth of festivals coming up in the region that can provide incredible opportunities to perform, connect with other musicians, and potentially open for major acts.
In this guide, we’ll take a look at the top music festivals in South Jersey for 2025—and how local artists like you can get involved, whether it’s by applying to perform or reaching out to festival organizers to secure your spot!
Atlantic City Beer & Music Festival 2025
Dates: March 29
Location: Atlantic City Convention Center, Atlantic City, NJ
Genres: Rock, Indie, Punk, Hip-Hop
Why Local Artists Should Apply: The Atlantic City Beer & Music Festival is one of the year’s biggest events, drawing tens of thousands of attendees from all over the region. If you’re a local indie rock, punk, or hip-hop artist, this is your chance to perform in front of a large crowd and share the stage with some well-known national acts. Festival organizers are always looking for new talent to feature, and many local artists have made a name for themselves here.
How to Get Involved
- Apply to Perform: Local artists can contact the festival organizers via their official website here for performance opportunities.
- Open for Headliners: Contact the organizers to inquire about opening slots. It’s a great way to gain exposure while networking with bigger acts.
Dark Force Fest 2025
Dates: May 2-4, 2025
Location: Parsippany, NJ
Genres: Metal, Hardcore
Why Local Artists Should Apply: If you’re a local metal or hardcore band, Dark Force Fest is an excellent opportunity to showcase your music to an audience that thrives on hard-hitting sounds. This festival is known for featuring underground acts alongside well-established metal bands, so it’s a fantastic platform for stars in the metal and hardcore scene.
How to Get Involved
- Apply to Perform: For submission details, contact the festival organizers directly via this link. Many local bands have been successfully chosen to perform after submitting demos and portfolios.
- Open for National Acts: Smaller, local acts are often given the opportunity to open for national headliners. Contact the organizers for more information on how to secure this opportunity.
MMRBQ 2025
Dates: May 10, 2025
Location: BB&T Pavilion, Camden, NJ
Genres: Rock, Classic Rock
Why Local Artists Should Apply: MMRBQ is a festival that brings thousands of rock lovers to Camden’s BB&T Pavilion annually. For local rock bands, especially those influenced by classic rock, this is a huge opportunity to get your music in front of a large, dedicated crowd. The festival’s intimate atmosphere allows emerging artists to gain recognition and even open for legendary acts.
How to Get Involved
- Apply to Perform: Contact the event’s booking team for potential performance slots. More information about artist festivals is available here.
- Open for Big Acts: Local bands are often invited to perform as openers for headliners, making this an ideal stage for exposure. Use the contact form to express your interest in the event.
Michael Arnone’s Crawfish Fest 2025
Dates: May 30 – June 1, 2025
Location: Augusta, NJ
Genres: Cajun, Zydeco, Blues
Why Local Artists Should Apply: Michael Arnone’s Crawfish Fest is the place to be for musicians who blend blues, Zydeco, or Americana influences. This festival highlights South Jersey artists and sounds, and local musicians with roots in these genres have the chance to showcase their talents alongside national acts. It’s a great event for networking with industry professionals and reaching an audience that loves soulful, roots-driven music.
How to Get Involved
- Apply to Perform: Check out the festival’s artist submission page here for details on how to submit your band or solo project.
- Open for headliners: Reach out directly to inquire about opening spots often reserved for local talent to introduce audiences to new music.
Barefoot Country Festival 2025
Dates: June 19-22, 2025
Location: Wildwood, NJ
Genres: Country, Americana
Why Local Artists Should Apply: The Barefoot Country Festival offers an incredible platform for local country and Americana artists to perform. Held on the beautiful Wildwood Beach in South Jersey, this festival attracts seasoned country stars and rising talent. Local artists can gain exposure and build their fan base by performing alongside established names in the genre.
How to Get Involved
- Apply to Perform: Visit this page for submission details and guidelines for getting your band or solo project on stage at this exciting festival.
- Open for National Acts: Local artists may be able to perform as openers for national headliners. Contact the organizers directly to inquire about opportunities.
Beardfest 2025
Dates: June 26-30, 2025
Location: Hammonton, NJ
Genres: Jam Bands, Bluegrass, Rock
Why Local Artists Should Apply: Beardfest in Hammonton is known for its inclusive vibe and celebration of music and beards. It offers an excellent opportunity for local jam bands, bluegrass, and rock musicians to perform in front of an enthusiastic crowd. The festival is a welcoming space for emerging artists who want to connect with a community that values live music, creativity, and collaboration.
How to Get Involved
- Apply to Perform: Local artists can apply to perform through the festival’s official website. Submit your music and bio here for a chance to take the stage.
- Open for Headliners: Local acts often have opportunities to open for larger headliners at Beardfest. Contact the organizers to explore these options.
South Jersey Jazz Festival 2025
Dates: August 2025 (Exact dates TBD)
Location: Various venues in Cape May County, NJ
Genres: Jazz, Blues, Soul, Funk
Why Local Artists Should Apply: South Jersey’s premier jazz event, the South Jersey Jazz Festival, provides an incredible opportunity for local jazz, blues, and soul musicians to showcase their craft. Held at various venues across Cape May County, this festival offers local artists the chance to perform in an intimate seJersey’sile reaching a dedicated, passionate audience.
How to Get Involved:
- Apply to Perform: Submit your materials and performance request via the contact page here.
- Open for Headliners: Many local acts are invited to perform as openers. Reach out for the chance to perform before national acts.
Camp Jam in the Pines 2025
Dates: June 2025 (Exact dates TBD)
Location: Various locations, New Jersey
Genres: Indie, Folk, Rock, Pop
Why Local Artists Should Apply: Camp Jam in the Pines is a grassroots festival celebrating indie, folk, rock, and pop music. The festival organizers are committed to highlighting local talent, making it a fantastic opportunity for South Jersey musicians to get their start. Many local acts have had their careers launched after performing here, so it’s definitely worth considering.
How to Get Involved:
- Apply to Perform: Visit the festival’s official website to get more information about submitting your band or solo project for consideration.
- Open for National Acts: CJ in the P often features local talent as openers for national headliners. Contact the organizers to explore this exciting possibility.
Conclusion
The music scene in South Jersey is offering incredible festivals for local artists to step into the spotlight in 2025. These festivals are not just for established acts—they’re platforms where you can network, perform, and even open for major headliners. Take the initiative, apply to perform, and use these festivals as a stepping stone to build your career. The stage is set—now it’s your turn to shine!
Don’t forget to SUBSCRIBE to Lucid Media Blog to stay up to date on South Jersey local community events, open mics, and free resources for local musicians. Check out all of our links here and contact us here. And as always…
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