Punk Rock Revival: Vans Warped Tour Returns for 30th Anniversary Shows

Get ready to dust off your Vans and get ready to mosh—the iconic Vans Warped Tour is making a comeback in 2025 to celebrate its 30th anniversary!

Festival founder Kevin Lyman has announced that the legendary punk rock extravaganza will return for two-day events in three cities across the United States next year. The tour will kick off on June 14-15 in Washington, D.C., at the RFK Campus, then head west to the Shoreline Waterfront in Long Beach, California, on July 26-27, before wrapping up in Orlando, Florida, at the Camping World Stadium Campus on November 15-16.

“People are craving connection, live music, and the raw, unfiltered experience that Warped has always offered,” Lyman tells Rolling Stone. “We’ve seen how music continues to unite and inspire, and this return isn’t just about nostalgia—it’s about giving a new generation the chance to feel that same sense of belonging and freedom that Warped has always championed.”

For Lyman, the decision to bring Warped Tour back for its 30th anniversary was an effortless one. After all, he’s been hinting at a return for years, telling Pollstar just last month, “We have something cooking for 2025.” And now, the details are finally here.

One of the key factors that will set Warped Tour 2025 apart is the partnership with Insomniac, the event production company behind the massive Electric Daisy Carnival festivals. Insomniac founder Pasquale Rotella says they’re committed to keeping ticket prices accessible, with two-day passes starting at just $149.98.

“Lyman’s been really committed to making this about the people and making sure that people can afford to come,” Rotella says. “It really starts with Kevin making that step, holding his ground, and having that confidence in the community.”

That community spirit has always been at the heart of Warped Tour, and it will be front and center for the 2025 return. Lyman promises a diverse lineup of 70 to 100 bands across a wide range of genres, including both beloved festival veterans and exciting up-and-coming acts.

“We’re becoming increasingly selective in our search for unique twists to the lineup,” he says. “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.”

Fans can expect to see the return of classic Warped Tour elements, like the inflatable daily set list and the array of nonprofit organization tents, as well as new “immersive elements” and community-building events. It’s all part of Lyman’s mission to recapture the magic that made Warped Tour such an iconic and beloved festival for a generation of punk, emo, and alternative music fans.

“It’ll always remind you of that parking lot and that backyard party. That’s what Warped Tour was,” he says.

And while the festival may be scaling back from its former cross-country trek, Lyman isn’t ruling out the possibility of expanding the 2025 return in the future. “If it works, we’ll look to the future to do more,” he adds.

The announcement of Warped Tour’s comeback has already generated a wave of excitement among fans, many of whom have been longing for the festival’s return ever since it took its “final” bow in 2018. This 30th anniversary revival promises to be a nostalgic and exhilarating journey back in time for those who grew up moshing and crowd-surfing to their favorite Warped Tour acts.

But Warped Tour 2025 isn’t just about nostalgia; it’s also about introducing a new generation to the rebellious spirit and community-driven ethos that made the festival such a cultural touchstone. With Insomniac on board and Lyman’s unwavering commitment to keeping tickets affordable, this return could open the doors for a whole new wave of punk, emo, and alternative music fans to discover the magic of Warped Tour.

As the countdown to June 2025 begins, fans across the country are no doubt dusting off their studded belts and lacing up their Vans, eagerly anticipating the moment when they can once again feel the electric energy of a Warped Tour parking lot. It may have been a few years since the last time the festival graced the stage, but for those who’ve been there, the spirit of Warped Tour has never truly left.

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