With a little over a week until what the forecast promises to be a sunny weekend filled with great music at Pilgrimage Music & Cultural Festival, here’s everything you need to know before you go to fully maximize your experience at The Park at Harlinsdale Farm in Franklin, TN, on September 27-28.
Gates to the festival grounds will open to the public at 1 p.m. CT on Saturday and Sunday. The parking lots will open at 11 a.m. CT on both days (parking passes are purchased in advance).
GA ticket buyers have been emailed their digital tickets. All other ticket buyers, including GA+ and VIP, will be issued a festival wristband — this is the ticket into the festival. These wristbands are non-removable and non-transferrable, and they must be worn at all times. So, do not cut, pull off, or remove wristbands until you’ve officially left the festival for 2025.
In addition, starting today (9/18) at noon CT through Sunday (9/21) at 10 p.m. CT, fans will have the the last chance to snag GA tickets at 20% off using code “SUNSHINE.” Go here to buy tickets.
On-site parking is still available for purchase on PilgrimageFestival.com. If you don’t pre-purchase parking passes, festivalgoers are encouraged to park in a Downtown Franklin garage, with free and paid options outlined here www.franklintn.gov/parking. Space availability in Downtown Franklin parking garages can be viewed in real time here, https://apps.franklintn.gov/parking-counter/. Those who live in close proximity are encouraged to walk or ride a bicycle. For rideshares (UBER & Lyft) the official drop off and pick up area is located on 1st Ave S. at Ligon Field.
Since traffic significantly increases on the festival weekend, only attendees who purchased parking will be allowed to travel down Franklin Road. Parking hang tags will have directions on how to access specific parking lots. Bicycle parking is located on-site, and the Bike Valet will be run by Bike Walk Franklin. Expect heavy traffic on Franklin Road, Liberty Pike, and Hwy 96 between 11 a.m. - 7 p.m. CT and 9 p.m. - 11 p.m. CT. You also may not drive or be dropped off at the festival site without a pre-purchased on-site parking pass. For maps and more information on a full list of parking and driving directions, visit the festival’s "Getting Here" webpage here.
Additionally, Pilgrimage Music & Cultural Festival has outlined its official rules and policies for a fun and safe weekend. It’s advised to pack blankets, low-backed chairs, non-aerosol sunscreen, and water (one factory-sealed water bottle and empty camelbacks) — all of which are listed on Pilgrimage Music & Cultural Festival’s official approved list of items to bring. To see a full list of approved and prohibited items, be sure to read over the compiled list on the "Rules & Policies" webpage here.
Pre-sale for both GA and VIP lockers are now available. You may store merchandise and personal belongings, or keep your devices fully charged with unlimited charging during your locker rental period. Reserve a locker ahead of the weekend here.
Prepping festivalgoers with the ultimate digital roadmap for the big weekend, the official 2025 Pilgrimage Festival App is live on the Apple App Store and Google Play Store, and is a one-stop shop for maps, weather updates, and more. Fans may also organize a “personalized schedule” for the weekend to catch all of their favorite artists while familiarizing themselves with the food and beverage vendors and artisans on-site. Download here.
Moreover, Pilgrimage Music & Cultural Festival welcomes a diverse collective of sponsors for 2025, including Gibson, White Claw, Corona, George Dickel, Splash Refresher™, Nelson’s Green Brier Distillery, Lucchese Bootmaker, Republic Bank & Trust Company, Desnuda Organic Tequila, Pickers Vodka, Whataburger®, Blue Hound Brew, Fever-Tree, National Seating & Mobility, Crescent 9 THC Seltzer, ASCAP, HART Jewelry, and Tennessee Brew Works.
All eyes are on Pilgrimage Music & Cultural Festival with Holler enthusiastically declaring the “organizers have continued to outdo themselves in the last few years and the same goes this year” as People, Entertainment Weekly, Rolling Stone, Relix, Melodic Magazine, and more have spotlighted the festival. Meanwhile, Franklin Lifestyle ran a cover story entitled “Pilgrimage Heats Up Franklin.” Plus, Billboard promised, “The Pilgrimage Music & Cultural Festival is set to bring surges of guitar-slinging rock, Red Dirt country, blues and Americana.”
Pilgrimage Music & Cultural Festival is produced by Kevin Griffin, Michael Whelan, and W. Brandt Wood. Now in its 11th year, it has become a tradition for an ardent community of annual attendees, while it continues to captivate newcomers as well.
Living up to its name, Pilgrimage Music & Cultural Festival serves an epicenter for artists across genres and fans from around the world to congregate and come together. 2025 will undoubtedly continue this tradition with powerhouse performances, a diverse concourse of vendors and activations, and a community like no other.
With limited VIP and parking passes remaining, purchase here before they’re gone. Sign up for updates at PilgrimageFestival.com, and be on the lookout for more upcoming 2025 festival announcements.
