Weekend plans? Pilgrimage Music & Cultural Festival 2025 is it. In just two short days, the anticipated festival makes its return to The Park at Harlinsdale Farm in Franklin, TN on September 27-28. Promising sunshine and can’t-miss sets from a diverse and dynamic group of artists representing the worlds of Rock, Alternative, Indie, Folk, Country and beyond, headliners John Mayer (full band) and Kings of Leon are readying to take the stage alongside Turnpike Troubadours, Young the Giant, Father John Misty, Sam Barber, Sam Fender, Grace Potter, and many more.

The parking lot opens at 11 a.m. CT with the box office shortly after at 12 p.m. CT, and the gates to the festival grounds at 1 p.m. CT. Get ready ahead of time by downloading the official app now on the Apple App Store and Google Play Store. It’s a one-stop shop for maps, weather updates, and more. Download here.

If you haven’t gotten your tickets yet, a handful of limited GA, VIP and parking passes are still available, purchase here before they’re gone.

Setting the stage for the 2025 installment, Pilgrimage Music & Cultural Festival Co-Founder and Better Than Ezra frontman Kevin Griffin just sat down with Maggie Rose for an exclusive interview on American Songwriter and previewed what to expect. In a recent feature, Gibson Gazette proclaimed, “Now in its 11^th year, Pilgrimage Music & Cultural Festival is way beyond the average music festival experience.” The Tennessean also assured, “Both Saturday and Sunday are chock full of live music on multiple stages with each night being wrapped with a massive headliner.”

As always, a myriad of sponsors will excitedly power the festivities, 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.

Many of these sponsors are presenting exciting activations on-site, offering prizes, sample tastings, and so much more. Check out all of these scheduled activations below:

 

• Corona - Visit the Corona Tent for a unique chance to try to grab prizes!

 

• White Claw- Stop by the White Claw Shore Club where you can enjoy custom branded giveaway items, a cool space to hang, and, of course, White Claw!

 

• Gibson Mobile Garage - Get your free picture taken in the Infinite Guitar Tunnel, jam or learn how to play guitar, and shop the latest in Gibson apparel, including limited edition Pilgrimage t-shirts, hats, Axe Heaven mini guitars and koozies. Additionally, enter for a chance to win a new Gibson Les Paul Music City Special!

 

• George Dickel – Swing by the Dickel Whisky Dive Bar to sip on expertly crafted Bourbon cocktails.

 

• Splash - Step into the Splash Soundstation, where music and friendship collide to create your very own AI-generated song with your best friend. Sip on flavorful bottles of still or sparkling Splash Refresher and snag a limited-edition clear bag to complete the experience.

 

• Nelson's Green Brier - Beat the heat with their signature Old Fashioned whiskey cocktail made with Green Brier Tennessee Whiskey at Nelson's Green Brier Whiskey Wagon.

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• Lucchese Bootmaker - Visit their exclusive pop-up to explore handcrafted boots and heritage accessories, thoughtfully curated for the discerning festivalgoer.

 

• Republic Bank & Trust Company – Enter to win 2 VIP Upgrades or a $50 food and drink voucher Saturday or Sunday, 1–4pm, at the Republic Bank Tent by the Gold Record Road Stage or scan the QR code on the Jumbotron.

 

• Desnuda Organic Tequila - Step into Agave Amplified, an immersive lounge experience where spirit meets sound.

 

• Whataburger^® - Try a Whatafresher sample.

 

It's very important to note that GA ticket buyers have already 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.

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. Space availability in Downtown Franklin parking garages can be viewed in real time here. 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.

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 Griffin, Michael Whelan, and W. Brandt Wood. Now in its 11^th 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.

Come experience Pilgrimage Music & Cultural Festival this weekend.

 

 

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