Your ultimate guide to Lovin' Life Music Fest 2025
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Lovin' Life Music Festival returns to Uptown Charlotte May 2–4.
Why it matters: The Charlotte music festival sold out in its inaugural year and brought over $32 million to the local economy.
Planning to go? We've rounded up everything you need to know, from set times and ticket prices to what to pack and where to eat.
Lineup & Set times
This year's main stage headliners include Gwen Stefani, Benson Boone, Weezer, Pitbull, Dave Matthews Band and Teddy Swims. Each will close out their respective nights on the Miller Lite Stage.
- The secondary "Happy Thursday" stage will host headliners The Revivalists, Ludacris and Alex Warren.
Others among the 50+ acts performing are Flipturn, Switchfoot, Lola Young, Gigi Perez, Petey Pablo, Mike, BigXthaPlug, The 502s, Sammy Rae & The Friends and Charlieonafriday.
19 local and regional acts will perform on the Carolina Ascent FC stage, including 17-year-old Gaston County native Bailey Marie and 21-year-old Charlottean Garrett Huffman.
Go deeper: Meet the local artists performing at Lovin' Life Music Fest
Schedule: Performances kick off on the Miller Lite Stage at 2pm Friday and Saturday and 1:30pm on Sunday.
- Headliners will take the stage at 9:30 pm on Friday and Saturday and at 9pm Sunday, with all shows wrapping by 11pm.
- Performances on other stages will run nearly every hour throughout the day.
How it works: Each night features a headliner and a co-headliner. For example, opening night will wrap with Gwen Stefani as the headliner and Benson Boone as the co-headliner.
- Weezer and Pitbull will headline and co-headline on Saturday.
- Teddy Swims will co-headline with Dave Matthews Band on Sunday night.
- It's worth noting that these artists won't necessarily perform together, although — as we learned last year when Noah Kahan unexpectedly joined Maggie Rogers on stage during her set — anything can happen.
- There'll be a synchronized light show each night at the Miller Light Stage, including Benson Boone's performance and others to be announced. You'll need to have the Lovin' Life app on your phone so your flash syncs to the music.
Go deeper: 2025 Lineup Announced for Lovin' Life Music Festival
Tickets & pricing
LLMF offers single-day, two-day and three-day tickets, available in General Admission, VIP and Super VIP tiers.
What to expect: Single-day tickets start at $129, two-day at $259 and all three days at $319.
- General admission includes access to all three stages, food and drink vendors, the water station, brand activations and re-entry throughout the day.
- VIP and Super VIP tickets offer perks like separate viewing areas and restrooms, more food and drink vendors, and air-conditioned lounges.
- Ticket prices may increase closer to the festival.
Box office and Will Call
The box office opens on April 30 at noon for wristband pickup.
If you go: The box office is inside WFAE at First Ward Park (301 E. 7th St.) Look for the two-story brick building.
- You'll need your ID and e-tix confirmation to pick up your wristbands.
Will call hours are:
- Wednesday, April 30 from 12pm-7pm
- Thursday, May 1 from 12pm-7pm
- Friday, May 2 from 10am-9:30pm
- Saturday, May 3 from 10am-9:30pm
- Sunday, May 4 from 11am-9pm
Festival map & layout
There are three stages: The Miller Light Stage, the Happy Thursday Stage and the Carolina Ascent FC Stage.
- The Miller Lite Stage is the main stage, closing out each night with headlining performances.
- The Happy Thursday Stage, which is slightly smaller, will feature artists like Switchfoot, Ludacris and Petey Pablo.
- Both will include dedicated viewing areas for VIP and Super VIP ticket holders.
- You'll find the Carolina Ascent FC Stage by the main entrance and the food vendors (culinary & arts village on the map).
Bag policy/What to bring
LLMF has a clear bag policy, which permits bags that are clear plastic, vinyl or PVC that do not exceed 12" x 6" x 12".
- One-gallon clear Ziplock bags are also allowed.
- Non-clear bags not exceeding 4.5" x 6.5" can be brought in with one of the clear plastic bags.
What you can bring: Empty reusable water bottles, non-aerosol sunscreen, blankets and flags without poles.
- Children 10 and under are free and must be accompanied by an adult with a wristband.
Don't bring: Pets (only service animals are permitted), chairs, professional recording equipment, backpacks, umbrellas or selfie sticks.
Of note: There will not be lockers available to rent at this year's festival.
Food & drink vendors
Many of the festival's vendors will be locally owned and operated. So far, confirmed vendors include:
- Libretto's Pizzeria: A Ballantyne pizzeria known for its viral THC-infused pizzas.
- Mac's Speed Shop: Classic southern BBQ joint with five Charlotte-area locations.
- Fahrenheit: Upscale rooftop restaurant and bar in Uptown.
- Saku: Uptown sushi restaurant, and a favorite among our team.
Yes, and: Super VIP ticket holders will have access to food from Bossy Beulah's, Amélie's French Bakery and a selection from FS Food Group, the team behind Midwood Smokehouse, YAFO Kitchen, Paco's Tacos and Mama Ricotta's.
Getting there & Parking
Between the festival and Kendrick Lamar's Saturday concert at Bank of America Stadium, Uptown will see huge crowds over the weekend.
If you go: The exact address for Lovin' Life is 300 N. Brevard St., in Uptown's First Ward Park.
Parking lots: Several paid lots close to the festival grounds include 501 E Trade St, 709 E Trade St, 418 E 7th St and 401 E 7th St.
Light Rail: The best route is to take the Blue Line and get off at 7th Street.
- Through May 1, Charlotte Area Transportation System (CATS) is offering an unlimited three-day Lovin' Life Transit Pass for $12 ahead of the festival. From May 2-3, it'll increase to $15.00.
- CATS will also run "express bus service" for passengers heading to University City Boulevard, JW Clay and I-485 park and rides after the concert each night. Signs will direct attendees to the buses outside the festival.
- Road closures start Tuesday (April 29): 7th and 8th streets, between Brevard and Caldwell, will close on Tuesday night. A list of road closures will be available on the MyCMPD app and social media platforms.
- Download the CATS app for real-time Blue Line arrival and departure times.
- You can also choose to park-and-ride from a Blue Line stop.
After parties & Weekend events
If you want to keep the good vibes going, check out our Weekender, dropping Thursday, May 1.
- It'll have the full rundown of events happening in the city Friday through Sunday.
Here are our team's recommendations to make the most of your weekend.
- Your wristband is your ticket and your wallet. Once you register it online or in the app, you can link your card for cashless purchases all weekend.
- Download the festival app for maps, set times and updates — it's available in the App Store and Google Play.
- Download the CATS app if you're taking public transit.
- You have re-entry throughout the fest, use it to your advantage.
- Bring earplugs.
- Dress for the theme nights, check 'em out here.
- Bring a poncho, just in case the weather turns.
- Stick to lotion or stick sunscreen; aerosol or spray sunscreen will be confiscated.
- Bring a portable phone charger.
- Bring a clear fanny pack or an easy-to-wear bag.
- Carry a collapsible water bottle and stay hydrated; there'll be a free water station on-site.
Editor's note: This guide was originally published April 4 and last updated April 29 to include new details about the festival.
- An earlier version of this guide incorrectly stated that lockers would be available for rent. It has been updated to indicate that there will be no lockers available at this year's festival.