The Warped Tour Is Back — And DC Gets One of the Biggest Shows of the Summer
After years of speculation and a growing wave of pop-punk nostalgia, the Vans Warped Tour is officially back for its 30th Anniversary, and Washington, D.C., is one of just three cities chosen to host the mega-celebration.
The iconic alternative music festival will take over the nation’s capital on June 14–15, 2025, bringing a stacked lineup of punk, emo, metalcore, ska, pop, and everything in between.
This is more than a concert—it’s a cultural moment.
Event Details:
- What: Vans Warped Tour 30th Anniversary
- When: Saturday & Sunday, June 14–15, 2025
- Where: Washington, D.C. (Exact venue TBA)
- Tickets: On sale now at https://www.vanswarpedtourdc.com/
Why This Show Matters
Warped Tour hasn’t hit DC since its “farewell” run in 2018, and this two-day blowout is shaping up to be one of the most ambitious and inclusive editions yet. With over 90 bands across multiple stages, fans can expect the same chaotic, sweaty, genre-blending magic that made Warped an institution.
For longtime locals who grew up hitting Merriweather or Nissan Pavilion in the 2000s, this is a homecoming. For younger fans? It’s a rare chance to experience Warped in its full, messy, beautiful glory.
A Stacked Line Up in DC
Here is the list of artists playing in alphabetical order
3OH!3 – Electro-pop duo from Colorado known for their satirical party anthems.
408 – Pop-punk band delivering high-energy tracks with a modern twist.
All Time Low – Baltimore-based pop-punk band celebrated for catchy hooks and energetic performances.
Angel Du$t – Baltimore hardcore punk supergroup blending punk with melodic elements.
Asking Alexandria – British metalcore band known for their dynamic sound and evolving style.
Atmosphere – Minneapolis hip-hop duo recognized for introspective lyrics and storytelling.
Avril Lavigne – Canadian pop-punk icon who brought skater style to mainstream music.
Beauty School Dropout – Alternative rock band merging pop-punk with modern rock influences.
Big Ass Truck – Memphis band fusing funk, rock, and hip-hop into a unique sound.
Blessthefall – Arizona-based metalcore band known for their intense energy and melodic breakdowns.
Bowling For Soup – Texas pop-punk band famed for humorous lyrics and catchy tunes.
Boys Like Girls – Massachusetts pop-rock band blending emo and pop-punk elements.
Carpool – Emo band from Rochester, NY, delivering heartfelt lyrics and melodic riffs.
Cartel – Georgia pop-punk band recognized for their polished sound and emotive lyrics.
Chandler Leighton – Los Angeles singer-songwriter known for her powerful vocals and collaborations.
Chiodos – Post-hardcore band from Michigan celebrated for their theatrical style and complex compositions.
CLIFFDIVER – Emo band from Oklahoma blending punk energy with emotional depth.
Comeback Kid – Canadian hardcore punk band known for their aggressive sound and relentless touring.
Dance Hall Crashers – California ska-punk band famed for their upbeat rhythms and dual female vocals.
DRAIN – Santa Cruz hardcore band delivering high-octane performances and thrash influences.
Escape The Fate – Las Vegas post-hardcore band combining metal riffs with melodic choruses.
Fever 333 – Los Angeles trio merging punk, rap, and activism into explosive performances.
Fishbone – Legendary Los Angeles band blending ska, punk, funk, and soul since the 1980s.
Four Year Strong – Massachusetts band known for their blend of pop-punk and hardcore, dubbed “easycore.”
From Ashes to New – Pennsylvania band fusing nu-metal, rap, and alternative rock elements.
Games We Play – Pop-punk project delivering catchy melodies and relatable lyrics.
Gideon – Alabama metalcore band combining heavy riffs with hardcore intensity.
Gin Wigmore – New Zealand singer-songwriter known for her raspy voice and bluesy pop-rock.
Girlfriends – Pop-punk duo bringing a fresh take on early 2000s punk-pop vibes.
Hawthorne Heights – Ohio emo band remembered for their emotional lyrics and post-hardcore sound.
Heart Attack Man – Cleveland band blending punk aggression with catchy pop sensibilities.
Her Leather Jacket – Emerging band known for their edgy sound and dynamic performances.
Hidden In Plain View – New Jersey emo band from the early 2000s known for heartfelt lyrics.
Holywatr – Alternative band delivering atmospheric sounds and introspective themes.
Honey Revenge – Pop-rock band combining sugary melodies with punk energy.
I Am The Avalanche – Brooklyn punk band formed by former Movielife frontman Vinnie Caruana.
Ice Nine Kills – Boston metalcore band known for horror-themed concept albums and theatrical shows.
Jakobs Castle – Project blending surf rock, punk, and electronic elements into a unique sound.
Knuckle Puck – Chicago pop-punk band delivering emotionally charged lyrics and energetic performances.
KOYO – Long Island band merging hardcore roots with melodic punk influences.
Less Than Jake – Florida ska-punk veterans celebrated for their upbeat horns and lively shows.
Letlive. – Defunct Los Angeles post-hardcore band known for their intense live performances.
Lil Lotus – Emo-rap artist blending trap beats with punk and alternative influences.
Magnolia Park – Orlando pop-punk band infusing modern elements into classic punk sounds.
Memphis May Fire – Texas metalcore band combining heavy riffs with melodic choruses.
MGK – Cleveland artist transitioning from rap to pop-punk with chart-topping success.
Millionaire$ – Electropop project delivering danceable beats and catchy hooks.
Miss May I – Ohio metalcore band known for their aggressive sound and relentless touring.
Mod Sun – Minnesota artist blending pop-punk, hip-hop, and alternative styles.
Motion City Soundtrack – Minneapolis band combining synth-pop with emo and punk elements.
Nothing,Nowhere. – Emo-rap artist merging introspective lyrics with alternative rock influences.
Of Mice & Men – California metalcore band delivering heavy breakdowns and melodic hooks.
Origami Angel – Washington, D.C. duo known for their intricate guitar work and emo-pop sound.
Oxymorrons – New York band fusing hip-hop, rock, and punk into a genre-blending experience.
Pennywise – Southern California punk legends known for their fast-paced, politically charged songs.
People R Ugly – Los Angeles band blending alternative rock, pop-punk, and hyper-pop elements.
Point North – Los Angeles pop-rock band delivering anthemic choruses and emotional lyrics.
Rain City Drive – Post-hardcore band formerly known as Slaves, offering melodic and dynamic tracks.
Ringpop! – Up-and-coming band known for their catchy tunes and vibrant performances.
Royal & The Serpent – Los Angeles artist blending pop, rock, and electronic influences with edgy flair.
Sace6 – Emerging artist delivering a fusion of punk energy and modern soundscapes.
Saosin – Post-hardcore band from California known for their soaring vocals and intricate guitar work.
Saturdays At Your Place – Indie band offering heartfelt lyrics and melodic instrumentation.
Scary Kids Scaring Kids – Arizona post-hardcore band known for their emotive lyrics and dynamic sound.
Scene Queen – Artist blending metalcore with hyper-feminine aesthetics and themes.
Scowl – California hardcore punk band delivering raw energy and socially conscious lyrics.
Senses Fail – New Jersey post-hardcore band known for their emotional depth and aggressive sound.
Silly Goose – Band combining humor and high-energy performances in the punk scene.
Silverstein – Canadian post-hardcore band blending melodic elements with hardcore intensity.
Simple Plan – Montreal pop-punk band known for their catchy hooks and relatable lyrics.
Slaughter To Prevail – Russian deathcore band delivering brutal vocals and heavy instrumentation.
Sophie Powers – Teen artist merging pop-punk with electronic and alternative influences.
Spray Allen – Band blending psychedelic rock with alternative and grunge elements.
State Champs – New York pop-punk band delivering high-energy performances and catchy songs.
Stratejacket – Emerging band known for their dynamic sound and engaging live shows.
Streetlight Manifesto – New Jersey ska-punk band celebrated for their complex arrangements and energetic performances.
Sublime – Long Beach band fusing ska, punk, and reggae into a laid-back, iconic sound.
Sueco – Artist blending rap, rock, and pop-punk elements into a unique style.
Sweet Pill – Philadelphia emo band known for their emotive lyrics and dynamic instrumentation.
The Aquabats! – California band combining ska, punk, and superhero-themed performances.
The Dark: An enigmatic band known for their immersive live performances and genre-blending soundscapes.
The Maine: A pop-rock band from Arizona celebrated for their heartfelt lyrics and dynamic stage presence.
The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus: A post-hardcore group recognized for their emotive vocals and socially conscious themes.
The Suicide Machines: A Detroit-based ska-punk band known for their high-energy performances and political commentary.
The Wonder Years: A Philadelphia pop-punk band acclaimed for their introspective lyrics and anthemic melodies.
The Word Alive: A metalcore band from Phoenix delivering powerful vocals and intricate guitar work.
Urethane: A punk rock band featuring skateboarding legend Steve Caballero, blending classic punk vibes with modern energy.
We Came As Romans: A metalcore band from Michigan known for their blend of heavy riffs and melodic choruses, emphasizing themes of resilience.
We The Kings: A Florida-based pop-punk band famous for catchy hooks and the hit single “Check Yes Juliet.”
World’s First Cinema: A cinematic pop duo from Los Angeles combining orchestral elements with modern pop for a theatrical music experience.
Yung Gravy: A rapper blending vintage samples with humorous lyrics, creating a unique fusion of retro and modern hip-hop.
Looking Back, Looking Ahead
Like so many others, I grew up with the Warped Tour as a summer tradition—a day to sweat in the sun, discover new bands, and scream every lyric like it was therapy. I still remember my first show, clutching a crumpled paper schedule and racing between stages. In 2019, I had the chance to attend the 25th Anniversary show back in 2019, and it felt like a reunion of sorts—loud, chaotic, and filled with the kind of energy you can’t replicate anywhere else. Now, with the 30th Anniversary rolling through D.C., it’s more than nostalgia. It’s a chance to pass the torch, see some old favorites, and maybe even find the next band that changes everything.
About the Warped Tour
The Vans Warped Tour is one of the most iconic alternative music festivals in history. Founded in 1995 by Kevin Lyman, it became a launchpad for countless punk, emo, metal, and indie acts—serving as a rite of passage for fans and bands alike. Known for its traveling summer caravan of music, skate culture, and DIY ethos, Warped has hosted legends like Blink-182, Paramore, Green Day, and My Chemical Romance. After its final full tour in 2018, Warped took a step back—until now. In 2025, it returns for a special 30th Anniversary celebration, bringing the spirit of community, chaos, and catharsis to a new generation of fans.