The Fest 2025: Gainesville’s Punk Rock Powerhouse Returns
- Chris Collett
- Apr 18
- 3 min read
Updated: Apr 22
The Fest 2025 is set to electrify Gainesville, Florida, from October 24–26, 2025, marking its 23rd edition. This independent, multi-venue festival has long been a cornerstone of the punk and hardcore scenes, celebrated for its DIY spirit, loyal community, and consistently stacked lineups.
This year, The Fest returns with a bold mix of legendary acts and new-school icons, continuing its tradition of being both a celebration of punk history and a showcase for the genre’s ever-evolving future.
🔥 A Legacy of Punk and Community
Since its inception in 2002, The Fest has been more than just a music festival — it's a gathering for like-minded fans, friends, and bands who value authenticity, radical inclusivity, and a damn good mosh pit. It’s not just the music — it’s the environment: the bike rides between venues, the spontaneous hangouts at local bars, the impromptu acoustic sets in backyards.
The energy in Gainesville every October is a punk rock homecoming like no other.
🎸 2025 Lineup Highlights
The initial lineup announcement for The Fest 2025 already packs a serious punch, with beloved scene veterans and fresh favorites filling out the bill. Among the standouts:
Propagandhi – Politically razor-sharp and technically unmatched, this Canadian punk institution will bring righteous fury and shredding guitars to Gainesville.
Dillinger Four – Rare appearances from this Minneapolis crew always feel special — expect stage banter, singalongs, and chaos.
Coalesce – Mathcore legends whose live set is nothing short of explosive. Prepare your ears and your neck.
Pool Kids – Emo-adjacent indie rock darlings who continue to impress with their tight musicianship and raw lyricism.
Shelter – Hardcore meets spirituality. Their return to The Fest is bound to be both intense and uplifting.
Good Luck – Joyful, emotional punk rock that’ll have you dancing and crying in the same chorus.
And this is just the beginning. Expect dozens (if not hundreds) more bands to be announced, covering every branch of the punk tree — ska, crust, emo, folk-punk, melodic hardcore, and more.
💥 More Than Just Music
In true Fest fashion, the experience goes beyond the lineup. Local venues like The Wooly, High Dive, and Loosey’s will host sets all weekend, while record swaps, tattoo pop-ups, zines, and bike rides fill the spaces in between. Gainesville’s unique blend of Southern charm and punk grit makes it the perfect home for this event.
Every October, the city becomes a punk rock playground where fans can hang out with the very bands they idolize, grab drinks with strangers who become friends, and experience the kind of magic that only happens at The Fest.
🎟️ Get Your Tickets Now
Tickets for The Fest 2025 are officially on sale — and they will sell out.
Early bird passes include access to three full days of shows across multiple venues, plus exclusive pre-Fest events and merch opportunities. Whether you’re a first-timer or a Fest veteran, now’s the time to secure your spot.
🎤 Final Thoughts
The Fest isn’t just about the bands. It’s about the feeling — sweaty venues, off-key singalongs, shared cigarettes, found family. It’s where new bands break through, old friends reunite, and punk continues to thrive on its own terms.
With Propagandhi, Dillinger Four, Coalesce, Pool Kids, Shelter, and Good Luck already on deck, The Fest 2025 is shaping up to be one of the most unforgettable weekends of the year.
Don’t sleep on it.