Ever dreamed of discovering your next favorite band while camping under the stars? The Nelsonville Music Festival offers exactly that an intimate three-day music experience in Southeast Ohio’s rolling hills Nelsonville Music Festival, where Billboard calls it “one of the best-kept secrets of the U.S. music festival circuit.”
Our Story – Nelsonville Music Festival: Tired of fighting crowds at massive festivals? Craving authentic musical connections? This guide is your roadmap to an unforgettable weekend.
We’ll show you how to navigate this hidden gem, from choosing the perfect camping spot to catching must-see acts across multiple stages.
With 40+ national, regional, and local acts, Nelsonville Music Festival is ready to soundtrack your adventure. Which new artists will end up on your year-end playlist?
Why Attend Nelsonville Music Festival
If you’re anything like me, you’ll love the Nelsonville Music Festival. It’s got great music, friendly people, good food, and a calm, relaxed vibe. It’s tucked away in the hills of Southeast Ohio, so it feels like a peaceful weekend away.
What I really like is how small and friendly it is—no crazy crowds. You can get close to the stage, and sometimes even talk to the artists after their sets.
The music lineup has something for everyone, from country to rock to folk, and the setting is just beautiful with trees and hills all around. It’s also super family-friendly—kids 12 and under get in free, and there’s a big kids’ area full of fun stuff. They care about the planet, too.
The whole festival is zero waste, and they give you free water to refill your bottle instead of selling plastic. Best of all, when you buy a ticket, you’re helping kids learn music and art through Stuart’s Opera House.
That’s something I can really feel good about. Nelsonville isn’t just a music fest—it’s a place where you can have fun and actually do some good.
Overview of Nelsonville Music Festival
Planning your first trip to Nelsonville Music Festival but not sure where to start? Here’s everything you need to know to make your weekend in Ohio’s hills unforgettable.
When and Where It Happens
The Nelsonville Music Festival is coming back June 20-22, 2025! It happens every year at Snow Fork Event Center in the pretty rolling hills of Southeast Ohio.
Nelsonville Music Festival Nearby Hotels – 5685 Happy Hollow Road – Nelsonville, Ohio – TheConcertNexus Snow Fork is at 5685 Happy Hollow Road in Nelsonville, Ohio, just 3 miles from highway US-33.
Getting Here – Nelsonville Music Festival You get three full days of awesome music on different stages surrounded by beautiful hills and trees.
Tickets – How Much and Where to Get Them
To get your tickets, go to nelsonvillefest.org or visit Stuart’s Opera House in person.
How Much Do Tickets Cost:
- One Day Only: Teens (ages 13-17) pay $50. Kids 12 and under get in FREE! NMF Tickets plus Luxury Camping at Nelsonville Music Festival (Sleeps 2) — The Campfire Experience
- Whole Weekend: Costs more but gets you into all three days (buying early saves money)
- Local People Save Money: If you live in Nelsonville or Buchtel, you only pay $85! You have to buy these tickets in person at Stuart’s Opera House, Monday through Friday from 10 am-2 pm. NMF Tickets plus Luxury Camping at Nelsonville Music Festival (Sleeps 2) — The Campfire Experience
Your ticket lets you see all the bands and join all the fun activities. But remember – this ticket is just for you, not your car. You need to buy parking separately. NMF Tickets plus Luxury Camping at Nelsonville Music Festival (Sleeps 2) — The Campfire Experience
Want to camp? You need both a Weekend Pass and a Camping Wristband NMF Tickets, plus Luxury Camping at Nelsonville Music Festival (Sleeps 2) — The Campfire Experience – you have to buy camping passes extra.
You can use paper tickets or phone tickets. If you use your phone, save a screenshot before you go because there’s not much cell phone service at the festival.
Getting There and Where to Sleep
There’s a place called Snow Fork Event Center at 5685 Happy Hollow Road in Nelsonville, Ohio, just 3 miles from highway US-33. Getting Here – Nelsonville Music Festival The directions are different depending on where you’re parking.
If you have regular parking, take exit 185 to OH-78, then turn right on Happy Hollow Road. If you’re bringing an RV, take exit 185 to OH-78, drive through Buchtel town, then turn right on Akron Ave.
You can camp in the woods for quiet time or close to the party – it’s up to you! They call the camping area “Mudville.”
- Car Camping: You get a 20′ x 20′ spot where you can sleep next to your car. One car per spot, but you can fit as many friends as possible if they all have weekend passes and camping bands.
- Group Camping: Bigger spots for groups, some are near creeks with nice shade
- Fancy Camping: A company called The Campfire Experience sets up luxury tents with real mattresses, sheets, and pillows – like camping but way more comfortable!
If you’re camping, they have bathrooms, showers, and free water.
You can buy ice and firewood too. Don’t want to camp? Stay at nearby hotels instead, but you’ll still need parking passes.
Campers can bring food and drinks to their site (but not into the festival area) plus small grills and campfires if you bring your own fire ring.
Now that you know the basics, all that’s left is to grab your tickets, pack your camping gear, and get ready for three days of incredible music in one of Ohio’s most beautiful spots.
The Lineup
Get ready for some amazing music! This year’s festival had a jam-packed lineup, including headliners Waxahatchee, MJ Lenderman, Charley Crockett, and Taj Mahal.
The festival offers a diverse lineup of 40+ national, regional, and local acts from a variety of genres in an intimate setting.
- Waxahatchee – The headlining indie folk artist everyone’s talking about! Waxahatchee is the music project of singer-songwriter Katie Crutchfield, who creates beautiful indie music.
- Charley Crockett – This guy’s got one of the coolest stories in music! Matthew Charles Crockett is an American country singer-songwriter who has released 15 studio albums since 2015.
- Taj Mahal – A true legend! Henry St. Claire Fredericks Jr., better known as Taj Mahal, is an American blues musician who plays guitar, piano, banjo, harmonica, and many other instruments.
- Other Great Acts: Other artists scheduled to perform include Merce Lemon, The War And Treaty, Being Dead, Low Cut Connie, Nora Brown, Styrofoam Winos, MJ Lenderman, and BALTHVS. Plus, Athens music favorites Natural Sway and Weedghost will be playing their fifteenth Nelsonville Music Festival!
With legends, rising stars, and local favorites all sharing the same stages, you’re guaranteed to discover your new favorite band while enjoying music from artists you already love.
Festival Experience
Ready to make the most of YOUR Nelsonville Music Festival weekend? Here’s everything YOU need to know about camping, food, activities, and getting around so you can have the best time possible.
1. Camping and Amenities
The campground called “Mudville” is where the real fun happens! Whether you want to camp quietly in the woods or be close to the party, you have choices at the Snow Fork campground. Taj Mahal (musician) – Wikipedia You get a 20′ x 20′ spot for one car and as many friends as you can fit.
There are bathrooms, places to wash your hands, showers, and free water stations. You can buy ice, firewood, and other stuff at Camping Headquarters. Nelsonville Music Festival releases full lineup – ACRN.COM
2. Food & Drinks
Food vendors all over the festival sell everything from healthy meals to classic festival junk food at good prices. Some food trucks include Athenian Wrapsody, Dos Hermanos, and Fusion Group Indian Food.
You have to be 21 or older to drink alcohol, and campers can bring their own drinks to campsites (but no glass bottles anywhere). There’s Wi-Fi at the Main Beer Tent if you need to get online.
3. Vendors & Activities
Cool vendors sell things like clothes, jewelry, pottery, and festival t-shirts. Kids 12 and under get in free and have their own special area with music activities, puppet parades, fun workshops, and a big community art project.
The festival also has morning activities like bird watching, yoga, and guided bike rides – you don’t need to sign up ahead of time!
4. Music & Stages
The festival has several stages, including the Main Stage, Porch Stage, Boxcar Stage, Camp Stage, and the really cool No-Fi Cabin – an old one-room schoolhouse with no electricity where less than 100 people can watch quiet acoustic shows.
The Creekside Stage films special sessions, while the Snow Fork Stage hosts the biggest concerts. Important warning: cell phone service is pretty bad here, so save your tickets to your phone before you arrive!
With great camping, tasty food, fun activities, and multiple stages to explore, you’ll have everything you need for YOUR amazing weekend of music and memories that you’ll be talking about all year long.
How to Prepare for Nelsonville Music Festival
Getting ready for your Nelsonville trip? Here’s what you need to bring so you can have the best time ever!
Festival Stuff
To have a memorable festival and a convenient time, you should carry the following things, which most of the fans forget.
- Clear bag or small backpack: Required by the festival for security.
- Portable phone charger: Service is spotty, and your battery might die.
- Refillable water bottle: Free water stations are everywhere.
- Sunscreen, hat, sunglasses: The sun gets hot during the day.
- Small blanket or folding chair: Makes watching shows way more comfortable.
Sleeping Gear
After a fun and tiring day, getting a good rest is very important to enjoy the upcoming events. Therefore, I suggest you take the following items with you.
- Tent: Make sure it’s big enough for everyone in your group.
- Sleeping bags or blankets: Nights can get cold.
- Pillows: Help you sleep better.
- Tarp (for under the tent): Keeps the floor dry and clean.
- Air mattress or sleeping pad: The ground can be hard and bumpy.
Camp Basics
A few very essential camp requirements that you should carry for a comfortable stay.
- Flashlight or headlamp: It gets very dark at night.
- Toilet paper and hand sanitizer: For comfort and hygiene.
- Towels: For showers or drying off after rain.
- Cups for water: For drinking at camp.
- Folding chairs: Great for relaxing around your site.
Pack smart and you’ll be ready for three awesome days of music, good food, and memories you’ll never forget!
Conclusion
Now you have everything you need to make YOUR Nelsonville Music Festival trip absolutely amazing!
From understanding why this hidden gem in Ohio’s hills is perfect for you, to knowing exactly what to pack and where to camp, you’re ready for three awesome days of incredible music, tasty food, and unforgettable memories.
Use this guide to plan your perfect festival weekend – whether you’re camping in “Mudville” or just coming for the day.
Don’t wait too long to get your tickets because this small festival sells out fast. The sooner you buy, the more money you save! Follow their social media for lineup announcements and updates.
Ready to experience one of the coolest music festivals around? Check out our other festival guides for more amazing adventures!
