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Your guide to Boston Calling 2025, including a full schedule, must-see artists, set times, and helpful tips to get the most out of the annual music festival.

By Kevin Slane

May 22, 2025 | 1:03 PM

10 minutes to read

Believe it or not, Memorial Day weekend is already upon us, which means the 2025 Boston Calling Music Festival will soon bring more than 50 artists to the Harvard Athletic Complex in Allston this Friday through Sunday (May 23-25, 2025).

A fixture in the Boston cultural scene since its debut in 2013, Boston Calling has consistently attracted top-level talent to its festival. The 2025 Boston Calling lineup is no different, with country star Luke Combs, alt-rock band Fall Out Boy, and jam band kings Dave Matthews Band headlining Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, respectively.

To help you get the most out of your Boston Calling 2025 experience, we’ve put together a guide to what you should know before attending the festival this Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.

Below, you’ll find more info on some of the best artists to see, the best food at Boston Calling, rules on what not to bring to the festival, transportation logistics, and more.

Click the links below to jump directly to the following information:

What’s new at Boston Calling 2025

When the Boston Calling 2025 lineup was announced in January, organizers also announced a number of operational changes for the festival.

Chief among the changes is the decision to combine the Red and Green stages into a single rotating stage (The Green Stage), which will eliminate a pinch point that led to complaints of “dangerous crowds” during Sunday’s star-filled lineup at Boston Calling 2024. According to organizers, the rotating stage system will “provide better views, more space to roam, and enhance audio-video experience for everyone.”

Boston Calling 2025 also marks the return of the indoor arena, which allows festivalgoers to beat the heat (or rain) and enjoy performances from Berklee College of Music jazz students inside the Bright-Landry Hockey Center. On the topic of heat, the festival also announced there will be additional water stations at the festival.

Friday at Boston Calling 2025

The festival grounds open to audiences at 1 p.m. on Friday, with Bebe Stockwell kicking off the music at 1:30 on the Green Stage.

Before Luke Combs closes the night out from the Green Stage at 8:55 p.m., other top artists in Friday’s lineup include T-Pain (7:40 p.m., Blue Stage), Megan Moroney (7:10 p.m. Green Stage), and Sheryl Crow (5:50 p.m., Green Stage).

Saturday at Boston Calling 2025

The festival grounds once again open at 1 p.m., 30 minutes before Sofia Isella gets the music started on the Green Stage.

Fall Out Boy closes out the day from the Green Stage at 8:55 p.m., with other notable performances including The Black Crowes (7:45 p.m., Blue Stage), Avril Lavigne (7:10 p.m., Green Stage), and Cage the Elephant (5:50 p.m., Green Stage).

Sunday at Boston Calling 2025

The festival grounds open for a final time at 1 p.m. on Sunday, with Snacktime first on the bill at 1:30 p.m. on the Green Stage.

The Dave Matthews Band will close out the festival from the Green Stage at 8:40 p.m., with festival grounds closing at 11 p.m.

Other top artists performing on Sunday include Public Enemy (7:35 p.m., Blue Stage), Vampire Weekend (7:10 p.m., Green Stage), Remi Wolf (4:40 p.m., Green Stage) and Tom Morello (5:55 p.m., Blue Stage).

What local bands and artists should I see at Boston Calling 2025?

Boston Calling has always featured local artists as part of its festival lineup. In fact, local R&B/soul group Bad Rabbits were the very first act to take the stage at the inaugural Boston Calling back in 2013.

True to form, the festival is tapping another local to open the festival, with Boston-born singer-songwriter Bebe Stockwell kicking off proceedings on Friday from the Green Stage.

There’s even more of a local flavor at Boston Calling 2025, with two full stages devoted to shining a spotlight on area artists. Rock out to a variety of sounds all day long at the Orange Stage, or visit the Arena, where Berklee College of Music jazz students will be keeping the vibes immaculate.

Boston Calling co-founder Brian Appel noted the festival’s increased focus on local acts in 2022, saying that after everything “Boston musicians endured during the pandemic,” the festival would “shine a spotlight on local and regional artists more than ever before.”

To see a full list of hometown performers, check out our Boston Calling 2025 local music guide, which features info on all of the local artists playing this weekend.

What are the best food and drink options at Boston Calling 2025?

After looking at the Boston Calling 2025 food and drink lineup, one thing’s for sure: No one at the festival is going hungry this Memorial Day weekend.

A mix of eye-catching new restaurants and returning favorites will be on offer at the annual music festival, with more than 25 local eateries serving up food at the Harvard Athletic Complex.

Sally’s Apizza, which has consistently drawn long lines since opening in Woburn in 2023, is probably the most notable new addition to the food lineup. The New Haven pizzeria is opening three more Boston-area locations this year, in the Seaport, Dorchester, and Concord.

Also new on the menu this year are Southern fried chicken sandwiches from Flip The Bird, lobster rolls and oysters from New England Provisions, seafood from Jasper White’s legendary Summer Shack, sandwiches from High Street Place staple Pennypacker’s, and healthy bowls from Amelia’s Acai.

Popular menu options returning to the Boston Calling food lineup for 2025 include dumplings from Dumpling Daughter, Neapolitan-style slices from PieSons Pizza, heaping plates of barbecue from The Smoke Shop BBQ, and gyros from Greco.

For vegetarians and vegans, check out Love Art Sushi, Moyzilla, and The Flatbread Company, among other restaurants.

For dessert, there are sweet treats from Zinneken’s Waffles, FoMu Ice Cream, Blackbird Doughnuts, and Flour Bakery + Cafe.

To drink, GA ticketholders can choose between beer (Miller Lite, Coors Banquet, Samuel Adams, Heineken, Dos Equis) and wine from Josh Cellars. GA+, VIP, and Platinum ticketholders can also add Jack Daniel’s, White Claw Vodka, and Dillon’s Small Batch Gin Cocktails to their list of options.

To see a full list of participating vendors, as well as some of the options available to VIP and Platinum ticket-holders, check out our full Boston Calling 2025 food and drink guide.

What’s the best way to get to (and from) Boston Calling 2025?

The long and short of how you should travel to and from Boston Calling can be summed up in two words: public transportation.

The easiest way to get to the festival is to take the MBTA Red Line to Harvard Station. From there, it’s a straight shot to the festival: Take John F. Kennedy Street, cross the Anderson Memorial Bridge, and you’ll see the festival entrance on the right side of the street. In total, the walk takes ten minutes.

If you’re not near the Red Line, you can also take the Commuter Rail to the Boston Landing station, which is 1.1 miles from the festival. The 66 and 86 bus routes also stop at Harvard Stadium. For transportation directions from your specific location, use the MBTA Trip Planner.

There is no parking at the festival, and no street parking in nearby neighborhoods. Boston police will be ticketing and towing any vehicles illegally parked near the festival.

If you want to use a ride-share service like Uber or Lyft, there will be a pickup area at the Harvard Business School on Western Ave. If you’re heading North, you should cross the bridge and then go to one of two Cambridge rideshare areas: at Mt. Auburn Street between Dunster and Holyoke Streets, or at Garden Street between Mason Street & Appian Way.

You should note that Boston and Cambridge PD will close JFK and North Harvard Street to traffic from 9 p.m. to midnight each night to ensure pedestrian safety, as well as several other nearby streets, so public transportation really is the best option.

How can I avoid long lines at Boston Calling 2025?

Boston Calling is a large music festival, so you’re inevitably going to run into crowds at some point during the day. But as someone who has attended every single edition, I’ve learned a few helpful tips along the way.

1. Pre-register your wristband

In an effort to speed up lines for concessions and merch, Boston Calling 2025 is an entirely cashless festival.

Festivalgoers can register their wristband either before or during the festival to connect it to a credit or debit card through the Boston Calling website. Vendors will also accept credit cards.

2. Buy artist merch early

The biggest lines at previous editions of Boston Calling have been for the official artist and festival merchandise, which can be purchased just inside the entrance.

Boston Calling added a second merch kiosk last year to help minimize the issue, but if you’re set on getting a tee for your favorite artist, you might want to consider setting aside the first 30 minutes of your day at the festival to make your purchase.

3. Learn the festival map, and take the road less traveled

Another way to avoid any bottlenecks is to familiarize yourself with the festival map (see below) before heading to Allston on Friday.

With the removal of the Red Stage, the layout is a little different from previous years, but the basics are the same. You enter the festival from the corner of Soldiers Field Road and N. Harvard Street, then proceed to the entrance.

If you’re headed to the Green stage, proceed straight, where you will pass a number of food options and brand activations. If you want the Blue or Orange stages, make a left toward the merch stations.

There is always less traffic on the path from the Blue Stage to the Green Stage (located on the far left of the map below). It’s not only a more direct path, you’ll also pass local artists on the Orange Stage you may not have known about.

What items are banned at Boston Calling 2025?

Before getting into the banned items, here are a few things you can bring to the Boston Calling 2025. The festival has made a small allowance compared to previous years by allowing slightly larger bags, as long as they are clear.

Allowed at Boston Calling 2025

— Small clutch purses and fanny packs that are 6″ x 9″ or smaller

— All other bags larger than 6″ x 9″ must be smaller than 12″ x 6″ x 12″ and clear

— Hydration packs, reusable water bottles, and personal misting fans that are empty

— Cameras without detachable lenses or other accessories like tripods

— Sunscreen in non-aerosol cans, provided they are 3.4 ounces or less

— Personal-sized hand sanitizer

— Portable battery packs

— Baby carriers

— Hydration/electrolyte packets in factory sealed single serving package(s)

— Factory sealed Naloxone/Narcan kit

Now for the very long list of stuff you can’t bring:

Not Allowed at Boston Calling 2025

— Any bag that is not aligned with the allowed bags

— Aerosol containers, including sunscreen and personal beauty products

— Coolers of any kind (exceptions may be made for medical use)

— Weapons or explosives of any kind

— Any and all professional audio recording equipment

— Professional cameras and professional recording equipment: NO large professional detachable zoom lenses, stands, monopods, tripods, attachment sticks (selfie sticks) or other commercial equipment

— Any and all professional video equipment. No video recording will be allowed.

— Drones or any other remote flying device

— Cigarettes, cigars, lighters, or tobacco of any kind: Boston Calling is a No Smoking Festival. Due to the composition of some of the fields, cigarettes will not be permitted on site and will be confiscated. This includes Juuls & vape pens

— Hammocks

— Baby Strollers

— Frisbees

— Chairs

— Binoculars

— Blankets, sheets, towels

— Glass containers of any kind

— Inflatables of any kind

— Illegal and illicit substances of any kind

— Outside food or beverage (including alcohol) of any kind

— Umbrellas

— Pets (except service animals)

— Selfie sticks

— Skateboards, scooters, bicycles, wagons, carts (including Red Wagons) or any personal motorized vehicles

— Tents, canopies, or shade structures of any kind

— Unauthorized/unlicensed vendors are not allowed. No unauthorized solicitation and materials including handbills, flyers, stickers, beach balls, give-aways, samples, etc.

— Fireworks

— Totems & totems with flags: These are allowed, but only if they’re less than 7 feet tall, and less than 1 inch in diameter. Must be made of light material: swim noodles, foam type material, cardboard tubes, fabric, light plastic, balloons, aluminum and/or blow up items

— Large chains or spiked jewelry

Can I still buy tickets to Boston Calling 2025?

Even with the festival only 24 hours away, you can still purchase tickets for all three days in every price tier on the Boston Calling website.

Despite everything else in the world going up in cost, ticket prices for Boston Calling 2025 are actually lower than Boston Calling 2024.

Single-day tickets cost $178 for GA, $315 for GA+, $474 for VIP, and $1,399 for Platinum. All of the listed prices already include fees, so you won’t have the usual unpleasant surprise of prices jumping when you get ready to pay.

There are also discounted GA tickets for students, military, first responders, medical services, and educators ($169).

Three-day tickets, meanwhile, cost $361 for GA, $545 for GA+, $920 for VIP, and $2,899 for Platinum.

Is there a single day of the festival that doesn’t appeal to you? You can also buy two-day GA tickets for $344.

There are also a number of tickets available below those price points on secondary ticket resale websites like StubHub. Though StubHub offers a money-back guarantee for fraudulent tickets, Boston Calling says that it cannot guarantee the authenticity of any tickets not purchased directly through its website.