25 Things To Know Before You Attend Dreamville Festival in Raleigh (2025)

One of the premier and most popular events in Raleigh is the Dreamville Festival, created by North Carolina’s own J. Cole, a Grammy award-winning and multi-platinum hip-hop artist who grew up down the road from Raleigh in Fayetteville.

As one of the largest artist-curated music festivals in the country, you can expect a big weekend of incredible music on April 5 & 6th, 2025 by some of the best hip-hop artists and R&B singers hand-picked by Cole to perform in Raleigh’s beautiful and historic Dorothea Dix Park, the largest park in the city.

Now in its fifth year (this event had a two-year pause due to the pandemic), and sadly, this is the final year the festival will be held. Keep reading to find out all-you-need-to-know before attending Dreamville 2025!

Dreamville Festival Raleigh

What is Dreamville Fest?

Held over two days each spring in the city of Raleigh, North Carolina, Dreamville is a multi-stage outdoor music festival. The first Dreamville Festival was in 2019 and has quickly become one of the most popular artist-led music festivals in the world, with 50,000 attendees expected to attend on each of the two days in 2025.

For J. Cole, this is more than just a music festival where he invites his favorite musical artists and collaborators from big stadium superstars to exciting new up and coming artists from across the world to perform in his home state. It’s also a celebration of local culture, food, arts, diversity, and inclusivity.

This festival also plays host to local independently owned businesses, plus artisans, muralists, merchants, and community organizations who offer attendees a taste of the vibrant Raleigh lifestyle.

If this is your first Dreamville in Raleigh, get ready for a large-scale music fest featuring performances by some of the biggest names in music merged with a cool vibe where everyone feels welcome!

When is Dreamville Fest 2025?

Dreamville 2024 will take place over two days on the weekend of April 5 and 6. The two-day event is again expected to have a capacity of 50,000 fans each day!

Where is the Dreamville Festival 2025?

The festival location is at the picturesque Dorothea Dix Park, Raleigh’s largest city park. This 308-acre park of sprawling greenspace sits right in the heart of Raleigh and shares a boundary with downtown Raleigh, NC State University’s Centennial Campus, and the NC State Farmers Market.

The Big Field is the specific location within Dorothea Dix Park and this festival has two-stages and the performances will alternate between the two stages each day. Address: 101 Blair Dr, Raleigh.

Who is performing at the Dreamville Festival in 2025?

The full music lineup for the 2025 Dreamville Fest has been released. Headlining on Saturday will be Lil Wayne with Hot Boys and Big Tymers. While Sunday will be headlined by J. Cole with Erykah Badu and Tems.

Watch our highlights video below from Day 1 in 2023 featuring Usher and City Girls to get you inspired for 2024:

Tickets to Dreamville Festival Raleigh

All tickets for Dreamville 2025 are almost sold out. Tickets are always in high demand for the increasingly popular Dreamville Fest, even before the artist lineup was announced. NOTE: The only way to get tickets once they are sold out is by the Verified Exchange resale tickets through Ticketmaster.

How much are Dreamville tickets? The 2025 prices are:

• 2 Day General Admission (GA) from $299.99
• GA + Admission from $564.99
• 2 day JV VIP from $914.00
• 2 Day Varsity from $1014.00
• 2 Day VIP from $2014.99
• See all tickets here.
• Parking: $50 per day
• Shuttles to downtown: $50
• Lockers: $57.63

NOTE: Children (6 and under) receive free entry with a ticketed adult. A ticketed adult can bring up to 2 children that are 6 and under for free. All guests 7 and over must have a ticket/wristband. All patrons, including children 6 and under, will be required to wear a wristband. 

Gate Opening Times

Entrance gates at Dix Park to the festival open at 12pm on Saturday and Sunday, with performances starting at 1pm on both days. Keep in mind that security checkpoints at both entrance gates could take a while depending on your arrival time! The are two entrance gates, a West Entrance (off Barbour Dr./Blair Dr.) and an East Entrance (off Umstead Dr./Hunt Dr.) Here is a map.

How many people go to Dreamville?

The first year of Dreamville the festival drew 40,000 fans over one day. The expanded two-day event increased capacity to 50,000 fans each day. For context, last year more than 80% of tickets were sold to fans outside the region, with attendees from all 50 states and twenty different countries. It just goes to show how popular this festival has become.

Parking + Getting to Dorothea Dix Park

I’m the first to admit that Raleigh is not known for their public transport system, Raleigh is predominantly a driving city, and getting around Raleigh typically involves either driving, calling Uber or Lyft, biking or walking, or taking the GoRaleigh bus service.

Shuttles from downtown Raleigh to Dreamville Fest

There are official shuttles to the festival from downtown Raleigh:

• Park in any of the downtown Parking Decks
• Then walk to the official pick-up and drop-off shuttle point at 209 E Martin St, Raleigh near Moore Square in the heart of downtown.
• Cost: $50. Purchase shuttle tickets. 
• Hot Tip: Have your receipt QR code open and ready to scan.

Your DOWNTOWN SHUTTLE pass is good for the entire weekend and covers you for trips to/from the Fest each day (you only need to purchase one pass!)

The DOWNTOWN SHUTTLES will run non-stop continuous service from 10:00am (2 hours before gates officially open each day) until 1:00am (2+ hours after the end of the festival each night).

Parking at Dreamville

You can also park at the festival at Dix Park. Like any large festival, get there early and pack your patience for getting in and out of the designated car parking spots. To get to the parking location:

• Use GPS address 883-881 Main Campus Dr, Raleigh.
• Then follow signage and event parking staff to direct you to the nearest available parking lot. 
• Cost: $50 + fees per day. Purchase parking tickets here.
• Have your receipt QR code open and ready to scan!

Parking in NC State University Parking Decks 

NC State University is within walking distance to Dorothea Dix Park. There are three campus, North, Central and Centennial and walking distance varies depending on the campus and location of the parking deck. 

Visitor parking is available and free on weekends. Central and Centennial Campus are nearest to Dix Park. Visitors are encouraged to use one of the designated visitor pay lots located throughout campus. Hourly rates apply. See all the parking decks and important information here. 

Walking from downtown Raleigh

There are over 70 places to park in Downtown Raleigh. You have the option of parking at one of the many parking decks in downtown Raleigh and walking to the festival. And here is a list of accessible parking spaces. 

Be safe when walking, stick to sidewalks where possible, and I’m sure there will be large crowds to follow who you can walk with to and from. Walking times to the festival location at the Big Field within Dix Park from the following locations are approximately:

• Fayetteville Street area (heart of downtown): 35 minutes
• Warehouse District: 32 minutes
• Glenwood South: 35 minutes
• Moore Square: 43 minutes

Street Parking around Raleigh

Street parking in Raleigh is free on the weekends. From Monday – Friday you have to pay from 8am-8pm (Hillsborough St corridor), and from 8am-6pm in the Fayetteville Street Corridor and Glenwood South Corridor. Here is how to use Raleigh’s parking pay stations and you can pay with the Passport Parking App.

Neighborhood parking near Dix Park

The closest residential neighborhood to Dix Park with street parking would be Boylan Heights (15 minute walk), and the Warehouse District (30 minutes). Keep in mind they have limited spaces, get there early.

Uber & Lyft

Like with any big festival or major sporting event, getting to and from the Dreamville Festival using Uber or Lyft could be a nightmare and expensive with price surges. It wouldn’t be my first choice! 

NOTE: You will get dropped off at designated drop off / pick up zones, located on either side of Dorothea Dix Park, within very short walking distance of the Dreamville venue entrances! You’ll be able to get picked up from the same locations after the event.

Take the Train

Raleigh Union Station is only two miles from Dorothea Dix Park (where Dreamville Fest is being held). Downtown hotels are also just blocks away! For schedules and more information visit ncbytrain.org or call 1-800-BY-TRAIN.

Accommodation near Dix Park

Because the festival will be sold out, accommodation near Dix Park and hotels in downtown Raleigh have also either sold out or are at a premium. 

Anything downtown Raleigh, Glenwood South and towards NC State University are the best options for Dreamville festival hotels. You will have well-lit paths and most people from the festival will head in those directions after the festival for more nightlife etc. Glenwood South is the main bar and entertainment district.

Raleigh is fairly spread out but you can pretty much drive anywhere within 20-minutes so you could also look at areas further out, or close to downtown Raleigh such as Glenwood South (main bar district), Crabtree Valley, and North Hills. And even other nearby towns if need be although that means driving into the city. Consider:

• Cary (approx 15-20-minute drive)
• Garner (approx 10-15 minute drive)
• Morrisville (approx 20-minute drive)
• Apex (approx 20-25 minute drive)
• If you are flying in, there are always hotels near the airport
• Durham is the next biggest city near Raleigh and a 30-minute drive, but if you get desperate it is an option!

And besides hotels, you can of course look for apartments in Raleigh or vacation rentals on VRBO and Airbnb. 

FAQs 

What is the bag policy?

• ALL bags will be searched before entry.
• Small clutch purses and fanny packs that are 6″ x 9″ or smaller do not need to be clear, but can have no more than one pocket.
• All other bags larger than 6″ x 9″ must be smaller than 12″ x 6″ x 12″ and clear.
• Hydration packs are allowed and do not need to be clear, but must be emptied of all liquid and have no more than two pockets in addition to the one holding the water reservoir.
• Cameras (basic point and shoot consumer-grade cameras) without detachable lenses are allowed. Other accessories (monopods, selfie sticks, tripods, GoPro mounts, and other attachments are not allowed)
• See the full list of allowed and prohibited items.

Ticket and Wristband Policy

• All orders processed up to two weeks before the festival will be mailed
• Orders processed closer to the festival dates will be available at Will Call pick-up. (ring a valid Photo ID and receipt confirmation to pick-up at Box Office)
• All sales are FINAL – no refunds and no exchanges.
• If you purchased from an unauthorized source and/or the ticket is counterfeit, you will not be allowed entry.
• Wristbands MUST be worn securely on wrist for entry into the Festival and cannot be slipped on and off.
• Wristbands must be scanned upon exit at the gate in order to re-enter that same day.
• Wristbands are NON-TRANSFERABLE and NON-EXCHANGEABLE.
• If your wristband has been lost, stolen, or damaged, visit the Festival Box Office or Wristband Assistance Tent before entering the festival. There is a $20 wristband replacement fee.
• YES, wristband activation is required for entry. Click HERE to activate your wristband.

Lockers to rent?

Yes, you can rent lockers for the Dreamville Raleigh so you don’t have to carry all your belongings all weekend. Charging lockers provide a place for you and your friends to store the merch you just scored, jackets, bags, etc – as well as provide a secure place to charge phones, battery banks and more! 

• Large lockers measure 11” wide, 13.5” high, 18” deep. 
• Medium lockers measure 11” wide, 8” high, 18” deep. 
• Each locker includes one 3 in 1 USB charging cable – features type C, lighting (apple) and micro USB connectors. 
• You will have unlimited access to your locker during festival hours.
• Learn more about lockers and prices here.

Will there be water stations?

Dreamville Festival Raleigh will offer multiple free water refilling stations. You are encouraged to bring reusable water bottles or camelbacks, just be sure to have them empty upon entry. There will also be water and other non-alcoholic beverages available for purchase at the bar.

Can I bring alcohol to Dreamville?

No outside alcohol. It will be for sale at the venue. 

Can I bring a child to the festival? How old do you have to be to go to Dreamville Festival? 

There are no age restrictions for Dreamville Festival, however children 7+ will require a ticket. Children (6 and under) receive free entry with a ticketed adult. A ticketed adult can bring up to 2 children that are 6 and under for free. All patrons, including children 6 and under, will be required to wear a wristband. 

Can I bring my pet?

Dreamville Festival has a strict no-pet policy, with exceptions only for service animals as specified by federal and state law. All service animals must be registered at the entrance gates. 

Accessible Viewing Areas

There will be accessible viewing areas made available to ADA patrons at designated stages. For more information on how to gain access to these areas, learn more via the Accessibility Services Hub.

Top Tips

1. Wear good comfortable shoes! There is lots of standing and walking especially if you walk to the festival from downtown Raleigh!
2. Check the current weather regarding clothing choices!
3. Drink lots of water to avoid leg cramps.
4. Food truck lines can have super long wait times, especially at lunch and dinner dinner. Go earlier and buy food that can sit in my bag for a little while like a wrap or sandwich.
5. Eet a big meal before heading to the festival (tips on Raleigh restaurants down below)
6. Bring an empty water bottle so you can fill up at the water stations.
7. If you want to do other activities like photo booths, arrive early in the day. 
8. Dreamville merch shops can have really long lines (arrive early)
9. Lockers can be hard to get, so don’t bring too much extra stuff.
10. Be mindful of alcohol consumption (and other substances) – you’ve paid a lot of money, you want to remember it. 

Other Dreamville Events in Raleigh

Dreamville Eve Party

Friday, April 5 from 6-10pm. Celebrating the start of Dreamville weekend with a Dreamville Eve Party at The Longleaf Lounge! We’ll have King Akira DJing and Thirsty Pigeon Records selling vinyl. Food truck announcement coming soon. No cover, rain or shine. Open to festival goers, guests, and locals alike!

City Beats & Visual Vibes 

Friday, Apr 5, from 5pm – 11pm. Jump-start the Dreamville weekend with this free, family-friendly celebration of arts & culture in Moore Square.

• Full showing of the Marvel movie Black Panther with live remixing of the soundtrack by the Shaolin Jazz group
• Local vendor market hosted by Black Flea Market
• Food trucks
• Live performances & art activities
• Artistic Guests: Tyler Butler-Figueroa, Leah Laiani, DJ House Freddy Greene, Southeast Raleigh Magnet High School, & Bugg Elementary Step Team.

Dreamville Weekend Hang Out w/ Pat Jr, Nance, Tesh & Tanajah

Friday, April 05, 8:00pm. Raleigh’s Grammy Award Winning Pat Junior is a seasoned veteran, with music covering multiple genres and sounds, Junior emcees and produces. Get tickets. See list of Dreamville events below:

Places to Eat, Drink & Shop in Raleigh

Looking for things to do in Raleigh outside of Dreamville Fest? Raleigh is a great city and has evolved a ton in recent years regarding the food, brewery, and bar scene. 

Eat in Raleigh

• Where to eat breakfast in Raleigh
• Best brunch spots in Raleigh
• 40+ lunch spots in Raleigh
• 23 favorite downtown Raleigh restaurants
• 12 great burger joints in Raleigh
• 8 favorite Asian restaurants in Raleigh
• 6 top Mexican restaurants in Raleigh
• 14 great sandwich spots
• 20 vegan & vegetarian restaurants
• 28 gluten-free restaurants

Drink in Raleigh

• best coffee shops the locals love
• 11 popular cocktail bars in Raleigh
• 20 local Raleigh breweries
• 14 wine bars in Raleigh
• 5 cool rooftop bars
• 15 awesome sports bars

Shopping in Raleigh

• 8 record stores in Raleigh
• Where to shop local in downtown Raleigh
• 60+ black owned businesses in Raleigh

There you have it. All you need to know for the Dreamville Music Festival in 2024. If you have any questions, leave them below in the comment. And, if you have any of your own tips please share them too! Hope to see you there! 

• Location: The Big Field at Dorothea Dix Park
• Dates: April 6 & 7th, 2024
• Website: DreamvilleFest.com