According to a press release, the rotating stage will feature “state-of-the-art sound and video,” with the redesigned festival layout aimed at “making it easier for attendees to move between performances” while mitigating crowd congestion. The changes come after last year’s Boston Calling received some fan backlash over its crowd size.
In addition to the new stage, Boston Calling will have more water stations available at the fest to keep attendees hydrated. And if you’re looking to get out of the sun (or rain) and relax, the indoor arena makes its grand return this year. While past iterations of Boston Calling have used the space for stand-up performances and even a film festival curated by Natalie Portman, this year’s fest will utilize the indoor arena to showcase performances by Berklee College of Music jazz students.
Who’s performing each day of the festival?
The headliners and many of the lineup’s bigger names will take over the new rotating Green stage throughout the weekend, with some acts performing on the Blue stage. The Orange stage will once again serve as a showcase of local performers from Boston and New England. Gates open each day at 1 p.m.
Set times are subject to change, but highlights from Friday include TLC at 4:40 p.m. (Green stage); Sheryl Crow at 5:50 p.m. (Green stage); Megan Moroney at 7:10 p.m. (Green stage); T-Pain at 7:40 p.m. (Blue stage); and day one headliner Luke Combs at 8:55 p.m. (Green stage).
Relive the early ’00s emo/pop-punk era during day two of Boston Calling on Saturday. The Green stage has a ton of alt rock acts on the menu, with The Maine at 3:45 p.m.; All Time Low at 4:40 p.m.; Avril Lavigne at 7:10 p.m.; and headliner Fall Out Boy at 8:55 p.m. Other highlights from day two include Cage the Elephant at 5:50 p.m. (Green stage); James Bay at 6:05 p.m. (Blue stage); and the Black Crowes at 7:45 p.m. (Blue stage).
Boston Calling wraps on Sunday with another packed day of performances. Highlights include Spin Doctors at 2:50 p.m. (Green stage); Remi Wolf at 4:40 p.m. (Green stage); Sublime at 5:50 p.m. (Green stage); Tom Morello at 5:55 p.m. (Blue stage); Vampire Weekend at 7:10 p.m. (Green stage); and Public Enemy at 7:35 p.m. (Blue stage). Day three headliner Dave Matthews Band closes the show on the Green stage at 8:40 p.m.
Yes! Tickets are still available for Boston Calling 2025 at bostoncalling.com/tickets. As of this writing, there are still single-day and three-day tickets available across the general admission, GA+, VIP, and platinum options. Two-day general admission tickets are also available.
The festival is also offering a payment plan option this year, plus discounted single- and three-day general admission tickets for students, as well as members of the military, first responders, medical services, and educators. Be sure to check out the festival’s website for the latest availability.
What’s new to eat and drink?
There will be no shortage of tasty bites on hand throughout the weekend, including several new vendors appearing at the fest for the first time.
In the general admission area, attendees can munch on offerings from newbies like Amelia’s Acai; Italian-inspired sandwich purveyors Pennypacker’s; New Haven-style pizza icon Sally’s Apizza; fried chicken sandwich hot spot Flip The Bird; plus enjoy seafood fare from New England Provisions and Summer Shack.
Meanwhile, platinum pass holders will have access to fancier food options from some of the city’s top chefs, including Puritan & Co.‘s Will Gilson, Myers + Chang‘s Joanne Chang, Bar Vlaha’s Brendan Pelley, Lolita’s Thomas Berry, Mariel’s Miguel Deras, and Uni’s Ken Oringer.
Feeling thirsty? Enjoy brews from Samuel Adams, Miller, Coors, Dos Equis, and Heineken, as well as wine from Josh Cellars. Red Bull, Liquid Death, and Electrolit will have non-alcoholic beverages available for purchase.
What can I bring? What should I leave at home?
Boston Calling has a full bag policy, meaning all bags will be searched before entry. According to the fest’s FAQs, allowed bags include small clutch purses and fanny packs that have one pocket and are 6-by-9 inches or smaller. Bags that are larger than 6-by-9 inches but smaller than 12-by-6-by-12 inches must be clear.
Other allowed items include consumer-grade cameras (detachable lenses and accessories like selfie sticks are prohibited); non-aerosol sunscreen containers that are 3.4 ounces or less; baby carriers, portable battery packs; personal-size hand sanitizer; and empty hydration packs and reusable water bottles.
As for what to leave at home, prohibited items include coolers; weapons; professional cameras; drones; cigarettes, vapes, lighters, and all tobacco products or paraphernalia; baby strollers; hammocks; chairs; binoculars; blankets; frisbees; umbrellas; inflatables; glass containers; fireworks; and tents. And sorry to people who like to bring their pets out, but unless they are service animals, they’ll have to stay at home, too. Check the festival’s website for a full list of allowed and prohibited items.
The festival is once again taking over the Harvard Athletic Complex in Allston, so your best bet for getting to the fest is via public transportation, as there will be no on-site parking available, and strict towing and ticketing is expected in the surrounding area.
Instead, take the T, because the main entrance at 65 N. Harvard St. is just a short walk from the Red Line at Harvard Square station. The 66 and 86 bus routes also stop at the stadium. For fans taking the commuter rail, the Boston Landing station is about a mile walk from the fest.
If you don’t plan on taking the T, rideshare is another option, with drop offs allowed near the entrance. However, fans using rideshare to leave Boston Calling at the end of the evening should follow the signs to the designated rideshare pickup area.
What’s the weather going to be like?
The Globe’s Dave Epstein has the scoop on this weekend’s forecast. For Friday, expect “mostly cloudy skies” in the day with a small chance of showers and temperatures ranging from lower to upper 50s.
Meanwhile, Saturday should see temperatures hit the 60s by mid to late afternoon, “before falling back into the 50s in the evening,” according to Epstein, who doesn’t expect “any shower activity of significance.”
For the final day of the fest, Epstein offers a sunny outlook, with temperatures hitting “the low to perhaps mid-60s” in the afternoon. “If you were picking which day to go to the festival based on the weather, this is the one to mark on your calendar,” writes Epstein.
Anything else I should know?
Safety: Boston Calling has a zero tolerance harassment policy and encourages attendees to contact staff if they feel threatened or harassed. The event will use an “airport-style search prior to entry,” according to the fest’s website, which notes that fans may also be subject to magnetometer screenings and full body pat-downs.
Accessibility: The festival will have designated entrance lanes for attendees with disabilities. Fans can visit the access center near the welcome arches for more information on the event’s accessibility program, requests for accessibility wristbands, assisted listening devices, power outlets for charging mobility devices, and more.
Kid-friendly: Fans of all ages are welcome at the fest, with children under 10 able to attend for free without a wristband.
Freebies and giveaways: Score some freebies at the various sponsor activations onsite. Chase will have a lawn setup featuring games like ring toss and a mini-golf putting green, plus a customizable merch station. Dunkin’ is back too with a scoop shop, promising free tastes of iced coffee and other giveaways. Samuel Adams, Heineken, Miller Lite, Jersey Mike’s, and more brands will set up shop with activations as well.
Afterparties: Keep the party going with a special afterparty featuring All Time Low at Brighton Music Hall on Friday night. Saturday’s afterparty takes over the Paradise Rock Club with iDKHOW.
Matt Juul can be reached at matthew.juul@globe.com.