Some festivals just happen in a place. Others feel like they belong there. Outside Lands 2025 was my second year attending the event for Stage Hoppers, and somehow it managed to top last year. From the moment you step into Golden Gate Park, it feels like a forest escape built for dancing. You almost forget you’re in the middle of San Francisco. The team clearly put so much thought into the experience, and it shows in all the small (and not-so-small) ways.
Each stage had its own vibe thanks to the park’s natural layout. Lands End was wide open and cinematic. Sutro felt like a hidden grove. SOMA brought more rave-leaning energy with an upgraded open-air setup, though the single entrance made it a bit chaotic during peak sets. At night, the trees lit up with color and lasers, which glowed through the fog. It was classic SF weather for that side of the city, especially on Saturday and Sunday when the cold really kicked in.
Credit: Alive Coverage
Let’s talk food (one of my favorite parts about this festival). Outside Lands 2025 delivered some of the best festival food I’ve had. Every booth I tried was genuinely good, and there were plenty of options no matter your dietary needs (and not just some sad vegan salad). My favorite bite of the weekend was a trio of hand rolls from Kaiyo, a Peruvian-Japanese restaurant from SOMA. It makes sense that a city like SF, which has such a rich food scene, would make eating part of the experience.
Beyond the music and food, Outside Lands 2025 had even more to offer. From Wine Lands and Beer Lands to Grass Lands and the Bacardi dance floor, there were so many cool areas to explore. One of my favorite surprises was a Gap activation where you could customize your own hoodie. Giant mushrooms made for a fun photo moment, and live artists painting throughout the park added to the feeling that the festival was constantly being created around you.
Credit: Alive Coverage
As for the music? John Summit’s closing set on Friday was a highlight, even if the crowd packed in way too tight. I also loved ARMNHMR’s set that day, which featured a lot of dubstep. Levity brought out Tape B on Sunday, and their entire set had me smiling. Gracie Abrams, Ludacris, Jorja Smith, and Hozier all had incredible moments too.
One blister, so much laughter, and a weekend full of movement. Everything about Outside Lands feels intentional. I loved wandering, dancing, and occasionally power-walking from set to set all weekend long. When you pair that with great music and a fun friend by your side, it’s hard not to have the best time.
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