Copied to Clipboard
Roots Picnic
For some, barbecues and baseball signal summer’s arrival. But for in-the-know music fans and culture enthusiasts, the Roots Picnic is what actually brings the heat.
Coined “hip-hop’s greatest festival” by Rolling Stone, the highly anticipated annual music event taps some of hip-hop and R&B’s biggest stars to kick off the summer season.
Curated and hosted by the legendary Roots crew, the 2025 festival boasts a powerhouse lineup of acts headlined by neo-soul icon Maxwell, rap superstar Meek Mill and genre-bending legend Lenny Kravitz.
GloRilla, Miguel, Tems, Latto, Kaytranada, Jeezy and Kur also top the stacked bill of established acts and rising stars.
The annual Philly tradition returns to the Mann Center in West Fairmount Park, rain or shine, on May 31 and June 1, 2025.
A full-blown celebration of Black culture and a tender love letter to its hometown, Roots Picnic brings a stacked lineup of returning performers, first-timers and some serious Philly talent to West Fairmount Park.
Over 25 acts are set to take the stage this year.
Day one — headlined by the legendary Maxwell — also sees performances from acts like Miguel, Tems, Latto and Jeezy.
Maxwell — Photo courtesy Maxwell
Day two ups the ante with performances by Lenny Kravitz, Glorilla, Kaytranada and Mr. Dreams and Nightmares himself, Meek Mill, among others.
The full festival lineup includes:
Lenny Kravitz — Photo courtesy Lenny Kravitz
Typically, performances unfold across multiple stages at The Mann Center.
Pro tip: Bring a blanket and wear comfy shoes! While there is limited seating for performances on the T.D. Pavilion stage, you can always lay out a blanket on the grass surrounding both the T.D. Pavilion and the main stage.
New for 2025, the party vibes go up with a full lineup of exciting day parties, including:
— Photo by J. Fusco for Visit Philadelphia
This year, the cultural celebration doesn’t stop at the music.
The Roots Picnic invites you to set out your blanket and chow down for real during its inaugural food festival.
Highlighting Philly eats, the lineup features almost 50 local restaurants and small businesses, with a special focus on Black-owned eateries.
— Photo by Beaumonde Originals
Familiar names include Amina Hospitality Collection, the budding restaurant empire behind Amina, Black Hen and more; Asian-Soul fusion from Black Dragon Takeout, Ethiopian fried chicken from Doro Bet and plant-based fare from Vegan-ish.
The full list of food festival vendors can be found here.
If the Roots Picnic has a hundred fans, I’m one of them. If the festival has one fan, I’m her.
A cross between a family reunion, an old-school block party and karaoke night with your besties (if your BFF were Musiq Soulchild), the fest creates an atmosphere that’ss both super-welcoming and laid back.
Whether you come with friends or by yourself (I’ve done both), you’ll feel fully comfortable losing yourself in the music and basking in the unadulterated joy of the artists and audience.
One-day and two-day tickets for the 2025 Roots Picnic are on sale now at the official site, with payment plans available.
The annual fest takes place at The Mann Center campus in West Fairmount Park.
Getting there is easy. The Mann Center offers free parking on the grass at the main parking area at Belmont & Montgomery avenues, and additional parking is available at the South Concourse or on 52nd Street.
Just a note: Parking is limited, so early arrival is encouraged. And when heading out at the end of the night, please be patient, and expect a little bit of a wait.
— Photo by Elevated Angles for Visit Philadelphia
Public transit is also a great option. SEPTA’s Mann Center Loop bus departs from 19th & Locust streets and has seven stops on the way to The Mann, including:
Uber or Lyft more your speed? A dedicated rideshare drop-off and pick-up spot can be found at the North Gate, located on Georges Hill Drive.
To learn more about what to expect at this year’s festival, head to the official website.
For more show information and to purchase tickets, click the button below.
Looking for a comfy place to rest up after the last performance of the evening? We’ve got you covered.
Make your Roots Picnic weekend extra special while getting a great deal that lets you explore more of Philly. Book the Visit Philly Overnight Package and get free hotel parking and choose-your-own-adventure perks.
The Roots Picnic is just one of many, many awesome concerts and music fests in Greater Philadelphia this year.
Freedom Mortgage Pavilion — Photo courtesy Freedom Mortgage Pavilion
Click the button below for our guide to dozens of can’t-miss shows taking place in Philadelphia and the Countryside in 2025.
The only way to fully experience Philly? Stay over.
Book the Visit Philly Overnight Package and get free hotel parking and priceless peace of mind.