After a long hiatus—spanning an entire pandemic, a cultural reckoning, and the cancellation of many of its era’s artists—the golden revival of the scene is finally here. The music industry Vans Warped Tour returned to in 2025 is drastically different from the one it left behind in 2019 in Atlantic City. In its absence, Blink-182 reunited and sold out stadiums, My Chemical Romance emerged from the shadows, and Warped Tour DC headliner MGK carried the genre on his back with two chart-topping pop punk albums. Together, these moments reignited the scene, introducing it to new heights—and new generations of fans.
Warped Tour 2025 couldn’t have happened in 2023 or 2024. The timing had to be now. With its most diverse lineup yet, genre boundaries have finally dissolved, and generations have united for the pure love of music. Gone are the tired debates over whether pop punk or hardcore was the “true” genre. Warped Tour returned to Washington, DC with a powerhouse lineup that celebrated the scene’s past, present, and future across half a dozen stages.
The 30th Anniversary of Warped Tour was too sprawling to be summarized by any single experience—every fan curated their own journey. Across the historic RFK Festival grounds, countless unforgettable moments unfolded. Here are six standout highlights from the sold-out, two-day celebration:
Chiodos Has Arrived (Again)
Fresh off a sold-out tour, Chiodos stormed the Vans Right Foot Stage with one of the biggest crowds of the day and the most airborne crowd-surfers. Craig Owens and company are no strangers to Warped Tour’s summer heat, but their resurgence in 2025 has been monumental. On stage, the band teased an upcoming tour announcement—and based on their Warped turnout, it’s safe to say they’re on track to graduate from clubs to arenas, following in the footsteps of A Day to Remember and Pierce The Veil.
Jason Butler: The Spirit of Warped Tour
Saturday featured not one but two electrifying sets from Jason Butler: first with Fever 333, then with a surprise letlive. reunion less than an hour later. The frontman brought chaos, emotion, and fierce passion to both stages. On a day darkened by political division just blocks from the venue, Butler delivered a heartfelt speech declaring Warped Tour a place for everyone. He also smashed a drum kit, scaled the stage scaffolding, and left every ounce of energy on the floor.
All Time Low Celebrate Pride with a “Hometown” Headline Set
All day, fans buzzed about All Time Low’s headline set—and the band delivered in style. A full marching band, cheerleaders, and baton twirlers carrying LGBTQ+ flags escorted the group to the stage, marking a massive leap from their days on the Monster Energy Side Stage. Kicking things off with their newly released single “Suckerpunch,” the band powered through a tight, celebratory set. Post-pandemic, All Time Low’s ascent has been unstoppable, and their just-announced national tour is expected to sell out quickly.
MGK Unleashes a Genre-Bending Headlining Performance
Love him or hate him, MGK was the true centerpiece of Warped Tour’s return. His performances across both dates were his only scheduled appearances this summer ahead of his upcoming album Lost Americana (due in August). The old “sellout” narrative is long dead—MGK earned his stripes on Warped side stages before breaking into the mainstream. His massive set blended pop punk, rap, country, and pop with hits like “Floor 13” and his new single “Cliché.” He’s never seemed more at home on stage.
Boys Like Girls Steal the Show on Sunday
After nearly a decade away, Boys Like Girls returned with a vengeance. Their Sunday afternoon set drew one of the biggest crowds of the weekend—GA and VIP areas were packed to the edges. The band was in top form and knew it, owning the stage with confidence and charisma. Wasting little time on chatter, they packed their set with hit after hit, giving longtime fans exactly what they came for.
The Real Main Stage Was the Side Stage
In classic Warped Tour fashion, some of the best moments came from the side stages. Tucked around the corner from the main attractions, the Eagle and Arrow stages consistently drew tight crowds despite competing with nearby merch booths. Staying true to its legacy of elevating new talent, Warped Tour spotlighted up-and-coming acts like Cliffdiver, TikTok sensation Games We Play, and the ever-chaotic, ever-impressive Royal & The Serpent.
These six highlights represent just a fraction of the unforgettable moments that made Warped Tour 2025 a landmark event. Whether it returns in 2026 remains to be seen—but for now, fans still have a chance to catch the magic at the Orlando and Long Beach weekends.
Warped Tour is back. Bigger, louder—and completely sold out.
