Sunburned, Deaf, Blistered and already got tickets for next year: Vans Warped Tour is BACK
By: Nicole Rocha, FestForums | September 24, 2025
Source: Vans Warped Tour
Vans Warped Tour, founded in 1995 by Kevin Lyman, is a multi-stage traveling festival that celebrates a wide variety of genres like punk rock, pop punk, metalcore, emo, and ska. Known as the largest traveling music festival in the U.S., Warped Tour isn’t just about the music, it also features skateboarding and BMX demos, brand booths, and a strong DIY, countercultural spirit that makes it truly one-of-a-kind.
This year’s event in Long Beach marked a historic comeback: after a seven-year hiatus, Warped Tour celebrates its 30th anniversary! What began as a scrappy punk rock roadshow in the mid-’90s has grown into a full-blown cultural staple, shaping the soundtracks of generations.
This year was my first time ever attending Warped Tour in Long Beach, and I went in with no clue what to expect. I’ve been to other major festivals, but this one was unlike anything I’ve ever experienced. It was more than just a festival; it was a community.
First off, I quickly learned why everyone shows up early — set times are announced the day of the show. At first, that made me a little anxious (the planner in me was twitching), but once I was there, it all made sense. Warped Tour is about discovering new artists, letting the day unfold, and just experiencing the chaos. After taking a photo of the schedule (a Warped Tour rite of passage), I headed straight to the Vans merchandise booth.
With a minimum purchase, they were offering a choice of a free drawstring bag or wallet. My boyfriend and I grabbed matching drawstring bags, and before leaving the booth, we had a surprise encounter with Steve Van Doren himself!
Steve, the son of Vans co-founder Paul Van Doren and the current Vice President of Events and Promotions, was there enthusiastically handing out stickers to fans. It was such a cool moment and really showed how much heart and authenticity goes into this event.
Another thing that sets Warped Tour apart is that each artist gets their own merch booth. This gives them the freedom to meet fans, do signings, and sell exclusive items you won’t find anywhere else. It made the experience feel way more personal than the usual giant-festival vibe.
My boyfriend and I got to meet Games We Play at his booth after his incredible performance, and he was genuinely so cool. Taking time to chat, take photos, and connect with every person that showed up to see him earned him a lot of respect and showed who he was as a person.
Mid-day we also visited the Punk Rock Saves Lives booth, where we got swabbed for the bone marrow registry (a great cause). And while we were hanging around there, my boyfriend ran into one of the original musicians from CKY who noticed his CKY hat. He ended up getting a guitar pick from him and a photo. Totally unplanned. Totally unforgettable.
Of course, the music was the main event and the lineup delivered. We caught sets from Cobra Starship, 3OH!3, All American Rejects, Blackbear and many more, each bringing their own throwback or modern twist to the stage. The crowd was wild, and the energy was infectious.
But the standout performances for me were Rise Against and A Day to Remember. Both bands absolutely crushed their sets, with that perfect mix of intensity, heart, and crowd connection. At one point, they each gave shoutouts to Kevin Lyman, thanking him for what Warped has done for alternative/punk music and for keeping the spirit alive. You could tell it meant something real to them — and to the rest of us, too.
Source: Carlson, Patrick, Youtube
As the day wrapped up, one thing was clear: Warped Tour isn’t just a festival. It’s a feeling.
It’s chaotic, loud, sweaty, and exhausting in all the best ways, but it’s also welcoming, inclusive, and full of heart. The artists seemed to be having just as much fun as the fans, and that shared energy created something rare.
It truly felt like anything could happen, and in many ways, it did. I left with merch, memories, new friends, and a stronger love for this scene than ever before.
After experiencing everything firsthand, I got the chance to hear from Kevin Lyman himself, who summed it up perfectly:
“One thing about Vans Warped Tour is it’s the festival between the stages. There’s lots of amazing bands, but you can get lost in the maze of booths, nonprofits, and community.”
That’s exactly what makes Vans Warped Tour so special — it’s not just the music, but the moments in between, the people you meet, and the feeling of being part of something bigger.
Would I go again? Tickets for next year have already been pre-ordered.