Every year, the music world turns its attention to San Francisco’s waterfront when Portola Festival rolls around—and 2025 looks set to be its biggest year yet. Combining a cutting-edge electronic lineup with major pop and alternative names, Portola has once again asserted itself as a serious contender for the best-curated festival in North America.
With headliners like LCD Soundsystem and Christina Aguilera grabbing attention, and dozens of beloved underground and mainstream acts filling out the bill, Portola 2025 is shaping up to be a must-attend event for dance music lovers and beyond.
Let’s take a look at the full lineup and how you can bag yourself some tickets.
Portola 2025: The Lineup Announced
Organizers dropped the highly anticipated Portola 2025 lineup in early May, and it didn’t disappoint. The announcement confirmed that LCD Soundsystem would return to headline, their third appearance at the festival following wildly acclaimed sets in 2022 and 2023.
Joining them is none other than Christina Aguilera—marking a major genre-bending moment for the festival as it welcomes a global pop icon to a lineup historically dominated by electronic and dance music artists. Aguilera’s inclusion signals Portola’s growing ambition and its interest in broadening its sonic palette.
Also high on the bill are legends like Underworld, Four Tet, Róisín Murphy, and Justice (performing their newly released material), creating excitement across electronic, house, and techno circles.
Critics have already praised the 2025 lineup for its mix of “big stage moments” and “deep cuts for true heads,” with publications like Billboard and Stereogum suggesting that no other American festival has blended mainstream accessibility with underground credibility quite like Portola this year.
The Full Lineup
Here’s a breakdown of the major acts confirmed for Portola 2025:
Headliners:
- LCD Soundsystem
- Christina Aguilera
- Underworld
- Justice
Main Performers:
- Four Tet
- Róisín Murphy
- Bicep (live)
- Jamie xx
- Overmono
- Peggy Gou
- Fred again..
- Floating Points
- Fever Ray
- The Blessed Madonna
- Kaytranada
- Charlotte de Witte
Supporting Artists:
- DJ Koze
- Arca
- Avalon Emerson
- TSHA
- DJ Seinfeld
- Anz
- Sofia Kourtesis
- Barry Can’t Swim
- Bonobo (DJ Set)
- Honey Dijon
- Mall Grab
Emerging Talent and Special Sets:
- Yaeji
- Romy (of The xx)
- Skin On Skin
- Shygirl
- DJ Heartstring
- Salute
This incredible depth across house, techno, synth-pop, and experimental dance genres highlights why Portola is earning so much attention—it’s carefully curated to appeal to hardcore electronic fans while also drawing newer festivalgoers through bigger crossover names.
Portola 2025 Dates
Portola Festival 2025 will take place on Saturday, September 28, and Sunday, September 29, 2025.
This timing keeps the festival positioned as one of the final major events of the summer season in North America, allowing fans to cap off festival season in style before cooler weather kicks in.
With San Francisco’s usually pleasant early-fall weather, it’s also an ideal setting for a waterfront, semi-outdoor experience.
How Much Are Tickets?
Tickets for Portola 2025 are priced similarly to previous years, offering several tiers depending on when you buy and the level of access you want:
- General Admission (GA) 2-Day Pass: Starting around $399–$429 (plus fees)
- GA+ 2-Day Pass: From $529–$559 (includes expedited entry, premium restrooms, exclusive lounges)
- VIP 2-Day Pass: From $679–$749 (includes exclusive viewing areas, VIP bars, private restrooms, and VIP entrance)
- Single-Day Passes: Expected to be available closer to the event, typically priced between $200–$250 for GA.
Prices can vary as tiers sell out, so early purchase is highly recommended for the best deals.
When Do Tickets Go On Sale?
General public ticket sales for Portola 2025 officially opened on Friday, May 10, 2025, at 10 a.m. Pacific Time.
A limited pre-sale took place earlier in May, offering previous attendees and newsletter subscribers early access. Most pre-sale tiers sold out within hours, reflecting the huge demand for this year’s lineup.
If you’re serious about attending, setting an alarm for the public sale date is crucial. Expect popular tiers like GA+ and early VIP to move quickly.
How Do I Get Tickets?
Tickets for Portola Festival 2025 are available through the official Portola Festival website. Here’s the process:
- Visit the official festival website.
- Select your desired ticket tier.
- Join the queue (there may be a virtual waiting room during high-traffic times).
- Complete your purchase with payment information ready—some tiers may sell out within minutes.
- Once purchased, tickets will be delivered electronically, with wristband delivery closer to the festival date.
Payment plan options are available as well, allowing attendees to spread costs across monthly installments.
Only buy tickets through official vendors to avoid scams—Portola’s organizers have warned against third-party resale sites until the official resale platform opens later in the summer.
Where Does Portola Festival Take Place?
Portola Festival is held at Pier 80 in San Francisco, California.
Pier 80 offers a unique industrial waterfront vibe, blending open-air spaces with massive warehouses that are transformed into performance stages. Unlike typical dusty fields or concrete arenas, the Portola setting stands out for its urban character—perfectly suiting the edgy, electronic music atmosphere.
Located near the Dogpatch neighborhood and easily accessible by public transport, rideshare, or bike, Pier 80’s location also allows for stunning views of the San Francisco Bay and skyline, providing a dramatic backdrop for late-night sets.
Organizers have promised improved crowd flow, better stage layouts, and even more food and beverage options in 2025, responding to minor complaints from prior years and aiming to create the best fan experience yet.
Why Is It Called “Portola” Festival?
The Portola Music Festival derives its name from the historic 1909 Portola Festival, an event that celebrated San Francisco’s recovery following the devastating 1906 earthquake and fire. This original festival was named in honor of Gaspar de Portolá, the Spanish explorer credited with discovering San Francisco Bay in 1769. The 1909 celebration aimed to showcase the city’s resilience and readiness to host major events, marking a significant moment in San Francisco’s history.
Final Thoughts
With an eclectic, exciting, and bold lineup, Portola 2025 is already making its case as the most essential festival of the year. From global superstars like Christina Aguilera to underground legends like Underworld and new-gen icons like Fred again.., the festival captures the spirit of music evolution better than almost any other event.
If you’re looking to celebrate the end of festival season in unforgettable style, Portola 2025 should be right at the top of your list.
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