O’Nail Hartman Insurance is proud of our community, and have been serving the insurance needs of Southeast Ohio since 1964. With that in mind, our region has a vibrant arts and music scene, and summer time is when it blooms and grows with multiple outdoor music festivals scheduled for our area. Whether its jazz, classical, rock music or ska, enjoy this comprehensive edition where we walk you through the primary music festivals slated for Summer, 2025:
Porchfest – Sunday, May 18, 2025 – https://www.facebook.com/NENA.Porchfest
The 2nd Annual Near Eastside Neighborhood (NENA) Porchfest is a free community event scheduled for Sunday, May 18, 2025. It features local musicians performing live on neighborhood porches, aiming to build community and support local artists.
Starbrick Music Festival – JUNE 5th – 7th, 2025 – https://starbrickmusicfestival.com/
The Starbrick Music Festival, an annual event now in its 3rd year, will take place from June 5th to 7th, 2025, at Hocking College. This festival features a blend of classic 70s, 80s, and 90s rock and country music, along with a Battle of the Bands. While the specific daily schedule and ticket costs aren’t detailed on the website, the event aims to raise funds and awareness for the Chris Roell TBI Foundation.
Additionally, the Starbrick Concert Series will be held at Adventure Pro Outdoors on July 12th, August 9th, and September 13th.
Boogie on the Bricks – June 14, 2025 – https://boogieonthebricks.com/
Boogie on the Bricks is a FREE, family-friendly community music festival taking place on Court Street in Athens, OH, on June 14, 2025. The exact time for the event is not specified on the website. This event, which began around 2004 and has been growing in popularity ever since, features an outdoor concert in the heart of town with around 7 bands over 10 hours. The city closes down the street for this one, so you can boogie, on the bricks!
Black Diamond Music & Arts Festival – The 4th annual Black Diamond Music & Arts Festival June 14th, 2025
The Black Diamond Music & Arts Festival, supported by Hocking College, Rocky Brands, and the Black Diamond Regional Visitors Bureau, will be a free event on June 14th, 2025, in Nelsonville, Ohio. This year’s festival will feature headliner Kid Kentucky and the American Badass Band. While details on additional acts and activities for the 2025 event are still forthcoming, past festivals have included a variety of musical performances, primarily in the country and rock genres, along with art vendors, food trucks, and a dedicated children’s area.
Nelsonville Music Fest (NMF) – June 20 to June 22 – https://nelsonvillefest.org/
WE’RE PROUD TO BE A PREMIERE SPONSOR FOR THIS EVENT
The Nelsonville Music Festival, taking place June 20-22, 2025, at the Snow Fork Event Center, has a deep-rooted connection to Stuart’s Opera House in Nelsonville. The festival was founded in 2005 by Stuart’s Opera House as a way to support the historic venue and the arts in the region. Stuart’s Opera House, a cornerstone of Nelsonville’s Public Square since 1879, produces the festival annually.
All proceeds from the Nelsonville Music Festival directly benefit Stuart’s Opera House, including their tuition-free Arts Education programs like the After School Music Program (AMP). This partnership ensures that the festival not only brings diverse indie, jam, folk, and funk music to the region but also contributes to the cultural and educational vibrancy of the community served by Stuart’s Opera House. Weekend passes for the festival start around $190, with teen passes at approximately $85, and children 12 and under admitted free with a ticketed adult.
Brew Week – 20th Annual Ohio Brew Week: July 11-19, 2025 – https://ohiobrewweek.com/
The 20th Annual Ohio Brew Week, scheduled for July 11-19, 2025, in Athens, Ohio, has grown from its humble beginnings in 2005 to become a significant celebration of Ohio’s brewing and fermenting scene. Originally conceived by local restaurant owner Jon Sparhawk and Dan Gates to attract visitors to uptown Athens during the summer months when Ohio University students are away, the inaugural event featured over 70 Ohio craft brews across 36 venues. Over the years, Ohio Brew Week has expanded, drawing national attention and notable visitors.
Following Jon Sparhawk’s passing, Jackie O’s Brewery annually creates the “Sparbock” beer in his honor. Dan Gates served as the executive director for the first eight years, followed by Weston Lombard and then Brandon Thompson who took over in 2016. The 2023 event showcased over 45 Ohio breweries and hundreds of events. This 9-day festival, now a registered non-profit, will offer hundreds of beers, along with select ciders and meads.
Brew Week typically concludes with “Last Call,” a full day musical event in the heart of Athens closing down Court Street, very much like the aforementioned Boogie on the Bricks.
Big Bend Blues Bash – Friday & Saturday, August 1st & 2nd, 2025! – https://bigbendbluesbash.com/
The Big Bend Blues Bash, a two-day Blues, Roots, and Rock concert, will take place on Friday, August 1st, and Saturday, August 2nd, 2025, at the Riverside Amphitheater in downtown Pomeroy, Ohio. This location offers a scenic backdrop along the beautiful Ohio River, which in August is typically flowing gently and framed by lush summer greenery, creating a relaxed and picturesque atmosphere to enjoy the music.
The 2025 lineup features a variety of talented artists including Jackie Venson, The Band Feel, Nikki Hill, Ace Monroe, The Hi-Jivers, Renée Stewart Band, The Big Badness, Bedford, Stone Quillen Band, Wicked Trixie, Dragons Eye, and Codgerz. Ticket prices start at $50. 2
ACAMF – Saturday, August 2nd, 2025 – https://acamf.com/
Saturday, August 2nd, 2025 | A Celebration of the Arts in Athens, Ohio | FREE EVENT | Located on W. Union St. between Congress and Court!
The Athens Community Arts & Music Festival (ACAMF) is a free, annual celebration of arts and culture held on Union Street in Athens, Ohio. While the user asked about the 2025 event, the information available is mainly about the 2024 festival. ACAMF typically features a diverse range of live music performances, showcasing local and regional artists. In addition to music, the festival includes an art market with local and regional artists and vendors, dynamic educational activities from local arts organizations, and American Sign Language interpretation.
OHIO PAW PAW FESTIVAL – Save the Date – September 12-14, 2025 – https://ohiopawpawfest.com/
Arguable the community’s favorite annual event, The Ohio Pawpaw Festival, celebrating North America’s largest native tree fruit, will be held from September 12-14, 2025, at Lake Snowden in Albany, Ohio. The festival offers a wide array of activities, including pawpaw food, craft beer, educational presentations, art displays, competitions (such as best pawpaw and a pawpaw cook-off), sustainable living workshops, live music, and kids’ activities. A one-day pass costs approximately $20-30. The festival hours are Friday from 4 pm to midnight, Saturday from 10 am to midnight, and Sunday from 10 am to 5 pm.
There are several other smaller fests and gatherings in our area this summer but the above are the biggest ones, sure to offer something fun for anyone wanting to enjoy some summer music.
