High Water Festival 2025, held on April 26–27 at Riverfront Park in North Charleston, SC, once again affirmed its place as one of the Southeast’s most cherished boutique music festivals. The event offered two days of genre-spanning music, immersive cultural experiences, and an elevated food and beverage selection—all set against the lush, riverside landscape that defines the Lowcountry.
This year’s festival was marked by noticeable growth in both ambition and execution. From an increasingly diverse lineup to thoughtful logistical improvements and an ever-vibrant community spirit, High Water 2025 delivered on its promise: to celebrate good music and good company in one of the South’s most picturesque settings.
Musical Lineup: A Diverse and Mellow Journey
The music at High Water has always been central to the experience, and the 2025 lineup was arguably one of its strongest to date. Headliners Arcade Fire and Lord Huron brought major festival gravitas, drawing in both longtime fans and newcomers. Arcade Fire’s cinematic, multi-instrumental set was a spiritual experience, with “Wake Up” turning the entire crowd into a choir beneath the fading Sunday sun. Lord Huron, meanwhile, delivered an emotionally resonant performance that blended dreamy Americana with layered visual production, particularly during their iconic “The Night We Met”, which gained extraordinary popularity from the Netflix series 13 Reasons Why.
Other highlights included Counting Crows, who tugged on the crowds nostalgic heartstrings with hits like “Mr. Jones” and “Colorblind”, Mt. Joy, whose joyful, jam-band energy had the crowd swaying and singing their hearts out, and Julien Baker & Torres, who teamed up for a hauntingly beautiful collaborative set that was as raw as it was powerful.
Festival-goers were especially appreciative of the non-overlapping set schedule, which allowed attendees to catch every act without having to make painful decisions, a rare and much-loved feature in a festival landscape often dominated by conflicting stages.
The support lineup was equally impressive, with standout sets from The Backseat Lovers, Trampled By Turtles, Waxahatchee, The War and Treaty, and the up and coming Gigi Perez. Each brought their unique energy and helped cement High Water’s reputation as a tastemaker’s paradise.
Atmosphere: North Charleston’s Charm on Full Display
Riverfront Park provided a picturesque backdrop for the weekend. Sprawling lawns, ancient oaks covered in Spanish moss, and scenic river views set the tone for a relaxed and welcoming environment. Even with a massive crowd, the park never felt overwhelmingly crowded, thanks in part to smart spatial design and ample shade areas.
The Refuge area, nestled under the oak canopy, was a sanctuary from the sun, offering artisanal food, craft cocktails, and shaded seating. There, local vendors and pop-up chefs served everything from elevated Southern staples (like pimento cheese gyros and Carolina-style BBQ) to globally inspired dishes that added culinary flair to the weekend.
The overall vibe was mellow and inclusive, there were families with kids, groups of 20-somethings, and older music lovers all coexisted harmoniously. It displayed one of High Water’s defined traits, the ability to feel both intimate and expansive, familiar and fresh.
Food & Drink: A Foody’s Delight
High Water continues to blur the line between music and culinary festival, and this year’s food and beverage offerings were nothing short of exceptional. Curated local vendors provided a deep dive into Charleston’s culinary scene, from fried oyster po’boys to vegan pizza. One of the standouts was the artisanal pretzel stand, Get Baked Pretzels, that offered a variety of stuffed pretzel treats including a crab and cheese stuffed one The beverage program leaned heavily into local craft beers from Wicked Weed Brewery, natural wines, and inventive cocktails, with enough variety to keep lines moving and palates satisfied.
Festival Amenities: Steady Improvements
Following some logistical hiccups in 2024, organizers clearly took feedback seriously. Traffic flow into and out of the venue was noticeably smoother, thanks in part to better signage and expanded rideshare drop-off zones. Entry lines were quick-moving, security was efficient but courteous, and restroom facilities were plentiful and clean throughout the weekend. A welcome addition that proved beneficial to many was the hydration stations set up across the park, allowing the patrons to stay fresh and hydrated without breaking the bank. The on-site staff and volunteers were warm, helpful, and plentiful—adding to the sense that High Water is as much a community gathering as it is a music festival.
Value: Worth the Investment?
General Admission weekend passes were priced around $225, while VIP and Platinum options reaching much higher. The elevated tiers came with access to premium viewing areas, private lounges, complimentary drinks, and gourmet snacks, all of which were well-received by those who splurged. While the cost of attendance has risen slightly year over year as it has with all festivals, many attendees felt the festival’s overall value remained strong, especially compared to other events with similar lineups but less attention to experience and comfort.
High Water Festival 2025 managed to improve on its already beloved formula. By combining thoughtful curation, a beautiful setting, and a strong sense of community, it solidified itself as more than just a music festival, it is a celebration of the Lowcountry spirit. Whether you were there for the music, the food, or simply the atmosphere, High Water offered a deeply satisfying weekend that felt as soulful as it was joyful. For those lucky enough to attend, it wasn’t just a highlight of the spring, it was a memory-maker.
