Country Thunder 2025 Kicks Off Today in Florence, AZ

Buckle up, country music fans – Country Thunder Arizona 2025 is officially underway today in Florence! The four-day festival (April 10–13) is drawing tens of thousands of boot-scootin’ fans to Canyon Moon Ranch for a long weekend of music and mischief. This year’s lineup is stacked with star power: Riley Green, Keith Urban, HARDY, and Bailey Zimmerman are headlining each night, supported by dozens of other country artists ready to keep the party going day and night.

Star-Studded Lineup & Schedule

There’s no shortage of talent at Country Thunder 2025. Each day features a mix of rising stars and country hitmakers, with big-name headliners closing out each evening. Here’s the main stage lineup and schedule so you can plan your boot-stompin’ nights:

Spring Training in the Valley

Wreaths Across America

Scottsdale Grand Opening:

Thursday, April 10: 6:30 p.m. – Drew Green; 8:00 p.m. – Tucker Wetmore; 10:00 p.m. – Riley Green (headliner)
Friday, April 11: 2:00 p.m. – Nolan Sotillo; 3:30 p.m. – Owen Riegling; 5:00 p.m. – Dillon Carmichael; 6:30 p.m. – Sara Evans; 8:00 p.m. – Justin Moore; 10:00 p.m. – Keith Urban (headliner)
Saturday, April 12: 2:00 p.m. – Nice Horse; 3:30 p.m. – Bayker Blankenship; 5:00 p.m. – The Kentucky Headhunters; 6:30 p.m. – Chayce Beckham; 8:00 p.m. – Ashley McBryde; 10:00 p.m. – HARDY (headliner)
Sunday, April 13: 2:30 p.m. – Angie K; 4:00 p.m. – Josh Ross; 5:30 p.m. – Ashley Cooke; 7:00 p.m. – Jake Owen; 9:00 p.m. – Bailey Zimmerman (headliner)

And that’s not all – beyond the main stage, the festival’s Copperhead Stage will host additional performances from local bands and singer-songwriters throughout the weekend. Fans can even show off their own moves at the “Dancing with the Thunder” country swing dance competition, with open line-dancing lessons and freestyle dance sessions taking place daily. So whether you’re two-stepping or just tapping your toes, there’s plenty of entertainment day and night.

Food, Fun & Festival Attractions

Come hungry (and thirsty), because Country Thunder’s on-site offerings are bigger than ever. The festival’s sprawling food court features dozens of vendors serving everything from barbecue and burgers to tacos, fry bread, and even lobster rolls. Craving a turkey leg or pulled pork sandwich? How about a Navajo frybread taco or some deep-fried Oreos for dessert? It’s all there. You’ll also find sweet tea and lemonade stands to beat the heat, plus beer and cocktail tents. Outside food and drinks aren’t allowed inside the concert bowl, but with so many options available, you won’t go hungry or thirsty.

Need some festival swag? A marketplace of retail vendors has you covered with western wear, artisan goods, and official festival merchandise. Pick up a new cowboy hat or a souvenir t-shirt, or swing by the Dixxon Flannel Co. booth for an exclusive treat – they’ve produced a limited-edition Country Thunder 2025 “party shirt” flannel that’s only available on-site at the festival (and once it’s gone, it’s gone). Between the shopping, the food, the drinks, and interactive fun like the dance tent, there’s plenty to explore when you’re not watching the bands.

Camping & Parking: What to Know

The makeshift city of Country Thunder campers has officially sprung up at Canyon Moon Ranch. Campgrounds opened on Wednesday, April 9, and thousands of fans have parked RVs and pitched tents for the weekend. (If you don’t already have a camping spot, unfortunately you’re out of luck – all on-site camping passes for 2025 are sold out.) For those lucky enough to be camping, expect a round-the-clock party atmosphere. Just remember to be a good neighbor and review the campground rules (quiet hours, generator etiquette, etc.) – and if nature calls, note that showers are available on site (for a fee) and you can even rent your own porta-potty to avoid the lines!

Driving in for the day? Plan ahead, because parking is extremely limited. All official parking passes – including weekend-long and single-day parking permits – have been snapped up. If you didn’t buy parking in advance, you’ll need to carpool or have someone drop you off (and don’t even think about parking along the roadside or in the desert washes – local law enforcement will be out to prevent illegal parking or camping). Traffic is expected to be heavy on State Route 79 and the roads into Florence, especially during the morning and late-night rushes. The town of Florence has advised commuters to use alternate routes and expect significant delays as festival-goers come and go. In short: leave early, pack your patience, and follow the posted signs once you approach the venue. (The festival address is 20585 E. Water Way, Florence, AZ – about an hour southeast of Phoenix.)

Tickets: Sold Out Crowd

This year’s Country Thunder is basically a sell-out. Weekend General Admission passes are completely sold out, as are the VIP upgrades like the Kona Big Wave and Platinum Experience packages, plus all glamping sites. Even the add-ons like extra vehicle parking and camper drop-off passes have been exhausted. At this point, the only thing still available through official channels is the NÜTRL Zone upgrade – a special front-of-stage viewing area with its own perks – and, if you’re camping, the option to rent a private porta-potty to class up your campsite.

If you’re just now scrambling to join the fun, be prepared to hunt on resale sites or social media. A limited number of single-day tickets might pop up secondhand, but expect to pay a premium. Face value for a one-day GA ticket was around $150-170 after fees, and four-day passes were roughly in the $250 range – but on resale, those prices have soared (we’ve seen weekend GA passes going for $350+ online). In other words, only dedicated last-minute cowboys need apply.

On the bright side, the huge turnout means the atmosphere will be electric. In fact, Country Thunder is poised to welcome its millionth Arizona attendee at some point this weekend – a lucky fan who will be honored with special prizes to mark the milestone. (It could be you – good luck!) With a sell-out crowd on hand, expect the energy in Florence to be through the roof.

Forecast: Sunny Skies & Sizzling Temperatures

Mother Nature is cranking up the heat for Country Thunder weekend. Festival-goers should expect clear skies and plenty of sunshine throughout the event – so don’t forget your sunscreen and hats. According to forecasts, daytime highs will hit the upper 90s to low 100s each day, which is unseasonably hot for April. In fact, meteorologists are calling it near record-breaking heat for Arizona, so hydration is key. Nighttime lows will dip to the low 60s, offering some relief once the sun goes down – you might appreciate a light jacket or flannel after midnight. The good news: no rain is in the forecast, so you can leave the mud boots at home. Just prepare for lots of dust, sunshine, and classic Arizona warmth.

AZ Courier News will be on the ground at Country Thunder all weekend, snapping photos and soaking up the atmosphere. We’ll publish a full recap and photo gallery of all the festival highlights in our May issue, so stay tuned for more coverage. In the meantime, if you’re heading out to Florence for the show – have a blast and enjoy the ride! We’ll see you out there in the desert for Country Thunder 2025. Yeehaw!

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