Def Leppard, Mötley Crüe and more take center stage at Boardwalk Rock Festival

Ocean City, Maryland, is gearing up for an unforgettable weekend of rock and roll as the first-ever Boardwalk Rock Festival kicks off on May 17-18, 2025.

The two-day event will bring together some of the biggest names in rock history and the most popular musicians of our time, including Def Leppard, Mötley Crüe, Nickelback and Shinedown, among others.

For fans of rock history, this lineup is a dream come true. Def Leppard, his classic album pyromaniac and hysteria Spawned multiple Billboard Hot 100 hits, including “Pour Some Sugar on Me” and “Love Bites,” it remains a dominant force in arena rock.

They were joined by Mötley Crüe, who left his mark on the Billboard 200 Feeling Dr. Goodetheir first album hit No. 1 with iconic tracks like “Kickstart My Heart” and the title track. Nickelback, a modern rock staple with chart-topping songs like “How You Remind Me” (No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 2001), will also headline, bringing their anthem to the boardwalk .

Also headlining is Shinedown, which has consistently appeared on the Billboard Mainstream Rock Songs chart and has 18 hit singles, including the enduring hit “Second Chance.”

In addition to the headliners, the festival’s lineup also includes Halestorm, whose album Strange case… reached the top 15 on the Billboard 200 chart and earned the band a Grammy Award for Best Hard Rock/Metal Performance. Adding to his dramatic flair will be shock rock pioneer Alice Cooper, who has previously charted on the Billboard Hot 100 with hits like “Poison.” Grace and Flyleaf with Lacey Sturm.

The festival will feature three stages—two on the beach and one on the iconic Ocean City Boardwalk—to provide fans with a scenic and immersive experience. Activities also include access to the boardwalk’s restaurants, bars, and shops, as well as the Jolly Roger at Pier Amusement Park, which features a Ferris wheel, double-decker carousel, roller coaster, and more.

Other performers include Bret Michaels, Puddle of Mudd, 3 Doors Down, Extreme, The Struts, Everclear, Candlebox, Night Ranger, Dorothy, Black Stone Cherry, Royale Lynn, Crossfade, Trapt, Fuel, Saliva and Tim Montana.

Single-day general admission tickets start at $165, and two-day passes are $195. For fans looking to elevate their experience, the $3,950 “Ultimate” pass offers premium benefits, including front-of-stage access, golf cart transportation and an exclusive lounge. Presale registration begins at 10 a.m. ET on December 13, with general ticket sales starting at 11 a.m. ET the same day.

Boardwalk Rock Festival is organized by C3 Presents, a division of Live Nation, the team behind major music festivals such as Lollapalooza and Austin City Limits.