Gothamist

A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.

Gothamist

WNYC Listen Live

Donate

 

 

Arts & Entertainment

Governors Ball 2021 Festival Is ON (For Now)


By

Jen Carlson

Published Jan 13, 2021


Share

FacebookTwitterRedditEmail


Never miss a story

 Email address

By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .

A crowd at Governors Ball 2019

 

Scott Lynch / Gothamist


By

Jen Carlson

Published Jan 13, 2021


Share

FacebookTwitterRedditEmail


We rely on your support to make local news available to all

Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today

Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations

The Governors Ball is one of the latest festivals to announce a comeback in 2021. Today, organizers said the festival, which usually takes place June on Randall's Island, will now take place in late September. (Wonderful news for those who believe that summer is just too hot for outdoor events!)

The current details are vague, and subject to change, but the initial announcement states the festival will take place September 24th through 26th in New York City (no exact location provided). They plan to announce the lineup over the coming months.

Last year's festival was canceled as the city began to shut down in March, and was to include Tame Impala, Vampire Weekend, Stevie Nicks, Solange, Miley Cyrus and Missy Elliott, who would have been performing her first major NYC headline show in over a decade, as the headliners. Organizers say the lineup will be "brand new" this year.

Governors Ball, 2019. Can you imagine how good a return to this will feel?

Scott Lynch / Gothamist

As for whether or not this will actually happen as planned, they say: "Given that vaccines are rolling out and many experts predict a return to live music events in the Fall, we are hopeful." They also noted that "safety is our first priority and we are working closely with all city and state authorities on everything."

For those who held on to their 2020 ticket but aren't quite ready to attend a big festival in 2021, you can still get a refund, but must do so by January 27th.

This week, Governor Cuomo announced a return of the arts and live events, which — for now — will be dependent on a rapid testing system.

Tagged

governors ball

festival


Jen Carlson

Jen Carlson is a former WNYC and Gothamist editor.

Read more

Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations


Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations


MORE arts-entertainment

Inside a photographer's journey to visit every neighborhood in New York City

What do you see when you record the whole of the boroughs?

By

Sonia Rao

Published Oct 5, 2026


Banned books and Winnie the Pooh: October in NYC libraries

It's a busy month at the branches.

By

Alec Hamilton

Arts & Entertainment

Banned books and Winnie the Pooh: October in NYC libraries

It's a busy month at the branches.

By

Alec Hamilton


NYC music in October: The Strokes, a Blink-182 cover band, and Polish experimentalism

By

Hank Shteamer

Are you a New Yorker? The Department of New Yorker Verification will now decide.

By

Hannah Frishberg

In the mood for a pastoral autumn experience? Try Queens.

By

Elizabeth Shwe

and

James Ramsay


Never miss a story

Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.

Sign upEmail address

By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .