Home Rule Music Festival is back on June 21st! Enter for chance to win VIP tickets!
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The Home Rule Music Festival, sponsored by HR Records on Kennedy Street NW, has quickly become of the most popular music festivals in DC. It’s back for another amazing show at the Parks at Walter Reed on June 21, 2025!
The Festival is free to attend, and you can enter for a chance to win a pair of VIP tickets, compliments of HR Records and Petworth News!
Now in its fourth year, Home Rule Music Festival is a celebration of Black music, culture and creativity in the heart of DC. With a mission to honor legacy while nurturing the future, the Festival unites legendary performers, local talent and community-driven programming across multiple events. It's more than music — it's a movement rooted in history, joy and togetherness.
Don’t want to wait to see if you win? Get your free tickets or buy VIP tickets now ▸
Enjoy the Great Lawn at the Parks at Walter Reed, vinyl record dealers, fun vendors, food, drinks and more at an all day outdoor music festival with free general admission and fun activities for the whole family.
(Photo: Nick Moreland)
What to Expect:
Family-friendly fun with free general admission
Delicious food and refreshing drinks from some of DC’s best local vendors
Unique merchandise and vinyl from community-based sellers and record shops
Sponsor activations, giveaways and interactive experiences
A community celebration featuring local organizations and cultural groups
Upgrade Your Festival Day and get the VIP Experience to enjoy:
Access to the exclusive VIP Area with seating and premium views of the stage
Complimentary beverages and tastings from featured local spirit and wine partners
Meet-and-greets with featured artists
A limited-edition Home Rule Festival keepsake
The Festival’s musical line-up features a mix of DC legends, rising stars and cultural torchbearers:
Backyard Band: DC’s own Go-Go powerhouse brings their signature sound, energy and hometown pride to the stage for a show you won’t forget.
New Impressionz: One of the leading bands of the next generation of Go-Go, delivering heavy grooves and nonstop vibes.
Plunky & Oneness of JuJu: The legendary Afro-funk jazz ensemble returns with their powerful, message-driven music and deep ties to the Black Fire Records legacy.
Farafina Kan: The Sound of Africa – A dynamic West African drumming and dance ensemble that brings centuries of tradition to life with every performance.
Imani-Grace Cooper: Tribute to Roberta Flack – A soulful celebration of the iconic DC native Roberta Flack, led by the incomparable Imani-Grace Cooper, honoring her timeless voice and legacy.
Rooted in Rhythm: A Youth Showcase — June 13th, 6-9pm
Join for an unforgettable evening as the Home Rule Music Festival kicks off with Rooted in Rhythm: A Youth Showcase — a high-energy celebration of homegrown talent. Guided by the legendary Charles “Shorty” Garris of Rare Essence — our Go-Go Legend-in-Residence — young artists will share their voices and rhythms through electrifying solo and group performances. Featuring talent from Girls Rock! DC, Let’s Go-Go band, Soul of SEED and the Washington Youth Choir, the night crescendos in a powerful, collaborative finale you won’t want to miss. Held at the iconic Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company, this powerful event highlights DC’s rising stars in music and performance, amplifying the voices shaping the city’s cultural future. Get your tickets and support and celebrate the next generation!
