Heading to Welcome to Rockville 2024 in Daytona Beach? Here's everything you need to know

With at least 150 bands on the bill, the 2024 incarnation of the mammoth Welcome to Rockville music festival at Daytona International Speedway will be exponentially bigger than any previous edition in the event’s history over more than a dozen years starting in 2011 in Jacksonville.

Headliners on the festival’s five stages May 9-12 include the Foo Fighters, Mötley Crüe, Slipknot, Jelly Roll, Disturbed and Limp Bizkit.

In addition, the fest will feature a rare appearance by Mr. Bungle, a highly revered California band featuring lead singer Mike Patton (Faith No More) that’s known for its experimental hybrid of heavy metal, avant-garde jazz, ska, disco and funk.

If you’re a fan of the event, you likely already know all that. But even diehard metal-heads might not be familiar with everything you need to know about attending the festival, from how to pay for food and merchandise to what you are (and aren’t) allowed to bring through the gates.

Here’s what you need to know:

What do I need to know about parking?

Advanced reserved parking will be available for weekend or daily purchase in both General Parking in Lot 6 and Premium Parking located inside the track on the Speedway’s backstretch.

Advanced sales will end two weeks prior to the event to ensure on-time shipping of the vehicle hangtag which will be required for entry into the parking lots. The hangtag will include directions to the parking areas.

Cost for advance weekend parking passes is $125 for general, $185 for premium. Cost for advance daily parking passes is $35 for general, $50 for premium. The passes are available online at welcometorockville.com.

Fans with General and Premium Parking will enter the festival at the Speedway’s Turn 2 entrance. Parking passes also may be purchased on show days at the event.

What about ADA parking?

There is designated ADA parking in both the General and Premium parking lots. Vehicles will need both their advanced purchase parking pass along with a valid government issued ADA placard or license plate to park in these designated areas.

Is there overnight parking at the event?

Due to security risks, overnight parking outside of the event’s designated campgrounds is not permitted. All vehicles must exit the parking lots or will be towed if left overnight.

What about the weather?

Welcome to Rockville is a rain-or-shine event, but the festival can be delayed or halted in the case of severe weather. That’s something that fans who attended the 2022 festival are well aware of, after two days of that year’s event were cut short by storms that knocked two marquee headliners ― Korn and Guns N’ Roses ― off the bill. Be alert at the event for warnings to take shelter.

What ages are allowed? What about re-entry if I leave?

Rockville is an all-ages event. All attendees are required to purchase a full-price ticket, regardless of age. The festival encourages parents to bring hearing protection for their children.

Re-entry into the festival is not permitted unless you are camping on-site and have a camping wristband or have purchased a Hotel+Pass package, so plan accordingly. If there is an emergency and you must leave, please speak to a supervisor at the gate.

Will alcohol be sold?

Yes. Beer, wine and mixed drinks will be sold to those 21 or older with a valid government-issued photo ID.

Will there be lockers?

Lockers will be available for rent on site in both GA, VIP, and Daytona Owners Club areas. Lockers measure 8 inches high by 12 inches wide by 18 inches deep and include a universal phone charger. Lockers are available to reserve currently here.

What forms of payment are accepted?

When it comes to food, refreshments, merchandise and other purchases, Rockville is a cashless event, so be prepared. Credit cards and RFID wristband payments will be accepted in addition to Tap to Pay, Apple Pay and Google Pay. Cash will be accepted to pay for parking outside the event gates.

There also will be reverse ATMs on site to exchange cash for a prepaid Mastercard. The reverse ATM will have a $5 minimum and $200 maximum transaction, with a $4.95 fee per cash to card exchange.

What time will the gates open?

Gates are scheduled to open at 11 a.m. daily, but this is subject to change.

On what stage and at what time will my favorite band be playing?

A full schedule with set times was recently posted via socials and the Welcome to Rockville mobile app.

In case you missed it: Rockville 2024 lineup: Daily schedule stage by stage. Who's playing when, where?

What can I bring with me into the festival?

On the approved list: Cellphones and small portable chargers; sunscreen (non-aerosol); one factory-sealed bottle of water (20 oz. max) or one empty plastic refillable water bottle (no hydroflasks, glass or Yetis); binoculars; towels and light blankets; small, point-and-shoot digital camera; hats and sunglasses; earplugs; sealed packs of cigarettes and cigars; vape pens and e-cigarettes.

Fans are strongly advised not to bring bags of any sort. If you must bring a bag, be aware that the approved list only includes small clear backpacks, clear drawstring bags, one-gallon resealable plastic storage bags; clear totes, solid or clear hip/waist bags and small purses.

What’s not allowed into the festival?

Do NOT bring these items: large bags, backpacks, or duffle bags;  coolers or picnic baskets; outside food or beverages (except one factory-sealed bottle of water); metal containers; glass containers; strollers; video cameras or GoPros; audio recording devices; laptops or tablets; professional cameras or cameras with removable lenses; selfie sticks; lasers or laser pointers; drones; chairs of any kind including inflatable lounger air sofas; umbrellas; hula hoops or totems; balloons or beach balls; confetti or glow sticks; aerosol cans; whistles or air horns; fireworks or explosives; musical instruments of any kind; CamelBaks or other refillable hydration packs; weapons of any kind; drugs or drug paraphernalia; pets (with exception of service animals); colors or patches; chains, chain wallets, or spikes; unauthorized vending or advertising; walkie talkies/two way radios.

What if I have another question?

Check out the information/FAQ tab at welcometorockville.com.

This article originally appeared on The Daytona Beach News-Journal: Everything you need to know about Daytona's Welcome to Rockville