How to SunFest in West Palm Beach: Tickets, transportation, set times & more

When the 40th edition of SunFest returns to downtown West Palm Beach on May 3-5, it will feel bigger, more flavorful and boast a distinctive sound — a little more local, with an extra dash of EDM.

As always, the big draws at this beloved music festival are big names, an eclectic list this year that will include Cole Swindell, Nelly, Third Eye Blind, Billy Idol, Elle King, Hailey Whitters, Matisyahu, Shaggy, Quiet Riot and Yung Gravy, to name just a few.

Everywhere there are signs that an event that appeared to be shrinking last year is now in growth mode. SunFest 2023 trimmed down to two stages, and now it’s back to three for 2024. The new Sandbar Stage is dedicated to local performers.

Another new addition is the SunFest Electronic Barge — a massive craft tricked out with a dance floor, DJ booth, multiple VIP areas, a large bar and onboard bathrooms — which will be home to an array of DJs, including Detroit techno innovator Stacey Pullen, as well as former Miami Heat star and veteran club DJ Rony Seikaly. The barge is open to those with a general-admission wristband, with VIP tables available for purchase.

The new performance areas will more than double the number of acts taking part, from 32 in 2023 to 69 this year. SunFest’s traditional display area for local artists and makers, dropped in 2023, is back in the form of the new Creative Arts Village.

SunFest also has a new executive director — longtime sales and marketing director Dianna Craven, who took over for Paul Jamieson following his retirement in 2023 after 33 years with the festival.

“SunFest is set to deliver fresh experiences for all attendees, including seasoned fans,” said Craven in a statement, promising “immersive experiences that will engage attendees in new, creative ways.”

Among them is an ambitious food program that features the work of chefs from buzzed-about South Florida restaurants, including Tim Lipman (Coolinary & The Parched Pig) and James Beard-nominated chefs Pushkar Marathe (Ela Curry & Cocktails) and Rick Mace (Tropical Smokehouse). The dishes prepared by these chefs, and others, will be available each day as part of three-hour, all-inclusive experiences in The Palm VIP section, next to the Ideal Nutrition Stage.

“We’re bringing our A-game to the waterfront, serving up dishes that reflect the soul of our cuisine,” said Mace, the owner and executive chef of Tropical Smokehouse. “It’s about more than just food — it’s a celebration of community and culture.”

These VIP pop-ups begin on Friday, May 3, from 6 to 9 p.m. with the Street Food showcase, which pairs craft beer (Civil Society) and wine (JaM Cellars) with dishes from Coolinary & The Parched Pig, Draft House Bar & Grille, and Ela Curry & Cocktails.

A gathering called Barbecue, Bourbon & Beats takes over from 4 to 7 p.m. Saturday, May 4, dedicated to the work of NEVS Barbecue, Okeechobee Prime Barbecue and Tropical Smokehouse served with Woodford Reserve Bourbon. On Sunday, May 5, from 4 to 7 p.m., the Tacos and Tequila event celebrates Cinco de Mayo, with food by 5 Star Hospitality & Catering paired with Herradura tequila.

Tickets to these dinners cost $125 on Friday and $145 on Saturday and Sunday. A three-day pass is $290. Visit SunFest.com/thepalm.

Along with local food, SunFest 2024 will spotlight local music, giving a big stage to South Florida performers already in your favorites and others who are new to you. Recommended are Fox Maple Band (6 p.m. Friday), Shaw Davis & The Black Ties (6:30 p.m. Friday), The Lubben Brothers (1:15 p.m. Saturday), Killbillies (1:45 p.m. Saturday), Brett Staska & The Souvenirs (5 p.m. Saturday), Ben Krieger (4 p.m. Sunday) and DJ Adam Lipson (7:30 p.m. Sunday).

You never know where these acts may end up, as evidenced by the return of Cassadee Pope (2:30 p.m. Sunday) and Dashboard Confessional (6:45 p.m. Sunday), whose popularity took them far beyond their South Florida roots.

In case you’ve forgotten how to SunFest, here is what you need to know about tickets, transportation, set times and more.

WHEN/WHERE

SunFest takes place along Flagler Drive, between Banyan Boulevard and Lakeview Avenue, on the Intracoastal Waterway in downtown West Palm Beach. Hours are 5 to 11 p.m. Friday, May 3; noon to 11 p.m. Saturday, May 4; and noon to 10 p.m. Sunday, May 5.

TICKETS

SunFest tickets are being offered at an advance discounted rate through Saturday, April 27. Single-day adult tickets cost $80+ for a one-day pass, $140+ for a two-day pass and $155+ for a three-day pass. After April 27, tickets will be the same as full-price gate admission: $82+ for a one-day pass, $160+ for two days, $170+ for three days.

Advance youth tickets (age 6-12) cost $50+ per day, $95+ for a three-day pass (no youth two-day passes being sold). Youth gate admission will be $50+ on Friday, $60+ on Saturday and Sunday. Kids age 5 and younger enter free when accompanied by an adult.

VIP passes: A variety of VIP options are available for accommodations at individual stages, as well as the popular Gold and Silver Pass access to exclusive areas of the festival. New this year is the Electronic Barge VIP Experience, with bottle service at tables (for six) around the dance floor starting at $1,000+. Visit SunFest.com/vip-packages.

The Stand: Tickets for The Stand allow you to buy a standing-room spot in front of the stage to see two back-to-back acts of your choosing. Prices vary by the acts — for instance, a ticket in the Stand for Friday sets by Shaggy (8 p.m.) and Nelly (9:45 p.m.) on the Ford Stage cost $40+ (in addition to your festival admission ticket). A ticket to get closer to Saturday performances by Hailey Whitters (2:15 p.m.) and Elle King (3:45 p.m.) at the Ideal Nutrition Stage costs $20+. Visit SunFest.com/the-stand.

For tickets or more information, visit SunFest.com/tickets.

CASH OUT

SunFest is cashless, with payment only by credit/debit card, Apple Pay, Google Pay and Samsung Pay throughout the site.

SET TIMES

Performances take place on the Ford Stage (F), the Ideal Nutrition Stage (I), the Sandbar Stage (S) and the SunFest Electronic Barge (E).

Friday, May 3:Gabo & Nico, 5-5:45 p.m. (E); Disbarred, 5:30-6 p.m. (S); Kritikal, 5:45-6:15 p.m. (F); Falco, 5:45-6:30 p.m. (E); Fox Maple Band, 6-6:30 p.m. (I); Shaw Davis & The Black Ties, 6:30-7 p.m. (S); J Martinez & German Garcia, 6:30-7:45 p.m. (E); Leah Dibut, 6:45-7:30 p.m. (F); SloFunkPump, 7-7:30 p.m. (I); Vern Daysel & The Burning Breeze, 7:30-8:15 p.m. (S); Patrick M, 7:45-8:45 p.m. (E); Quiet Riot, 8-9 p.m. (I); Shaggy, 8-9:15 p.m. (F); Billy Idol, 9:30-10:30 p.m. (I); Nelly, 9:45-11 p.m. (F); Stacey Pullen, 10-11:30 p.m. (E)

Saturday, May 4:James Simmons, noon-1:30 p.m. (E); Roosevelt Middle School Band, 1-1:20 p.m. (S); The Lubben Brothers, 1:15-1:45 p.m. (I); Machina, 1:30-2:30 p.m. (E); Killbillies, 1:45-2:30 p.m. (F); New Phi Thang Drumline, 2:10-2:30 p.m. (S); Hailey Whitters, 2:15-3:15 p.m. (I); Crazibiza, 2:30-4 p.m. (E); School of Rock South Palm Beach House Band, 3-3:30 p.m. (S); The Aces, 3-4 p.m. (F); Elle King, 3:45-4:45 p.m. (I); I’m Dru!, 4-4:30 p.m. (S); The Revivalists, 4:30-5:45 p.m. (F); Brett Staska & The Souvenirs, 5-5:30 p.m. (S); Wizzy & Wiley, 5:30-6:30 p.m. (E); Matt Corman, 5:45-6:15 p.m. (I); Hello Sister, 6-6:30 p.m. (S); Harry Romero, 6:30-8:30 p.m. (E); Anees, 6:45-7:30 p.m. (I); Noah Hunton, 6:45-7:30 p.m. (F); Nightbreakers, 7:15-8 p.m. (S); Bryce Vine, 8-9 p.m. (I); Dylan Scott, 8-9:15 p.m. (F); Andreatens, 8:30-9:30 p.m. (E); Yung Gravy, 9:30-10:45 p.m. (I); Cocodrills, 9:30-11:30 p.m. (E); Cole Swindell, 9:45-11 p.m. (F)

Sunday, May 5:West Boca High School Jazz Band, 1-1:20 p.m. (S); MandyyBeck 1-2:30 p.m. (E); Steven James, 1:30-2 p.m. (I); Brothers Within, 1:30-2 p.m. (F); John I. Leonard High School Jazz Band, 2:10-2:30 p.m. (S); Nick Mac, 2:30-3:30 p.m. (E); Cassadee Pope, 2:30-3:15 p.m. (I); Seranation, 2:30-3:15 p.m. (F); School of Rock North Palm Beach House Band, 3-3:30 p.m. (S); Chase Creighton, 3:30-4:30 p.m. (E); Valley, 3:45-4:30 p.m. (I); Little Stranger, 3:45-4:45 p.m. (F); Ben Krieger, 4-4:30 p.m. (S); 2Nomads, 4:30-6 p.m. (E); Buko Boys, 5-5:30 p.m. (S); Boys Like Girls, 5-6:15 p.m. (I); The Elovaters, 5:15-6:15 p.m. (F); The Floridians, 6-6:45 p.m. (S); Eran Hersh, 6-7:30 p.m. (E); Dashboard Confessional, 6:45-8 p.m. (I); Matisyahu, 6:45-8 p.m. (F); Jutt Huffman, 7:30-8:15 p.m. (S); Adam Lipson, with Mister Trombone, 7:30-9 p.m. (E); Third Eye Blind, 8:30-9:45 p.m. (I); Rebelution, 8:30-10 p.m. (F); Rony Seikaly, 9-10:30 p.m. (E)

TRANSPORTATION

Parking: Reserve your spot in advance. There is dedicated SunFest parking downtown at two garages and four lots with advance, prepaid prices ranging from $12 to $50 for one day and $30 to $40 for multi-day parking. The Judicial Center Garage (505 Banyan Blvd.), Governmental Center Garage (294 N. Dixie Highway) and Fourth Street lot (316 Fourth St.) offer single-day and three-day parking. The Chamber of the Palm Beaches lot (401 N. Flagler Drive), Bradley’s lot (140 S. Narcissus Ave.), the Fountain lot (114 S. Narcissus Ave.) and Wells Fargo lot (303 Banyan Blvd.) are only for single-day parking. Visit SunFest.com/parking.

Trains: You can take the Brightline from Miami, Fort Lauderdale, Aventura and Boca Raton, as well as the new station in Orlando, to the downtown West Palm Beach station just south of Clematis Street, a three-block walk to SunFest. Late-night trains will depart at 11:35 p.m. Friday and Saturday, 10:35 p.m. Sunday. Ticket prices vary by distance and time of day. Visit GoBrightline.com.

With numerous stations across three counties, Tri-Rail may be a more convenient option. The Tri-Rail station in West Palm Beach is at the intersection of Clematis Street and South Tamarind Avenue, less than a mile from SunFest. Visit Tri-Rail.com.

Bicycles: You can bring bicycles on Brightline and Tri-Rail trains, and SunFest offers free, monitored bike parking at the festival site.

Shuttles: There is free service with the on-demand, electric Circuit Shuttle and the Rose Trolley electric carts. For routes and other information, visit SunFest.com/trolleys-trains-buses.

Boat shuttle: Boaters anchored in the Intracoastal Waterway will have access to shuttle service, which costs $5 round-trip. Hail a shuttle via Towboat U.S. on VHF Ch. 10.

BRING THIS

You can enter with a bag/backpack that is no larger than 12-by-12-by-6 inches. Other approved items include an empty, refillable water bottle or container (no glass), a collapsible lawn chair, blankets, umbrella (you may be asked to lower it in concert areas), nonprofessional camera, wheelchair/medical scooter, stroller, food for infants or those with medical conditions (no glass), service animals.

DON’T BRING THAT

Coolers, outside food or beverages (including water), glass containers, selfie sticks, pets, drones, professional cameras, recording devices, skates, scooters, wagons, skateboards, glow and laser products, costume masks, weapons. For a full list, visit SunFest.com/allowed.

Staff writer Ben Crandell can be reached at bcrandell@sunsentinel.com. Follow on Instagram @BenCrandell and Twitter @BenCrandell.