Country Thunder is back. Everything to know about the festival from parking to bag policy

Live updates: Here's the latest news from Country Thunder Arizona 2024.

Country Thunder Arizona returned to Canyon Moon Ranch, its home near Florence, on Thursday, April 11, for four days of music and assorted mischief.

The festival attracts an average of 30,000 people a day, including fans, staff, law enforcement, press and vendors.

With that in mind, it couldn't hurt to be prepared before you head into that kind of crowd and the traffic you’d expect with all those people headed to the same location.

To help you make festival plans, from camping to parking, here’s your guide to everything you need to know before you go to Country Thunder Arizona 2024.

Check azcentral.com or follow us on Instagram and TikTok all weekend for live updates, concert reviews and setlists from Country Thunder 2024, which runs April 11-14.

Our complete Country Thunder Arizona 2024 coverage includes the festival's origin story dating back to the early 1990s, concert lineups and set times, traffic tips to get you there with less hassle, an interview with renegade headliner Koe Wetzel and a live blog updated through the weekend.

What days is Country Thunder Arizona?

Country Thunder Arizona 2024 takes place Thursday-Sunday, April 11-14.

How many people go to Country Thunder in Arizona?

About 30,000 people per day go to Country Thunder Arizona.

Where is Country Thunder Arizona 2024?

Country Thunder's street address is 20585 E. Water Way, Florence. It is 67 miles southeast of downtown Phoenix.

Who is the headliner for Country Thunder 2024?

CMA Entertainer of the Year Lainey Wilson, Jelly Roll, Eric Church and Koe Wetzel are set to headline Country Thunder Arizona 2024.

Who is playing at the Country Thunder in Arizona 2024?

Warren Zeiders, Nate Smith, Priscilla Block, Diamond Rio, Alana Springsteen, Randy Houser, Flatland Cavalry, Stephen Wilson Jr., Avery Anna, Randall King, Dallas Smith, Jake Worthington, Halle Kearns, the Bellamy Brothers, Kyle McKearney, Paul Cauthen, Emily Ann Roberts, Alexandra Kay and Lauren Watkins also are scheduled to perform.

What to know about Country Thunder Arizona parking

If you're driving to Country Thunder, you'll need a parking pass.

A weekend day parking pass is $60 and is valid from Thursday, April 11, through Sunday, April 14.

If you're camping, a parking pass is included with your campsite reservation. You can purchase one extra vehicle pass per campsite for $80.

If your party requires more parking than that, you can purchase additional weekend overnight parking to leave a vehicle in an overflow lot that is monitored by security for $80. The weekend overnight parking pass is good from 9 a.m. on Wednesday, April 10, through 3 p.m. on Monday, April 15.

Country Thunder lineup and schedule: Friday, April 12

• 2 p.m. - Alana Springsteen

• 3:30 p.m. - The Bellamy Brothers

• 5 p.m. - Randall King

• 6:30 p.m. - Nate Smith

• 8 p.m. - Paul Cauthen

• 10 p.m. - Eric Church

Country Thunder lineup and schedule: Saturday, April 13

• 2 p.m. - Emily Ann Roberts

• 3:30 p.m. - Lauren Watkins

• 5 p.m. - Dallas Smith

• 6:30 p.m. - Priscilla Block

• 8 p.m. - Warren Zeiders

• 10 p.m. - Jelly Roll

Country Thunder lineup and schedule: Sunday, April 14

• 2:30 p.m. - Alexandra Kay

• 4 p.m. - Jake Worthington

• 5:30 p.m. - Diamond Rio

• 7 p.m. - Randy Houser

• 9 p.m. - Koe Wetzel

Country Thunder Arizona 2024 dates and hours

The campgrounds will open for early arrivals from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Wednesday, April 10.

The front gate and will call will be open from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. from Wednesday, April 10, through Sunday, April 14. All fans will pass through this area to enter the festival grounds.

The concert bowl, where the festival and stages are located, will open each day at 1 p.m.

The information booth inside the concert bowl will be open from 1-10 p.m. daily.

Country Thunder Arizona bag policy 2024

The clear bag policy is in effect at Country Thunder. You may bring a clear plastic bag up to 14 by 14 inches into the festival area. You may also bring a one-gallon disposable freezer bag and a small clutch or purse.

Camera bags, large purses, backpacks and coolers are forbidden in the festival area.

If you're camping, you can bring larger opaque bags to your campsite, but not through security to the performance area.

Where to buy Country Thunder Arizona 2024 tickets

Tickets are on sale now at countrythunder.com/az or by calling 866-388-0007.

Reserved seating near the stage is sold out.

Tickets can be purchased at the gate. Prices are lower online.

How much are Country Thunder tickets?

General admission passes good for the whole weekend cost $300. ​Single-day general admission passes cost $175 a day. Kids 10 and under get in free with the purchase of an adult ticket. VIP packages are available.

A weekend general admission ticket gives you access to all general admission areas, stages and campgrounds. A single-day pass does not include admission to the campgrounds.

General admission is lawn-style seating. You may bring a chair or blanket.

What to know about Country Thunder Arizona platinum tickets

The Platinum Experience is $600 for the weekend or $300 a day. You can watch the performers from an exclusive skybox featuring a lounge and shelter from the elements.

Other perks include a dedicated festival entrance, upgraded restroom trailers, complimentary appetizers and access to an exclusive Oasis lounge where you can purchase upgraded cocktails.

A souvenir laminate, complimentary festival essentials like Advil and sunscreen and admission to the full event are also included in the Platinum Experience. It does not include reserved seats.

Kona Island and NUTRL Zone passes are $675 for the weekend. Kona Island and NUTRL Zone are the same experience but on opposite sides of the catwalk. You will only have access to the side you purchase.

This experience includes front-of-stage viewing at the main stage (standing room only; chairs are not allowed); admission to the full event with access to the campgrounds (a campsite must be purchased separately); dedicated festival entrance; and access to the Oasis lounge, which has permanent restrooms, a full-service bar with beer, wine and cocktails for purchase and lounge areas with cover from the elements.

What can you bring to Country Thunder Arizona 2024?

• Hats

• Sunblock (highly recommended)

• Lighters (smoking allowed in designated areas)

• Sunglasses

• Beach towel

• Blanket (subject to search)

• One unopened bottle of water per person

• Fanny packs (not required to be clear)

• Digital cameras (nonprofessional)

• Disposable cameras

• Film cameras (nonprofessional)

• Soft lawn chairs (remove them from the bag so both items can be searched)

• Strollers (subject to search; Country Thunder recommends small umbrella strollers instead of large strollers with multiple pockets)

• Cellphones

• Prescription medication (in the original prescription bottle with a photo identification card that matches the name printed on the prescription. The pills in the bottle must match the medication/description printed on the prescription)

• Over-the-counter medications in the original, factory-sealed container

• Required medical equipment (wheelchairs, oxygen bottles, etc.)

All items and patrons are subject to additional inspection prior to entering the venue. Those with additional medical equipment are encouraged to visit the medical building for assistance.

What is not allowed at Country Thunder?

• Glass containers

• Umbrellas

• Chairs with canopies

• Outside food and beverages

• Drones, unmanned aircraft devices and remote-controlled vehicles

• Alcoholic beverages and illegal substances

• Animals (with the exception of service animals for guests with disabilities)

• Bags that don't conform to the clear bag policy

• Bottles, cans, thermoses and other beverage containers

• Professional cameras (DSLR cameras or those with a removable lens)

• Fireworks

• Laptop computers

• Radios

• Laser pointer devices

• Noisemakers

• Promotional/advertising or sale materials not approved by Country Thunder (anyone found to be in violation of this policy will be removed from the festival grounds)

• Seat cushions larger than 15 by 15 inches or that contain armrests, zippers, pockets, flaps or metal backs (subject to search)

• Selfie sticks or poles

• Video cameras

• Monopods and tripods

• Weapons (knives, box cutters, firearms, etc.)

Food and drink at Country Thunder

Country Thunder has a variety of food vendors, as well as full bars serving beer, cocktails, soda and water.

Cash is not accepted. Food vendors and bars accept credit cards and food or drink tickets. If you have cash, visit one of the blue ticket booths in the concert bowl to exchange it for food or drink tickets.

Alcohol ID wristbands are required to purchase alcoholic drinks.

How does camping at Country Thunder Arizona 2024 work?

The campground information booth, near the general store, is open from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. from Thursday, April 13, through Sunday, April 16.

Upholstered household furniture is not allowed in the campgrounds. If you bring any, you will be fined $100.

Here are the other Country Thunder Arizona camping rules:

• If you are dropping off a camper/RV for another fan and you do not have full-event admission, you will need to purchase a Camper Drop Off Pass. Camper deliveries are only allowed on Wednesday, April 12, or Thursday, April 13.

• You must have a four-day wristband to access any of the camping areas. That means your friend with a single-day pass can't hang out at your campsite (even if you think this friend could be the one).

• Your campsite reservation includes one vehicle pass. A vehicle is anything with a motor, including an RV. If you are hauling a trailer, the trailer will not require a vehicle pass, but a vehicle on that trailer will.

• No recreational vehicles, including golf carts and ATVs, are allowed in the campgrounds.

• Motorcycles are allowed in the campgrounds, but they require a vehicle pass.

• Mudding or reckless driving of any kind will result in eviction.

• Your RV must fit inside your camping space (19 feet by 40 feet in most campsites; 25 feet by 45 feet in the premier and glamping campground). If your rig is bigger than that, you must purchase two side-by-side sites.

• Generators can be used between 7 a.m. and 2 a.m. If your generator makes excessive noise or gives off fumes, it will be shut off.

• No fires allowed (including fire pits and tiki torches). Gas and charcoal grills are OK.

• Clean up after your dogs and keep them leashed.

Are there showers at Country Thunder Arizona?

Showers are available in the campground from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. from Thursday, April 12, through Sunday, April 16. Showers are $10 a shower, cash only.

Keeping Country Thunder campsites clean

Campers are encouraged to bring trash bags, pick up their trash and keep their campsites clean. Trash bags also are available from campground staff or at the campground office.

Filled bags should be placed in the large dumpsters at the end of each camping row.

Owners of trash-filled sites will be subject to a fine and may have renewal rights suspended.

Country Thunder Arizona 2024 schedule: Thursday, April 11

• 2 p.m. - Kyle McKearney

• 3:30 p.m. - Halle Kearns

• 5 p.m. - Avery Anna

• 6:30 p.m. - Stephen Wilson Jr.

• 8 p.m. - Flatland Cavalry

• 10 p.m. - Lainey Wilson

Country Thunder throwback: The most Arizona things we saw in 2023, from Dierks Bentley to Kurt Warner

Reach the reporter at ed.masley@arizonarepublic.com or 602-444-4495. Follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter, @EdMasley.

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This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Country Thunder 2024 guide: Bag policy, lineup, schedule, wristbands