Kitsap Blues Music Festival 2025
Festival Details / Frequently Asked Questions
**Information will be added on an ongoing basis leading up to the festival. If you have questions that are not answered here, please contact us at info@admiraltheatre.org or 360.373.6743. Thank you!
Q. What is the Kitsap Blues Music Festival?
A. The Kitsap Blues Music Festival is one of the Northwest’s best annual outdoor music festivals. This exciting, three-day summer blues festival is presented by the Admiral Theatre Foundation and the Kitsap Fair and Stampede Association. The festival takes place over Labor Day weekend, from Friday, August 29 - Sunday, August 31, 2025 at the Kitsap Fairgrounds in Bremerton, WA. This year’s festival features an incredible lineup of nationally-touring blues artists including Christone “Kingfish” Ingram, Eric Gales, Shemekia Copeland, Ally Venable, Zach Person, Blues Beatles, Tim Hall Band, Duffy Bishop, James Howard Band, Kim Archer Band, Rafael Tranquilino, Tomas McCarthy, and more. In addition to a stellar artist lineup, this 21+ only festival features RV and tent camping, bbq and other food and beverage vendors, and beer / wine / cocktail gardens. Weekend and single day VIP and general admission passes are available at kitsapblues.com or via phone at 360.373.6743.
Q. When is the Kitsap Blues Music Festival and what is the artist lineup?
A. Friday, August 29, 2025 through Sunday, August 31, 2025. The artist lineup features Christone “Kingfish” Ingram, Eric Gales, Shemekia Copeland, Ally Venable, Zach Person, Blues Beatles, Tim Hall Band, Duffy Bishop, James Howard Band, Kim Archer Band, Rafael Tranquilino, Tomas McCarthy, and more. The schedule is available at kitsapblues.com and we will have free schedules and maps available at the festival.
Q. What is the schedule each day?
A. The full artist schedule is available at kitsapblues.com.
In addition to acts on the main stage, this year’s festival will include a ‘Jam Stage’ hosted by Karl Moffitt and featuring GRAMMY Winner Larry Mitchell on Sunday, August 31, 2025 from 6:15 - 6:45 PM. The ‘Jam Stage’ will be open between main stage sets and is open to attending artists. Simply bring an instrument and we’ll have a small PA setup. No instrument storage is available and the festival is not responsible for lost or stolen equipment, so please keep any personal items and instruments with you during the festival.
Friday, August 29:
● 6 PM - Gates Open
● 7 - 8 PM - Tomás McCarthy
● 8:30 - 10 PM - Rafael Tranquilino
Saturday, August 31:
● 12 PM (Noon) - Gates Open
● 1 - 2:15 PM - James Howard Band
● 3 - 4:15 PM - Tim Hall Band
● 5 - 6:15 PM - Zach Person
● 7 - 8:30 PM - Shemekia Copeland
● 9 - 10:30 PM - Christone “Kingfish” Ingram
Sunday, September 1:
● 12 PM (Noon) - Gates Open
● 1 - 2:15 PM - Kim Archer Band
● 3 - 4:30 PM - Duffy Bishop
● 5 - 6:15 PM - Blues Beatles
● 6:45 - 8 PM - Ally Venable
● 8:30 - 10 PM - Eric Gales
Q. Where is the stage? Are you using Thunderbird Arena?
A. No. The main stage is on the north side of the Fairgrounds and Fairgrounds Road. We are not using Thunderbird Arena this year.
Q. How much are passes and when do they go on sale?
A. Weekend and single day VIP and general admission passes are on sale now at kitsapblues.com, via phone at 360.373.6743, and in-person at the Admiral Theatre Box Office at 515 Pacific Avenue in Bremerton, WA 98337. Here are the ticket options:
● VIP Weekend Pass: $300 (including fees)
○ Good for all three days - Aug. 29 - 31, 2025
○ Access to VIP areas at the Main Stage with seating (one seat per pass)
○ Parking pass for one car (additional passes available for purchase)
● Single Day VIP Pass:
○ Friday, August 29 / $50 (incl. fees)
○ Saturday, August 30 / $150 (incl. fees)
○ Sunday, August 31 / $125 (incl. fees)
● General Admission Weekend Pass: $159 (including fees)
○ Good for all three days - Aug. 29 - 31, 2025
○ Access to General admission areas at Main Stage
○ Bring folding chairs for seating
○ Weekend parking pass available for $20
● Single Day General Admission Pass:
○ Friday, August 29 / $25 (incl. fees)
○ Saturday, August 30 / $84 (incl. fees)
○ Sunday, August 31 / $74 (incl. fees)
Q. What is required to enter the festival?
A. Photo ID must be presented upon entering the festival grounds and at entrance to beer / wine / cocktail gardens (21+ only). This year’s festival is 21+ only please. All
bags, backpacks, etc. are subject to security inspection at gate entrances. Smiles (please be kind to festival staff and volunteers).
Q. What Can I Bring Into the Festival?
A.
- Folding and camp chairs
- Sunglasses
- Sunblock
- Hat
- Bug Spray
Note about folding and camp chairs: Our only ask is that attendees be respectful of others. If you need to bring a high-backed chair, please sit where you won’t obstruct the view of other attendees.
Q. What CAN’T I bring into the festival?
A.
- Children (festival is 21+ only please)
- No outside food or beverages
- Alcohol
- Cigarettes, cigars, vape pens, cannabis, etc.
- Cannabis (including in the beer / wine / cocktail gardens)
- Illegal substances
- Weapons or projectiles
- Fireworks
- Glass containers
- ATVs, bikes, carts or skateboards
- Drones
- Pets
- Shade umbrellas or personal shade structures
Q. Why can’t I put up a shade umbrella?
A. The festival doesn’t allow shade umbrellas for main reasons. They block the view of other festival-goers.
Q. Can I smoke at the festival?
A. There is no smoking of any kind (cigarettes, cigars, vape pens, cannabis, etc.) in the stage areas and the beer / wine / cocktail gardens. Smoking is only permitted in ‘Designated Smoking Areas.’ We ask that smokers be considerate of non-smoking attendees and performers and smoke only in the designated smoking areas. The use of cannabis is not allowed in the general festival area. Ask for the location of designated smoking areas at entrances and staff can direct you.
Q. Are there beer / wine / cocktail gardens? How many and where are they?
A. Yes. We will have beer, wine, and cocktail gardens available. Alcohol will be served in the garden area at the east end of the main concert field, in the west end of the Van Zee building, and (beer) will be served from Deep Draft Brewing at the Wig Wam Pub
BBQ area just NW of President’s Hall. You must be 21 years of age or older and present a valid ID to enter PLEASE DO NOT DRINK AND DRIVE. The festival will have several Uber / Lyft Pickup and Dropoff Areas.
Q. Is food available? How many places and what types of food?
A. Yes! Several food vendors offer many types of fare. Food vendors will be open for most of the festival hours on Saturday and Sunday We are currently not expecting food vendors for the Friday night performances, but this may change.
Food and beverage vendors include:
- Wig Wam Pub & Deep Draft Brewing
- Admiral Theatre Concessions
- Big Joe’s Sandwich Shop
- South Kitsap Cheer Booster Spritzer Bar
- Lulu’s Lemonade
- Ohana Shave Ice
- Oath Pizza
- Reggie’s Smokehouse
- McCloud’s Saloon Burger Wagon
- Yodi Dogs
Q. Is there recycling?
A. Yes! You will notice recycling and trash bins available around the festival grounds.
Q. Can I bring pets and/or comfort and emotional support animals?
A. No! Pets are not allowed. Comfort and emotional support animals are not allowed.
The rules are:
- NO emotional support animals, therapy animals, or companion animals.
- Pets are not allowed and will be turned away
- Only legitimate service animals that are properly trained and under the proper care of their owners will be provided with the appropriate credentials.
- Service animals must remain by the handler’s side at all times and must be harnessed, leashed, or tethered.
- If these devices interfere with the service animal’s work or the individual’s disability prevents using these devices, the individual must maintain control of the animal through voice, signal or other effective controls.
- Service animals must be housebroken and should use the service animal relief area.
- Anyone bringing an animal will be responsible for and liable for any damage or injury caused by the animal.
- All animals should have legally required vaccinations (which may need to be verified).
Q. Can my service animal come in?
A. Persons with disabilities and their service animals that are individually trained to do work or perform tasks for those persons with disabilities are welcome at the Kitsap
Blues Music Festival. Pets are not allowed. Please contact us at info@admiraltheatre.org for protocol regarding service animals. Please note that pets, and emotional support animals are not allowed.
Q. Is the Kitsap Blues Festival ADA (accessible)?
A. The Kitsap Fairgrounds have many accessible areas, but wheelchair access to all festival areas may not be possible or easy to get to. We do have ADA parking, camping, porta-potties and access. Every accommodation possible will be made to festival attendees in need of accessible seating.
Q. Can I leave the festival and/or grounds and get back in?
A. Yes, once you have paid and received your wristband you have unrestricted access. There is no after-hours driving in and around the property at night for safety reasons.
Q. How much is parking and what are the details?
A. Parking is free for motorcycles. For cars, RVs, etc. a weekend parking pass covering all three days is $20, and single day parking passes for Saturday and Sunday are $10 each day Parking for non-campers is available beginning Friday at 5 PM and closes at Midnight. Saturday and Sunday parking for non-campers opens at 11 AM and closes at Midnight.
- Single day (Sat / Sun) parking is available for purchase online for $10
- Single day Friday parking is included with the purchase of a Friday Only Festival ticket ($25 including fees)
- A weekend parking pass is valid for daily parking Friday, Saturday, and SundayAugust 29 - 31. No overnight parking unless you are camping in a designated camping location.
- No overnight camping is allowed in the parking area.
Parking Prices:
Weekend Parking Pass Friday/Saturday/Sunday - $20 (no overnight parking) Saturday / Sunday Parking Pass (Single Day) - $10
Q. Are you offering camping options for the festival and what are the details?
A. Yes, we are offering expanded camping options for car / tent and RV campers. Car / tent camping is $99 for the weekend. RV camping ranges from $169 - $209 for the weekend. We are not offering single night camping. Details are as follows:
All camping sites are assigned on a first come, first served basis. Gates open at 12 PM (Noon) on Friday for those who have purchased camping sites. The festival officially starts Friday evening at 6 PM when gates open to the public. All campers must purchase a festival weekend pass to be on festival grounds. No exceptions.
General weekend camping: $99 (North Campgrounds)
- Includes camping for Friday, Saturday, and Sunday nights
- Campsites are suitable for cars/trucks/vans or tent camping
- Sites cannot be saved. We cannot guarantee camp spots will be together
- RV’s 25’ and over in size must utilize an RV camping site
Weekend RV Camping (up to 35 ft): $199 (South Campgrounds)
- Includes camping for Friday, Saturday, and Sunday nights
- All RV sites will be assigned to best accommodate the size of each RV
- Sites cannot be saved. We cannot guarantee camp spots will be together
- Dry camping only; no hookups available
Lower Bowl RV Camping (20’ x 50’): $169 (Lower Bowl)
- Includes camping for Friday, Saturday, and Sunday nights
- Sites cannot be saved. We cannot guarantee camp spots will be together
- Dry camping only; no hookups available
Arena Hill RV Camping (30’ x 40’ w/ water): $169 (Arena Hill)
- Includes camping for Friday, Saturday, and Sunday nights
- Sites cannot be saved. We cannot guarantee camp spots will be together
- Dry camping only; water is available, but no waste hookups available
Pavillion RV / Tailgate Camping (20’ x 45’ w/ power): $209 (Kitsap Pavillion Parking Lot)
- SOLD OUT
- Includes camping for Friday, Saturday, and Sunday nights
- Sites cannot be saved. We cannot guarantee camp spots will be together
- Dry camping only; power is available, but no waste hookups available
Camping Policies:
- Kitsap Blues Festival takes the health and safety of our artists, guests, volunteers, and staff as our top priority. We will follow all safety protocols and requirements in place, including federal and state executive orders, public health orders, and any other local ordinances and directives.
- 4 people and 1 vehicle permitted per campsite (motorcycle exceptions)
- Additional cars will need to purchase a weekend parking pass and park in the general parking area.
- Dry camping only Portable toilets are provided. No waste hookups available.
- Propane BBQs and camp stoves are allowed.
- No charcoal. No propane fire pits.
- No open fires.
- No pets.
- No driving in camping areas after dark.
- No ATVs.
- No Drones. If a drone is seen flying, it will be confiscated.
- Quiet hours are from the end of the scheduled music to 8 AM. No generators, outside parties, or loud music during quiet hours.
- Be courteous to your neighbors and please refrain from running generators continuously.
- Photo ID is required upon entering the festival grounds.
- All bags are subject to security inspection at gate entrances.
Q. Are there restrooms and showers?
A. Yes! Porta-potties are available throughout the festival grounds. Showers are available onsite for campers Friday through Sunday Porta-potties and showers are designated on festival maps.
Q. Can I get a refund or give my wristband to a friend?
A. All sales are final. There are no cancellations, refunds or credits issued for tickets, camping or parking. Tickets / wristbands are non-transferable and non-exchangeable. We are not responsible for lost or stolen tickets / wristbands. You must wear your admission wristband for the duration of the festival. Wristbands are non-transferable. All customers purchasing a ticket to the Kitsap Blues Festival agree to the festival guidelines. Artists and performance times are subject to change without notice. The festival is rain or shine.
Q. The forecast is calling for rain. / Traffic was horrible. Can I get a refund?
A. The festival and camping is rain or shine. Inclement weather and unforeseen circumstances will not be grounds for a refund - including but not limited to: local or national weather conditions and natural disasters, waiting in lines, road closures or traffic issues. In the event of persistent inclement weather (rain), the festival has access to several areas / buildings at the fairgrounds where people can temporarily get out of the weather
Q. My favorite artist didn’t end up playing the festival. Can I get a refund?
A. A ticket is for the Kitsap Blues Music Festival, not a specific artist. Artists and schedules are subject to change without notice. Artist cancellation is not grounds for a refund.
Q. An attendee is causing a disturbance in the beer / wine / cocktail garden. Can you remove them from the festival?
A. Promoters, venue owners, security and event staff have the right to refuse entry to any ticket holder, without a refund, for any reason at their discretion, including but not limited to: disorderly behavior, intoxication, venue capacity, breach of security restrictions. We won’t hesitate to have on-site police remove attendees breaking festival rules.
Q. How can I get involved by becoming a vendor, sponsor, or volunteer?
A. For details on vendor, sponsorship, and volunteer opportunities, please email info@admiraltheatre.org or call the Admiral Theatre Box Office at 360.373.6743.