Summer 2025 is shaping up to be huge for country music fans. From record-breaking stadium tours to star-studded festivals, this summer’s calendar is packed. Whether you’re a die-hard follower of Morgan Wallen or Luke Combs, or you just love a good time at CMA Fest or Country Thunder, there’s something for everyone. Consider this your music-savvy friend’s guide to the must-see country tours and festivals of summer 2025 – plus some friendly advice on scoring tickets without the usual headaches.
Morgan Wallen’s “I’m The Problem” Stadium Tour
Morgan Wallen is taking over stadiums this summer with his I’m The Problem Tour 2025. The country hitmaker (you’ve probably had “Last Night” on repeat) has officially announced a 19-date stadium run across the U.S. and Canada. It all kicks off June 20 in Houston at NRG Stadium, with back-to-back shows there and in several other cities due to massive demand. By late June he’s headed north to play a sold-out night at Madison’s Camp Randall Stadium, and through July and August he’ll hit major venues like Hard Rock Stadium in Miami, State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Lumen Field in Seattle and more – often two nights in a row in each city. The tour’s lineup of opening acts is basically a mini-festival in itself: rotating special guests include legends Miranda Lambert and Brooks & Dunn alongside rising stars like Corey Kent and Ella Langley, making this one of the year’s biggest country highlights. Fans are thrilled to hear Wallen’s chart-toppers live, and with such a stacked roster of guests, every show feels like a one-night country music festival. If Morgan Wallen is on your bucket list, summer 2025 is the time – just be ready to sing your heart out in a stadium packed with thousands of fellow fans!
Luke Combs: Country’s Festival King
While Luke Combs isn’t embarking on a traditional solo tour this summer, he’s far from taking it easy – instead, he’s dominating the festival circuit. In a historic move, Combs will headline Bonnaroo 2025 in Tennessee, becoming the festival’s first-ever country headliner. Bonnaroo (June 12–15 in Manchester, TN) usually leans rock/pop, so seeing Luke Combs top the bill (alongside acts like Tyler, the Creator and Olivia Rodrigo) has country fans fired up. You can bet the Bonnaroo crowd on opening night June 12 will be screaming every word to Combs’ anthems like “Beer Never Broke My Heart.”
Luke is also crossing over into other major events – he’s set to co-headline Lollapalooza 2025 in Chicago (July 31–Aug 3), sharing the stage with huge names from other genres. Yup, that means in one weekend Combs will rock out in Grant Park alongside artists like Olivia Rodrigo, Tyler, the Creator, and even K-pop stars TWICE. It’s a testament to his broad appeal; Luke Combs has essentially become a must-see act even outside the country world. He’s popping up at a few other big summer happenings (rumor has it you might catch him at Newport Folk Festival, too). For fans, this festival-heavy approach is actually great – it’s like getting a mega concert and a diverse festival experience all at once. So if you find yourself at a major music fest this summer, don’t be surprised if Luke Combs steals the show.
George Strait & Chris Stapleton: Stadium Legends Tour
Two generations of country royalty are uniting for a handful of massive stadium shows in 2025. George Strait, the King of Country himself, is teaming up with powerhouse vocalist Chris Stapleton for a limited run that’s the definition of epic. They’ve scheduled five one-off stadium concerts in summer 2025, so each night is going to be huge. Kicking off May 10 in Philadelphia at Lincoln Financial Field and wrapping up July 19 in Los Angeles at SoFi Stadium, Strait and Stapleton are covering a lot of ground – literally coast to coast. In between, they’re stopping in Pittsburgh (May 31), Buffalo (June 14), and Foxborough/Boston (June 21). Each show also features special guests: rising star Parker McCollum joins on most dates, and country quartet Little Big Town will open the LA finale.
What’s incredible is the level of demand – George Strait might have slowed down touring in recent years, but fan appetite is as strong as ever. In fact, he set a U.S. concert attendance record in 2024, drawing over 110,000 fans to a single show at Texas A&M’s Kyle Field. So imagine tens of thousands of fans belting out “Amarillo By Morning” and “Tennessee Whiskey” together under the summer night sky – talk about chills. Chris Stapleton, with that bluesy voice, is the perfect match to join Strait, bridging classic and modern country fans. These limited 2025 stadium dates feel special because they are special – it’s not a months-long tour, just a few gigantic nights. If you can snag tickets, you’ll witness country music history in the making, with a living legend and a modern icon on one stage.
Zach Bryan’s Breakout Summer
Zach Bryan has quickly become one of country’s biggest new stars, and he’s seizing the moment in summer 2025 with some ambitious live shows. Rather than a traditional city-by-city tour, Bryan is doing things his own way – including a three-night stand at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey in mid-July. That’s right: three consecutive nights (July 18, 19, 20) at a 80,000-seat NFL stadium. It’s a bold move that shows just how massive his following has grown (and how many fans are dying to scream along to “Something in the Orange” in person). To make those MetLife shows even more interesting, Zach is bringing along some non-country friends: Kings of Leon and The Front Bottoms are special guests, blending rock and alt vibes into the mix. It’s a cool crossover that speaks to Bryan’s genre-bending appeal – he’s got the country storytelling chops, but a rock star energy that draws all kinds of music lovers.
Beyond the MetLife mini-residency, Zach Bryan is hopping across the pond earlier in June (playing Dublin, Ireland shows), and rumor has it he’s planning a grand finale stateside at a special venue in late August. In fact, he’s announced a big end-of-summer show at Marshall University’s stadium in West Virginia on August 30, giving a unique touch to cap off the season. Everywhere he goes, Bryan tends to sell out fast – his 2024 “Burn, Burn, Burn” Tour was completely sold out and shattered attendance records along the way. So if you’re aiming to catch this once-in-a-generation voice live, be ready. His shows are known for raw vocals, heartfelt singalongs, and an atmosphere that feels as much rock concert as country gig. Zach Bryan is making summer 2025 his moment, and fans couldn’t be more excited for this fresh chapter in country music.
Lainey Wilson’s Rise & Festival Fun
Don’t sleep on Lainey Wilson – she’s having a breakout summer 2025 that’s equal parts hard work and big payoff. Lainey spent early summer hopping between some of the top country festivals: you might have caught her at Gulf Coast Jam in Florida, Railbird Festival in Kentucky, or headlining a night at the Carolina Country Music Fest in Myrtle Beach. Basically, if there’s a country party going on, Lainey’s on the bill. She’s even popped up at huge general festivals like Milwaukee’s Summerfest, winning over new fans with her high-energy performances (and yes, probably rocking those signature bell bottoms).
The big news, though, is that Lainey Wilson is launching her first major headlining tour — the Whirlwind World Tour — in August. After another stellar year in 2024, she’s got a stacked schedule in 2025. The Whirlwind Tour officially kicks off August 14 in Phoenix, AZ, and from there Lainey will criss-cross North America through the fall. During the late summer leg, she’s hitting some bucket-list venues that prove she’s truly arrived: think LA’s Kia Forum (August 23) and New York’s Madison Square Garden later in the year. For a girl who just a few years ago was a newcomer with a catchy song on the radio (“Things a Man Oughta Know,” anyone?), selling out arenas is a huge leap. Lainey’s blend of traditional twang with a modern outlaw flair has made her one of country’s most beloved new stars – she even snagged Entertainer of the Year awards. If you’re looking for a show with badass female energy, heartfelt songwriting, and a whole lot of fun, catch Lainey Wilson this summer. Whether it’s on a festival stage or her own headlining tour, she’s bringing it.
CMA Fest 2025: Nashville’s Country Fan Heaven
For the die-hards who want non-stop country music all day and night, CMA Fest in Nashville is the ultimate summer pilgrimage. CMA Fest 2025 runs June 5–8 in downtown Nashville, essentially turning the city into a four-day country music playground. We’re talking dozens of artists across ten stages – from the biggest chart-toppers to the up-and-comers playing to win your heart (and maybe your Spotify playlist). Each night, Nissan Stadium hosts the main events with a stacked lineup of A-listers. This year’s nightly stadium shows feature megastars like Jason Aldean, Kelsea Ballerini, Dierks Bentley, Luke Bryan, and Blake Shelton, plus groups like Brooks & Dunn and Rascal Flatts, and many more. Basically, everyone is there – from new hitmakers (Jordan Davis, Bailey Zimmerman) to legends (Keith Urban, Darius Rucker). Imagine 60,000 fans singing along as hit after hit is performed live; the energy is unreal.
By day, CMA Fest keeps rolling at venues big and small: the Chevy Riverfront Stage by the Cumberland River showcases popular newer artists (think mid-day beer in hand, sun shining, live music blasting vibes), while spots like Ascend Amphitheater and various honky-tonk bars host more intimate sets. You can wander around and catch surprise collaborations, pop-up sessions, and even meet-and-greet opportunities with artists. It’s not unusual to see a famous country singer casually walking between events or hopping on a smaller stage unannounced – CMA Fest is full of those “I can’t believe that just happened!” moments. The motto is “Expect the unexpected,” and it holds true. If you love country music, CMA Fest is basically paradise: four days of immersion in the music and the community that loves it. Pro tip: stay hydrated, wear comfy boots, and bring your party attitude – Nashville is the place to be this weekend.
Country Thunder: The Traveling Country Party
Another summer staple for country fans is Country Thunder, a series of multi-day festivals that bring big Nashville energy to different corners of the country. Think of Country Thunder as a traveling country carnival – it sets up camp in various states with a lineup that can rival any standalone fest. In summer 2025, one of the highlights is Country Thunder Wisconsin, running July 17–20 in Twin Lakes, WI. Over four days, a mix of today’s chart-toppers and classic acts will take the stage. Headliners include Cole Swindell, HARDY, Jelly Roll, and Dierks Bentley, giving each night a distinct flavor from party anthems to rough-edged country-rock. And that’s just the top of the bill – the lineup packs in fan-favorites like Ashley McBryde, Tyler Hubbard (of Florida Georgia Line fame), and even veteran hitmakers like Sara Evans. By day, you can catch newer artists and local bands, camp out (Country Thunder camping is legendary fun if you’re up for it), and soak in that summer festival atmosphere. By night, it’s all about singing at the top of your lungs under the open sky.
Country Thunder isn’t just in Wisconsin either. Earlier in the summer, it hit Florida in May 2025 with headliners like Blake Shelton and Riley Green, and it has editions in other spots like Arizona (which was back in April) and even up in Canada. Each location has its own lineup twists, but all share the core concept: a four-day country music party with a friendly, tailgate-and-tanlines vibe. If you can’t make it to Nashville for CMA Fest, a Country Thunder festival near you is the next best thing to catch a bunch of great artists in one go. Just remember to pack your cowboy hat, sunscreen, and maybe a raincoat (outdoor festivals can be unpredictable). Country Thunder’s motto might as well be “Live country music, all day long,” and honestly, what more could we ask for in the summer?
No More Ticket Headaches: How to Score Seats Stress-Free
With so many awesome concerts and festivals on deck, the only hurdle between you and an unforgettable summer is getting those tickets. And let’s be real – sometimes that process can be a buzzkill. We’ve all heard (or lived) the horror stories: buying through big resale sites like StubHub or SeatGeek and then dealing with unresponsive customer service when something goes wrong, or waiting on hold for what feels like forever to get help. Long wait times, confusion over guarantees, emails that go unanswered – it’s enough to frustrate any fan. After all, the focus should be on the music and good times, not on fighting with a ticket app’s support line.
Thankfully, there’s a newer ticket platform that’s turning those bad experiences on their head. A lot of country fans (myself included) have been raving about Tickethold as a trustworthy, fan-friendly place to snag tickets. The difference is in the service: Tickethold actually prioritizes customer support and reliability, so you don’t feel like you’re shouting into the void if you need help. They’ve basically solved the issues that drove us crazy elsewhere – you get prompt, real-human customer service, and the whole process just feels more dependable. Whether you’re hunting for cheap concert tickets to see your favorite artist or scrambling for last minute tickets because you decided to road-trip to a festival on a whim, Tickethold has your back.
It’s such a relief being able to click “Purchase” without that nagging worry about what happens if there’s an issue – especially when you’re investing in a big event like a festival pass or a stadium show. At the end of the day, we concert-goers just want things to go smoothly: get the tickets, grab our friends, and enjoy the music. Having a reliable ticket source means you can spend less time stressing and more time prepping for the fun stuff (like figuring out how early to arrive for the pit, or which cowboy boots match your outfit!). So as you plan out your summer 2025 country concert adventures, take a tip from a fellow fan: don’t let ticket headaches drag you down. Use a platform that actually cares about your experience, and you’ll be two steps ahead – all that’s left is to count down the days till showtime.
Bring on the summer sounds and good times – see y’all on the road (I’ll be the one singing along to every word)!
