Reggae Rise Up Arizona 2027
Three days of reggae, roots and good-vibes rock on Tempe Town Lake, all ages, with kids 12 and under free
April 2–4, 2027
Venue: Tempe Beach Park, 80 W Rio Salado Pkwy, Tempe, AZ, 85281, Tempe, AZ
Is Reggae Rise Up Arizona Worth the Trip?
Reggae Rise Up started in Florida and has spread west, and its Arizona edition puts three days of reggae, roots and good-vibes rock on Tempe Beach Park, the lawn along Tempe Town Lake in the middle of downtown Tempe. Early April is the sweet spot here, before the desert heat really arrives, and the park is a short walk from Mill Avenue's bars, restaurants and hotels.
2027 is the Arizona festival's third year. The 2026 edition was headlined by De La Soul, Stephen Marley, SOJA, Dirty Heads and Slightly Stoopid, which gives you a sense of the mix: roots reggae, the West Coast reggae-rock scene, and a hip-hop legend or two. The 2027 lineup hasn't been announced yet.
Insider tip: it's all ages, and kids 12 and under get in free with a paid adult. That makes it one of the few multi-day festivals that works as a family trip.
Best For
Reggae, roots and reggae-rock fans. Families, since kids 12 and under are free. Anyone who wants a walkable festival in a downtown with hotels, restaurants and a streetcar right outside the gates.
Less ideal for
Anyone who needs to come and go on a GA pass, since GA has no re-entry. Anyone who struggles in the sun: April afternoons in Tempe can get hot, and shade on the lawn is limited.
Where to Stay
Tempe Beach Park is in downtown Tempe, on the lake at the foot of Mill Avenue. That makes the choice easy: stay downtown and walk, or stay close to the streetcar.
- Downtown Tempe and Mill Avenue (walk to the gates). The closest hotels are along Mill Avenue and around Tempe Town Lake, a short walk from the entrance, with bars and restaurants on the same street.
- Along the Tempe Streetcar (easy and cheap). The $1 streetcar runs a 3-mile loop through downtown Tempe and stops at Tempe Beach Park, from 8am to midnight daily. Any hotel near a stop works.
- Phoenix and Scottsdale (more choice). Downtown Phoenix and Scottsdale have a deeper bench of hotels and resorts, a short rideshare from Tempe. Plan for surge pricing at the end of each night.
- Official packages (one booking). Jampack sells festival tickets bundled with hotels near the park, with as little as $10 down.
Early April is still high season in the Phoenix area, so book your room when you buy your pass. Ticket sales are final.
Getting There
Flying in: Phoenix Sky Harbor (PHX) is the airport, and it's close to downtown Tempe.
Getting around: the Tempe Streetcar costs $1 a ride and stops at Tempe Beach Park, and downtown Tempe is also on the Valley Metro light rail. If you're staying downtown, you won't need a car. The festival hasn't published 2027 parking details yet.
At the gate: large bags must be clear and no bigger than 11" x 6" x 12"; small clutches and single-zip fanny packs up to 6.5" x 4.5" don't need to be clear. You can bring one sealed water bottle up to 1 liter, or an empty reusable bottle, and refill it free inside. Outside food and alcohol aren't allowed. The box office is at the southeast corner of Mill Avenue and Rio Salado Parkway.
Insider tip: GA has no re-entry. If you want to duck out for a hotel nap or a meal on Mill Avenue, GA+ or above includes one re-entry a day.
Where to Eat
Inside, Vendor Village has food for every diet, including vegetarian and vegan options. Outside, Mill Avenue is lined with bars, restaurants and late-night food, all a short walk from the gates, so dinner before doors or after the music ends is easy.
GA, GA+, VIP or Platinum?
Reggae Rise Up sells four levels. GA gets you in, but with no re-entry. GA+ adds one re-entry a day, which is worth it if you're staying nearby. VIP (3-day and single-day) and Platinum also include one re-entry a day, plus upgraded amenities. Prices rise as inventory sells and as the festival gets closer, so buying early saves money.
Bringing the Kids
Kids 12 and under are free with a paid guardian, and strollers are allowed (they may be searched). Bars are 21+. Bring sunscreen and hats, and claim a spot in the designated chair area at each stage with a blanket or low chair. Small personal umbrellas are allowed, but tents and canopies aren't.
Beating the Sun
Gates open at noon, and early April afternoons on an open lawn in Tempe can get warm. Use the free water refill station, bring a small umbrella for the chair areas, and save your energy for the evening headliners, when the sun drops behind the lake.