Def Leppard, Mötley Crüe, and Nickelback to Headline Boardwalk Rock Festival Debut

Ocean City, Maryland, is gearing up for an unforgettable weekend of rock as the inaugural Boardwalk Rock Festival debuts May 17-18, 2025.

The two-day event will bring together some of the biggest names in rock history alongside contemporary favorites, headlined by Def Leppard, Mötley Crüe, Nickelback, and Shinedown.

For fans of rock history, the lineup is a dream come true. Def Leppard, whose classic albums Pyromania and Hysteria spawned multiple Billboard Hot 100 hits, including “Pour Some Sugar on Me” and “Love Bites,” remain a dominant force in arena rock.

Joining them is Mötley Crüe, who made a mark on the Billboard 200 with Dr. Feelgood, their first album to reach No. 1, thanks to iconic tracks like “Kickstart My Heart” and the title track. Nickelback, a staple of modern rock with chart-toppers like “How You Remind Me” (a Billboard Hot 100 No. 1 hit in 2001), will also headline, bringing their anthems to the boardwalk.

Rounding out the headliners is Shinedown, a consistent presence on the Billboard Mainstream Rock Songs Chart, with 18 No. 1 hits, including their enduring single “Second Chance.”

Beyond the headliners, the festival’s stacked lineup includes Halestorm, whose album The Strange Case Of… peaked in the top 15 on the Billboard 200 and earned the band a Grammy for Best Hard Rock/Metal Performance. Alice Cooper, a pioneer of shock rock, will add his theatrical flair, having previously charted with hits like “Poison” on the Billboard Hot 100. Other notable acts include Bush, Chevelle, Three Days Grace, and Flyleaf with Lacey Sturm.

The festival will feature three stages—two on the beach and one on the iconic Ocean City boardwalk—offering fans a scenic and immersive experience. The event also includes access to the boardwalk’s restaurants, bars, and shops, along with Jolly Roger at the Pier amusement park, home to a Ferris wheel, double-decker carousel, roller coaster, and more.

Additional performers include Bret Michaels, Puddle of Mudd, 3 Doors Down, Extreme, The Struts, Everclear, Candlebox, Night Ranger, Dorothy, Black Stone Cherry, Royale Lynn, Crossfade, Trapt, Fuel, Saliva, and Tim Montana.

Tickets start at $165 for single-day general admission, with two-day passes available for $195. For fans looking to elevate their experience, the $3,950 “Ultimate” pass offers premium perks, including front-of-stage access, golf cart transportation, and exclusive lounges. Presale registration opens Dec. 13 at 10 a.m. ET, with general ticket sales beginning at 11 a.m. ET the same day.

Boardwalk Rock Festival is organized by Live Nation-owned C3 Presents, the team behind major festivals like Lollapalooza and Austin City Limits.