Last month, one of the DMV’s most anticipated festivals released it’s 2015 lineup and began selling tickets. Now in it’s 6th year, Sweetlife Festival is set to take place on May 30th and 31st at Merriweather Post Pavilion. It started in a parking lot behind Sweetgreen’s DuPont location, and is now a two day lineup including sets by Kendrick Lamar, The Weeknd, Billy Idol, Pixies, Calvin Harris, Marina and the Diamonds, Tove Lo, and Vance Joy. If you have never had the music festival experience, this is a great place to start. The tickets sold out last year, so buy your tickets before Spring Break is over!

It may seem odd that a local chain is throwing a music festival in our backyard; according to their website, their manifesto is, in part, to blend great things together, make bold moves, live the sweetlife. They takes pride in the fact that they are a food festival. It seems very important to Sweetgreen that the festival is incredible, but also sustainable and eco-friendly. The festival even has “eecostores”, or places around the grounds in which you can trade in recyclable and/or compostable items for prizes! The more you collect and turn in, the better the prize!

How much do you have to pay? The price tag reflects the 25 plus artist line up. There are three different price tiers available for purchase: two-day General Admission tickets, two-day General Admission Pavilion tickets, and  two-day VIP tickets. The cheapest of the three options goes for $175, and certainly entails enough for a great experience at the festival. These tickets get you lawn seating, so you will have more than enough of room for leaning back with your pals on blankets. Two-day General Admission Pavilion tickets cost $50 more, and are worth the extra cash. These tickets reserve unassigned seating in the pavilion that are covered and entrance to the pit right in front of the stage. This could place you 5 feet away from your favorite artist or band! (This is very nice with Maryland’s ever-changing weather; last year it sprinkled throughout the day and absolutely poured during the closing act of the festival). The two-day, VIP tickets are $350. Some say they are worth it because there are private viewing areas for the main stage and Treehouse stage, but the extra $125 could make the already steep price tag…unattainable. You will already feel like a VIP for seeing that many acts perform in two days.

How do you get there? The good news is that parking is free at the festival. The bad news is that there is no overnight camping at the festival. The cheapest way to get there and back is to make your own car pool with friends and family each day. The venue is less than 40 miles from Wakefield. If that doesn’t work, Sweetlife is organizing Rally Buses to get you to the event; Rally Buses take you to the venue safely and timely, as well as get you home. There are numerous pick up stations in Arlington and in the District. Sweetlife is also partnering with Uber for another transportation option.  If you don’t want to make the trek home, there are various hotels close to Merriweather Post Pavilion that will give you a cozy place to rest up after a long day of jamming.

Either way, it’s coming fast! So, grab your tickets, get your best festival outfit, and get stoked for two days of great music and living the Sweetlife!