Finding Freedom at the Ramble: What’s New in 2025
Hey there Ramblers,
When we dreamed up The Ramble, it was never just about filling a stage with music. It was about creating a gathering where you can shed the noise of the outside world and feel free to be your truest self. Every year at Camp Ramblewood, this family comes together as a life raft in a sea of chaos—floating on music, laughter, and community. And this year, we’ve got some beautiful new additions that will make that raft even stronger.
The Preamble to the Ramble
Before the gates open, we’re throwing a warm-up celebration called The Preamble to the Ramble, presented by the Maryland Center for the Arts. It’s happening on Thursday, October 9th, 2025 at Hopkins Farm Brewery in Havre de Grace, MD—just about a 15-minute drive from the Ramble site.
The night will feature The Dirty Grass Players headlining with Uncle Kunkel’s One Gram Band opening things up. And here’s the kicker—we’ll have the Ramble Festival Box Office on-site so you can check in early, grab your wristbands, and skip the Friday rush at the gates.
If you’re coming in a day early, we encourage you to make a little adventure out of it. Harford County is full of gems—waterfront dining, historic Havre de Grace, local trails, and breweries. Make it a part of your Ramble journey and soak in a little extra community time.
If you don’t have your passes yet, there’s a joint ticket option that bundles admission to the Preamble and the full Ramble Festival—saving you a few bucks in the process. Grab those, or standalone Preamble and Ramble passes, right here: Get Your Tickets.
Important note: there’s no early entry to the Ramble site on 10/9—festival gates officially open on Friday, 10/10 at 9:30AM. And there’s no overnight stay at the brewery or festival grounds that night, so please plan ahead. Think of the Preamble as your Ramble prologue—a joyful first chapter to the story we’ll write together that weekend.
Rambler Faithful Program
If you’ve ever spotted someone rocking a limited-edition Ramble pin, you know you’re looking at one of our Rambler Faithful. This program is our way of thanking the folks who lock arms with us year after year.
Here’s the deal: the only way to join is by buying your passes for next year on-site at the merch tent during this year’s festival. That’s it. No shortcuts, no exceptions—just a commitment made in the moment that carries forward into the next Ramble.
Rambler Faithful members receive:
The best deal on passes for the following year
A limited edition, numbered pin designed by Owen Murphy of One Drop Design Studio
Early access to get your RV & car camping passes and cabins
Discounts on merch and passes for friends, and there’s usually a surprise or two we’ve got cooked up for you as well
Now, about those pins: they aren’t just souvenirs. Each one is numbered, designed exclusively for the Faithful, and carries the story of that year’s Ramble. When I see them sparkling on hats, pinned to guitar straps, or fastened on festival vests, it hits me right in the heart. Sometimes I’ll bump into a Rambler at another show months down the road, and there it is—that pin, like a beacon saying, “I’m part of this family too.”
They’ve become little symbols of the bond we’ve built together. To me, they’re proof that the spirit of the Ramble doesn’t stop when the music ends on Sunday—it travels with you, shows up in new places, and reminds us all that we’re part of something bigger.
The Ramble General Store
One of the things I love most about the Ramble is that, for a few days, we create a whole little world together. And this year, that world gets its very own Ramble General Store.
Think of it as our community’s front porch market—your place to grab those little things that keep the good times rolling. Need firewood for your late-night circle? Ice for your cooler? A cold Coke to refresh ya? Maybe you realized you forgot that one crucial piece of camping gear? We’ve got your back.
The idea is simple: once you roll into the Ramble, we don’t want you to feel like you’ve gotta head back out for anything. We want you grounded, present, and soaking in the music, the laughter, and the starlit skies. The Ramble General Store keeps that rhythm going so your focus stays where it should be—on the moments that matter.
Fire Circles Return
Some of the most unforgettable Ramble memories don’t happen on the main stage—they happen with firelight flickering on faces, guitars being passed around, and songs spilling out into the night air. That’s why I’m thrilled to tell you that both fire circles are back this year.
The Lake Fire Circle is where you go when you want to sink into the quieter side of things. Picture the reflection of the flames on the water, a songwriter testing out a new tune, or a busker sharing a song they scribbled down in the margins of a notebook earlier that day. It’s intimate. It’s soulful. It’s the kind of space where music feels like a conversation between friends.
Then there’s the Hill Fire Circle—a completely different beast. This is where the jams get rowdy and the music goes deep into the night (and I do mean late—so pace yourself!). Led each evening by our Ramble Busking Ambassadors, the Hill Circle is part pickin’ party, part community hoedown, and part magic you simply can’t plan for.
And for those who still have a little gas in the tank come sunrise, well… let’s just say you might stumble right into a sunrise kickball game. That’s right—whether you’ve been up all night jammin’ or you’re just an early riser with a kid’s heart, we’ll have a place for you to play, laugh, and welcome in the morning.
Grassroots Glampground with Epic Glamping
I know some of y’all live for pitching your own tent and setting up camp from scratch, and I love that. But I also know there are Ramblers who’d rather just show up, drop their bags, and step right into comfort. That’s why we’ve partnered with Epic Glamping to roll out the Grassroots Glampground—our brand-new glamping area at the Ramble.
Here’s what’s on the menu:
Ramble On King Suite → A king-size bed with comfy accommodations fit for a festival king (or queen).
Ramblers Rest Queen Suite → A queen bed to stretch out in, with the option to add a twin if you’ve got a buddy tagging along. This is currently on sale for $200 off until 9/26 - get it booked now and get a deal!
Busker’s Party of Three → Three twin beds set up and waiting for you and your crew.
Dueling Banjos Party of Two → Two twin beds for a simpler but cozy retreat.
The Cozy Camper → Two cots in a dome tent with all your gear provided, fully set up and ready to go.
Both the King and Queen options allow for an additional twin bed to be added for an extra fee if you need the space. And to make things even sweeter, Epic Glamping is providing a hospitality tent for our glampers with secure charging stations, lighting, bottled water, tables, and chairs—a little oasis right in the heart of the festival grounds.
So whether you’re after luxury, convenience, or just a fuss-free spot to crash, the Grassroots Glampground has a place for you. It’s one more way we’re making sure everyone can experience the Ramble in the way that suits them best.
Vinyl & Heady Wax Fiends
The Heady Wax Fiends Record Club has been hard at work with us this year in selecting the successful artist who applied for a spot on the Ramble lineup by submitting their vinyl record for consideration. We received many submissions for our first-ever Heady Wax Fiends vinyl submission contest, but we landed on The Moran Tripp Band’s album Jumper’s Hole—and they’ll be playing the Ramble.
Heady Wax Fiends is also providing an enhanced artist green room with massage, reiki, nutrition coaching, financial consulting, and even a hair stylist to support these touring musicians who spend much of their life on the road bringing their music to life for you. Plus, they’re looking to meet artists who they can work with to press their next album on vinyl at no cost to the artists!
And for all you collectors, Heady Wax Fiends will also be selling vinyl albums on-site—including very limited edition Ramble Festival variants of:
The Moran Tripp Band’s Jumper’s Hole
Natalie Brooke’s brand-new album, Measured In Moments, released on Friday, 10/10/25—the opening day of the Ramble.
If you love to collect music you can hold in your hands, this is for you!
New ADA Program with 5 Points Music Sanctuary
One of the things that makes this community special is that we look out for each other. This year, we’ve partnered with 5 Points Music Sanctuary to roll out a new ADA program to support members of our family who need a little extra help enjoying the Ramble to the fullest.
We’ll be offering:
Mobility support & ADA shuttles
Free hearing protection
Color therapy glasses
Sensory kits for folks who benefit from additional sensory support
You can find all the details here: Ramble Accessibility.
We believe the Ramble should be for everyone, and this partnership helps us live up to that promise by supporting those that need a little help in enjoying the Ramble. A big thanks to 5 Points Music Sanctuary for all they are doing to make this possible, because of them we are upping our game in supporting more of our Ramble community than ever before.
At the end of the day, these updates are just the framework. The real heartbeat of the Ramble is you—the freedom to sing, dance, laugh, and live fully in the moment. In a world that often tries to box us in, the Ramble is our reminder that community can be the key to freedom.
Let’s make 2025 unforgettable, together.
Much love,
-Brick
Co-Founder & Chief Ramblin’ Officer
P.S. Every laugh, every song, every shared sunrise starts with you being here. Make sure you’ve got your passes—this Ramble family reunion wouldn’t be the same without you
