The All Things Go music festival is a vivacious multi-day extravaganza and an absolute blast to attend. This year, the festival took place September 25-27. Since 2014, All Things Go has been a yearly event in the DMV. It was originally hosted at the union market in Washington D.C. prior to the festival’s residency moving to Yards Park in Washington D.C. And then finally moving to its current home at Merriweather Post Pavillion in 2021. Since its establishment, the festival has skyrocketed dramatically. Numbers of attendees have risen from a 5,000 capacity event to up to 20,000.

At All Things Go, you are always in for an amazing time. This being my (Verity Fidelman) 5th consecutive year attending the festival, I can personally speak to this. Maddie Baron and I have made a tradition out of going the last two years, and hope to continue attending simply because of the energy it brings. The pure enthusiasm radiating off of everybody there is honestly contagious.

One thing that makes all things go so special is the two stages that they offer. Meaning double the performances! There is lots to explore, and much to do. We walked around the 400 acre venue in between sets and never ran out of things to do. The workers at all of the food and vendor stands were so nice and ready to engage in conversation. We collected lots of free samples as well as information on real world issues including animal cruelty, LGBTQ hate, and sexual violence and abuse.

All Things Go, despite it being a “music” festival, is not strictly about music. Instead, they also help underrepresented voices be heard. This festival is known for its support and inclusion of LGBT artists, often being lovingly dubbed nicknames like “Gaychella” or “All Things Gay,” not to mention the predominantly female lineup over the years. This representation makes the festival feel welcoming to people who may not always see themselves reflected in mainstream music spaces.

One of the best parts is getting to see artists perform their music live, surrounded by thousands of people who love their music just as much as you  do. Hearing everyone sing along together makes the experience feel even more special and creates memories that last long after the festival ends. One of these memorable performances came from artist Ethel Cain. Her style of music, Southern Gothic, is incredibly unique. Music critics have praised the cinematic quality of Cain’s music, which reflects her approach to creating songs through vivid scenes and characters. She effortlessly blends elements of rock, country, and cinematic nostalgia to create her distinctive sound.

Beyond the performances themselves, there is a real sense of community that makes  the festival special. Thousands of people come together over a shared love of music, and that excitement creates an atmosphere that is hard to replicate elsewhere. Luckily, this atmosphere is no longer limited to the DMV. In 2024, All Things Go expanded to New York City, hosting a festival at Forest Hills Stadium. The festival continued to grow internationally with its expansion into Toronto in 2025.

All Things Go is more than just a place to see your favorite artists live; it’s a place to connect  with others, discover new music and artists, and feel like you are part of something bigger and more important. After multiple years of attending, it is easy to see why this festival continues to draw such a passionate crowd. We’ll definitely be attending next year!