J. Cole’s Dreamville Festival Isn’t Over—It’s Rebranding in Raleigh for 2026

The Dreamville Festival 2025 might be the last under its original name, but Raleigh isn’t losing the music.

Even though J. Cole announced this would be the final Dreamville Festival, promoter Sascha Stone Guttfreund confirmed the event will continue—just rebranded. A new multi-year deal ensures big-name performances will return to Dorothea Dix Park through 2029.

“We’re going to be here for years to come,” said Guttfreund. “We’re excited to keep working with the city and build on what we’ve already done.”

(Source – MyNews13)

New Festival, Same Location, Same Energy

The new event doesn’t have a name yet, but Raleigh city officials confirmed it will stay in the same location and bring similar energy.

“He [J. Cole] is totally committed to this community and this festival,” said Raleigh City Manager Marchell Adams-David.

(WRAL)

Ib Hamad, Cole’s longtime manager, said the goal is to preserve the community feel:

“We call it our family reunion. People come from all over—every state, every country. It feels good to keep it here in North Carolina.”

Final Dreamville Festival Features Star-Studded Lineup

The 2025 lineup reflects Dreamville’s evolution and cultural impact. Headliners include:

J. Cole

Lil Wayne (with Hot Boys and Big Tymers)

Erykah Badu

21 Savage

GloRilla

Tems

PARTYNEXTDOOR

Ludacris

Chief Keef

Wale

Young Nudy

Coco Jones

Keyshia Cole

BigXthaPlug

For the full lineup, see Billboard’s official announcement.

If you missed last year’s festival, check out our 2024 recap here.

The Numbers Behind Dreamville’s Impact

In 2024, Dreamville Festival brought in over 104,000 fans—52,000 per day. That resulted in a $145.9 million economic impact for Wake County.

(City of Raleigh Report)

This kind of tourism spending boosted local businesses and positioned Raleigh as a national music destination. The same level of attention is expected in 2025, with hotels across the city already near full capacity.

We also captured the weekend’s visuals in our Dreamville 2025 Photo Gallery.

What's Next for Dreamville?

Even though the brand is changing, J. Cole and his team aren’t stepping away. They’re expanding. The new event will still support artists, bring fans together, and keep the Dreamville legacy alive in a new form.

Want more on Cole’s impact in the culture? Check out our breakdown of J. Cole’s vision for Dreamville.

FAQ: Dreamville Festival 2025 and Beyond

Is Dreamville Festival ending?

Yes, the Dreamville name is retiring, but the festival will continue under new branding in Raleigh.

Will J. Cole still be involved in the new festival?

Yes. City officials and Cole’s manager confirmed he’ll remain actively involved.

Where will the new music festival take place?

It will stay at Dorothea Dix Park in Raleigh, NC.

How much money did Dreamville bring to Raleigh in 2024?

The festival had an estimated $145.9 million economic impact on Wake County.

What’s the new name of the festival?

Organizers haven’t announced the new name yet, but it will launch in 2026.

Who performed at Dreamville Festival 2025?

Headliners included J. Cole, Lil Wayne, 21 Savage, Erykah Badu, Tems, and others.

Final Word

Dreamville’s name may fade—but the foundation it built in Raleigh isn’t going anywhere. With a new festival on the way, North Carolina remains a major player in hip-hop’s live scene.

Looking for more major events? See how HypeCityShow covers the biggest festivals in the culture.