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Paradise Waits: Top Destination Festivals in 2025

December 5, 2024 - By Sasha

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As the days get shorter and the temperature gets lower, a musical vacation on a beach is a perfect escape from the winter blues. Live music fans have plenty of choices for fun in the sun with their favorite artists setting sail for exotic destinations for a few nights of fun.

Feet in the sand, tropical drink in hand, and the sun setting as the band hits the stage. Does it get any better than this? That's right - there are also tacos, street corn, and churros!

*Looks at flights to Mexico*

Did you know? CashorTrade is the only platform where you can safely buy or sell a travel package for these destination festivals.

If you're looking to kick the winter blues in favor of jamming out on la playa, read on for a look at the best destination festivals for this year.


Phish Riviera Maya

Phish heads south of the border (and over the moon) again for their annual Mexico getaway from January 29-February 1. Back for its 8th edition, Phish Riviera Maya will be full of fans splashing in the sea in celebration of the band's first shows of the year.

In addition to four glorious nights of Phish on the beach and an all-inclusive resort stay - you can hit the pool parties, play a round of golf (or disc golf), get a massage, attend a yoga class, or do a mezcal tasting - if that's your thing. Choose your own adventure during the day and share in the groove on the beach in the evening.

Phish Riviera Maya is an experience unlike any other. Check out the options on CashorTrade and start planning your winter getaway to Mexico.

See Available Tickets for Phish Mexico

Dead Ahead

Deadheads are taking over Moon Palace in Cancun for Dead Ahead. For 2025, Bob Weir is joined by Sturgill Simpson, Rick Mitarotonda, Oteil Burbridge, Jeff Chimenti, Don Was, and Jay Lane.

Bob Weir's Dead Ahead plays three nights during the January 9-13 festival. There will be plenty of songs to fill the air with additional sets from Sturgill, Oteil & Friends, Trampled By Turtles, Joy Oldaokun, and Neil Francis.

When you're not at the show, enjoy the all-inclusive amenities at the resort or head out on an adventure to explore Mayan ruins. Find your room and shake your bones in Mexico.

See Available Tickets for Dead Ahead

Jam Cruise

It's hard to believe, but Jam Cruise is turning 21 in 2025. Setting sail from Miami on Valentine's Day, there's a lot to love about Jam Cruise.

This truly is a floating festival with a jam-packed lineup featuring STS9, Snarky Puppy, Thievery Corporation, Galactic, Karl Denson's Tiny Universe, Lettuce, and so much more.

The 5-night cruise also makes stops in Cozumel and Belize City, where you can get off the boat to explore or stay back and relax to gear up for another big night of music. Don't miss out on the live music experience of a lifetime and find your Jam Cruise cabin on CashorTrade.

See Available Tickets for Jam Cruise

Dave & Tim Riviera Maya

Another can't-miss event at Moon Palace this January is Dave & Tim Riviera Maya. Dave Matthews & Tim Reynolds return to Mexico from January 23-26 for three shows on the beach over four nights.

For the 2025 edition, they're bringing Karina Rykman, Lord Huron, Hermanos Guttierez, and Sierra Hull along for the ride. We see some great collaborations happening with this stacked lineup.

Eat, drink, and be merry, for tomorrow we dine. You can try traditional Mayan food and other regional specialties or go for Indian, Japanese, or Italian - without leaving the resort.

See Available Tickets for Dave & Tim

Dark Star Orchestra's Jam in the Sand

If a trip to Jamaica is on your travel bucket list, check out Dark Star Orchestra's Jam in the Sand. Back for its 12th edition, it will be held January 14-17 at the Jewel Paradise Cove in Runaway Bay this year.

Speaking of paradise, this lineup is just that for Deadheads! You'll get two sets of DSO on three nights, plus Melvin Seals & JGB with special guest Jennifer Hartswick and Anders Osborne & Jackie Greene playing two shows each.

There's plenty to keep you busy outside the shows, from tye-dye workshops on the beach to Jamaican mixology classes, and so much more. You can also hop on a day tour to visit the village of reggae legend Bob Marley! Come join the party and check out the rooms available before it's too late.

See Available Tickets for Jam in the Sand

Viva El Gonzo

Bocinazo, bocinazo. That's honk honk in Spanish - a phrase that will come in handy at the first-ever Viva El Gonzo festival. Join Goose for three nights on the beach in San Jose del Cabo, Mexico from May 8-10.

Joining them for this excursion are The War on Drugs, Tycho, Dawes, LP Giobbi, Pigeons Playing Ping Pong, Eggy, and more. Unlike other destination festivals in Mexico, you have options for travel packages and can also just snag a ticket for the shows and find your own accommodation.

This is the first destination festival for Goose and is a must-see for any Goose fans! CashorTrade is proud to be the official Face Value Ticket Exchange for Goose, and we're also proud of them for putting together this amazing event in Mexico!

See Available Tickets for Viva El Ganzo

Other Destination Festivals in 2025

Outside of the jam world, there are several other destination festivals to choose from, including:

  • Brandi Carlile is back with her Girls Just Wanna weekend from January 16-20 at Barcelo Maya in Mexico. Other acts include Shania Twain, Muna, and Maren Morris.

  • A newcomer to the destination festival landscape is Tool. The psych-metal legends present Tool in the Sand in the Dominican Republic from March 7-9. They are joined by Primus, Mastadon, Coheed and Cambria, and more.

  • Kicking off the year, Out of the Blue takes place at Moon Palace in Cancun from January 4-7. Headlining this destination festival are Noah Kahan and The Lumineers, with'support from Mt. Joy, Rainbow Kitten Surprise, Lake Street Dive, and more.



Whichever destination festival you choose, it will be a trip you'll never forget. CashorTrade is the only platform where fans can safely buy and sell travel packages for these incredible live music vacations.

Thanks for being a part of the Face Value Movement, and have a blast dancing in the sand!