Governors Ball Music Festival returns to Flushing Meadows Corona Park for another three days of the world’s best artists, New York flavor, and the kind of moments you’ll be talking about until next year. Whether you’re a first-timer or a Gov Ball veteran, here’s everything you need to know about 2026’s can’t-miss event.

MUST-SEE ACTS

With a lineup as deep as Gov Ball’s, it’s nearly impossible to highlight just a few must-sees — but some of this year’s headliners are a good place to start.

Lorde— Lorde is one of those artists who genuinely transcends the recorded experience — her voice, raw and unfiltered, hits differently when it fills a room. If you grew up with her music, seeing her perform it live has a way of making those songs feel entirely new again, like hearing them for the first time but with years of meaning behind them.

Kali Uchis—Kali Uchis live is a full sensory experience — she brings an old-school glamour and effortless cool to the stage that makes you feel like you’ve stepped into another era entirely. Her voice is even more lush and hypnotic in person, gliding through R&B, reggaeton, and psychedelic soul like it’s nothing, and she has a magnetic stage presence that keeps your eyes locked on her from start to finish.

Stray Kids and Jennie are making history as Gov Ball’s first-ever K-pop headliners.

Jennie, one quarter of the massively successful group BLACKPINK, is coming off a record-breaking year with her solo debut album Ruby — a star-studded project featuring the likes of Doechii, Dua Lipa, and Kali Uchis. Don’t be surprised if a few of those collaborators make an appearance on stage. Together, Jennie and Stray Kids mark a landmark moment for K-pop’s arrival in the American mainstream.

NYC LOCAL FEST

Gov Ball is a festival that feels quintessential to the NYC experience — perfect for both visitors and locals looking to celebrate the best the city has to offer. Over three days, some of the hottest artists perform against the backdrop of one of the world’s most iconic cities. Beyond the music, the festival brings together local vendors, homegrown brands, and food from some of NYC’s most beloved spots, all under one roof. Getting there is a breeze too—whether you’re coming from a nearby borough or Manhattan, the festival is easily accessible via the 7 train. For anyone looking to soak up the spirit of New York City all at once, Gov Ball delivers.

WE’LL SEE YOU THERE

From genre-defining headliners to the local food, brands, and borough energy woven into every corner of the grounds, it’s three days that capture what makes this city unlike anywhere else on earth. Grab your tickets, build your lineup, and get ready. New York City is calling.

Words & Banner Photo: Emma Fischer