Country Thunder Florida 2025 Lights Up Tampa
Star-Studded Sets, Surprise Moments, and a Weekend to Remember
Country Thunder — North America’s premier country music festival brand — roared into Florida with unforgettable energy, taking over Tampa’s Raymond James Stadium for a high-octane weekend of music, memories, and milestone moments. Following a massive showing in Arizona last month, Country Thunder Florida 2025 drew thousands of fans for a three-day celebration that delivered more than just incredible performances.
From iconic headliners like Blake Shelton, Jelly Roll, and Riley Green to breakout stars Ella Langley, Ashley McBryde, Jake Owen, and more, the lineup reflected the genre's depth, diversity, and dynamism. The weekend was packed with special moments — most notably, when Reba McEntire surprised the crowd via jumbotron to present the ACM Award for Visual Media of the Year to Riley Green and Ella Langley for their video “You Look Like You Love Me”. The award honored Langley not only as a performer but also as a director, igniting roaring applause from fans and national media alike.
Other standout moments included Dillon Carmichael revealing the June 13 release date of his new album live from the main stage, Chayce Beckham debuting a new single, and Drew Baldridge treating fans to an impromptu meet-and-greet. Celebrities and local stars added to the excitement, including comedian Bert Kreischer and Tampa Bay Buccaneers players Graham Barton and Luke Goedeke. One heartwarming highlight? Blake Shelton meeting super-fans Madison Marilla and Tyler White of Love On The Spectrum, with Marilla calling it “a total dream come true.”
The party didn’t stop with the main acts. Dancing With The Thunder line dance competitions brought fans together in spirited displays of rhythm and fun, while the Songwriters Showcase gave a behind-the-scenes look at the artistry behind the hits. Names like Brinley Addington, Heath Warren, and Abby Anderson pulled back the curtain on their songwriting processes, offering intimate insight into the creative world of country music.
Closing out the weekend, Jelly Roll delivered a powerhouse performance, including an emotional onstage duet with a nine-year-old fan during “Liar”—a moment that encapsulated the heart and humanity of the festival.
Media outlets across the board sang the festival’s praises. Tampa Bay Times listed it among the “Top Things To Do In Tampa Bay This Week,” WFLA NBC 8 called it a “Don’t Miss” event, and Holler declared it “bigger than ever” for 2025.
With six successful Florida editions since its 2019 debut, Country Thunder Florida has become a staple for fans nationwide. And good news for festivalgoers: it’s officially returning to Tampa in 2026. For tickets and the latest updates, visit CountryThunder.com/fl.
ABOUT COUNTRY THUNDER
Drawing nearly 625,000 fans across six annual multi-day events in the U.S. and Canada, Country Thunder Music Festivals are among the most celebrated country music gatherings in North America. With a 21-year history and stops in Wisconsin, Arizona, Saskatchewan, and Alberta, the series continues to set the gold standard for country festival experiences.