Big Fort Fest: What You Can and Can’t Bring

To ensure everyone has a safe and awesome time at Big Fort Fest, we have some clear guidelines on what’s allowed and what’s not. Please read these instructions carefully before you arrive!

Permitted Items

You can bring:

• Small bags or purses (typically no larger than a clutch or fanny pack, subject to search).
• Personal cell phones and small point-and-shoot cameras (non-professional).

Prohibited Items & Behaviors

For the safety and enjoyment of all, the following are NOT permitted:

• Outside Food and Beverages: This includes any drinks, snacks, or meals not purchased inside the festival.
• Large Bags or Backpacks: For security reasons and to keep walkways clear, leave your big bags at home.
• Professional Cameras or Recording Equipment: Unless you have an official media pass, leave your DSLRs, camcorders, and audio recording devices at home.
• Weapons of Any Kind: This includes knives, mace, firearms, or any item that could be used as a weapon.
• Illegal Substances: Possession or use of any illegal drugs is strictly prohibited.
• Disruptive Behavior: This includes excessive moshing outside designated areas, fighting, or any behavior that puts others at risk or disrupts the performance.
• Excessive Intoxication: Please drink responsibly. Those who are overly intoxicated may be asked to leave.
• Unauthorized Vending or Solicitation: You cannot sell merchandise or promote anything without prior approval from Big Fort Fest organizers.

These rules are in place to make Big Fort Fest a comfortable, secure, and unforgettable experience for everyone. We appreciate your cooperation!

Big Fort Fest: Frequently Asked Questions

Concert Tickets & Pavilion Entry

• How do I purchase tickets? 
  • Advance tickets are available at bigfortfest.com/concerts or cash at the gate on the day of the show.
• Are tickets refundable or transferable?
  • Tickets are nonrefundable but can be digitally transferred to anyone else or printed and transferred. 
• Do children need a ticket?
  • Yes, everyone entering the concert pavilion will need a ticket.
• What are the gate opening and closing times?
  • Each day the concert pavilion gates open at 6pm for early entry, 7pm for General admission and VIP and close immediately following the completion of the final act.
• Is there re-entry to the concert pavilion?
  • There is no re-entry. 

Getting There & Parking

• How do I get to Big Fort Fest? 
• Is there parking available? 
  • Parking is available at numerous parking garages and the lot at 4th & Clinton. There is a shuttle that runs Thursday 4-9PM, Friday 11-7, Saturday 11-7.

What to Bring & What Not to Bring

• • What items are allowed inside the festival? 
    • Small bags or purses (typically no larger than a clutch or fanny pack, subject to search).
    • Personal cell phones and small point-and-shoot cameras (non-professional).
    • Refillable Water bottles in non ticketed areas.
  • Is there a bag policy or size restriction?

• Small bags or purses are allowed in the concert pavilion (preferably no larger than a clutch or fanny pack and are subject to search). 

• What items are prohibited?
  • For the safety and enjoyment of all, the following are NOT permitted:

Outside Food and Beverages: This includes any drinks, snacks, or meals not purchased inside the festival.

Large Bags or Backpacks: For security reasons and to keep walkways clear, leave your big bags at home.

Professional Cameras or Recording Equipment: Unless you have an official media pass, leave your DSLRs, camcorders, and audio recording devices at home.

Weapons of Any Kind: This includes knives, mace, firearms, or any item that could be used as a weapon.

Illegal Substances: Possession or use of any illegal drugs is strictly prohibited.

Unauthorized Vending or Solicitation: You cannot sell merchandise or promote anything without prior approval from Big Fort Fest organizers.

• Are chairs or blankets allowed?
  • Chairs and blankets are not permitted.
• Can I bring my pet? 
  • For the safety and enjoyment of all attendees, and in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Big Fort Fest maintains a strict “No Pets” policy. 

Service Animals: Big Fort Fest recognizes and welcomes Service Animals as defined by the ADA. A service animal is a dog (or, in some cases, a miniature horse) that is individually trained to do work or perform tasks for the benefit of an individual with a disability. These tasks must be directly related to the person’s disability. What is NOT a Service Animal under the ADA: Animals whose sole function is to provide comfort or emotional support, or whose presence provides well-being, companionship, or crime deterrence, are not considered service animals under the ADA and are not permitted within the festival grounds. This includes “emotional support animals,” “therapy animals,” or “companion animals.” 

Control: Service animals must be harnessed, leashed, or tethered unless these devices interfere with the service animal’s work or the individual’s disability prevents the use of these devices. In such cases, the individual must maintain control of the animal through voice, signal, or other effective means. Behavior: Service animals must remain under the control of their handler at all times. Any service animal exhibiting disruptive or uncontrolled behavior (e.g., barking excessively, aggressive behavior, not being housebroken) may be asked to be removed from the festival grounds. If a service animal is asked to be removed, the individual with the disability will still be offered the opportunity to remain at the festival without the animal. Responsibility: Owners are solely responsible for the care and supervision of their service animal, including waste clean-up.

On-Site Amenities & Services

• Will there be food and beverage vendors?
  • There will! Big Fork Fest will be happening during all festival hours. Enjoy food and drinks in Headwaters West. Each concert will feature food trucks, beverages, treats, beer & spirits. 
• Can I purchase alcohol? 
  • Beer, Seltzer, and Spirits will be available at all ticketed events in the concert pavilion. 
• Where are the restrooms located? 
  • Restrooms are located near inside the gates at Headwaters East and Headwaters West in the Big Fort Forum. Restrooms are located inside the concert pavilion to the left of the stage for all ticketed events.  
• Are there medical services available?
  • Emergency services are on hand.
• Is there a Lost & Found?
  • Lost and Found is located at the gates of Headwaters West.
• Are there ATMs on-site?
  • ATMs are available at the concert pavilion for all ticketed events. Admissions and bar are cash only. 

Schedule & Performances

• Where can I find the performance schedule? 
  • For best access to the entire schedule, download our official Big Fort Fest app at bigfortfest.com/app
• Are there any age restrictions for certain areas?
  • Big Fort Fest is an all ages event. Please use your own discretion on deciding whether a certain concert is appropriate for your children. 
• What if an artist cancels or the schedule changes?
  • Any updates to schedule or appearances will be posted on our social media and updated via our app. 

Accessibility

• • Is the festival ADA accessible?
    • There will be a special drop of area, located next to Headwaters Park West at 400 S Clinton Street. The concert pavilion is accessible via the ramp just south of the main entrance. 
  • What is the festival’s Service Animal Policy?

• Service Animals: Big Fort Fest recognizes and welcomes Service Animals as defined by the ADA. A service animal is a dog (or, in some cases, a miniature horse) that is individually trained to do work or perform tasks for the benefit of an individual with a disability. These tasks must be directly related to the person’s disability. What is NOT a Service Animal under the ADA: Animals whose sole function is to provide comfort or emotional support, or whose presence provides well-being, companionship, or crime deterrence, are not considered service animals under the ADA and are not permitted within the festival grounds. This includes “emotional support animals,” “therapy animals,” or “companion animals.” 

Control: Service animals must be harnessed, leashed, or tethered unless these devices interfere with the service animal’s work or the individual’s disability prevents the use of these devices. In such cases, the individual must maintain control of the animal through voice, signal, or other effective means. Behavior: Service animals must remain under the control of their handler at all times. Any service animal exhibiting disruptive or uncontrolled behavior (e.g., barking excessively, aggressive behavior, not being housebroken) may be asked to be removed from the festival grounds. If a service animal is asked to be removed, the individual with the disability will still be offered the opportunity to remain at the festival without the animal. Responsibility: Owners are solely responsible for the care and supervision of their service animal, including waste clean-up.

• Who do I contact for special accommodations?
  • Ask anyone at the main gate for more information regarding ADA seating

General Festival Experience

• Will the festival happen rain or shine?
  • BIG FORT FEST is rain or shine. The concert pavilion is covered and will provide a comfortable environment, even during most rain. If the start times of other events are affected by weather, the best place to see that is on our app. 
• How do I report an issue or ask for assistance during the festival?
  • Any issue can be reported to our uniformed security guards and festival staff.
• Is there a designated meeting point if I get separated from my group?
  • We suggest planning a designated area with your group, but the festival gates make a great easy to remember location.