Governors Ball is a three-day multi stage music festival for all ages in New York. I think this was the 6th or 7th of the music festival. Anyone who knows me knows I love a good festival. I don’t know, I’m a free spirit and just like to have fun. I decided to go to Governors Ball Music Festival for the first time this year on June 2nd In NYC on Randall’s Island. I have attended other music festivals like EDC, and I always heard good things about the Governors Ball festival, so I decided to see for myself. Also living on the Upper East Side, I figured if I didn’t go I would just hear the festival across the river and wish I went anyway like years prior. The entire time after purchasing the ticket I was praying to the weather gods it would be a sunny day since the year before it was rained out, and luckily for me the weather was perfect!
A few people were asking me how to get tickets and find out information about the event so here is some information to help you navigate this festival and maybe others you wish to attend. First, if you have to plan ahead to attend this festival, and this is just like many other festivals because the tickets will sell out. If you cannot plan that far ahead, then I cannot help you get to the festival once its festival month or weekend. The tickets for Governors Ball go on sale three to four months prior to the event. Go to www.governorsballl.com and subscribe to receive email notifications when future Gov Ball events is a good start. When you receive notification, the tickets are available to purchase, then you need to decide what type of ticket you and your festival squad are going to buy. This is the interesting part, and always the longest part for me depending on my friends.
You can pick from General Admission three-day ticket, general admission one day ticket, which then you need to decide what day has the lineup you want to see most, or VIP three-day ticket or VIP one day ticket admission. VIP will grant you access to separate areas throughout the event. Most of the time I will purchase a VIP ticket just for the separate upgraded bathrooms alone. Try being a girl at festival at the wrong time and this makes all the difference. Also, if you like good music, sun and good vibes but not being in a crowd of people, VIP is the way to go. It’s less crowded and will have the best views of the stage. It’s also easier to get drinks and food throughout the day without long lines. Although the festival is Friday, Saturday and Sunday, last year I purchased only a Friday VIP ticket and figured one day would be enough for me. If you purchase only a GA ticket you will still have a great time, EXTRA is just my little name. Also, if you’re on a budget but still want to attend, sometimes festivals will offer monthly payment plans leading up to the festival so you can break up the ticket payment.
After you purchase your ticket you need to plan how you are going to get to the event. Last year in NYC there was a Ferry option as transportation since you are ON AN ISLAND. I took the Ferry from Midtown Manhattan after parking my car in a garage nearby. I love the ferry ride which to me is the most fun on a sunny day to get to and from the park. You will meet other people also attending the festival and can take great pictures of the city. If you are going to take the ferry you need to purchase the ferry tickets at the same time as you purchase the festival tickets. Once you complete your order they mail you wrist bands ahead of time for the event. You MUST have your wristbands and activate them before entering the park. It helps things move along quickly moving all of the excited people inside and on the Island. I also rented a locker last year in case I buy things in the park or do not feel like holding my bag the entire day. They also have phone chargers inside, so I would also recommend purchasing that ahead of time before the park crowd or arriving early. I would go with a minimum of three or 4 people to festivals in my experience, just in case you want to split up your always with someone especially as a female in such a big crowd.
The event was too much fun! I really enjoyed the 21+ over sections and VIP sections. The pop up Casa Bacardi house was my favorite and Don Julio booth. The pop-up vendors were fun and great for photos. The food was good. I ate some pizza during when I first arrived. Later in the day I had chicken wings and fries. Not healthy eating but it’s festival day so I can cheat. There were soooo many of choices for food and a map to find the different food vendors. (King of Pops) were one of my favorite pops in Strawberry Lemonade flavor to help cool down on the hot day. Make sure to keep drinking water throughout the day and I recommend bringing a water bottle.
My favorite part of the event besides the artist playing were on stage were the interactive photobooths of course! I took a ton of cute photos. The art installations were really cute and perfect props to use for Instagrammable moments. I didn’t know all of the artist at Gov Ball since there was so many, but still enjoyed watching Kehlani and Tove Lo and Chance the Rapper the most. Other performers throughout the weekend were Childish Gambino, Wu Tang, Schoolboy Q, Wiz Khalifa, Logic, A$AP Ferg, Phoenix, and about 40 other performers. When you arrive, you receive a map at the beginning to inform you of where the three different stages are located around the park, and throughout the day the set times each artist will perform. There is even an app to help you plan ahead or receive notifications throughout the day as reminders.
I would definitely recommend visiting the festival if you have never gone. People of all ages are at this festival so you will not feel out of place, from college students to young professionals to adults with multiple children. It was a good day, good vibes, and good people. I was so tired from Day 1 I can’t imagine how tired the 3-day ticket holders were after the weekend ended. Governors Ball tickets for 2018 should go on sale in January 2018. Keep an eye out for tickets and start planning your trip.
Check out my post on Festival Essentials to see a checklist of what to wear to bring to a festival and other festival reviews like (Panorama). Also, always check the website ahead of time as each festival has different rules on what is or isn’t allowed inside the park.
