6 Tips for Attending Lancaster Roots and Blues Festival 2022
Mark your calendar for July 9 - 10 as the 2022Roots & Blues Festival once again heats up the Lancaster music scene. If you missed it in the past, don’t make that same mistake again!
This year’s event will feature performances by over 70+ of the very best blues artists from across the country at 7 different venues on multiple stages—all within just a few blocks of each other in Lancaster City. Pretty convenient, right?
Check out the Roots and Blues Festival’s website for a detailed listing of the amazing talent you can see and hear. The music covers a variety of genres including r&b, jazz, folk, funk, roots reggae, rock, and more.
This Blog is All About Lancaster Roots and Blues
1. Sampling of Performers at the 2022 Roots n Blues Festival
Want a small sampling of the fabulous music you’ll enjoy? A few of the fantastic musicians performing at this year's Lancaster Roots & Blues fest are: Toronzo Cannon (deep, contemporary Chicago Blues), Ana Popovich (phenomenal 6 piece band), Jimmy Vivino (bandleader from Conan O'Brian), Lonnie Shields (Delta-born guitarist singer-songwriter), Empire Strikes Brass (supremely fun band), Charlie Apicella & Iron City feat. Don Braden (GREAT jazz) and Swamp Dixon (powerful soul & blues singer!).
2. The venues for the 2022 music festival include:
Fulton Theater | 12 North Prince Street
Holiday Inn Lancaster | 26 E. Chestnut Street
Lancaster Convention Center | 25 S. Queen Street
Marriott Penn Square | 25 S. Queen Street
Tellus360 | 24 E. King Street
The Elk's Lodge | 219 N. Duke Street
Zoetropolis | 114 N. Water Street
You can easily walk the short distance between all venues.
3. Ticket Prices & Options
General Admission:
General admission tickets will get you in to see all shows except the few that are VIP only. That said, the General Admission (GA) level tickets will still give you more music than you could possibly see.
VIP tickets provide attendees an extra special experience for anyone who wants to make it a special weekend and like to support the festival. The VIP tickets always sell out in advance. Note: VIP tickets will be dated for July 9 and 10, 2022, just like the General Admission Tickets, but there will be a VIP event on Friday the 8th as noted.
Here's what you get with the purchase of a VIP Pass:
New for 2022, Roots and Blues is hosting a VIP-only concert on Friday evening, July 8. This is before the festival opens for the weekend on Saturday and Sunday July 9 and 10. There will be great live music with complimentary hors d'oeuvres. VIPs will be able to pick up your Lanyard credentials at this event on Friday so you can then go straight to your favorite concert on Saturday. (Don't worry, if you cant make it Friday, you can still pick up lanyard at the box office on Saturday or Sunday.)
The tradition of a Saturday afternoon VIP party continues. This time the party will be in the Fulton Theater in their newly constructed event space. The Fulton just finished a $30 million dollar renovation and is one of the most beautiful theaters in America. The party is from 4:00 to 6:00 pm. There will be live music and a variety of food provided by local restaurants and one complimentary beer or wine.
VIP Reserved Seating
VIP seating area in the center of Freedom Hall (Where the main stage is.) Look for the Bobby Rahal Lexus of Lancaster County sign at entrance to seating area. You are not obligated to sit in this area, but they do have good site lines. This seating area will be open all three days of the festival.
New for 2022, a second large stage- in the Commonwealth Ballroom at the Marriott and this too will feature a VIP seating area, just like the main stage.
VIP Meet & Greets
There are several VIP meet and greets with some of our main artists throughout the weekend. Artists to be announced.
4. Where to Eat During Lancaster Roots & Blues
There are so many fantastic restaurants in downtown Lancaster PA, within walking distance of the Lancaster Roots and Blues Festival venues. Here are TEN of our favorite downtown Lancaster restaurants:
Southern Market Food Hall | 100 S Queen St, Lancaster | website
Annie Bailey's | 28-30 E King St, Lancaster | website
There's plenty of parking in Lancaster City between street parking, open-air lots and multi-level parking garages. Here are some lots we recommend:
Penn Square Garage: 25 E Vine St, Lancaster
Steinman Parking Garage: 25 E Vine St, Lancaster
Hager Parking Lots: 40 N Market St
Grant Street Parking Lot: 37 N Christian St, Lancaster
Prince Street Garage: 111 N Prince St, Lancaster
East King Street Garage: 150 E King St, Lancaster
6. You Should Stay at a Historic Bed and Breakfast!
Best of all, when you stay at the Historic Smithton Inn, you’ll be just a short 20-minute drive from where all the action will take place. Call us to reserve your room for that weekend, or make your reservation online.