{"id":263900,"date":"2026-06-11T23:47:31","date_gmt":"2026-06-11T23:47:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/263900\/"},"modified":"2026-06-11T23:47:31","modified_gmt":"2026-06-11T23:47:31","slug":"governors-ball-2026-always-having-a-ball-in-queens","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/263900\/","title":{"rendered":"Governors Ball 2026: Always Having A Ball In Queens"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"\"\"Governors Ball (Gov Ball) music festival took place Friday, June 5 to Sunday, June 7 in Queens at Flushing Meadows Corona Park. The three-day extravaganza featured more than 60 talented artists and is considered by many to be \u201cthe gold standard for an East Coast music festival.\u201d Deemed New York City\u2019s \u201cpremier outdoor pop event\u201d by The New York Times, and \u201cNew York City\u2019s best music festival\u201d by New York magazine, Governors Ball is routinely heralded as one of the top live music events in North America and the world at large. Certainly, this year was the best Gov Ball yet, as each year the festival gets more into its groove and surpasses all expectations. As signs plastered all over the festival note, \u201cYou\u2019re doing great!\u201d Gov Ball is great, as always.<\/p>\n

Many talented artists graced the three stages, most notably head\u00adliners Lorde on Friday, Stray Kids on Saturday, and A$AP Rocky on Sunday. Sadly, rain \"\"Saturday night closed the festival early, cancelling the sets of Kali Uchis and Amyl and the Sniffers. Luckily, Blood Orange was rescheduled for Sunday. Friday\u2019s lineup included: School of Rock Queens, Whatmore, Audrey Hobert, Del Water Gap, Mariah The Scientist, Katseye, The Backfires, Absolutely, King Princess, The Dare, Pierce The Veil, Baby Keem, Kids Rock for Kids, Old Mervis, Confidence Man, Arcy Drive, Turnover, The Beths, and Flipturn. Saturday\u2019s lineup included: Jimmyboy, Radio Free Alice, Wisp, 2hollis, Wet Leg, Major Lazer, Chanpan, Flowerovlove, Spacey Jane, Ravyn Lenae, Jade Lemac, Villanelle, Midnight Generation, Jane Remover, Snow Strippers, and Thee Sacred Sould. Sunday\u2019s lineup included: School of Rock New York, Lexa Gates, Slayyyter, Holly Humberstone, Geese, Dominic Fike, Evening Elephants, Hemlocke Springs, Rachel Chinouriri, Japanese Breakfast, Clipse, Jennie, Hannah Jadagu, After, Between Friends, Fcukers, Khamari, Hot Mulligan, and Freddie Gibbs & The Alchemist.<\/p>\n

\"\"A$AP Rocky was the closer Sunday night, enthralling guests with a full stage of about 100 A$AP look-alikes in white T-shirts and balaclavas dancing with a riot squad, a sight that kept guests discussing the final act the whole way home on the 7 train. Jane Remover, Slayyter, Japanese Breakfast, Stray Kids, Katseye, and Jennie were especially impressive. The K-pop artists added more of an international element to the festival, attracting younger guests who love KPop Demon Hunters, fitting as the festival takes place in the world\u2019s borough.<\/p>\n

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This year was the fourth year that Governors Ball took place at Flushing Meadows Corona Park. This was the \"\"sixth Governors Ball in Queens, as the 2021 and 2022 festivals took place a short walk away, at Citi Field. Citi Field-Mets Willets Point was still the closest subway stop to the festival, with easy (enough) access to the 7 train. For some though, the 15-20 minute walk delayed their entry. Dressing for both comfort and fashion was the name of the game, and the Queens Gazette captured photos of some of the best looks. This year was the 15th Governors Ball, though they celebrated their 16th anniversary since the 2020 festival was cancelled. The Queens location is of course more convenient for Queens residents, and one could argue also for festival-goers from all over the city, country, and world. Flushing Meadows Corona Park is much easier to access by public transportation than Governors Island or Randalls Island, the previous locations of the festival. The Queens Gazette hopes that Gov Ball has found a permanent home at Flushing Meadows Corona Park. One would hope that Queens politicians taking the stage is a good sign towards Gov Ball staying in Queens.<\/p>\n

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\"\"Councilman Shekar Krishnan, who represents Jackson Heights, Elmhurst, East Elmhurst, and Woodside took \"\"to the main stage and said, \u201cWhat\u2019s up Gov Ball? We got Queens in the house. We outside in Flushing Meadows. The Knicks are winning. We got great music tonight. So Gov Ball, I\u2019ve got one thing for you: My mayor Muslim, My bagel Jewish, My Christian Dior, Knicks in Four. Get it Gov Ball. Let\u2019s go Knicks. Happy Pride!\u201d The chant is already going viral.<\/p>\n

This year\u2019s \u201cGov Ball Gives Back\u201d program works directly with local and national non-profits, as well as cultural organizations within Flushing Meadows Corona Park. Gov Ball ensures these important causes and institutions receive the marketing and financial support they need to further their missions, including Commonpoint (ECRC) and CHHAYA CDC. By giving back to the communities of Queens, Gov Ball is solidifying its place as the best music festival in NYC, right here in Queens.<\/p>\n

NYC weather has been getting stranger and more unpredictable with global \u201cweirding.\u201d Although typically Gov Ball is sunny with perfect summer weather, Saturday night\u2019s predicted rainstorm caused the festival to end early at 7.30pm. This writer got caught in a mass exodus out of the park as the rain hit with thousands of other festival-goers, with no umbrellas (not allowed through security) and surprisingly many ponchos. Gov Ball guests are prepared, as any seasoned festival guest should be. Though in the moment soaked clothing and shoes might not feel good, the rain was also exhilarating. Luckily, Friday and Sunday\u2019s weather were perfect, minus a quick Sunday shower. Ideally, guests are able to purchase 3 Day Passes, to account for any weather discrepancies.<\/p>\n

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The food and beverage vendors at Governors Ball are always top-notch, and this year was no different. \u201cFood and beverage have always been a cornerstone of Gov Ball, and this year\u2019s lineup is our best one yet,\u201d said Tom Russell, co-founder of Governors Ball. \u201cWith exciting new additions and longtime festival favorites, our diverse menu is curated to delight every palette.\u201d<\/p>\n

For the first time, Gov Ball sold THC beverages by ayrloom with 1mg THC and 15mg CBG, available for purchase at every bar across the festival. Mack Hueber, President of ayrloom said, \u201cTHC beverages for sale at festivals isn\u2019t a footnote \u2013 it\u2019s a timestamp. It marks the shift to becoming a genuine fixture of how people choose to gather, celebrate, and socialize. It\u2019s not the beginning of mainstream, it\u2019s the confirmation.\u201d One hopes that this trend will continue to allow guests non-alcoholic options. The ayrloom garden club, an interactive beverage garden, was also packed all weekend with 4:20 flower hours.<\/p>\n

The food offerings impressed with over 60 vendors featuring both local and national options, including some spots from the Queens Night Market. Some delicious options included San Matteo Pizza, Shake Shack, Parm, Tacombi, Prince Street Pizza, La Braza, Mao\u2019s Bao, Gordo\u2019s Cantina, Little Charli, Bel-Fries, Berry Stop, Bru Brothers Coffee, Butchery & Beyond,<\/p>\n

Dallas BBQ, Dank Nugs, Davey\u2019s Ice Cream, Destination Dumplings, Doughnuttery, Eemas Cuisine, Flaming Wok, Gordo\u2019s Cantina, Gotham Burger Social Club, Grumpy Dumpling Co., Heady Hibachi, Hebros Cheesesteaks, John\u2019s Juice, La Panineria, Lobster Rolls & More, Mac Truck NYC, Matcha n\u2019 More, Matylda\u2019s Polish Food, No Good Burger, Piadi, Pizza Nova, Potluck Club, Renegade Lemonade, Smash & Grab, Sobol, Tea and Milk, Thai Jasmine, Try Vegan, Twisted Potato, and Walter\u2019s Hot Dogs. Sweet options included Fan Fan Doughnuts, Van Leeuwen Ice Cream, La Newyorkina, and King of Pops. This writer had the opportunity to eat some deliciously decadent mini Shake Shack burgers during Happy Hour with complimentary light bites at the Press Lounge. Most New Yorkers probably already love Shake Shack, but just in case, here\u2019s a plug to enjoy some more. The Press Lounge also had Welch\u2019s Fusions gummies, which this writer is debating buying in bulk from now on. Fusions are actually that good. Great products and brands often sponsor Gov Ball, giving guests a taste (or two) of their next favorites. Slurpees from 7-11 were also available for all guests, with many sporting a complimentary blue Gov Ball exclusive fan from Slurpee Street, celebrating 60 years of Slurpees. Anyone can text SLURPEE to 711711 to receive six small Slurpees through their rewards app.<\/p>\n

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This writer also got to be wowed by San Matteo Pizza and hopes to visit their Manhattan locations for some more crispy Margarita brick oven pizza. San Matteo Pizza has been vending at Governors Ball for eight years and even vends at Coachella. Matteo Casella, 15, from Westchester and son of the owner, was working the booth for his first time at Gov Ball. He said, \u201cIt\u2019s been great. I came because my dad asked me to. I\u2019ve been working hard, so I didn\u2019t catch any of the acts. I want to get better at using the register and come back next year.\u201d<\/p>\n

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Dominic Fike said during his set, \u201cI really like the staff here at Gov Ball.\u201d The staff at Gov Ball is always attentive and kind, answering questions all day and night long. Gov Ball excels at customer service, which helps explain why so many guests come back year after year. Veronica-Grace Charles, 20 from Roosevelt Island and a Pace student, worked at Gov Ball in Guest Services and Gate Operations for her first time this year, though she came as a guest last year. She said, \u201cI saw an opportunity to work and took it. I love music. I just came from a pit at Jane Remover. I love the business of music, so I thought let me try to find a job here. I hope I do this every year. Last year, I thought, I love Gov Ball but what if I could work here? As someone studying the business of music, this is awesome. The standing sucks but the fact is I get to be in the business and see the operations behind the scene. The most common question I get asked is: Where is the box office? One thing I say a lot over the megaphone is no liquids. Ice is allowed, though. It\u2019s a solid. That\u2019s the trick word there. Fill your Hydro flask or water bottle with ice. Key word is liquid. I\u2019m gonna go to law school, so I gotta know the importance of words. I want to tell people the things I would wanna know. If you want to work, go to your local area for opportunities. That\u2019s why I love NYC. There are so many opportunities.\u201d Obviously, Governors Ball in Queens is a massive local opportunity for Queens residents and people all over NYC.<\/p>\n

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Thomas Brannigan, 34, from Bergen County New Jersey, returned to Gov Ball to work the VIP merchandise booth for a second year. He asked to be referred to as \u201cThe T-shirt Guy.\u201d He said, \u201cI love it. I\u2019m having a great time. It\u2019s an experience. I get to make people\u2019s day while they\u2019re at the show. Everyone is here to have a good time. Music is the common denominator. I was surprised by the lineup, especially Wisp and Villanelle from the UK. They came by and bought shirts and we connected and laughed before I knew they were in the band and they came back later and took photos. My advice is to use suntan lotion and stay hydrated. Make sure to stop by and see The T-Shirt Guy. At this Gov Ball, I set the record for most jackets sold. It\u2019s a beautiful $175 limited edition jacket. We are almost sold out, and definitely will be if the T-Shirt guy has anything to do with it.\u201d<\/p>\n

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Of course, safety is a priority for Gov Ball, so there are always many refillable water stations for guests to stay hydrated as well as cooling stations. Gov Ball also partners with This Must Be the Place, an overdose prevention nonprofit, to educate guests about fentanyl risks and supply Naloxone\/Narcan at their booth. Diana Vizza, 28, from Hell\u2019s Kitchen Manhattan, worked the Medical Team at Gov Ball for the first time. She said, \u201cI really loved just happening to catch \u2018The Dare\u2019 on Friday! I had a patient near that stage and had never heard of the band before then and now I\u2019m hooked! It\u2019s a great mix of genres. Very chaotic with the crowd extrication rescues, and over 1100 patients, but given the heat, the fact that we didn\u2019t have even more I think speaks to people taking care of each other impressively well.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"\"The Gazette noted last year that Gov Ball had a lot more families than in previous years, a trend that continued this year as well. The Gazette even snapped a photo of a mom with her baby strapped to her chest. Natalie Marie O\u2019Hara, 39, from Long Island, was attending the festival with her 13-year-old daughter, Violet Laura O\u2019Hara, for their first festival together. Natalie said, \u201cIt\u2019s been a wonderful experience. We are here to see Dominic Fike. She loves his music. His music healed her anxiety, so this is my gift to her. Music has gotten me out of dark places too. His lyrics are so in tune with life. He\u2019s been through his own struggles. It\u2019s nice to hear somebody else who is humbled and going through things like you. I\u2019m a fan now because of her.\u201d During the Dominic Fike set, a fan\u2019s sign was displayed on the screens noting, \u201cYour Music Saved My Life 4 Times\u201d which is a sentiment that echoes with the younger crowds at Gov Ball.<\/p>\n

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Mary Wang-Boucher, 46, from Northampton Massachusetts, attended Gov Ball for the first time with her 9 year old son and 13 year old daughter. She said, \u201cShe\u2019s at Stray Kids screaming. Honestly, I have no idea why she likes them so much. He\u2019s never been to a hip hop or rap show before. This is his first time. I\u2019ve been looking forward to the kids having a good time and seeing their faces. She got a glimpse of Stray Kids going on stage and her face lit up. They have a great fandom. Everyone makes their own merch like bracelets and they pass it out for free to people. It\u2019s mostly younger kids, college age and younger. There were some women closer to my age. People were really into it, but my son wasn\u2019t. It\u2019s hard for kids. This festival seems to cover everybody. Lorde was the only one I knew. My husband knew everybody. He\u2019s really into music.\u201d Being able to attend in VIP does make the festival more accessible, though the ticket prices range from $500 for one day to $900 for the full three days. Luckily, this writer was able to attend Gov Ball with a press pass, which also gave access to VIP.<\/p>\n

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Priscilla Esteves, 24, from Bellrose, attended Gov Ball for her fifth time, appreciating that the festival is in Queens, where she lives. Her pro tip was to splurge for VIP tickets. She said, \u201cThis year was really hot out. There were also different genres from previous years. We really liked Lorde yesterday. Whatmore was good. They met while they were LaGuardia students. My advice is always have a reusable water bottle and wear comfortable shoes you don\u2019t mind getting dirty. And sunscreen. I burned my arms yesterday. This year, pit viewing was bigger. It used to be small, like 20 people. Now it\u2019s 100 people. It\u2019s much bigger this year. VIP compared to GA, you have people camping from 2 AM or 3 AM. You can breathe easier and be safer in VIP. You can walk out and come back.\u201d VIP is certainly the way to be, if one can make it happen.<\/p>\n

Charlie Chen, 25, from Midtown Manhattan, took the 7 train to get to Gov Ball for her first time. She said, \u201cWe came because my friends wanted to see Jennie and A$AP. She was great. I saw her perform at the Blackpink concert in Flushing. She was about the same solo as with a group. She has the stage presence to fill up the whole stage for herself. She really shined. I wish I knew the layout better of the space, so I could get around better. Maybe I didn\u2019t do enough research. There\u2019s a lot of space. I like to go to different stages and find the artists I like, so there\u2019s a learning curve. I was surprised by CLIPSE. They had an amazing performance. The energy was insane. The crowd has been pretty peaceful. I expected push and shove, but that didn\u2019t happen. We did get a free VIP bracelet from the Patron Happy Hour. They were giving out margaritas and they gave to the first 100 people VIP wristbands. It was my first time in VIP. At first, we were skeptical but then it worked when we scanned. I\u2019d say the biggest difference is that VIP has bathrooms that are trailers. Stay hydrated. Stay safe.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"\"This year, one day GA tickets were $200, so it was possible to be a more casual enjoyer of the entertainment, even when visiting from the West Coast. Vanessa Garcia, 25, from Los Angeles, attended Gov Ball for the first time, visiting friends who just graduated from NYU. She said, \u201cWe came kind of late. My friend got a security guard\u2019s number. I got a drink and the guy was super sweet and over poured. I\u2019m glad I saw Major Lazer and Stray Kids. I\u2019m bummed out it has to end early today. There\u2019s a storm tonight. In the case of an emergency, everything shuts down.\u201d It is admirable how Gov Ball prioritizes guest safety.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

Overall, all agree: Gov Ball is the place to be! And guess what? It just so happens to be in Queens! The Queens Gazette looks forward to continuing to cover one of the best music festivals in the world, and it\u2019s quite convenient that it\u2019s also in Queens\u2019 backyard. Who will thrill us next year?<\/p>\n

Photos by Nicollette Barsamian<\/p>\n

\"\" \"\" \"\" \"\" \"\" \"\" \"\" \"\" \"\" \"\"\"\"<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Governors Ball (Gov Ball) music festival took place Friday, June 5 to Sunday, June 7 in Queens at…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":263901,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[37],"tags":[9,24,63,122,124,123],"class_list":["post-263900","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-queens","tag-new-york","tag-new-york-city","tag-nyc","tag-queens","tag-queens-headlines","tag-queens-news"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/263900","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=263900"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/263900\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/263901"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=263900"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=263900"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=263900"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}