Locally Grown Festival 2025: A Grassroots Celebration of DMV Music & Art

Ottawa, ON –  July 24th, 2025

Photographed and Written by Caden Forrester (@flicksby4ster)

A Festival Born in the DMV Community

Locally Grown Festival is a grassroots music and arts festival that originated in the DMV music community. Founded by two brothers, Mateo and Sebastian Ferro, the festival was created to break down barriers to entry in the music industry and showcase the local talent in the area. “We bring in artists from our community, volunteers from our community, and employ local staff as well,” explains Nicolas Isaza Serpa, the festival’s Media Coordinator. In essence, Locally Grown is “built by the DMV music community.” It’s a family-driven endeavor aiming to “light a flame in the DMV music community” by elevating homegrown artists and creatives.

From One-Day Show to Multi-Day Festival

What began as a single-day outdoor concert last year (centered around Mateo Ferro’s performance) has quickly grown into a full two-day festival. In 2024, the inaugural Locally Grown was a one-day show featuring a few strong local artists and drawing an enthusiastic crowd. Now in 2025, the event is expanding to a festival format, hosting multiple stages, “two full days of performances, and many, many artists on the lineup.” The organizers aren’t just “putting on a show”; they are building a tradition they hope will “last for a very long time and bring people together for years to come”. Attendees can expect an immersive weekend of live music, art, and community, with local vendors on site offering unique products and food from around the DMV. In short, Locally Grown 2025 is bigger and better, transforming a humble concert into an ambitious regional festival.

Local Talent Takes Center Stage

One of Locally Grown’s greatest strengths is its homegrown lineup. The festival features dozens of artists across genres, from hip-hop and R&B to rock and EDM. Here are a few of the headliners and must-see acts to look out for:

  • Mateo Ferro – A Spanglish hip-hop artist from Bethesda who merges hip-hop and reggaeton with funk and pop influences. Mateo’s rising local fame was a driving force behind Locally Grown’s creation, and as one of the founders, he represents the festival’s heart and mission. Expect an electrifying performance from the hometown star.

  • Blaxian – A genre-blending singer, songwriter, and producer making waves in the DMV’s R&B/hip-hop scene. With nearly 40,000 monthly listeners on Spotify and even being touted by local media as “D.C.’s version of Michael Jackson,” Blaxian’s trajectory is skyrocketing. He’ll be headlining the Locally Grown stage on Sunday (Aug 3), bringing high-energy vocals and dance-ready tracks to the festival crowd.
KANG

An emerging Maryland artist whose music spans pop, R&B, and rap. KANG scored a viral hit with his song “Day 5” and has been relentless in his grind as both a musician and an entrepreneur. Founder of a local collective-turned-label, he’s making global waves from the DMV and will be another headline performer lighting up the stage.

The Montaines

A rapidly blossoming indie rock band from Washington, D.C., adding an alternative flavor to the lineup. Described as a “sticky guitar riffs and romantic songs” outfit with a sound that could sit on your favorite Tumblr-era playlist, The Montaines draw influence from bands like The 1975 and LCD Soundsystem. They’ll be headlining on Sunday alongside Blaxian, representing the rock side of the festival’s genre spectrum.

DJ Fairinheight

A Maryland-based DJ/producer who brings the dance party. Fairinheight’s sets fuse deep bass dubstep drops with flowing trance rhythms and even flavors of his Latin roots. He’s sure to get the crowd moving all night, showcasing the festival’s electronic and EDM elements.

These are just a few of the 50+ local artists scheduled to perform. The full lineup features a range of backgrounds and styles. Whether you’re into hip-hop, indie rock, Latin pop, or electronic beats, Locally Grown’s lineup has something for everyone.

More Than Music: Community and Culture

Beyond the performances, Locally Grown Festival is about community building and cultural celebration. The festival’s mission is rooted in uplifting local creatives, not only musicians on stage but also the people behind the scenes. Involving local volunteers, staff, and vendors, the event is creating opportunities for future festival workers, major artists, photographers, and more, right from the community. Attendees will find a village of local vendors at the festival, offering everything from art and merch to food trucks. This focus on local participation gives the festival a grassroots atmosphere.

“Locally Grown is for everyone… Locally Grown is a movement,” the organizers proclaim, emphasizing that this isn’t just another music festival, it’s a platform to “shine a light on unrecognized talent.” In its second year, Locally Grown is already fostering a network of artists and fans who take pride in the DMV scene. The festival’s family-oriented roots (it is, after all, a Ferro family project) and its inclusivity ensure that people of all ages and backgrounds can come together to celebrate homegrown art. It’s a weekend of “fresh voices, local connection, and theater in all its forms,” lighting a spark that organizers hope will ignite the region’s creative community for years to come.

When and Where to Experience Locally Grown

Mark your calendars: Locally Grown Festival 2025 takes place on August 2–3, 2025 (Saturday and Sunday). The festival will be held at the Toca Juniors Soccer Complex (3348 Big Woods Rd) in Frederick County, Maryland, a spacious outdoor venue where stages and tents will transform the fields. Gates are expected to open in the afternoon (around 3:00 PM EDT), with performances stretching into the night. GA tickets are available for purchase! Festival goers are encouraged to secure tickets in advance through the 1899 Productions’ ticket portal (1899productions.com/category/all-products)

Don’t miss this chance to be part of a brand-new festival built from the ground up by the local community. Whether you’re a DMV native or just love discovering new talent, Locally Grown offers an inspiring festival experience unlike any other. Come out to support your local artists, enjoy great music and art, and witness the start of an annual tradition in the DMV. As Locally Grown’s team likes to say, this festival is “not just a show,” it’s the beginning of a movement. 

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