North Coast Music Festival has been a mainstay in the Chicago music festival scene for 15 years. It’s returning to SeatGeek Stadium in Bridgeview, Illinois this weekend, where it will once again bring epic production and music for three days just outside the city limits. North Coast set times are out now, and read our review of last year’s festival if you’re considering attending.
NCMF goes past the 10 PM Chicago curfew on each day of the festival. For those looking to keep the party going past midnight, North Coast also has a lineup of aftershows at venues across the city and suburbs hosting a wide variety of artists. Take a look at some of our favorite North Coast afterparties below, and be sure to get your North Coast tickets before they sell out.
North Coast Music Festival 2025 Afterparties [tickets]
Lil Texas at The Pavilion, Friday 11:30 PM
While making some afterparties after North Coast is difficult, that’s not the case at The Pavilion. The backyard patio at the Branding Iron restaurant located across the street from the stadium, events here keep getting bigger and better every year. Friday is kicking off with a show from hardcore artist Lil Texas, which is sure to impress any usual patrons that stroll into the sports bar. The event is thrown by Chicago promoter Wub Life and features openers ROCKY, PIP3DR3AM, and Polarity.
Of The Trees at Garcia’s, Saturday 11:59 PM
One of the newer venues in Chicago, Garcia’s is an intimate space built to honor the legacy of The Grateful Dead and Jerry Garcia. A collaboration between the Garcia family and Dayglo Presents, the venue is carefully planned to celebrate the spirit of his life. Located near downtown in West Loop, Of The Trees will be the first electronic music show hosted at Garcia’s. His performance will be a special ‘Odds & Ends’ set, which promises to be even more mind-bending that an a usual Of The Trees Performance. Doors open at 10:30, and the show starts at midnight.
Brownies & Lemonade at Polekatz, 10 PM Sunday
Located just a few miles south of the venue, Brownies & Lemonade is bringing their signature lineup of surprise guests to Polekatz Chicago. As described on the official afters page: yes, it’s a strip club 4 miles from the fest. Polekatz has hosted North Coast afters for the past few years, and is also hosting the Summer’s Last Dance festival in September. There’s no way to know which artists will show up to Brownies & Lemonade until you arrive. Expect a curated night of music from one of the scene’s most distinct event promoters.
Zeds Dead b2b Liquid Stranger at Ramova Theatre, Sunday 10 PM
North Coast is saving their heaviest hitting after for Sunday night. Zeds Dead and Liquid Stranger, two legends in the bass scene and pioneers of modern dubstep, will be playing together to close out the weekend at Ramova Theatre. A classic Chicago theater that was just recently fully renovated and restored, Ramova continues to land major bookings. Opening duties will come from dubstep artist Heyz and local trap DJ CRWNS. Tickets sold out for this one early, but waitlist is still available.
Premier EDM 