Ladybug Music Festival Returns To Downtown Wilmington With All-women Lineup

Milford Ladybug Music Festival September 2023. (Photo by John Mollura Photography)

WILMINGTON – The Ladybug Music Festival will return on Friday, May 30, 2025. Now in its 13th year, the free, rain-or-shine event continues to spotlight women in music with a vibrant and diverse lineup featuring over 30 artists from across the US.

Founded in 2012 and produced by Gable Music Ventures, Ladybug was created to provide more performance opportunities for women in music. This year’s event will include a main stage on the 400 block of Market Street and performances at venues such as The Crown at The Queen, Willingtown Square, Merchant Bar, Huxley & Hiro, The Quoin’s rooftop, and others. These locations will host a mix of performers, not only from the Wilmington and Philadelphia region but also from as far as Tennessee, Florida, and New York.

Headlining this year’s festival is acclaimed indie-alternative pop-rock artist Margaret Glaspy. Her latest EP, The Sun Doesn’t Think (ATO Records), follows her widely praised album Echo The Diamond, which earned accolades from The New York Times, NPR, The New Yorker, and The New Yorker.

Other standout acts on the bill include Philadelphia alt-rock band KOSER, Georgia-based R&B and blues ensemble AE the Cool, Grammy-nominated blues-rock icon Martha Wash, and Latina/world music trailblazer Eljuri.

The festivities officially kick off at 4:15 p.m. with DJ Shadylady on the Main Stage before live performances begin at 5:00 p.m. Fans can catch DJ Shadylady again at the festival’s official after-party, hosted at The Crown at The Queen starting at 10:30 p.m.

Beyond the music, attendees can enjoy local food trucks, artisan vendors, live art installations, and a variety of drink options.

New this year are two lead-up events leading into festival weekend. The Queen and Downtown Visions are partnering with Ladybug to host Countdown to Ladybug events. On Wednesday, May 28, the celebration starts with the City Sounds Block Party on the 800 block of Market Street. The next evening, Maker’s Alley will host the official launch of the 2025 She Rocks Ladybug Beer, brewed specially for the occasion by Wilmington Brew Works.

Looking ahead to this year’s event, founder Gayle Dillman reflected on the festival’s continued growth.

“Every year we are so fortunate to get to host such an array of talent from across the country,” said Dillman. “We’re incredibly proud that Ladybug is a space where artists from a variety of genres at different stages of their own journey can come together and share in this celebration.”

Presented by CHASE, The Ladybug Music Festival is a “WXPN Welcomes” event and is supported by a host of community sponsors.

For a full lineup and updates, follow The Ladybug Music Festival online and on social media.