M3 Rock Festival
If you thought 80s rock music was a thing of the past, then think again. The M3 Rock Festival proves that it’s not only alive and well, but thriving. Check it out in Columbia, Maryland.
Event information
If you thought 80s rock music was a thing of the past, then think again. The M3 Rock Festival proves that it’s not only alive and well, but thriving. The festival is a springtime event in May every year at the Merriweather Post Pavilion in Columbia, Maryland.
Thousands of people from every state, 20 countries, and six continents make their way to Maryland to enjoy three days of multi-platinum-selling 1980s artists taking them back to one of the best musical eras.
Crowd favorites such as Danger Danger, Quiet Riot, Skid Row, and Whitesnake have all graced the stages of Merriweather Post Pavilion, introducing young fans to glam metal and old fans to their classic favorites.
M3 Rock Festival has been one of the nation’s most anticipated music events for over a decade, and tickets sell out fast every year. But it’s not only the headline acts that cause mass hysteria when tickets go up for sale but the venue, too.
Merriweather Post Pavilion is a 40-acre outdoor concert venue within the beautiful Symphony Woods. It consistently ranks highly as one of the best amphitheaters in the nation and is a highlight of any festival-goer’s visit. It’s a park-like setting adjacent to I-29 and provides the perfect environment for fans to spread out, enjoy the spring sunshine, and reminisce over old classics from days gone by.
It’s also well-appointed for those who have traveled by motorhome to enjoy what else Columbia in Maryland has to offer. You can go exploring at Patapsco Valley State Park, walking and picnicking at Lake Elkhorn, or hiking at Middle Patuxent Environmental Area if weather permits.
It’s time to purchase your M3 Rock Festival tickets, put 10475 Little Patuxent Parkway, Columbia in your GPS, and get ready for three days of out-of-this-world rock music.
Tickets
M3 Rock Festival is all about consistency, which is why the tickets go up for sale at the same time every year. Make sure you check the organizer’s website in December to avoid missing out on tickets. Three-day and VIP packages, as well as pavilion seating all sell out fast. You can also purchase single-day tickets online or at Merriweather Post Pavilion if not sold out prior. Reserved parking can form part of the ticket price.
Explore M3 Rock Festival RV Rentals
Transportation
Driving
M3 Rock Festival welcomes guests to the Merriweather Post Pavilion in Columbia, Maryland. Given that nearly 40 percent of attendees live out of the state or country, you may require a little assistance getting to the venue ahead of time. Maryland 511 can help keep you up to date with congestion, any delays you may face, and the best roads to take to get to your destination at 10475 Little Patuxent Parkway.
Columbia also boasts an excellent road network with US Route 29, I-95, MD-32, MD-175, and MD-108, servicing the city. These highways also allow access to neighboring Baltimore, Annapolis, and Washington, D.C. Whether you’re traveling to the festival venue in your pilot vehicle or motorhome, allow plenty of time to get there and have your parking information ready for a seamless entry into Merriweather Post Pavilion.
Parking areas
Out of all festivals in the United States, the M3 Rock Festival boasts some of the most organized parking systems. When you buy your tickets online, you can pre-select parking at the same time. Doing so will ease congestion in and out of the venue. As long as you have your electronic or physical parking ticket with you, you’ll be able to head to your pre-organized parking area in or around Merriweather Post Pavilion with minimal hassle.
If you plan to travel in a larger motorhome or travel trailer, be sure to inquire about size regulations before booking your parking arrangements. If you have made alternative arrangements, such as taxi, rideshare, or bus, then you can be dropped off at the venue and picked up at your leisure.
Public Transportation
If you have not preselected parking and wish to rely on public transportation instead, then there are a few options. You can book a taxi or rideshare service, or try your luck with the local bus network. However, it’s crucial to check whether the bus schedule aligns with the festival’s start and finish times and if it’s easy to walk from the bus stop to the festival.
For those who are parking their motorhomes at accommodation beforehand, you may find that a rideshare service provider or taxi is the best option.
Where to stay
Onsite
Onsite camping and overnight parking are not allowed at Merriweather Post Pavilion. However, you will be pleased to know that Columbia boasts many standout RV campgrounds nearby to suit all different travelers. If you have a Sprinter or another motorhome, then expand your search to within 30 miles of the festival site for some of the best RV campgrounds in the city.
Nearby
From primitive RV camping to full-service hookups with water, sewer, and power, you are spoiled for choice in Columbia, Maryland. There is a campground within a short ten-mile drive of the festival, and even more up to 30 miles away.
You’ll even be able to enjoy a touch of luxury at campgrounds accessible with a large RV such as Washington DC / Capitol KOA Holiday in Millersville, Maryland. Book your accommodation at the same time as your M3 Rock Festival tickets for a better chance of securing your first choice.
Getting around
Upon parking your motorhome in one of the several parking lots, you’ll find the best way to get around the M3 Rock Festival site is on foot. Given how many people are in attendance, any other mode of transportation, such as scooters and skateboards, would be a hazard.
Wear your most comfortable footwear and familiarize yourself with all parts of the Pavilion, such as the vendors, restrooms, and main stage, so that you can access everything quickly and conveniently.
What to pack
Clothing
Merriweather Post Pavilion is an all-weather outdoors venue. Given that M3 Rock Festival is in spring, it’s a good idea to wear layers that will ensure your comfort during the day and once night falls. Footwear with plenty of tread to navigate the grassy areas will also work in your favor.
Gear
As with most festivals in the United States, gear restrictions are in place. Any personal possessions you bring must be in a small, clear bag. You may also bring a lawn chair, a small blanket, food in a clear plastic container, and one empty or factory-sealed water bottle. Don’t forget your ticket, ID, and plenty of cash for food and beverage purchases throughout the weekend.
Health & Safety
M3 Rock Festival is a rain or shine event, so factor both in when thinking about what to bring on your RV adventure to Columbia, Maryland. Any sun safety supplies, such as sunscreen, a sun hat, and sunglasses, are integral to your comfort during the festival. However, you may like to leave any toiletries and a first aid kit in your RV. If you require prescription medication, ensure it’s clearly labeled.
Where to eat
Cooking
Grills are not permitted at M3 Rock Festival, but they will come in handy when you park somewhere for a bite to eat once the festival is over. Make sure you carry enough food and cooking supplies for your RV trip and top up your propane tank before you hit the road. You can also stock up on additional supplies at the local markets within a five-mile drive of the pavilion.
Restaurants
The Merriweather Post Pavilion is a stone’s throw from the Town Center, which means that quality eateries are easily accessible once you leave the festival. Within a ten-mile radius of the festival site, you can be at the front door of a standout restaurant or convenient fast food outlet to satisfy your palate. Allow extra time for service due to the number of visitors in the city for the festival.
Vendors
Once you enter M3 Rock Festival, you can’t exit and re-enter. As a result, festival officials ensure everything you need to keep happy is available within the venue. Vendors will be on site, lined up, and ready to take your order. Make sure you have cash handy, as not all vendors will accept credit cards and debit cards. You may also bring in your own food, but the smell of freshly-cooked snacks wafting from the food trucks may be too hard to pass up.
Safety
Security
Once you arrive at M3 Rock Festival, make sure you’ve got your ticket and ID at the ready. Any personal possessions should be in a single clear bag, and a “less is best” approach is certainly encouraged. Leave as much as you can in your RV, but store valuables out of sight.
If you have any questions or require assistance, security guards at the festival will be more than happy to help. Otherwise, police are available within a three-mile driving distance of the festival site.
Weather
M3 Rock Festival is a springtime event, and temperatures aren’t scorching-hot, to put it mildly. You can expect highs of around 80 degrees-Fahrenheit, and lows of 45 to 50. Before you set off on your RV camping trip, check a weather app. You can then be aware of any adverse weather conditions and prepare accordingly for this outdoor event.
Medical
Dehydration is a common concern at music festivals, but sprains, cuts, bruises, and other injuries are too. For those, or anything else, approach a security guard to point you in the direction of first aid care.
In an emergency, approach a site official and dial 911. There is a hospital within two miles of the festival, and a pharmacy within the same distance if you need to stop up on supplies.
