Vive Le Rock Productions is revving up for the return of Rockabillaque Charleston, celebrating its 12th anniversary on Saturday, Nov. 8, 2025, in the historic Park Circle neighborhood of North Charleston. The South’s largest festival celebrating mid-century Americana culture is free to attend, day and night.
What began in 2012 as a single-block car show with six bands and about 1,200 attendees has grown into a multi-block celebration featuring six outdoor stages, a car and bike show with more than 400 vehicles, a vendor market with over 100 unique sellers, and crowd favorites like the pinup, beard and mustache, and tattoo contests.
Rockabillaque has also expanded into southwest Florida, where it is marking its sixth year. Now drawing more than 18,000 attendees annually, the Charleston event remains independently produced and free to the public.
Weekend Lineup
The celebration kicks off Friday, Nov. 7, with a free party at Commonhouse Aleworks (6–10 p.m.) featuring live performances by the Anders Thomsen Trio (Savannah, Ga.), Sebastien Bordeaux (Nashville, Tenn.), and The Chris Casello Trio (Nashville, Tenn.).
The main festival takes place Saturday, Nov. 8, from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. along East Montague Avenue in Park Circle. Highlights include:
- Classic Car & Vintage Bike Show featuring more than 400 vehicles
- Vendor Market with over 100 boutique and vintage vendors
- Live music on six outdoor stages featuring more than 20 regional and national acts
- Contests including Miss Rockabillaque Pinup, Tattoo, and Beard & Mustache competitions
That evening, the festival continues with a Finale Party at Commonhouse Aleworks (6–8 p.m.) and an After Party at The Mill (9:30–11:30 p.m.) featuring The Defilers and Sean K Preston.
The festivities wrap up Sunday, Nov. 9, with the Atomic Splash Pool Party at The Starlight Motor Inn (noon–3 p.m.), a free event with RSVP at Rockabillaque.com featuring live music, tiki cocktails, food, and contests.
Music Highlights
This year’s headliner is the legendary Big Sandy & His Fly-Rite Boys, performing in Charleston for the first time in their 35-year career. Other featured acts include Sebastien Bordeaux, The Chris Casello Trio, Sean K Preston, The Patina Turners, Pleasure Chest Band, Brady and the Bazookas, Memphis Lightning, The Modern Eldorados, The Aqualads, Slim & The Gems, and many more.
Charleston favorites The Defilers reunite for this year’s event, joined by local artists Jared Petteys & The Headliners (who wrote the official festival theme song), Dan & The Donuts, Mission Critical, Shrimp City Slim & Juke Joint Johnny, and The Reef Shakers.
Poster & Record Release
The official 2025 festival poster, designed by award-winning Brazilian artist Cristiano Suarez, pays tribute to the 1958 sci-fi classic Attack of the 50 Foot Woman — reimagined with a tiki-inspired Park Circle twist.
For the first time ever, Rockabillaque will release a limited-edition vinyl record, featuring the “Rockabillaque Theme Song” by Jared Petteys & The Headliners. The 45 will be available at the festival merch booth in a variety of collectible colored vinyl editions with custom artwork, released through Rumble Road Records.
Giving Back
This year’s event will benefit Feral State, a Charleston-based nonprofit that empowers women through self-defense training and community support. The organization’s mission focuses on “safety, solidarity, and serious change.” Learn more at @feralstatechs.
Rockabillaque Charleston 2025 Schedule
Full schedule, including band set times, to be announced Monday, Oct. 20.
All events are free to attend.
Additional details, including band performance times, event additions, and contest schedules, will be released soon.
Friday, Nov. 7 – Kickoff Party
6–10 p.m. / Free
Hosted at Commonhouse Aleworks, featuring live music from regional and national acts.
Saturday, Nov. 8 – Main Festival
11 a.m.–6 p.m. / Free
Classic Car and Vintage Bike Show with more than 400 vehicles on display.
Vendor Market featuring more than 100 unique vendors.
Outdoor Stages with live music from over 20 regional and national acts.
Contests including the Miss Rockabillaque Pinup Contest, Tattoo Contest, and Beard & Mustache Competition.
6–8 p.m. / Free
Finale Party at Commonhouse Aleworks featuring live music (to be announced).
9:30–11:30 p.m. / Free
Afterparty at The Mill with performances by The Defilers and Sean K. Preston.
Sunday, Nov. 9 – Atomic Splash Pool Party
Noon–3 p.m. / Free (RSVP required at Rockabillaque.com)
Hosted at the Starlight Motor Inn, featuring live music, contests, tiki cocktails, food, and more.
For the full schedule, band lineup, and RSVP links, visit www.rockabillaque.com