Fort Wayne, Indiana, is about to echo with rhythm again as Sweetwater DrumFest makes its return this June. The 2025 edition, set for the 6th and 7th, will unfold across Sweetwater’s massive campus: part music store, part event space, part pilgrimage site for musicians. For two full days, drummers from around the world will converge to share chops, swap stories, and soak in a weekend built around sound.
From 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. each day, DrumFest keeps the beat going strong with a schedule packed with artist clinics, autograph sessions, and hands-on workshops. It’s part of Sweetwater’s larger mission: one they’ve stuck to for years, of building a place where music makers at every level can learn, connect, and grow. Whether you’re a touring pro or still figuring out rudiments, the programming has something for you.
Friday’s lineup brings big-name energy: Tommy Clufetos, whose thunderous style has powered Ozzy and Sabbath, and Art Cruz, currently holding down the kit for Lamb of God, will both lead sessions and meet fans. Saturday keeps the momentum alive with Nic Collins, Trevor Lawrence Jr., Tommy Aldridge, and Calvin Rodgers, all with different grooves, all offering insight shaped by years on stage and in the studio.
And then there’s the World’s Fastest Drummer Challenge, equal parts thrill and chaos: back once again to test speed and stamina. Around the venue, history buffs can check out displays from the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame and the Percussive Arts Society, offering a look at drumming’s deeper roots alongside its modern expressions.
But DrumFest isn’t just about what happens on stage. There’s a retail side to the rhythm, too. Kicking off May 31 and running through June 7, Sweetwater’s DrumFest sale covers a huge range of percussion gear: online and in-store. For those who register early, VIP passes are available for both days, and they’ll automatically be entered into a $2,500 Sweetwater gift card giveaway. Not bad for clicking a link.
It’s all part of a bigger picture. Since its start in 1979, Sweetwater has grown from a small shop to a national force, with more than 2,500 employees now, and they’ve earned their name not just for what they sell, but for how they support the folks who buy it. Between educational outreach, artist partnerships, and tech help that actually helps, their presence in the industry keeps growing.
Samantha Hunter, who heads Campus Productions & Artist Relations, summed it up best: “It’s a convergence of passion, education, and community.” And really, that’s what makes DrumFest stand out. It’s not just about flash solos or big gear, it’s about people coming together around the thing they love most.
With a stacked lineup, nonstop programming, and a crowd ready to talk shop and trade fills, Sweetwater DrumFest 2025 isn’t just another store event. It’s a full-on celebration of percussion, and a reminder that in the right hands, rhythm brings people closer.