On Saturday, September 13, 2025, the Hudson West Fest returns to Jersey City with an expanded program of music, dance, and workshops. The festival will take place at the Nimbus Arts Center, 329 Warren Street, Jersey City, NJ, running from 1:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m. The event is free for all attendees, supported by grants and community funding.
Founded in 2016, Hudson West Fest is an Americana, Folk, and Roots music festival that presents artists from across North America. Beyond its main annual event, the organization also holds year-round music programming, including workshops, a talent search, open mics, free concerts featuring local musicians, and free school music programs.
- Hudson West Fest 2025 will be held free of charge on Saturday, September 13, 2025, from 1:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at the Nimbus Arts Center in Jersey City, NJ.
- The festival lineup includes Amythyst Kiah, Dori Freeman, Quadrature, Christina Courtin, Alice Howe & Freebo, Niall Connolly, Nick Dunbar, Americana Family Jamboree, Rockness Music, Matthew Gronert, and Maidin.
- Free workshops will feature a Q&A with Amythyst Kiah, a Songwriter’s Toolkit with Alice Howe & Freebo, and Raga Music Appreciation with Neel Murgai.
Hudson West Fest 2025 Lineup and Schedule
The 2025 festival will feature two stages: an Indoor Stage inside the Nimbus Arts Center and an Outdoor Street Stage under the festival tent.
Indoor Stage Performances
- 1:00 p.m. – Emerging Artist: Matthew Gronert
- 1:30 p.m. – Alice Howe & Freebo
- 2:45 p.m. – Christina Courtin
- 4:00 p.m. – Emerging Artist: Maidin
- 4:30 p.m. – Dori Freeman
- 5:45 p.m. – Quadrature
- 7:00 p.m. – Amythyst Kiah
Street Stage Performances
- 1:15 p.m. – Rockness Music (for kids)
- 2:15 p.m. – Square Dance with the Americana Family Jamboree
- 3:30 p.m. – Songwriter Sandbox Song Swap featuring Route One, Robin Vincent, and Norman Salant
- 4:45 p.m. – Open Acoustic Jam with Hudson West All-Stars
- 6:15 p.m. – Niall Connolly Band
- 8:00 p.m. – Nick Dunbar Band
Spotlight on 2025 Hudson West Fest Performers
In 2025, Hudson West Fest brings together an impressive mix of artists, each with their own story, style, and stage presence.
- Amythyst Kiah – Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter acclaimed for her 2021 Rounder Records debut Wary + Strange and the anthem Black Myself.
- Dori Freeman – Virginia-based songwriter with five albums, blending Appalachian roots with modern Americana.
- Quadrature (Brooklyn Raga Massive) – Experimental ensemble infusing raga, rock, jazz, and psychedelia, featuring Neel Murgai, Indofunk Satish, Tripp Dudley, and Damon Banks.
- Christina Courtin – Singer, violinist, and educator known for her album Situation Station and collaborations with Bonnie Prince Billy, Nico Muhly, and Sara Bareilles.
- Alice Howe & Freebo – Duo combining Howe’s award-winning vocals with Freebo’s legendary bass work, including his years with Bonnie Raitt.
- Niall Connolly – Cork-born, New York-based indie folk songwriter praised for his authentic storytelling and vibrant performances.
- Nick Dunbar – Colorado musician who plays a mix of Western swing, honky tonk, and classic country, with his 2022 debut album Little Country.
- Americana Family Jamboree with Elena & Boo – Family-friendly square dance and roots music performance by longtime leaders of the Demolition String Band.
- Rockness Music – Interactive children’s program led by Michael Napolitano, offering music shows and education for young audiences.
The 2025 festival will also highlight two emerging artists: Matthew Gronert, a Jersey City-based musician influenced by Dan Reeder, John Prine, and Lucinda Williams, and Maidin, a singer-songwriter with folk storytelling and alternative pop influences.
Hudson West Fest 2025 Workshops
Festival workshops are free and led by performers:
- The Songwriter’s Toolkit with Alice Howe & Freebo
- Q&A with Amythyst Kiah
- Raga Music Appreciation with Neel Murgai of Brooklyn Raga Massive
These interactive sessions provide participants with the chance to learn directly from festival artists.
Community Support and Funding
The 2025 Hudson West Fest is supported by public funds from the Jersey City Arts and Culture Trust Fund. Additional support comes from a grant from the New Jersey State Council on the Arts, a division of the Department of State, and is administered by the Hudson County Office of Cultural & Heritage Affairs/Tourism Development, led by Hudson County Executive Craig Guy and the Hudson County Board of County Commissioners. The National Endowment for the Arts also provides funding.
Expanding the Festival Experience
For 2025, Hudson West Fest is expanding to include an outdoor street fair with local bands, open music jams, vendors, family programming, and the Americana Family Jamboree & Barn Dance.
Festival organizers have stated that any funds raised beyond what is needed for 2025 will be directed to the 2026 festival, which is planned to be even more ambitious.
