‘Unbelievable’: Dreamville Festival nearly doubles economic impact for Wake County
Dreamville, the state’s largest music festival, pumped more than $6.7 million into the Wake County economy during its second year.
Created by North Carolina-raised hip-hop star J. Cole, the two-day festival brought 80,000 people to Dorothea Dix Park in early April.
Tickets were sold in all 50 states plus Washington, D.C., the U.S. Virgin Islands and 20 countries, according to a news release. The $6.7 million figure is a conservative estimate and doesn’t include indirect spending or spending from local residents.
“My team and I continue to be awed by the overwhelming support we’ve received since closing out the second Dreamville Festival this April. But to now fully realize the festival’s positive impact on the local economy and tourism, it truly is unbelievable,” said Dreamville Partner and Festival President Adam Roy, in the news release.
Festival attendees were able to see Khelani, Lil Baby, Lil Wayne, Wiz Khalifa, Ja Rule, Ashanti and Cole on three different stages at the Raleigh park.
Dreamville held its inaugural performance in 2019, drawing in more than 40,000 attendees. The reported direct economic impact was nearly $3.8 million.
“The increase in economic impact and attendance over this year’s two-day festival is gratifying to see after the pandemic hindered the previously sold-out event from taking place the last couple of years,” said Dennis Edwards, president and CEO of Visit Raleigh, in the news release. “The successful turnout for Dreamville Festival reiterates that events and travel are back in our area and the demand is still prevalent.”
Organizers are planning now for the festival’s return next spring.
“Dreamville brings people to Raleigh from all over the world, welcoming them to Dix Park and our city for a great cultural experience,” said Raleigh Mayor Mary-Ann Baldwin to The News & Observer. “While we welcome the economic impact, we also welcome the diversity of people and music — and the statement it makes about Dix being a park for all.”
This story was originally published May 31, 2022 at 9:41 AM.
