Experts Only Festival 2026 Set Times, Map, and Essential Info

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John Summit and his Experts Only Festival return to NYC on September 19-20. Check out our guide for information on transportation, afterparties, bag policy, and more.

Join house music’s favorite degenerate for a rowdy weekend in the city that never sleeps. Following a successful inaugural year, John Summit is bringing Experts Only Festival back to New York City. Named after his record label, the gathering is returning to its home on Randall’s Island Park on September 19-20 for a proper fall kickoff.

This year’s lineup features performances from Adam Ten b2b Max Styler, Jackie Hollander, OMRI., Will Clarke, and John Summit himself. The festival curator will perform a special, extended solo set on Saturday and a sunset performance on Sunday. Additionally, numerous Experts Only label alums will take the stage, including Dansyn, Devault, Mishell, and NYC local B/AN/K.

The 2026 edition also sees the event evolve and venture into a multi-genre electronic festival with the addition of bass music. Quite possibly the biggest set of the weekend, John Summit and Subtronics will link up on Sunday for their highly anticipated b2b as Subjohnics. Fan favorites GRiZ, Levity, and LYNY are also slated to deliver their delectable, bass-heavy tracks to the monstrous crowds.

Ahead of the weekend’s festivities, we’ve rounded up all the must-know details for this year’s edition of Experts Only Festival. Get to planning your festival weekend with the essential info below!

Experts Only Festival 2026 – Essential Info:

Dates: September 19-20, 2026
Hours: 3pm-10pm daily
Venue Address: Randall’s Island Park – 20 Randalls Island Park, New York, NY 10035
Tickets: Purchase HERE

Experts Only Festival 2026 – Set Times:

Experts Only Festival 2026 – Festival Map:

Coming soon!

Experts Only Festival 2026 – Pre-Party and Afterparty Info:

Keep the party going with the Experts Only Festival official after parties. This year’s afters will take place at Pacha New York, where John Summit will take over the massive venue for two evenings of curated shows. While the talent performing is a surprise, Saturday’s lineup will feature the sounds of house all night long. On Sunday, fans can expect an afterparty jam-packed with surprise bass music guests. With rumors of the first John Summit b2b GRiZ b2b Subtronics set and John’s track record for bringing out big names, it’s poised to be a legendary run of shows.

For those who are getting into town a day early, the Experts Only Festival pre-party at Marquee Skydeck is the ultimate way to start the weekend in style. Take in unparalleled views of the Manhattan skyline while catching two of Experts Only’s brightest artists. Kicking off at 11pm on Friday, September 18, the pre-party features headliner Max Styler and Mishell as direct support.

For tickets to any of the Experts Only Festival add-on events, visit the festival website.

Experts Only Festival 2026 - After Parties

Experts Only Festival 2026 – Transportation:

Getting on and off Randall’s Island can be a breeze with a set-in-stone plan. Commuting via ferry is the easiest way to get back and forth from the festival. Departures will take place from East 35th Street Ferry Landing, located at the intersection of East 35th Street and FDR Drive, and will arrive directly at the entrance of the festival. With ferries departing every 20 minutes starting at 2pm daily, this is the most reliable and quickest mode of transportation.

Festival-goers can quickly leave the island by walking across the Robert F. Kennedy Bridge, or the footbridge at East 103rd Street. Once off the island, public transportation options are available. Catch the X80 bus, which runs from East Harlem (125th Street and Lexington Avenue) to Randall’s Island. The cost for the bus is only $7.00 to the event, and it’s free for those returning from Experts Only Festival.

Additionally, subway riders can take routes 4, 5, or 6 to the 125th Street station, then transfer to the X80 express bus at 125th Street and Lexington Avenue in East Harlem for an easy arrival at Randall’s Island.

Please note that rideshare is available for dropoff only. Following the end of the festival, attendees will need to take the walking bridge or the X80 bus and order their rideshare from off the island.

For more information regarding transportation to and from the festival, including nearby parking options and driving directions, visit the festival website.

Reminder to Mind Your Belongings:

Unfortunately, festival attendees have reported pickpockets, bag slashings, and theft of wallets, smartphones, purses, and other valuables. While this small number of bad apples in the bunch doesn’t define an entire crowd, some opportunistic people come to these events to take advantage of unsuspecting partygoers. It’s essential to be mindful of your valuables while at Experts Only Festival.

Looking for tips to keep your belongings safe? Check our post highlighting some ideas!

Experts Only Festival 2026 – Bag Policy:

Bag Policy:

Maximum bag size: 15″ x 15″ x 5″ (MUST BE CLEAR BAG) Small bag policy: Non-clear 4″ x 6″. If you bring a non-clear bag larger than this, you will not be permitted into the venue.

Hydration Packs:

Allowed, but MUST BE EMPTY upon arrival. Free water stations will be available inside the festival. Must NOT have more than 2 pockets. All persons and bags brought into the event property are subject to search.

Experts Only Festival 2026 – Dos & Don’ts:

Prohibited Items

NO Drugs or drug paraphernalia NO Alcohol NO Smoking or smoking products of any kind (lighters, cigarettes, vapes, marijuana, etc.) NO Outside food or beverage (with the exception of one unopened water bottle) Reusable water bottles and CamelBaks are allowed (must be empty upon entry) NO Pets or animals — UNLESS it is a service animal, and you are a person with disabilities, or the service animals are in training and have appropriate apparel, and you have on your person credentials from an accredited school for which the dog is being raised. Please email your questions regarding service animals to: info@expertsonlyfest.com. NO Massagers NO Laser pens or pointers NO Light sticks NO Eyedrops NO Glass, cans, cups, or coolers NO Aerosol cans (including deodorant or perfume) NO Markers, pens, or spray paint NO Gas masks or tactical gear NO Large chains, chain wallets, or spiked jewelry NO Pacifiers NO Stuffed animals or dolls NO Stickers or flyers NO Tents, umbrellas, hammocks, or chairs NO Blankets NO Coolers NO Skateboards, scooters, or bikes NO Large purses or bags (over 15” X 15” X 5” – see bag policy) NO Open lipstick, chapstick, or tampons NO Open sunscreen NO Outside food, beverage, or alcohol NO Professional cameras (SLR or detachable lenses) NO Audio or video recording equipment NO Musical instruments NO Drones or unmanned aerial vehicles NO Knives, firearms, pepper spray, fireworks, or weapons of any kind NO Toy weapons or real weapons of any kind NO Flammable products NO Sticks, staff, swords, sabers, or scepters NO Waterguns or misters NO Sports equipment, balloons, balls, frisbees, or any other projectiles NO Native American headdresses NO Selfie sticks NO Festival totems NO Chinese lanterns NO Unlicensed vending of any kind NO CROWD SURFING OR RAIL BREAKING. PATRONS PARTICIPATING IN EITHER WILL BE EJECTED ANY OTHER ITEMS deemed to pose a threat to the safe enjoyment of the patrons, or that would disrupt performances If you bring any of the items on the above prohibited items list into the event, such items will be confiscated and discarded, and you will be subject to removal from the event based on the sole discretion of staff. Under no circumstances will the company hold any prohibited items for you. ALL PERSONS AND PROPERTY ARE SUBJECT TO SEARCH, AND YOU MAY BE REQUIRED TO TAKE OFF YOUR SHOES DURING SEARCH. STAFF HAS ZERO TOLERANCE FOR ILLEGAL ACTIVITIES. THE USE OF ILLEGAL DRUGS AND UNDERAGE DRINKING IS NOT PERMITTED. ANYONE FOUND WITH ILLEGAL DRUGS, OR WHO IS DRINKING UNDERAGE, WILL BE SUBJECT TO REMOVAL FROM THE EVENT AND WILL NOT BE ALLOWED BACK IN.

Permitted Items

OK Clear (transparent) bags – max size 15” X 15”x 5“ OK Clear (transparent) backpacks – max size 15” X 15”x 5“ OK Clear (transparent) fanny packs – max size 15” X 15”x 5“ OK Empty, non-transparent hydration pack with no more than 2 pockets OK Small clutch up to 5” X 7” X 2” in size OK Non-Professional still cameras including GoPros (GoPros may NOT be attached to a monopod or extendable pole) OK Cell phones OK Sealed: tampons, packs of gum, chapstick, or lip gloss OK Glowing or illuminated costumes and jewelry OK Sunglasses and hats OK Sealed liquid sunscreen and cosmetic products OK Guide dogs for people with disabilities and other service animals with current rabies certification All Persons and bags brought into the event property are subject to search.