M3Fest 2023 in downtown Phoenix: Guide to set times, tickets, parking

M3F Fest returns to Margaret T. Hance Park in downtown Phoenix with Maggie Rogers topping the bill on Friday, March 3, and Jamie xx headlining Saturday, March 4.

An eclectic mix is something of an M3F tradition, dating back to when its name was still McDowell Mountain Music Festival, and this year's lineup does not disappoint on that front, ranging from EDM to indie, pop and R&B.

Among the many highlights are Polo & Pan, Quinn XCII, Toro y Moi, Purple Disco Machine, Ashe, COIN, Chelsea Cutler, Peach Pit, Hayden James, Neil Frances, Becky Hill, the Jungle Giants, EVAN GIIA, Joshy Soul, Del Water Gap and Neal Francis.

M3F is a nonprofit festival that donates 100% of proceeds to charity.

The 2022 festival raised $1.2 million for local charities, doubling the amount raised in 2020 while breaking its previous attendance record and achieving an 80% diversion rate, meaning 80% of its waste went to recycling and renewable efforts versus landfills.

M3F has donated $4.4 million to local charities since 2004.

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Gates open at 1:30 p.m. Friday (music starts at 2 p.m.) and 1 p.m. Saturday (music starts at 1:30 p.m.).

The festival is on the east side of Hance Park at 1200 N. First St.

The team behind the festival has also launched the M3F Fund for nonprofit organizations. The festival prioritizes funding related to the four primary pillars of its organization, which are community, education, arts and environment.

The main entrance is near the intersection of First and Portland streets. The VIP entrance is just north of the Phoenix Center for the Arts at 1202 N. Third St.

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Tickets can be purchased at m3f.frontgatetickets.com.

A two-day general admission pass is $155 plus fees. Single-day general admission is $85 a day plus fees. General admission tickets give entrance to the festival and free use of the Valley Metro light rail system.

VIP passes are sold out.

A VIP+ ticket is $275 a day, $410 for both days. VIP+ tickets include access to the VIP area with private bathrooms, food trucks, seating and access to a premium view of the main stage.

Children under 10 may enter for free.

All sales are final. Review your purchase carefully before submitting.

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Your RFID wristband is your ticket and must be worn to enter the festival. Register and activate your wristband before you arrive. Digital tickets and/or printed receipts will not get you in.

If you have specified will call as your pick-up location, details will be sent to you regarding early pickup options. You can also pick up onsite the day of the event. Will call opens at 11:30 a.m. Friday and Saturday.

Your wristband will allow you to connect a credit/debit card for easy payments and access at M3F. Credit card details are not stored on the band itself.

If you lose your wristband, bring your ID to the box office. Once verified, you will receive a new wristband. The festival can prohibit entry if wristband loss becomes excessive.

If you damage your wristband, there is a $25 replacement fee. Bring the wristband and your ID to the box office.

No reentry is allowed.

Paper money or coins are not accepted at M3F. Vendors will accept credit cards, debit cards and wristbands.

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There is no parking at the venue.

Downtown Phoenix offers more than 25,000 parking spaces. In addition to public parking garages, there are parking meters that are enforced every day including weekends and holidays from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. Meters are $1 to $1.50 per hour.

You can reserve a parking space at https://spothero.com. A recent check showed a price range of $8-$58 within a 1-mile radius.

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There are multiple Valley Metro light rail stations near the festival and the light rail is free to RFID bracelet holders. The nearest light rail station is at Roosevelt Street and Central Avenue.

Nine Valley Metro park-and-ride locations offer a total of 3,636 parking spaces and parking is free. Parking for more than 24 hours is not permitted; violators are subject to ticketing and/or towing.

Lyft, Uber and taxis are also available.

Bike racks are available outside the festival grounds near the main entrance at Second Street and Portland. Bikes are not permitted on the grounds.

There are water refill stations at the festival where you can fill water bottles; you may also purchase bottled water at drink tents. The water refill stations are near the information booth and main stage bar.

Food trucks offer a wide array of choices, including vegetarian and gluten-free options.

All persons and bags are subject to search.

Bags, totes, backpacks must be clear plastic, vinyl or PVC and no larger than 12 inches by 12 inches by 8 inches. Fanny packs do not have to be clear but must not exceed 12 inches by 6 inches by 3 inches. Wallets and small purses and clutches do not have to be clear but must not exceed 5 inches by 7 inches.

Empty hydration packs that follow the clear bag policy are permitted.

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The lost and found is at the information booth on the festival grounds.

If you notice something missing after the festival ends, email [email protected]. They will get back to you within three to five days.

The Hilton Garden Inn Phoenix Downtown, 15 E. Monroe St., is the official M3F hotel. Call 602-343-0006.

Other nearby hotels include:

Reach the reporter at [email protected] or 602-444-4495. Follow him on Twitter @EdMasley.

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