Ultimate guide to M3F music festival 2023 in downtown Phoenix: Set times, tickets and more

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.

The McDowell Mountain Music Festival mission

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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What time is M3F 2023?

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.).

Where is M3F 2023 in downtown Phoenix?

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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How to get M3F 2023 tickets

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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What to know about the M3F wristband and reentry policy

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.

PSA: M3F is a cashless festival

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

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M3F 2023 Friday music lineup and schedule

• 2 p.m. Veronica Everheart on the Vista Stage

• 2 p.m. Furious George on the Cosmic Stage

• 2:30 p.m. St. Terrible on the Daydream Stage

• 3 p.m. Neal Francis on the Vista Stage

• 3 p.m. The Lagoons on the Cosmic Stage

• 3:30 p.m. Winston Surfshirt on the Daydream Stage

• 4 p.m. Del Water Gap on the Vista Stage

• 4 p.m. Jim E. Stack on the Cosmic Stage

• 5 p.m. The Knocks on the Daydream Stage

• 6 p.m. COIN on the Vista Stage

• 6 p.m. Darius on the Cosmic Stage

• 7 p.m. Hayden James on the Daydream Stage

• 8 p.m. Quinn XCII on the Vista Stage

• 8 p.m. Neil Frances on the Cosmic Stage

• 9 p.m. Polo & Pan on the Daydream Stage

• 10 p.m. Maggie Rogers on the Vista Stage

• 10 p.m. Becky Hill on the Cosmic Stage

M3F 2023 Saturday music lineup and schedule

• 1:30 p.m. Jojosol on the Daydream Stage

• 2 p.m. Slug Bug on the Vista Stage

• 2 p.m. Flora ElmColone on the Cosmic Stage

• 2:30 p.m. Paw Paw Rod on the Daydream Stage

• 3 p.m. Pachyman on the Vista Stage

• 3 p.m. The Bash Dogs on the Cosmic Stage

• 3:30 p.m. Bon Entendeur on the Daydream Stage

• 4:30 p.m. Chiiild on the Vista Stage

• 4:30 p.m. Joshy Soul on the Cosmic Stage

• 5 p.m. Chelsea Cutler on the Daydream Stage

• 6 p.m. Peach Pit on the Vista Stage

• 6 p.m. Evan Giia on the Cosmic Stage

• 7 p.m. Channel Tres on the Daydream Stage

• 8 p.m. Toro y Moi on the Vista Stage

• 8 p.m. Emmit Fenn on the Cosmic Stage

• 9 p.m. Purple Disco Machine on the Daydream Stage

• 10 p.m. Jamie xx on the Vista Stage

• 10 p.m. The Jungle Giants on the Cosmic Stage

Where to park near M3F at Hance Park

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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What to know about transportation to and from M3F 2023

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.

M3F will have refill water stations and food trucks

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.

M3F has a clear bag policy

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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Things you may bring to M3F

• Cellphones.

• Nonprofessional cameras.

• Blankets and towels.

• Hand sanitizer and/or wipes.

• Sunscreen.

• Bug spray.

• Empty 24-ounce (or less) transparent plastic bottle (Nalgene-style) or clear plastic water bottle.

• Lip balm, lipstick, makeup, eyedrops, gum.

• Prescribed medication with matching ID.

• Sunglasses.

• Earplugs.

• Hats.

• GoPros without sticks.

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Things you may not bring to M3F

• Totems.

• Hard folding chairs.

• Wagons.

• Drugs/drug paraphernalia.

• Cigarettes/E-cigs/vapes.

• Pets (except for service animals).

• Outside beverages/food/ice chests.

• Laser pointers.

• Lighters.

• Large bottles.

• Large backpacks.

• Glass bottle or containers.

• Open alcohol outside the festival grounds.

• Weapons of any kind.

• Selfie sticks.

• Audio recording devices.

• Professional photo or video equipment without a press pass.

• Drones.

• Umbrellas (parasols OK).

• Stickers/fliers/solicitations.

What to know about the M3F lost and found

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

If you notice something missing after the festival ends, email info@M3Ffest.com. They will get back to you within three to five days.

Hotels near M3F

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

Other nearby hotels include:

• Hyatt Regency Phoenix, 122 N. Second St. 602-252-1234.

• Hotel Palomar, 2 E. Jefferson St., Phoenix.  602-253-6633.

• Hotel San Carlos, 202 N. Central Ave., Phoenix. 602-253-4121.

• Holiday Inn Express & Suites Phoenix, 620 N. Sixth St. 602-452-2020.

• Sheraton Grand Phoenix, 340 N. Third St. 602-262-2500.

• Westin Phoenix Downtown, 333 N. Central Ave. 602-429-3500.

• FOUND:RE, 1100 N. Central Ave., Phoenix. 602-875-8000.

• Clarendon Hotel & Spa, 401 W. Clarendon Ave., Phoenix. 602-252-7363.

• Residence Inn & Courtyard by Marriot, 132 S. Central Ave., Phoenix. 602-603-2000.

Reach the reporter at ed.masley@arizonarepublic.com or 602-444-4495. Follow him on Twitter @EdMasley.

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This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: M3Fest 2023 in downtown Phoenix: Guide to set times, tickets, parking