This summer, New Jersey gears up for one of its most imaginative and eccentric events: the Steampunk Alchemy Fest 2025. Set against the lush backdrop of Vasa Park at Budd Lake, this three-day celebration of creativity, community, and Victorian-era futurism is unlike anything else on the Garden State’s calendar.
Dates: June 6–8, 2025
Location: Vasa Park, 1 Vasa Dr., Hackettstown, NJ 07840
Once known as the Freaky Mutant Weirdo Festival, the newly rebranded Steampunk Alchemy Fest has kept its delightfully oddball spirit while leaning deeper into the rich storytelling and visual flair of steampunk culture. For those unfamiliar, steampunk blends the elegance of the 19th century with fantastical visions of the future—think airships, brass goggles, parasols, pocket watches, and the wildest costumes this side of the time machine.
Musical Marvels at Steampunk Alchemy Fest 2025: A Halo Called Fred, This Way to the Egress & Dust Bowl Faeries Set the Stage for Magic
When the gears turn and the steam rises at Steampunk Alchemy Fest 2025, the music isn’t just background noise—it’s the heartbeat of the entire experience. This year, festival-goers can look forward to an extraordinary lineup of musical performers who embody the wild, whimsical, and wonderfully weird spirit of steampunk culture.
Appearing live at Vasa Park in Hackettstown from June 6–8, 2025, the festival’s soundscape will be filled with accordion-driven anthems, surreal storytelling, and gypsy punk vibes that transport you straight into a steampunk fantasy world. Let’s take a look at the three headline acts that will transform the weekend into an unforgettable auditory adventure.
🎶 A Halo Called Fred – The Soundtrack to the Absurd
Festival favorites and long-standing icons of New Jersey’s steampunk and geek music scenes, A Halo Called Fred bring their trademark blend of humor, surrealism, and storytelling back to the Steampunk Alchemy stage. With songs about invisible squirrels, secret octopuses, and the power of imagination, this band proves that music doesn’t have to take itself too seriously to be brilliant.
Expect lively banter, crowd interaction, and songs that make you laugh, think, and maybe even dance in your corset and goggles. Their loyal following knows: if A Halo Called Fred is playing, you’re in for something special.
🎩 This Way to the Egress – Gypsy Punk Energy Meets Vaudeville Vibes
Stepping into the spotlight with explosive energy and a sound that blends dark cabaret, vaudeville, Eastern European folk, and punk rock, This Way to the Egress is more than a band—they’re a spectacle. Armed with accordion, tuba, keys, strings, and powerhouse vocals, their performances are part rock concert, part traveling circus.
Perfectly suited to the aesthetic and energy of Steampunk Alchemy Fest, this genre-defying group delivers high-octane shows that ignite the imagination and get the crowd moving. Whether it’s your first time seeing them or your tenth, Egress never plays the same show twice.
🌒 Dust Bowl Faeries – Haunting, Hypnotic, and Utterly Enchanting
If gothic Americana and steampunk noir had a love child, it would sound like Dust Bowl Faeries. This Hudson Valley-based band blends dark cabaret with accordion, lap steel guitar, and mystic vocals to create an eerie, otherworldly atmosphere. Think ghost towns, circus tents, and carnivals at midnight—wrapped in poetic lyrics and haunting melodies.
Perfect for twilight sets and cabaret performances, Dust Bowl Faeries bring an emotional and immersive experience that lingers long after the last note fades. They are the perfect sonic spellcasters for this year’s “Steampunk Summer Camp” theme.
Experience the Music of a Steampunk World
With these three powerhouse acts anchoring the 2025 lineup, Steampunk Alchemy Fest promises more than costumes and crafts—it promises a full-sensory adventure. Whether you’re coming for the cosplay, the community, or the cabaret, the music is guaranteed to elevate the entire experience.
Don’t miss these unforgettable performances:
- Friday night: Opening sets and intimate introductions
- Saturday: Full day of main stage performances and the adults-only cabaret
- Sunday morning: Farewell sets to close out the weekend with magic
Pack your parasol, polish your boots, and get ready to dance with the dust and the dreamers. The soundtrack to your steampunk summer awaits.
2025 Theme: Steampunk Summer Camp
This year’s theme, “Steampunk Summer Camp,” invites festivalgoers to embrace their inner adventurer. Whether you’re a wide-eyed newbie or a seasoned steampunk veteran, there’s something magical waiting for you. Expect whimsical workshops, scavenger hunts, character-led games, and immersive storytelling experiences that bring the summer camp vibe to life—with a twist of gears and steam.
A Full Weekend of Entertainment and Enchantment
Saturday, June 7, is the heart of the festival, packed with live performances, family-friendly activities, and steampunk cosplay that will transport you into a fantastical alternate universe. The day winds down into an adults-only evening cabaret, offering live music, theatrical performances, and sultry steampunk flair for grown-up guests.
Festival favorites like A Halo Called Fred return to the stage, adding their quirky, high-energy performances to the mix. Throughout the weekend, you’ll also find a bustling vendor market filled with handcrafted steampunk gear, art, accessories, and delicious eats from local food vendors.
Friday night offers a sneak peek into the fun with early programming and meet-ups, while Sunday morning rounds out the festivities with relaxed farewells and bonus activities for those who just can’t get enough.
Family-Friendly Fun with a Creative Twist
This isn’t your average festival—it’s an experience designed for dreamers, makers, and fans of all things imaginative. From kids enjoying interactive storytelling to adults exploring elaborate costuming and cabaret, the Steampunk Alchemy Fest is one of the most inclusive and creatively charged events in New Jersey.
Whether you’re local to Hackettstown or making the trip from out of town, this unique gathering is worth the journey. Bring your curiosity, your costume, and your sense of adventure. You’ll leave inspired—and probably with a new top hat or two.
Plan Your Visit
📍 Where: Vasa Park at Budd Lake – 1 Vasa Dr., Hackettstown, NJ
📅 When: June 6–8, 2025
🎩 Main Event: Saturday, June 7
🌙 Adults-Only Cabaret: Saturday evening
🎪 Vendor Market & Cosplay: All weekend