Top Handpan Gatherings & Festivals in the USA | Complete Guide
The 2024 Heartland Hangout Gathering
If you’re a handpan player—whether you’re just starting out or have years of experience—you won’t want to miss these top handpan gatherings in the USA in 2025.
Handpan gatherings and handpan festivals are more than just events; they’re a chance to immerse yourself in the music, connect with other handpan enthusiasts, try new instruments, and get inspired. You’ll experience live jams, masterclasses, concerts, and workshops—all in beautiful, outdoor settings designed to elevate your creativity.
(Stay tuned for an exclusive announcement from the 2024 Heartland Hangout—including the exciting reveal of Drift Handpans! )
Table of Contents
What to Expect at Handpan Gatherings
Whether you're a beginner or a seasoned player, handpan gatherings and handpan festivals offer unique opportunities to immerse yourself in the vibrant handpan community. These events typically feature:
Masterclasses and workshops to improve technique
Live concerts by top handpan artists
Open mic opportunities to share your music
Unstructured time for jamming sessions with fellow enthusiasts
Try-before-you-buy opportunities for new handpans from attending makers
Relaxing outdoor settings perfect for creativity and meditation
Direct access to handpan makers and instrument demos
Sharing of instruments (voluntary), but many people are happy to share their handpan for others to experience!
Tuning service for handpan instruments may be available (check with event organizers ahead of time)
Video by Tony Meister’s Blue handpan channel.
2025 Handpan Gatherings & Festivals in the USA
Here are three must-attend handpan events in the USA in 2025:
1) Pantasia Handpan Festival
Dates: April 4-7, 2025
Location: Joshua Tree, California
Event Link
One of the longest running handpan festivals in the USA, featuring world-class musicians, workshops, and desert vibes.
2) Superbloom Women’s Handpan Gathering
Dates: August 21-24, 2025
Location: Peace Temple, Hancock, New York
Event Link
A handpan retreat for women-identifying handpan players, focusing on connection, music-making and practicing self-care in a supporting community of like minded individuals.
3) Heartland Hangout Handpan Gathering
Dates: September 18-21, 2025
Location: Stronghold Castle, Oregon, Illinois
Event Link
This multi-day handpan gathering in the Midwest debuted in 2024, put on by the expert team at Super-bloom! Expect 2025 to be another exceptional year-and one day longer! You’ll find top handpan artists, masterclasses & all skills of handpan players from across the country in attendance. The event takes place in a Castle- making it an incredible venue with plenty of outdoor space to boot. This will be one of the biggest handpan gatherings coming in 2025. So get your tickets & join us! Sponsored in part by Isthmus Instruments & Drift Handpans.
For a global list of handpan festivals around the world, check out the Paniverse Handpan Festival Blog.
The Isthmus team lead a beginner masterclass at Heartland Hangout USA 2024.
What to Bring to a Handpan Gathering
Handpans are available to try at gatherings!
Your handpan(s)
A comfortable chair or cushion
Weather-appropriate clothing
Recording device (if permitted)
Tent and camping gear (if staying on-site)
Water bottle and snacks
Notebook and pen for workshop notes
An open mind and eagerness to learn
Typical Costs to Expect
Event registration: $200 - $500
Accommodation: Varies by event (camping/cabins often included)
Workshop fees: Usually included in ticket price
Meal plans: Often provided at an extra cost or included
Exciting News: Drift Handpans Launch at Heartland Hangout
The 2024 Heartland Hangout Handpan Gathering marked a new development in the handpan world with the surprise announcement of Drift Handpans, a new instrument line by Isthmus Instruments, focused on affordability and accessibility without compromising on quality.
The Big Reveal
During the Friday night handpan builder’s panel, featuring:
Jenny from Isthmus Instruments
Rafael D’Arco from Tacta Handpans
Josh Rivera from Veritas Handpans
Patrick from Elysian Instruments
Jenny casually mentioned a future for mini handpans, and Addi from Heartland Hangout immediately caught on:
"Wait… are you announcing a new brand?"
Jenny confirmed, “Well, yes I suppose so… we’ve created a new line of mini handpans called Drift…I hope you check them out while you are here!”
Later that evening, we captured a video of Ted M jamming on our first Drift Mini—an F# Amara scale, and we received an overwhelmingly positive and excited response from everyone who tried our new handpans. People commented how easy they were to pick up, hold, and just generally look adorable. Everyone at the Heartland Hangout got the first look at Driftpans and we couldn’t have been more pleased to share this with our community of handpan lovers!
First-Ever Drift Releases
Drift Mini Handpan in F# Amara (featuring a jam session by Ted M)
Mini Floating Handpan Desk Ornament (Limited release—more coming soon)
About Drift Handpans
Drift Handpans represents a new direction in the handpan world, created by the skilled artisans at Isthmus Instruments. The brand emerged from a vision that Jenny began way back in 2018, focused on making smaller handpans :
More affordable without sound or quality compromise
Size-accessible for various players & bodies
Perfect for beginners and experienced musicians alike
Nancy from Settle into Stillness with her mini F#Amara handpan.
Your Handpan Gathering Questions Answered
Q: Are beginners welcome at handpan gatherings?
A: Yes! Gatherings are open to players of all skill levels, and the handpan community is welcoming and supportive.
Q: What if I don’t own a handpan yet?
A: Gatherings are a great place to try different handpans. Many events have instruments available for testing and purchase direct from handpan makers. Attendees also often share their handpans so it’s a great chance to try handpan scales you’ve not played before.
Q: What is the difference between a handpan gathering and a handpan festival?
A: Handpan gatherings are typically smaller, community-focused events with workshops and jam sessions, while handpan festivals are larger, featuring concerts, performances, and structured programs. Most events in the USA are sized like a handpan gathering.
Q: Can I bring multiple handpans?
A: Yes! Most gatherings allow players to bring multiple instruments, which is great for exploring different scales and makers.
Q: How do I choose the right handpan festival for me?
A: Consider:
Location and travel costs
Type of event (retreat, concert, workshop-based, etc.)
Skill level focus (beginner-friendly vs. advanced players)
Q: Why attend a handpan gathering or handpan festival?
Learn from experts – Workshops with professional players and builders.
Connect and play – Jam sessions, meditation sessions, and live performances.
Make new friends - In this global community of handpan lovers, don’t be surprised if you build lasting connections.
Test and buy handpans – Try instruments from Isthmus Instruments, Drift Handpans, and other top makers.
We hope to see you at a handpan gathering or festival in 2025!
Sign up for the Drift Handpans newsletter to stay updated on new releases, gathering announcements, and special offers.