- 3 days of epic experiences: Destination Defender is an outdoor adventure weekend festival May 16‑18, in the New York Hudson Valley, at Cedar Lakes Estate, Port Jervis, NY
- Embrace the impossible: In partnership with Outside, Interactive Inc., guests can choose activities ranging from epic hikes and outdoor cooking experiences to mountain top yoga
- Challenge yourself offroad: Guests will experience the legendary capability of Defender on a specially designed offroad trail network
- Ultimate expression of Defender exploration: A curated display of Classic Series and other Defender models highlights the provenance of these unique vehicles
- Epic days and nights: Guests can enjoy sleeping under the stars with onsite luxury glamping or camping options
- Honoring the spirit of heroism: In celebration of the launch of the 5th Defender Service Awards, a fundraising dinner will take place with special guest speakers, including Olympian and Entrepreneur Lindsey Vonn
MAHWAH, N.J– May 8, 2025: Defender, The Original British Adventure Brand, is celebrating the Defender Lifestyle at Destination Defender. This unforgettable event will take place May 16‑18, in the Hudson Valley at Cedar Lake Estate, Port Jervis, New York. This marks the return of Destination Defender to the lush Hudson Valley, three years after the first event in Saugerties, NY.
This immersive three‑day music and adventure festival takes place at Cedar Lakes Estate, located on over 500 acres, the terrain offers guests the opportunity to explore. True to the Defender lifestyle, guests can challenge themselves to invigorative hikes throughout the pine forest, experience uninterrupted views during mountain top yoga and enjoy running around ancient lakes carved from glaciers. At its core, this property encourages guests to breathe deeply and embrace nature.
The Defender has always been more than a vehicle, it's a tool that enables extraordinary people to do extraordinary things. Through Destination Defender, we're fostering a community of those who embody the true spirit of the brand and gather together for a weekend of adventure and celebration.
Sam Allen
Defender Brand Director, US
In partnership with Outside, Interactive Inc., guests will be invited to challenge their adventuring and outdoor abilities with onsite activities and offerings authentic to the Defender brand lifestyle. Outside will offer curated one‑of‑a‑kind experiences including:
- Mountain Top Yoga Sessions, with sweeping views of surrounding mountain ranges
- Gourmet outdoor cooking demonstrations and tastings with Chef Kevin O’Connor, an avid outdoorsman and adventurist who prefers an open fire to a traditional kitchen
- Guided trail hikes through the pine forest and lakes, led by trail experts behind the Hikerkind apparel brand
- A slacklining demonstration, by the adventurer and highliner world record holder Ryan Robinson will be sure to get attendees hearts racing as he shows off his balancing skills
- Guests can also take part in one wheel demos, fishing and other outdoor activities lead by Outside experts
The journey continues for Defender owners and enthusiasts as they experience live music performances, outdoor challenges, epic off‑road drives behind the wheel of a Defender vehicle, speakers forums series, premium culinary options, spirits tastings and much more. For those who prefer sleeping under the stars, glamping and camping sites are available.
In keeping with its service tradition, Destination Defender will feature vintage rescue and recovery vehicles. Attendees can explore the Defender Showcase area—an exclusive display of custom and restored Series and Defender vehicles from around the world. These Series and Defender models were deployed as ambulances, fire engines, police vehicles and other local needs of communities around the world. Defender brand continues this tradition to this day by supporting the Red Cross /Red Crescent and with programs such as Defender Service Awards Presented by Chase.
A highlight of the weekend will be the launch of the 2025 Defender Service Awards Presented by CHASE, recognizing nonprofit organizations who give back to their communities. These awards celebrate the Defender brand’s legacy of enabling humanitarian efforts in the world's most challenging environments. Now in its fifth year, a special celebration will kick off Destination Defender weekend. A special evening program is curated to recognize the contribution of the past winners of the Defender Service Awards.
Defender Service Awards is pleased to recognize Event Chair Carla Hassan, Global Chief Marketing Officer of JPMORGAN CHASE, and Event Co‑Chair’s Shashi Reddy, Founder and Chairman of Case‑Mate Inc, Chairman of Artemis Cars, Chris Stanger CEO, Hearts and Science, Robin Thurston CEO and Founder of Outside Interactive Inc and Lindsey Vonn Olympic Champion and Entrepreneur. Special remarks during the event will be made by Carla Hassan and Lindsey Vonn honoring the tenacity and perseverance of Defender Service Awards nonprofit winners.
The celebration continues as an afterparty presented by famed restaurateurs Sei Less will wow guests with their end‑of‑evening culinary and nightlife experiences.
Equipped for 21st century adventures, all Defender vehicles feature modern day technologies and all‑terrain capabilities with the Defender 90, 110, 130 models allowing enthusiasts to embrace the impossible. Featuring a choice of robust and purposeful interior surfaces, the vehicles will be adventure ready for guests to experience throughout the weekend. A specially designed off‑road trail network was designed to highlight the advanced technologies of Defender vehicles, including Terrain Response 2, All Terrain Progress Control, and Electronic Air Suspension.
New for the 2025 model year, the Defender family expands with the Defender OCTA, the most powerful Defender ever produced. Featuring 626hp, 6D Dynamics suspension and unique features such as Body and Soul Seats and OCTA Mode, the Defender OCTA is the most capable Defender ever. Other Defender models on display for guests to explore include the Defender 130, now available with 2nd row Captains Chairs and the premier of the Defender Beach Break II. This special edition appeals to those who celebrate the Beach Lifestyle and is equipped with Robust Defender Accessories to make the most of their ocean adventure.
To register for Destination Defender or to learn more about the event, including accommodation options, musical performers and the full weekend program, please click HERE.
About the Defender Brand
The Defender Brand embraces the impossible. Each member of the Defender family is purposefully designed, highly desirable and seriously durable. A modern‑day hero that respects the past but at the same time anticipates the future.
Available in 90, 110 and 130 body styles, with up to eight seats, each has a charisma of its own.
The tough luxury Defender OCTA is the master of performance – taking performance and capability to another level on and off‑road.
A beacon of liberty that can trace its roots back to the first Land Rover in 1948, Defender is a brand that supports humanitarian and conservation work with the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies and the Tusk Trust.
The Defender brand is underpinned by Land Rover – a mark of trust built on more than 75 years of expertise in technology and world‑leading off‑road capability.
Defender vehicles are designed and engineered in the UK and sold in 121 countries. It belongs to the JLR house of brands alongside Range Rover, Discovery and Jaguar.
Important notice
JLR is constantly seeking ways to improve the specification, design and production of its vehicles, parts and accessories and alterations take place continually. Whilst every effort is made to produce up‑to‑date literature, this document should not be regarded as an infallible guide to current specifications or availability, nor does it constitute an offer for the sale of any particular vehicle, part or accessory. All figures are manufacturer’s estimates.