July 25-28, 2024
Promenade 7:30 p.m. | Show 8:15 p.m.
(Always held the final Thursday through Sunday of July)
Free Strauss Festival in Elk Grove Regional Park
Elk Grove Regional Park
9950 Elk Grove Florin Rd.
Elk Grove, CA
straussfestival.com
ELK GROVE, CALIFORNIA --The Strauss Festival is the brainchild of local resident and international traveler Iris Zimbelman. It was launched in 1987 after she traveled to Austria where she watched waltz performances in Vienna's Stadtpark. Each summer the festival is produced through sponsor donations and volunteers who create a free event held in Elk Grove Regional Park. The outdoor, free-to-the-public event staged dance production attracts more than 30,000 people annually.
In California's Gold Country better known for the inventor of blue jeans (Levi Strauss) than for the creator (Johann Strauss) of some of the world's most famous waltzes in which fine apparel is worn, there's a Strauss Festival each summer honoring the Austrian--Johnann. It's an unlikely match that's been wildly embraced by the residents of Elk Grove. Some participants have never danced before, but after training they suddenly are on stage whirling and waltzing for audiences flocking to this free festival, one of the most unique and best free events this summer in California.
Each year a different choreographed storyline set to music by the family of Austrian composer Johann Strauss is played by a 32-piece orchestra under the direction of musician Jay DeWald . Bringing the story to life are elegantly costumed waltz and polka troupes and elaborate handcrafted sets. Each performance ends with a fireworks display.
Other events include Harvest Festival, Pumpkin Festival, Hot Summer Nights free summer concerts at Laguna Town Hall, Salute to Red, White and Blue, and the Parade of Lights & Dickens Faire.
Old Town is east of State Route 99, while newer housing developments such as Laguna Creek and Laguna West in Elk Grove are west between Highway 99 and Interstate 5.
Events are not guaranteed. It is your responsibility to confirm before going.