California May Music Festivals

BAKERSFIELD: Lightning in a Bottle  May 21-25, 2025 at Buena Vista Lake at the Buena Vista Aquatic Recreational Area
13601 Ironbark Road
Bakersfield, CA 
Lightning In A Bottle Is A Celebration Of Art, Music, Performance, Sustainability And Life. Location: Buena Vista Lake, Kern County, CA Tickets, libfestival.org
Lineup: Ahadadream | Amaarae | Andreasone & Fmly Bznz | Audrey Nuna | Azzecca | Bianca Oblivion...more

GRASS VALLEY: Strawberry Music Festival May 21-26, 2025
Location: Nevada County Fairgrounds, 11228 McCourtney Rd. Grass Valley, California strawberrymusic.com

GARDEN GROVE: Strawberry Festival May 23-26, 2025
Parade, free admission, carnival food vendors and free concerts.
Line up:  

MONTEREY: California Roots Festival May 23-25, 2025
Monterey County Fairgrounds
2004 Fairground Road
Monterey, CA
 $338-up for 3 day pass, californiarootsfestival.com
Line up:  Rebelution | Dirty Heads | T-Pain | Iration | Atmosphere | SOJA | Steel Pulse | Common Kings | Matisyahu | Collie Buddz | The Movement | Protoje | The Hip Abduction | Tarrus Riley | Anthony B | Shwayze | Josh Heinrichs | Mike Love & The Full Circle | Eli-Mac | Bumpin Uglies | Surfer Girl | Aurorawave | Boostive | Landon McNamara | Rik Jam | Sensory Tribe | Dubbest | Estrella

SAN DIEGO: Gator By The Bay May 8-11, 2025
Spanish Landing
3900 North Harbor Dr. (across from the airport)
$30-210, gatorbythebay.com
It's a Mardi Gras in May Festival with Zydeco, Cajun, Rockabilly, Swing, Salsa and New Orleans Jazz and food. 
 Line up: Tommy Castro and The Painkillers | Thursday May 9th – Western Swing & Rockabilly Extravaganza – Kick Off Party | Rosie Flores | Deke Dickerson & The Whippersnappers | Mitch Polzak & The Royal Deuces | Blame Betty | CJ Chenier | Sonny Landreth | Marcia Ball | Geno Delafose & French Rockin' Boogie | Jeffery Broussard & The Creole Cowboys | Southern Avenue | The Daquiri Queens | Nikki Hill | Nick Moss Band featuring Dennis Gruenling | Jimmy Carpenter Brass Band | Iko YaYa | Chet Cannon | Sabrosas Latin Orchestra | The Sleepwalkers | Shane Hall | The Farmers | James Intveld | Ash Easton | Whitney Shay | Ginger Cowgirl | Kimmi Bitter | Sue Palmer & The Rhythm Riveters | Mercedes Moore Band with Carl Sonny Leland | Taryn Donath Trio | Stoney B Blues Band | Michele Lundeen | Zavala Sol | Beaux Gris Gris & the Apocalypse | The Amazing Wildcats | Gino and The Lone Gunmen | Jazz Pocket Swing | Manny Cepeda Orchestra | The Amalgamated | Jeff Berkley & The Banned | Zzymzzy Quintet | Gypsy Jazz | Lady Psychiatrists Booth | The Sea Monks | Ass Pocket Whiskey Fellas | Bobby Sanchez Combo | Blue Largo | Chickenbone Slim with Laura Chavez | Fuzzy Rankins | Bill Magee Blues Band | Billy Watson & the International Silver String Submarine Band | Bonneville 7 | Nathan James | Johnny Vernazza | Anthony Cullins | Billy Lee & The Gulf Coasters | Bayou Brothers | Brian Jones Rock'n'Roll Revival | Chunky Hustle Brass Band | Euphoria Brass Band | Gypsy Swing Cats | Farm Truck | Chef Jack Gambrell | Chef Christina Ng & Fishmonger Tommy Gomes | Chef Michael Fitzgerald | David Sousa & The Zydeco Mudbugs | Gregory Page | Robin Henkel | Whiskey & Burlap | Harmonica John Frazer | Herman Fuselier | KIng Taylor Project | Nathan Rivera & Jessie Andra Smith | Vince Lee & Sophie Lord Blues Duo | Boxgirl & The Beatniks | Beard & The Bird | Crown Point Jr. Music Academy | Montgomery Middle School | J7 Kids Entertainment | Rad Hatter

SAN LUIS OBISPO: Shabang Music Festival  May 2-3, 2025
Dairy Creek Golf Course
San Luis Obispo, California
$139-up, shabangslo.com
Event offers camping, yoga & movement, comedy, workshops, samba loca, silent disco, food & drinks and more. 
Line up: 

PARKFIELD: Parkfield Bluegrass Festival May 8-11, 2025
Parkfield Cafe & Community Center
Parkfield, CA
$30-125 approx., parkfieldbluegrass.org
Line up: Central Valley Boys, Edgar Loudermilk, Who's Feeling Young Now, Stillhouse Junkies, Alum Ridge Boys w Ashlee, Edgar Loudermilk, Never Come Down, SLO County Stumblers, Blue Birds on a Wire, Alum Ridge Boys w Ashlee, Mr Sun, Amber Cross, Parkfield Bluegrass Kids

TEHACHAPI: Western Swing Out Weekender
Downtown Tehachapi  May 23-26, 2025
$tickets: westernswingout.com | facebook.com/ westernswingout
Western Swing Bands offer a weekend of Western Swing, Hillbilly, Rockabilly, & Country Music! Line up
Add a vintage western film festival, western costume competition, swing dancing, classic car show, tequila tasting, burlesque show. vintage vendors, an outdoor beer garden, and all the classic appeal of the vintage 1930s-1950s era.

TOPANGA: Topanga Days May 24-26, 2025
Topanga Days Fair
1440 N. Topanga Canyon Blvd.
topangadays.com

Beachlife Festival May 2-4, 2025
Redondo Beach, CA

Punk In The Park May 3, 2025
San Francisco, CA

The Untz Festival May 9- 11, 202
Browns Valley, CA 5

Boots In The Park Santa Clarita May 10, 2025
Santa Clarita, CA

Just Like Heaven Fest May 10, 2025
Pasadena, CA

Mill Valley Festival May 10- 11, 2025
Mill Valley, CA

Joshua Tree Festival Spring
Joshua Tree, CA May 15- 18, 2025

Cosmico May 16- 18, 2025
Guerneville, CA

The Golden Road Gathering May 16- 18, 2025
Placerville, CA

Wonderfront Festival May 16- 18, 2025
San Diego, CA

Cruel World Festival May 17, 2025
Pasadena, CA

California Roots May 23- 25, 2025
Monterey, CA

Newport Beach Jazz Festival May 30- 31, 2025
Newport Beach, CA

La Onda May 31- June 1, 2025
Napa Valley, CA

NAPA: Bottlerock May 23- 25, 2025
575 Third Street  $  bottlerocknapavalley.com 

 McCLOUD: McCloud Mushroom, Music & Wine Festival May 24-25, 2025, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. 
Free, mccloudchamber.com
Celebrate wild mushroom hunting in and around McCloud. 100 artisan, craft, and food vendors, mushroom foraging with the king of mushrooms - Todd Spanier, and music from local and well-known bands.
Line up: tba

REDLANDS: Art in the Park May 24-25, 2025, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. Smiley Park Vine & Orange St. Redland, CA. 100 Artists, food for sale and concerts. Free, redlandsfestivalarts.com

VISALIA: The Great Western Southern Gospel Fan Fest returning in 2026
Visalia Convention Center.  Location: 303 East Acequia Avenue, Visalia, CA $30-up, fanfestivals.com
Line up:

SAN FRANCISCO: Punk in the Park May 3, 2025
Cow Palace
Daly City, CA
$55-up, all ages event, punkinthepark.com
2 stages  of punk rock icons and a ton of craft beer sampling from more than 80 different fan-favorite beers plus food for purchase from local food trucks and vendors.  
Lineup: Pennywise, Screeching Weasel, Lagwagon, Comeback Kid, Good Riddance, Dead to Me, Manic Hispanic, RKL, The Queers, Channel 3, The Side Eyes, Knocked Down and more

YUCAIPA: Yucaipa's Music & Arts Festival May 2-3, 2025
Historic Uptown District
12062 California St.
Yucaipa, CA.
Free | Mainstage concert $25, yucaipa.org/ymaf/
Tickets are not required to view the live entertainment in the Uptown Park but bands cost $25 on Mainstage. The Kids Zone, Gem & Mineral Show, Flower Show, and other activities do not require a ticket to enter. 

MILL VALLEY: Mill Valley Music Festival May 10-11, 2025, 12 p.m. doors open
Friends Field
180 Camino Alto
Mill Valley, CA
$200-up, millvalleymusicfest.com
Nestled below the slopes of Mount Tamalpais, this new destination festival features world-class food, drink and art, presented by Mill Valley Chamber of Commerce.
Lineup: tba

KERNVILLE: Outlaw West Music Festival, May 17, 2025, 12 p.m. at John E. McNally Rodeo Arena
467 Scodie Ave.
Kernville, CA 93238
$30 approx., outlawwestkernville.com
All day outlaw country music party with great bands. 
Lineup: coming soon

BROWNS VALLEY: Untz Festival, May 9-11, 2025
Sycamore Ranch
5390 Highway 20
Browns Valley, CA
$282.51-up for 2 & 3 day tickets, theuntzfestival.com
Event which is 7th underground bass family reunion, offers Yoga, Workshops, Community Art, Live Painting. Music  continues unimpeded through the night, culminating in sunrise sets on Saturday and Sunday morning. The Siren Society  aerialists and performers  soar and bound across the arena.
Lineup:   Resonant Language, Cesco B2B MPH, Distinct Motive, The Widdler, Mary Droppinz, Chef Boyarbeatz, Neumonic, Fly, Plsij, Jordnmoody, Snuffy, Inspect3r, Souki, Crawdad Sniper, Smigonaut., Azhes, Onhell, Snuffy, Yheti, Wormhole Music Group, Bass Waffles, Kyra Collective, Auracle, Bunny G, Baby Kush, Khariszma, Neumonic, Clearcast, WUFU, Circadian Riff, Peewhee, Dielahn, Pastry, The Gradient Perspective, many more B2B DJs

SANTA CLARITA: Boots in the Park May 10, 2025
Central Park
27150 Bouquet Canyon Rd
Santa Clarita, CA 91350
$69-179 approx., bootsinthepark.com
Evening of live music, craft food and cocktails, line dancing, games and giveaways, and much more as The Lawn at Central Park is transformed into Santa Clarita's country music party!
Lineup: tba

 

 

 

Past events

FULLERTON: The Muckenthaler Jazz Festival May 2024
Muckenthaler Cultural Center 1201 West Malvern Ave Fullerton, CA. $, themuck.org

CHICO: Wildflower Music Festival. no info for 2025 as of 1/19
DeGarmo Park
Esplanade
Chico, CA
$55, wildflowermusicfest.com
Lineup: The Brothers Comatose, Rainbow Girls, Monophonics

ROHNERT PARK: Kreole & Crawfish Gathering  no info 2025
SOMA Village Center
1100 Valley House Dr.
Rohnert Park, CA
$30-360, andrethierry.com
Billed as an array of Brass, Zydeco, and Accordion Soul Music, the festival includes a full bar with both alcoholic and non-alcoholic drink options, and ticket options with and without Crawfish Boil Experience.

TOPANGA: Topanga Blues Festival  tba 2025
Will Geer Theatricum Botanicum Topanga Canyon, CA
Tickets: $50-125, eventbrite.com
Line up: Vince Lee & Sophie Lord, Kirk Fletcher, Melvin Taylor, The Delgado Brothers

YERMO: Bluegrass Festival May 11, 2024, 9 a.m.-7 p.m.
Calico Ghost Town Mother's Day Weekend
$15, parks.sbcounty.gov
1-800-86-CALICO
Calico Ghost Town
36600 Ghost Town Road
Yermo, CA 92398 

BELMONT: Hungarian Festival May 11, 2024
Twin Pine Park
30 Twin Pines Lane
Belmont, CA
$, hungarianheritagefestival.com 

HAYWARD: Hawaiian May Day Festival May 11, 2024, 11 a.m.-6 p.m.
B Street and Main Street
Hayward, CA
Free admission, kumuhulaassociation.com/mayday
Line up: The Vitals 808, Reno Anoa'i, The Servants, Native Elements, Mr. Mego & Alvin, Hawaiian Royalty

PASADENA: Cruel World Festival  May 11, 2025, 12-11 p.m. at Brookside at The Rose Bowl
1001 Rose Bowl Drive
Pasadena, CA
Tickets: cruelworldfest.com
Lineup: Adam Ant, Adult., Balvanera, Blondie, Body Of Light, Dreamcar, Duran Duran, French Police, Gary Numan Performing The Pleasure Principle, General Public, Harsh Symmetry, Heaven 17, Interpol, Leathers, Lol Tolhurst X Budgie, Ministry Celebrating  With Sympathy and Twitch, Model/Actriz, Nuovo Testamento, Patriarchy, Placebo, Simple Minds, Soft Cell, The Alarm, The Faint, The Jesus & Mary Chain, The Mission Uk, The Motels, The Stranglers, Tones On Tail, Tr / St, Zanias,

CRYSTAL BASIN: Mountain Vibe Music Festival May 16-29, 2024 Location: Robbs Resort, 14216 Ice House Road, Pollock Pines, CA. $, mountainvibemusic.com
Line up: Local Anthology, Tiger Shade, Accidents at Sundown, Sabertooth Unicorn, Ryder Thieves,  Mama Foxxy, Trancending Lawrence, Skinny Hendrixx & the Earthtones, Hot Trunk Whiskey, 1 Nancy Lake & the Ripple Effect, Fast & Vengefully, Friday May 17th, Tha Exchange, Forrest Day, Coast Tribe, El Dub,  False Rhythms, Moxie Barker, Miki Rae & the Hooligans, Power Up,  Band of Coyotes, Thrown Out Bones, Saturday May 18th, Arden Park Roots,  Another Damn Disappointment, Planting Seeds,  Burnt, Skunk Funk,  Eazy Dub, They Went Ghost, In the Works, E-Regulars, 1 Born & Raised, Nowhere Special

JOSHUA TREE: Joshua Tree Music Festival, May 16-19, 2024 Less people, more space.
Line up:
Location: 2601 Sunfair Rd., Joshua Tree, California 92252. Tickets: $, joshuatreemusicfestival
Line up: Fantastic Negrito, Moon Hooch, Steve Poltz, Funk You, Telmary & HabanaSana, Madison McFerrin, Q.Varo, Bongo Sidibe & The TonTons, Object Heavy, Evan Hatfield, Mak Nova w/ ElieDanGary, Orchestra Gold, Mikey Reyes & The Feeling, Spacehall Sound Machine, Lis, QWANQWA, Afrobeta, Las Tias, Wildlife Freeway, Corinne West, Divina Jasso, MTN GRL, Helena Holleran, Madame Harlequin, Sister John Angela, Anna & Cassie, The GetDown, Alcazar, DJ Mai Girl, LMcG, Abe Tostado, Sir Kaydian, DJ Cinergy, The Disco Shaman Is Real, GROOVE w/ Alyssa DeCaro, Major Butta, Lorka & The Echo Orchestra

PLACERVILLE: Golden Road Gathering May 17-19, 2024
El Dorado County Fairgrounds
100 Placerville Drive
Placerville, CA
$ general admission passes, goldenroadgathering.com
Camping options available
Line up: Beats Antique | Dirtwire | Lotus | Fruition | Moontricks | Ryan Montbleau Band | The Nth Power | Steve Poltz | Diggin Dirt | Lebo & Friends | Mike Dillon Punkadelick | Little Hurricane | Sun Hop Fat | The Humidors | The Gold Souls | Red Dirt Ruckus | Tha Exchange | Lazwell | Ryder Thieves | Niupper Brohters | Blu Egyptian | Moody Cat |  Knuf | Swamp Zen |  Steve Poltz | Diggin Dirt | Lebo & Friends | Mike Dillon Punkadelick | Polyrhythmics | TV Broken 3rd Eye Open ft. Katie Skene |  Little Hurricane | The Humidors | Blue Turtle Seduction 

AGOURA HILLS: Topanga Banjo Fiddle Contest and Folk Festival May 19, 2024 at King Gillette Ranch, 26800 Mulholland Highway, Calabasas, CA 91302. Southern California's favorite tradition for 60+ years. Contests, jamming, featured performers, folk dancing, flat-foot dancing, clogging, children's activities, story tellers, hand-made crafts, workshops, food trucks (or bring your own), and exhibits. $50-up, topangabanjofiddle.org 
Lineup: Featuring: AJ Lee and Blue Summit, The Way Down Wanderers, Grupo Bella, Hillary Klug, Water Tower, The Crooked Jades, The Packrats, JB Barton, The Matt Michienzie Band, Anvil Sky, Hendricks Run, The Hollow Trees, Peter Alsop, Little Folk Club, ABC’s of Jugband Music with Morgan Cochneuer, ABC’s of Jugband Music with Morgan Cochneuer The MicroBox Music Stage Guest MC’s: Kenny Feinstein, The Doohickeys, Anna & James Orbison, Richard Foss, Rebecca Stout, Larry Wines

BREA:Brea Bonanza Days Country Music Festival May 17-19, 2024
Downtown Brea
210 W. Birch Street
Brea, CA
Free, $35 VIP reserved seating area close to stage, Free General Admission & Parking, $ VIP Seats, breadowntown.com
Line Dancing Lessons all weekend! Kids zone with Petting zoo, inflatables, panning for gold and more! Beer & Wine Garden. 
Line up:   Grand Junction, Patrick Trampus & Honkie Tonk Nights, Cassie B, Vegas McGraw, Kylie Trout, Daniel Bonter, The Kelly Boyz, Dean Kalogris + Dolly Impersonator, Dance Contest and more.

TEMECULA: Balloon & Wine Festival May 17-19, 2024
Lake Skinner County Park
Winchester, CA
$60-200, VIP $275-350, tvbwf.com 
Lineup:  Stone Temple Pilots, Lynyrd Skynyrd, George Thorogood & the Destroyers, Chase Bryant, Neon Union, Tyler Rich, Lauren Alaina, Yachtley Crew, The Pistol Blonde, The Weathered Souls, Diamante, Caravana, Billy Williams, Hanna Ellis, Lit, Fuel

SACRAMENTO: Country in the Park May 17-18, 2024 at Cal Expo's Miller Light Grandstand.  Cinco de Mayo Fiery Fiesta with taco trucks, mariachis, piñatas, and fun; Boot Scootin' Line Dance Saloon;  Mechanical Bull, Axe Throwing, Glamour Lounge, Relaxation Zone, Psychics,  and Food Fest featuring over 30 premiere food trucks. Beer, Wine, Margaritas, and Cocktails for adults 21 and older. Location: 1600 Exposition Blvd., Sacramento, CA. $85 + $ parking, calexpostatefair.com
Lineup: Brantley Gilbert, Dustin Lynch, Walker Hayes, Michael Ray, Brian Kelley, Ingrid Andress, Priscilla Block, Chase Matthew, and Drew Baldridge!

PASADENA: Just Like Heaven May 18, 2024, 12 p.m. at The Rose Bowl
1001 Rose Bowl Drive
Pasadena, CA
$189-up, rosebowlstadium.com
Indie rock and electro dance back together for one unforgettable day of music.
Lineup: The Postal Service, Phoenix, Death Cab for Cutie, The War on Drugs, Mike Snow, Passion Pit, Alvvays, Two Door Cineman Club, Phantogram, Metric

LIVERMORE: Downtown Street Fest May 18-19, 2024, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday & 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday. Beer & Wine Tasting and bands performing all day. Free, tasting ticket $20, livermoredowntown.com
Lineup: Foam Riders, René Escovedo's Latin Jazz Ensemble, Crawdad Republic, East Bay Grooveline, The Groovy Judy Band, SmokeHouse, Sugar Bear Band, Dustbowl Travelers, Damn Dirty Apes, Island of Black and White, Mercy & The Heartbeats, The Midnites, Meredith McHenry Trio, Ruff Stock

PLEASANT HILL: Pleasant Hill, Wine & Music Festival, May 18-19, 2024
Event includes a Craft Beer Garden. $45-60, pleasanthillchamber.com
Lineup: Lumberyard special concert, Michelle Lambert, Paper Kayak, Junk Drawer, Jewels Hanson, Great Space Coaster, Sixteen Scandals, Full Spectrum, Salvage Title

SANTA FE SPRINGS: Heritage of Aloha Festival May 18-19, 2024
Santa Fe Springs Heritage Park
12100 Mora Dr.
Santa Fe Springs, CA
Hours: Saturday 10 am - 6 pm; Sunday 10 am - 5 pm
Free admission,  /heritageofaloha.com
Line up:  Contests: Spam Musubi Eating Contest

SOLANA BEACH: Fiesta del Sol May 18-19, 2024
Fletcher Cove Beach Park.  Parking & Shuttle service from the Stevens Avenue Lot and Via De La Valle Lot. Free  Admission, fiestadelsol.net 
Line up: Daring Greatly, SULLVN, Atomic Groove, The Rockademy, Jimmy’s Buffet, Hullabaloo, Mustache Harbor, Desperado, Em Cable Band, The Wailers, Ozomatli, Veni Sun, Sitting on Stacy, Sabrosas Latin Orchestra and Whitney Shay

CAMPBELL: Boogie on the Avenue, Campbell's Music Festival May 18-19, 2024, 10 a.m. 
downtowncampbell.com
Campbell's music festival is free. Line up: The Hitmen, The JukeBox Boyz, Lauren Halliwell & the Dirty Sound, Anthony Arya Band, Sound Decision, First Call, Rjae Haas Band, Pearl Alley Band, Bob Gonzales Band Connor Morrison Music, Wandering Acoustics, Chain of Fools, Rusty Rock & Roll, We're BluesChasers, Megatones Acoutstic, Breux Show, Brooke & emil, John Michael Band, Cocktail Monkeys, VitalSign Band, Mary Ellen & Thom

 

LONG BEACH: I Love RnB Music Festival September 27, 2024, 12 p.m.
Queen Mary Festival Grounds
1126 Queens Highway
Long Beach, CA
$160-329.99, ilovernb.com
90's nostalgic mega-concert experience featuring a stacked, superstar lineup, craft food & beverages, art installations and much more!
Lineup:  

SAN DIEGO: Cinco de Mayo in Old Town

LODI: Fusion Music Festival Postponed in 2024 due to construction at Lodi Lake
Lodi Lake Park
1101 W. Turner Road
Lodi, California 95242
$75-125, experiencethefusion.com
 Three Stages with Nine Performers. Wine and Craft Beer Vendors , Food Trucks, Snacks & Desserts , Live Music, Merchandise Vendors 

FOSTER CITY: Polynesian Festival 
Leo Ryan Park Amphitheatre
Free, fostercity.org
Cultural performances from award-winning professional Polynesian Dance companies from around the Bay Area.

SANTA CRUZ: Santa Cruz Bluegrass Fair 
scbs.org | bluegrass

 

Events are not guaranteed. It is your responsibility to confirm before going.