40 Music Festivals in California this September

If you think that the music festival scene in California slows down in September, think again! September has become one of the most popular months to celebrate with a campout in a weekend music festival or one day event. The music is diverse, too! You can listen to fiddles, banjos, Country, Indie, Reggae, Rap or Jazz. And they are just a few of the musical themes in the month in which California's weather is typically warm and inviting. From far-flung forests in the Sierras to soft sand beaches in the South Bay - LA, music fills the air this year.

LOS ANGELES: RNB Festival September 7, 2024
Grand Park
200 N Grand Ave.
Los Angeles, CA 90012
$19-up, RnbFestival2024.com
(562) 755-9913
Live on Stage Omarion, Bow Wow, Ashanit, Ja Rule, Monica,  Pretty Ricky, Fabolous, Ginuwine Mya, Keri Hilson, Lloyd, Ray J, Samme, Bobby V, Pleasure P, Soulja Boy, Chingy, Lil Mo, Yung Berg, Tweet, J Holiday, Nivea, Truth Hurts,  Jermaine Dupri

Mountain Theater hosted  Jefferson Airplane at the KFRC Fantasy Fair and Magic Mountain Music Festival in 1967.

UPPER LAKE: Blue Wing Blues Festival August 31-September 2, 2024
Tallman Hotel
9550 Main St.
Upper Lake, CA
$75+tax, tallmanhotel.com
Annual outdoor blues festival under the Sycamores in the garden between the Tallman and the Blue Wing. Just as the sun sets, enjoy a gourmet BBQ dinner while listening to an opening and world-class headliner band.
Line up: John Primer Blues Band, Hilarie Wilt, Ben Rice & the Portland Hustle and The Johnnie Burgin Blues Band

GRASS VALLEY: Brownsville Blues Review September 1, 2024, 6:30 p.m. at Grass Valley Center for the Arts
314 W. Main
Grass Valley, CA
facebook.com/brownsvillebluesfestival 
Line up: Willie G, Michael Skinner and The Final Touch Band

SACRAMENTO: Tejano Conjunto Festival August 31-September 1, 2024 Tejano Conjunto Festival Annual event taking place Labor Day Weekend. Location: Cesar Chavez Plaza, 910 I Street, Sacramento, CA. $30 approx., facebook.com/ TejanoConjuntoFestivalSac

TURLOCK: WSGMA Labor Day Gospel Music Celebration September 2, 2024, 1-5 p.m.
Connecting Point Church of Nazarene
3200 E. Monte Vista Ave.
Denair, CA
Free, wsgma.com 
Lineup: Solid Ground, The Roberts, The Herb Henry Family, The Lighthouse Boys, The Casey Family,  Reliance

MT. SHASTA: Blackberry Music Festival September 1, 2024, 12- 6 p.m.
Mt Shasta City Park
Nixon Rd
Mt Shasta, CA
$5 per car requested donation, mtshastablackberry.com
The Festival features bands beginning at Noon. Also, a variety of games and races for children will be organized through out the day, a barbeque, beer & other beverages and Blackberry Pie & Ice Cream! The Mount Shasta Rotary presents the Annual Blackberry Music Festival. Line up: Tashina Clarridge, Tristan Clarridge & Badger Lindley, Jessica Malone, Secret Society Handshake

QUINCY: Plumas Homegrown Americana Festival August 30-September 1, 2024
Plumas County Fairgrounds.
Fairground Road, Quincy, CA
$50 Saturday | $40 Sunday | $50 Square Dance, camping optional fees, plumasamericana.com
Labor Day Weekend bluegrass music festival includes some serious Square Dancing.
Lineup: Tony Argento, Poi Rogers, Cactus Bob & Prairie Flower, Hank & Shaidri Alrich, Sweet Sally, Keith Little, The Rough Edges, Wildcat Mountain Ramblers, Marin County Breakdown, The Back 40, Dust in my Coffee, Lowell "Banana" Levinger of the Youngbloods, Ramblin' Jack Elliot

MARIN COUNTY: Sound Summit Saturday, September 7, 2024, 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Gates open 10 a.m.
Mount Tamalpais State Park
Mountain Theater
East Ridgecrest Blvd.
$120, $60 age 12 years & under, SoundSummit.net
Mountain Parking is $65, and the Bus Shuttle Round Trip from Mill Valley is $30
Music and celebration includes emcees Murph & Mac + Tim Lynch, two indie-rock icons Courtney Barnett and Kurt Vile, The California Honeydrops,  Grace Bowers & The Hodge Podge, Skyway Man (artist/conjurer). DJ Andy Cabic of Vetiver spins all day. Mount Tamalpais State Park by Roots & Branches Conservancy, Sound Summit which has donated over $250,000 to Mount Tam and the historic Mountain Theater, a 4,000-seat natural stone amphitheater with stunning views of San Francisco, the Bay, and the Pacific beyond. The theater hosted the famed Jefferson Airplane performance at the KFRC Fantasy Fair and Magic Mountain Music Festival in 1967.

TUOLUMNE: River Ranch Music Festival September 6-8, 2024
 Nicholas Lefler Presents: The 23rd River Ranch Music Festival   Music starts at 6 pm Friday. All Ages Welcome Camping and Parking included. River Ranch Campgrounds Tuolumne, California facebook.com/RiverRanchMusicFestival/
Lineup: 

LAYTONVILLE: The Hog Farm Hideaway September 20-22, 2024 at Black Oak Ranch • Laytonville, CA Save The Hog Farm Hideaway  to your collection. Located on the beautiful Black Oak Ranch in California
 $150-650, hogfarmhideaway.com

SANTA ROSA: Railroad Square Music Festival September 22, 2024, 12 - 7 p.m. Free Downtown Santa Rosa, CA
railroadsquaremusicfestival.com
Line up:  

SAN DIEGO: CRSSD Festival September 28-29, 2024 at Waterfront Park.
1600 Pacific Coast Highway
San Diego, CA
$175-235, 21+, crssdfest.com
Electronic music festival features techno, house and electronic music artists 
Lineup:

WILTON: Nudestock September 12-15, 2024 at Laguna del Sol.
8683 Rawhide Lane
Wilton, CA 95693
lagunadelsol.com
916-687-6550
Clothing optional resort with a music festival featuring a lively lineup:  Thursday 5-8 pm Keep on Truckin'; Friday 6-9pm  Neon Playboys; Saturday 11am-2pm Four Barrel; Saturday 2:30-5:30pm Petty Jack Flash; Sunday 11am-2pm Get Down Tonight; Sunday 2:30-5:30pm Power Play

BISHOP: Millpond Music Festival September 20-22, 2024
Millpond County Park
$40-130, inyo.org
Camping is also available by reservation
Lineup:  The Lao Tizer Band
Abby Posner & The Big Fall
Sandy and the High Country image
Nikka Costa
Eva Loona & Fine Folk
The Lee Boys
Nathan & Jessie
Los Silverbacks
Rainbow Girls
Fiddlin' Pete Watercott
La Muchacha
Sage Romero
Water Tower
Giacomo & Friends
Mustangs of the West

 

 

 

 

CALIFORNIA CITY/EDWARDS: Wasteland Weekend   September 25-29, 2024
Mojave Desert
Edwards, CA
$200 approx., wastelandweekend.com
Worlds largest Post-apocalyptic music festival usually includes:
Death Guild Thunderdome
Masuimi Max and Chaos Rites fire troupe
Car Show
Car Cruise puts you inside a Mad Max movie
Last Chance Casino
The post-apocalyptic swimsuit contest celebrating, fashion and flesh extravaganza!
The Costume Contest
The Remote Control Car DEATH RACE!
The Juggers of the Wasteland, First Tribe of the Wastes, co-ed post apocalyptic team sports!
The World's first and last Post-Apocalyptic Arcade
The Wasteland Film Festival + Nuke Review Theater post-apocalyptic film screenings
The Friday Formal with amazing fancy outfits

PERRIS: Same Same But Different September 27-29, 2024
Lake Perris State Park
Perris, CA
$350-up, ssbdfest.com
Camping available

SAN FRANCISCO: Hardly Strictly Bluegrass   October 4-6, 2024
Free, hardlystrictlybluegrass.com
Golden Gate Park's Hellman Hollow (formerly Speedway Meadows)
San Francisco, CA

DANA POINT: Ohana September 27-29, 2024  at Doheny State Beach
Dana Point, CA
Tickets: ohanafest.com 
Includes  Pearl Jam, Alanis Morissette, Troubadours, Black Pumas, Idles, The Breeders, Crowded House, Dogstar, Flipturn, more...

WATTS: Simon Rodia Watts Tower Day of the Drum Festival September 28 & Jazz Festival September 29, 2024
42nd Annual Watts Towers Day of the Drum Festival September 30, 2023, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. & 43rd Annual Simon Rodia Watts Towers Jazz Festival October 1, 2023, 10 a.m.-6 p.m.
 Watts Towers Campus
1727 E. 107th St.
Watts, CA
Free wattstowers.org

SAN FRANCISCO: Portola Festival September 28-29, 2024
Pier 80
San Francisco, CA 
$250-up, portolamusicfestival.com
 

 

 

Past events

 

TORRANCE: 37th Annual South Bay Invitational Marching Band Tournament September 30, 2023, 2-8:30 p.m.  Location: West High School, Fred Peterson Football Stadium 20401 Victor St Torrance, California 90503
$15, $5 kids & seniors, torranceca.gov listed on calendar
15 SoCal bands perform their Fall Field Shows, competing for a chance to reach the championships. Enjoy amazing performances by 3 Torrance high schools, as well as other local schools Redondo and Mira Costa. Purchase goodies including bake sale treats, spam musubi, and other concessions to support the West High Entertainment Unit!

 

 

LINCOLN: Rewind Fest 80s Live September 1, 2024, 7 p.m.
Thunder Valley Casino Resort
1200 Athens Avenue
Lincoln, CA
$50-125, thundervalleyresort.com
Rewind the Lost 80s with all your favorite artists from  The Decade that Defined a Generation.
Lineup  Oingo Boingo Former Members, A Flock of Seagulls, The English Beat, Wang Chung, The Vapors, The Escape Club, Missing Persons, Dramarama, Animotion, Stacey Q, Musical Youth, and Boys Don’t Cry.

CHICO: ChicoLive Music Fest September 9, 2023, 12-7 p.m.
City Plaza
132 W. 4th St.
Chico, CA
$69 pre-75 gate, age 21+ only, downtownchico.com
Music, food and fun at this inaugural downtown music festival.
Lineup: Frankie Ballard Band Country - Blues & Southern Rock, The Funnels,  Stroke 9, Township

JUNE LAKE: June Lake Loop Jam Fest 8, September 8-10, 2023
Gull Lake Park - June Lake Loop
Gull Lake Road
June Lake, CA
junelakearts.org | junelakejamfest.org
Lineup: Stu Allen and Cubensis, The Mother Hips, Groovesession, Katie Skene Band, Shaky Feelin, Boot Juice, Hempstring Orchestra, Wolf Jett, Kareeta and the MHS Jazz Ensemble, Marc Ford, The Storytellers, Alex Jordan Band, The Festival Express, Lightning Dan & the Crawdads, Love Mischief, Tracorum, Hot Mountain Dips, Sanford Street, The Great North Special

LAWNDALE: Lawndale Blues Festival September 9, 2023, 12 p.m.
Jane Addams Park
15114 Firmona Avenue
Lawndale, CA
Free, lawndalecity.org

PLACERVILLE: Gold Hill Country Music Festival September 9, 2023, 12-10 p.m.
Saureel Vineyards
1140 Cold Springs Rd
Placerville, CA 95667
$45-95  facebook.com/ goldhillmusicfestival/
Lineup: Jackson Michelson, Local Favorites, Real Country, North Forty Country, Kenny Frye Band, Country Cougars
Bring lawn chairs. No outside food & beverages, no pets.

OXNARD: Oxnard Jazz Festival September 9-10, 2023
Oxnard Beach Park
1601 Harbor Blvd.
Oxnard, CA
$75-up, oxnardjazzfestival.com
Lineup Saturday: Deniece Williams, DW3, Eric Benet, Kim and Kayla Waters, Ray Jaurique & The Uptown Brothers, Spyro Gyro, The Original Lakeside, Special Guest DJ: DJ Karma Camille | Sunday: Catina de Luna, Isaiah Venegas, Kleber Jorge, La Marcha Sound, Monograma, Ricardo Lemvo Special Guest DJ: DJ J Scratch

WHEATLAND: Holo Holo Music Festival September 9-10, 2023
Toyota Amphitheatre
2677 Forty Mile Road
Wheatland, CA 95692
$45-175, holoholofestival.com
Lineup: CRSB, Chris Boomer, Common Kings, Eli-Mac, Fiji, Finn Gruva, Iam Tongi, J Boog, Ka'ikena Scanlan, Koa'Uka, Kolohe Kai, Maoli, Mike Love, Rebel Souljahz, Steel Pulse, Three Plus

PINECREST: Sum of Us Festival September 14-17, 2023 near Yosemite National Park. Camping, Wellness Workshops, Campfire & Pool Gatherings, Freshwater Swimming Hole, Live Performances and more at this festival ideal for non-conforming identities. Tickets: sumofusfest.com

VACAVILLE: Vacaville Jazz Festival September 15-17, 2023
Free Admission, vacajazzsociety.org
The big day is Saturday, September 16, 2023
Line up: Vaca Jazz Society's...

SAN BERNARDINO: Nocturnal Wonderland September 16-17, 2023, 3 p.m.-12 a.m.
Glen Helen Regional Park
2555 Glen Helen Parkway
San Bernardino, CA
$120 approx., nocturnalwonderland.com
Lineup Nocturnal Wonderland

AUBURN: Ain't Necessarily Dead Festival September 16, 2023, 12-10 p.m.
Regional Park 3770
Richardson Drive
Auburn, CA Free, auburnrec.com
Grateful Dead Tribute Concert This is a free show! Live Music, Craft Beer Garden, Kid Fun Zone, and Crafts
Lineup: Stu Allen & Mars Hotel, Moonalice, David Nelson & Pete Grant w/ Friends, The And Allstars Ft. Garrett Deloian, Hot Mountain Dips & Friends, Lantz Laszwell & The Vibe Tribe, Love Mischief, Moody Cats, Band Beyond Description, Johnny Mojo, and Chris Heckmann

TEMECULA: Way Out West Fest September 16, 2023, 12-5 p.m. | Way Out West Fest Hoedown 6-10 p.m.
Peltzer Farm & Winery
40275 Calle Contento
Temecula, CA 92591
$20 Daytime admission $10, $5 Child, charityforcharity.org
 $75 presale Hoedown
Live Music all day, steer riding, mutton bustin, ropin dummies, ranch sorting and more. Food for sale includes hot dogs, snocones, food trucks on site, beer & wine. Mechanical Bull ride Daytime lineup: Westward Sons, Timmy McKeever, Jr.
Way Out West Fest Hoedown at night: Frankie Ballard headlining

FIDDLETOWN: Fiddlers' Jam Saturday, September 16, 2023, 11 a.m.-5 p.m.
Musician sign-ups begin at 9 a.m.
fiddletownca.org
The Fiddletown Community Center presents the Annual music festival on Main Street in Fiddletown offers free, fun, family-friendly entertainment. 

SAN FRANCISCO: Day To Night Festival at Treasure Island September 16, 2023, 1-9 p.m.
Treasure Island
San Francisco, CA
$50-210, daytonightfestival.com age 21+ only
DJ lineup: Duke Dumont, Gordo, Desert Hearts Mikey Lion B2B Lee Reynolds, Honeyluv, David Hohme, and Soundproof

LOS ANGELES: Western Music Association Showcase Sunday, September 17, 2023, 12-2 p.m.
The Autry Museum
4700 Western Heritage Way
Los Angeles, CA
$14, theautry.org
Join musicians and cowboy poets as they perform stories and songs of the romantic Old West, contemporary music of the American West, and songs of the open range and the American cowboy. Hosted by the California Chapter of the Western Music Association.

PALM SPRINGS: The Dinah Largest Girl Party Music Festival in the World September 20-24, 2023
$. (888) 92-DINAH (34624) thedinah.com 21+, guys welcome
 lineup

BERKELEY: Berkeley Old Time Music Convention September 20-24, 2023
Berkeley CA
berkeleyoldtimemusic.org
Main venue is Freight & Salvage with other sessions held at Ohlone Park, Ashkenaz and Civic Center Park. Jamming & workshops are mostly free; concerts charge a fee

• Sept.20 Welcome Party at Ashkenaz with SLO County Stumblers, Erik Hoffman, Edward Poullard, Thompsonia, 8 p.m. Cajun jam with Edward Poullard, 9 p.m. Old time jam Slate Mountain Ramblers
• Sept.21 Jamming & workshops free, concert at 7p.m. at Freight & Salvage with Sheila Kay Adams, Slate Mountain Ramblers, Nokosee Fields Trio
• Sept.22 Jamming & workshops free, concert 7 p.m. at Freight & Salvage with Caleb Klauder & Reeb Willms, Hubby Jenkins & Jackson Lynch, Plaid Strangers $fee
• Sept.23 Concert for kids + string band contest at Civic Center 10 a.m. free; Square Dance 7 p.m. at Ashkenaz $fee
• Sept.24 Jamming & workshops; Family dance at 3 p.m. with Corn Likkers & Eric Hoffman at Ashkenaz free

KERNVILLE: Kern River Rock N Blues Festival September 21-24, 2023
kernriverrocknblues.com

MONTEREY: Monterey Jazz Festival September 22-24, 2023 at Monterey County Fairgrounds, $60-up, montereyjazzfestival.org
Lineup: The Trio: Gerald Clayton, John Clayton & Jeff Hamilton, Herbie Hancock, Thundercat, Dianne Reeves, Snarky Puppy ... 

TORRANCE: Los Angeles International Ukulele Festival September 22-24, 2023
Torrance Cultural Arts Center
3330 Civic Center Drive
Torrance, CA
$47, kalakoa.com

REDDING: Redding Roots Revival September 22-23, 2023
Chain Gang Bike Shop
1540 Division St. is on the right
Redding, CA
$59-86, reddingrootsrevival.org
Line up: Redding Roots, G Love (Solo), Chuck Prophet & The Mission Express, Seth Walker, Steve Poltz, Shawn Mullins, Diggin Dirt, Royal Jelly Jive, Marty O'Reilly (trio), Ashleigh Flynn & The Riveters, David Jacobs-Strain & Bob Beach, The Brothers Reed, David Luning, Jeffrey Alan Berkley, Altameda, Late for the Train, Small Paul, One-Sol, Danger Kitty Music, Flagship Armada, Mark McAbee & The Ghost Highways, FM Flyby, Midnight, Jacob Akana, Joe Steele Music, Ashley Black Music, Shiitake Love, Mikaela Raudman, Robin Montgomery, Annie-Coty, Daniel Hill, Nala Kathleen, Roger Jaeger, Anna Jae 

SAN DIEGO: Adams Avenue Street Fair September 23-24, 2023, 10 a.m. - 10 p.m. Saturday; 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Sunday
adamsavenuebusiness.com
Multiple stages of Music, Carnival, Beer Gardens, Food Tastings, Street Entertainment, Over 300 Vendors and more! 

AVILA BEACH: Alta Music Festival September 23-24, 2023, 2 p.m.
Avila Beach Golf Resort
Avila Beach, CA
$, altamusicfestival.com
Lineup: Sublime with Rome, Tribal Seeds, Bone Thugs-N-Harmony, Tropidelic, Shwayze, Dirty Heads, E-40, Pepper, Rome & Duddy, Coyote Island

REDONDO BEACH: Beachlife Ranch Country & American Music Festival September 23-24, 2023, 11:30 a.m.
239 North Harbor Drive
Redondo Beach, CA 90277
Tickets $208 day-up, beachlifefestival.com
Musical performances on the sand with multiple curated stages, ages 10 and under  free with ticketed adult, Art installations that celebrate beach culture from local artists, South Bay-rooted food and beverage experiences and vending areas featuring 20+ local restaurants, carts, and trucks
Friday lineup: Jack Johnson, The Avett Brothers, Shakey Graves, Bahamas, Devon Allman & Donavon Frankenreiter, Rome & Duddy, Goodnight, Texas, Pillbox Patt, The Wandering Hearts, Taylor Austin Dye, Laci Kaye Booth, The Walker Roaders, Jay Nash, Daniel Bonte
Saturday: The Doobie Brothers, Wynonna Judd, Cody Jinks, Shooter Jennings' Revival Performing the Highwaymen, Blackberry Smoke, Larkin Poe, Keb' Mo', Brothers Comatose, Joe Purdy, Marc Ford, Tyler Bryant & the Shakedown, The Reverend Peyton's Big Damn Band, Abby Anderson, Anna Vaus, Buckstein, Luke Tyler Shelton
Sunday: Brad Paisley, Midland, Chris Isaak, Parmalee, Easton Corbin, Yola, The Marshall Tucker Band, Amanda Shires, Jess Williamson, Cassandra Lewis, Miles Miller, Halle Kearns, Jonathan Terrell, Logan Ledger, Brett Landin, Kelly's Lot

WESTCHESTER: Westchester Arts and Music (WAM) Block Party September 23, 2023, 12-7 p.m.
Free admission! Art, music, food and fun! The Emerson Avenue Community Garden Club hosts a day-long celebration. Location: Emerson Avenue between 80th Street and 80th Place closed for event, garden  tours, art activities for all ages, and a diverse mix of music and dance performances, vendors and food trucks. wamblockparty.org

LOS ANGELES: Central Avenue Jazz Festival September 23, 2023
The Annual Central Avenue Jazz Festival on Central Ave. between King Blvd. & Vernon Ave.
Free, centralavejazzfest.com
Lineup: Hubert Laws; Central Avenue Jazz Experience with Ryan Porter, Brandon Coleman, Cameron Graves, Ben Willliams, Tony Austin, Tori Scruggs; Yosmel Montejo & La Caliente; Yuko Mabuchi Trio; Boogaloo Assassins; Legally Blynd; Billy Childs Quartet featuring Sean Jones

COLUMBIA: Fiddle & Bango Contest September 23, 2023, 10:30 a.m.
visitcolumbiacalifornia.com

 

 

 

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