Best California Music Festivals: Dates, Locations & Genres

California hosts major music festivals throughout the year, spanning country, rock, jazz, electronic, reggae, classical, indie and multi-genre events. This statewide guide highlights notable California music festivals with 2026 dates, locations and genres, along with links to official festival information.

California Music Festivals

Planning tip: Festival dates, venues, lineups and admission policies can change. Check the official festival website before traveling or purchasing tickets.

Upcoming California Music Festivals

Nocturnal Wonderland — September 19–20, 2026 — San Bernardino
Monterey Jazz Festival — September 25–27, 2026 — Monterey
Ohana Festival — September 25–27, 2026 — Dana Point
Portola Music Festival — September 26–27, 2026 — San Francisco
Ocean Way Festival — September 26–27, 2026 — Santa Monica
Hardly Strictly Bluegrass — October 2–4, 2026 — San Francisco
Head Trip — October 10–11, 2026 — Indio
Camp Flog Gnaw Carnival — November 14–15, 2026 — Los Angeles

Coachella Valley Music & Arts Festival

Empire Polo Club
81-800 51st Avenue, Indio, CA 92201
2026 Dates: April 10–12 & 17–19
Genre: Multi-genre
Region: Southern California

Coachella is a two-weekend music and arts festival featuring major artists across multiple genres, large-scale art installations and a variety of on-site experiences at the Empire Polo Club.

Stagecoach Music Festival

Empire Polo Club
81-800 51st Avenue, Indio, CA 92201
2026 Dates: April 24–26
Genre: Country
Region: Southern California

Stagecoach is a three-day country music festival at the Empire Polo Club in Indio. The event features major country artists across multiple stages along with dance, food and other festival experiences. Check the official site for the current lineup and event details.

Beachlife Music Festival

250 N Harbor Drive, Redondo Beach, CA 90277
2026 Dates: May 1–3
Genre: Rock / pop / alternative / multi-genre
Region: Southern California

BeachLife is a three-day coastal music festival in Redondo Beach featuring rock, pop, alternative and other genres across multiple stages. Food, vendors and additional festival experiences are available throughout the weekend.

Joshua Tree Music Festival

Joshua Tree Lake Campground
2601 Sunfair Road, Joshua Tree, CA 92252
2026 Dates: October 8–11
Genre: Eclectic / world / indie / multi-genre
Region: Southern California

Joshua Tree Music Festival combines an eclectic lineup of live music with art, wellness and community activities in the high desert. Programming varies by edition and may include movement, mindfulness, family activities and visual arts. Check the official festival schedule for current performers and experiences.

California Roots Festival

Monterey County Fairgrounds
2004 Fairgrounds Road, Monterey, CA 93940
2026 Dates: May 22–24
Genre: Reggae / reggae rock / roots / hip-hop
Region: Central Coast

California Roots Music & Art Festival brings reggae, reggae rock, roots, hip-hop and related genres to the Monterey County Fairgrounds. The multi-day festival also incorporates visual art and sustainability initiatives. Check the official festival site for current programming and visitor information.

BottleRock Napa Valley

Napa Valley Expo
575 3rd Street, Napa, CA 94559
2026 Dates: May 22–24
Genre: Rock / pop / hip-hop / electronic / multi-genre
Region: Northern California

BottleRock Napa Valley is a three-day, multi-genre music festival at the Napa Valley Expo. In addition to live performances, the event incorporates food, wine and culinary programming reflecting its Napa Valley setting.

Ojai Music Festival

210 S Signal Street, Ojai, CA 93023
2026 Dates: June 11–14
Genre: Classical / contemporary
Region: Southern California

Founded in 1947, the Ojai Music Festival presents classical and contemporary music through a program shaped by a different music director each year. The four-day festival features concerts and other musical programming in Ojai.

Day Trip Festival

Queen Mary Waterfront
1126 Queens Highway, Long Beach, CA 90802
2026 Dates: June 27–28
Genre: House / electronic
Region: Southern California

Day Trip is a 21+ two-day house and electronic music festival at the Queen Mary Waterfront in Long Beach. The event features multiple stages, dancing and additional after-hours programming.

High Sierra Music Festival

Grass Valley, California
2026 Dates: July 2–5
Genre: Rock / jam / roots / multi-genre
Region: Northern California

High Sierra Music Festival is a four-day, family-friendly event in Grass Valley featuring rock, jam, roots and other genres. Camping and additional festival programming are available; check the official site for current schedules and visitor information.

Outside Lands

Golden Gate Park, San Francisco
2026 Dates: August 7–9
Genre: Multi-genre
Region: Bay Area

Outside Lands is a three-day, all-ages music festival in San Francisco's Golden Gate Park. The multi-genre event combines live music with food, art and additional festival programming. Check the official schedule for current performers and experiences.

Coastal Country Jam — No Current Date

Long Beach, CA
Current Status: No 2026 event date confirmed
Genre: Country
Region: Southern California

Coastal Country Jam has previously brought country music performances and festival activities to Long Beach. No 2026 event date is currently confirmed, so check the event's current information before making plans.

Coastal Country Jam has no additional current 2026 event details listed. Cabanas. This is an all ages event and children under 5 are free.

Nocturnal Wonderland

Glen Helen Regional Park
2555 Glen Helen Parkway, San Bernardino, CA 92407
2026 Dates: September 19–20
Genre: Electronic / EDM
Region: Southern California

Nocturnal Wonderland is an 18+ electronic music, camping and art festival at Glen Helen Regional Park. The event features multiple stages, large-scale production and art installations, with camping available for the festival weekend.

Monterey Jazz Festival

Monterey County Fairgrounds
2004 Fairground Road, Monterey, CA 93940
2026 Dates: September 25–27
Genre: Jazz
Region: Central Coast

Monterey Jazz Festival is a long-running three-day jazz festival at the Monterey County Fairgrounds. Its programming brings together established performers, composers and emerging artists across multiple stages.

Ohana Music Festival

Doheny State Beach
25300 Dana Point Harbor Drive, Dana Point, CA 92629
2026 Dates: September 25–27
Genre: Rock / alternative / multi-genre
Region: Southern California

Ohana Festival is a multi-genre music festival at Doheny State Beach in Dana Point. In addition to performances across multiple stages, the festival's Storytelling in the Cove programming features discussions on conservation, the environment and related topics. Food and other festival experiences are available throughout the venue.

Aftershock Festival

Discovery Park
1000 Garden Highway, Sacramento, CA 95833
2026 Dates: October 1–4
Genre: Rock / metal / alternative
Region: Northern California

Aftershock is a four-day, all-ages rock and metal festival at Sacramento's Discovery Park. The event features more than 100 bands across multiple stages. Ticket options and festival experiences vary by year, so check the official festival site for current details.