California April Music Festivals

FRESNO: Tower Porch Fest, April 29, 2023, 12-8 p.m. in Tower District. The event produces a map where you can catch the porch stage acts presented by bands who want to perform for free in yard spaces and porch stages of businesses and homes. Try to walk or ride a bike to get around and see them and you'll catch the vibe. Tower Porchfest is produced by Creative Fresno and the Tower Porchfest Organizing Committee, countless musicians, Tower neighbors, and volunteers. Location: bounded by East Olive Avenue, East Weldin Ave., North Palm Ave. and North Blackstone Ave. with the greatest concentration around N. Linden, E. Pine, E. Floradora and nearby streets. Free to see, towerporchfest.org

SOUTH PASADENA: The Eclectic, South Pasadena's Eclectic Music Festival April 29, 2023
theeclectic.rocks
Free
The Eclectic is a free community music and art festival with concerts, art venues, food and beverages available all over town.
Line up:  South Pasadena Transit Authority, Steve Key, Sugar in the Gourd, The Drive, The Nextdoors, Top Shelf Brass Band, Upstream, World of Music, Radiant, Riner Scivally Trio, Severin Browne, Sophie Reynolds, Pat Quinn & Greg Krueger, Paul Givant, Paula Tha Balla, Peg Leg Love, Pindtastic Plastixx, Michael Campagna & Domenic Genova, Nathan Jacques, Non Duo, Old Californio, Lucas/Heaven, Lulise, Mark Towns Trio, Marty Axelrod, Mary Scholz, Matt Bunsen, Joel Rafael, John Stowers, Kait Dunton Band, Laura Joy, Lorin Hart, Love Magnolia, Isabel Win, Jakl, Jeanne Newhall, Jessica Gerhardt, JNJ Band, Joe Davis & Lynn Clark, Graywolf Blues Band, Greg in Good Company, Greg Poree Group, Grondle, Ikes, Creek, Ed Tree & Cynthia Brando, Elliott Cain Quintet, Flamenco Souls, Glifos, Goh, Grand Canyon, David Plenn & Friends, Deb Morrison Band, Diana March, Dime Box Band, Daniel Radmacher & Andrea Wang, Dave Tull Trio, David Haerle & Edendale, Claudia Combs Carty, Cole Gallagher, Conga & Co, Corrina Carter, Current Pathways, Arroyo Seco String Trio, Brett Farkas Band, Boi Xochi, Chauncey Bowers, Chris Del Rosario, Alpha Patron, Andy Keathley & True Blue, Andy Kimbel, Arend Lee Jessurun, Adamson Mitchell Light & Jones, Alarma, Alaysha Fox with Cathy Miller, Alfred Johnson, Davina & the Vagabonds

VINTON: Sierra Valley Grange Cowboy Poetry and Music Show April 28-29, 2023
$30. sierravalleygrange.org
Sierra Valley Grange Hall 
92202 Highway 70
Vinton, CA
Cowboy Poetry and Music Show sponsored by the Sierra Valley Grange.  Line Up: Gary Allegretto and Richard Elloyan/ Steve Wade, Larry Maurice

BERKELEY: BAMFest April 29, 2023, 2-5 p.m. at BAMPFA.  UC Berkeley student artists and musicians present an annual art and music festival featuring student bands, pop-up student art gallery, and arts and crafts outdoors on the West Crescent Lawn.  Location: 2155 Center St Berkeley, CA 94704. Free, bampfa.org
Lineup: Featuring artists Sofie Bukovska, Ash Chang, Lark Chang-Yeh, Margaret Chiang, Rick Choi, JJ Colby, Mariana Garcia, Bobby Hotton, Dora Hou, Danielle Iry, CC Miller, Observer, Riya Patel, Khushi Sancheti, Hoang Ton, Madisyn Schweitzer, and Lily Weisenfeld, AINA, Jessam, Milo Harmon Maurer

DOMINGUEZ HILLS: Dymally International Jazz & Arts Festival April 29, 2023, 2 p.m.
Dignity Health Sports Park
Carson, CA
$50-75, csudh.edu/ dymally-institute/ jazz-and-arts-festival/
Line up: Layla Hathaway, Euge Groove, Marcus Miller, Down to the Bone and The Next Generation Jazz Ensemble Orchestra

SAN DIEGO: SoCal Taco Fest April 29, 2023, 12-10 p.m.
at Waterfront Park, 1600 Pacific Highway  San Diego, CA. Line up:  Calibre 50, Kool & The Gang, Kinky, Vokab Kompany - Beastie Boys Experience, SM Familia, Mr. Lil One & Mr. Shadow.  21 + only so make sure to bring your ID. No "in and out" of festival will be allowed.$, socaltacofest.com | tacos

SAN DIEGO: Adams Avenue Unplugged April 29, 2023, 12-10 p.m.
Adams Avenue San Diego, CA
Free, adamsavenuebusiness.com
20 stages and 50 live musical performances
Line up:  Ash Foster, John Doe, Blame Betty, Brown Party Liquor, Bryan Blue, C. Gibbs, Calamity, Carla Berg, Corina Rose Collective, Even Diamond, Enter the Blue Sky, The Cedar Shakers, Chickenbone Slim & the Biscuites, Dave Preston & the Grown Ups, Dust Bowl Diamonds, Finnegan Blues, Grampadrew Flim Flam Review, Greg Bueddeman, J.T. Moring & Ramona Ault, Joey Harris, John Kanis & Roger Morrison, Johnny Deadly Trio, Jonny Tarr Quartet, Julia Sage, Justin Furnish, Justin John Rodriguez, Kahlil Nash, Los Muertos, Louis V. Trio, The Mad Hat Hucksters, Marauak, Mark Langford, MohaviSoul, Nathan Raney, Puro Feeling, Rip Carson & the Carsin-O-Genics, Rock of Ages, Sara Petit, Shakedown String Band, The Soto Six 2, Soul Ablaze, The Sparktones, Sugar Brown, Tormenta Rey, Tim Atkins, Three Chord Justice, Whiskey & Burlap, Verdell Smith

UNION CITY: Ukulele Festival of Northern California April 30, 2023, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
James Logan High School Center for the Performing Arts 1800 H Street, Union City, CA $15-25 approx., norcalukulelefestival.org
Ukulele Festival of Northern California is the longest running ukulele festival on the Mainland! Over 200 musicians and dancers. Arts & crafts and food booths
Lineup:  Island Spice, The U-Kool Ladies, Ukulele Jams, Aloha Uke Squad, Boris Ukulele Institute, Kara Hermann, Kama'i Ohana, Ka La'i O Mele, Ahamele, Serenading Strummers & Aloha Connexion Dancers

SIMI VALLEY: ROUND-UP A Rockin Country Music Extravaganza April 1, 2023,  11 a.m.-8 p.m. Rancho  Santa Susana Community Park. One day charity music event that offers something for everyone. Great country music, craft and food vendors, a kids area, Large dance floor, line dancing with lessons and more. Line up: Sawyer Brown, Aaron Goodvin, Justin Honsinger feat. Katie Dix, Neon Circus, Jimi Nelson Band  $35-50 approx. roundupsimi.com

SAN DIEGO: Boots In The Park April 1, 2023, 1-11 p.m.
Waterfront Park
1600 Pacific Highway
San Diego, CA
$129-349, bootsinthepark.com
21+ only
Featuring Carrie Underwood, Walker Hayes, Jimmie Allen, Gavin DeGraw, Ingrid Andress & Tyler Rich 

ESCONDIDO: Mariachi Festival April 16, 2023
California Center for the Arts
340 N. Escondido Boulevard
Escondido, CA 92025
$25-100, artcenter.org | mariachi79.org
Headliner is Mariachi Divas de Cindy Shea

DALY CITY: Playing the Palace April 22-23, 2023, 7-11 p.m.
Cow Palace Main Arena
2600 Geneva Ave.
Daly City, CA 94014
$, cowpalace.com | (415) 404-4100
Enjoy eight tribute bands dedicated to the greats that have graced Cow Palace stage through the years. Rock again like you did back then!
 April 22 Tribute bands for Sammy Hagar, Fleetwood Mac, Journey and Pink Floyd
April 23 Tribute bands for Beach Boys, Creedence Clearwater Revival, The Beatles and Neil Diamond 

SAN DIEGO: Tequila and Tacos Music Festival April 22-23, 2023,  Sat 1-9 p.m. & Sun 12.-6 p.m. Entertainment features Lil John. All ages welcome but 21+ to drink. Location: Gallagher Square, 840 K St., San Diego, CA. $25-60 plus $35 parking, tequilaandtacomusicfestival.com | tacos

SANTA BARBARA: Lucidity Festival - The Great Synthesis April 7-9, 2023
Live Oak Campground
Santa Barbara, CA
Lineup: Opiuo, Ivy Lab, Mr. Carmack, The Motet, Dirtwire, Mike Love, VNSSA, Pleasurekraft, DJ Holographic, Desert Dwellers, Flamingosis, Gone Gone Beyond, Nattali Rize, SunSquabi, Brennen Grey, J.Phlip, DJ Heather, Mz Worthy, Supporting Artists, Ahee, A Hundred Drums, Hamdi, KR3TURE, Maddy O'neal, Liquid Bloom, Megan Hamilton, Random Rab, Ruby Chase, The Human Experience, Boostive, Butterscotch, Honeycomb, Jahgun and The Justifyah Band, Red Giant Project, Scott Pemberton O Theory, Soul Majestic Acoustic, Supaman, TV Broken w/Katie Skene, Vincent Antone, Evan Hatfield, Kiyoshi feat. OpenOptics, LeafyGreen, spektrum & Nas-Ja, Wookpack, MJ Noble, Lali Shyama, Grease Withaspoon, Brion Shearer's Reliable Villains, Pocket Fox, The Bella Lunas, Ben Betts

SQUAW VALLEY: WinterWonderGrass Tahoe Music & Brew Festival March 31-April 2, 2023
Palisades Tahoe 
1960 Squaw Valley Rd.
Olympic Valley, CA
$144 - $524, WinterWonderGrass.com 
25 bands, four stages, and three days of magic!
Line up: Trampled by Turtles, Greensky Bluegrass, Marcus King, The Lone Bellow, Molly Tuttle & Golden Highway, The Main Squeeze, Neal Francis, The Brothers Comatose, Della Mae, Lindsay Lou, Kyle Tuttle, Mapache, Cris Jacobs Band, Daniel Donato, Dead Winter Carpenters, AJ Lee and Blue Summit, Big Richard, Pixie and the Partygrass Boys, Sicard Hollow, Tray Wellington Band, The Sweet Lillies, Dusty Green Bones Band 

SANTA CLARITA: Cowboy Festival April 22-23, 2023, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. in Old Town of Newhall
Santa Clarita Cowboy Festival
Free admission, fee for some events & concerts, cowboyfestival.org
Los Angeles County's premier Western music festival. The Santa Clarita Cowboy Festival offers over 20 performances of live music, western swing dancing, vintage vendors and western festivities.
Lineup: Headliners Dave Stamey, Highway Starr, Sarah Winchester Band

GUALALA: A Festival of Strings for World Peace
gualalaarts.org 
The Year Of Violin And Guitar Six performance events, 24 musicians March through July, 2023

SAN FRANCISCO: Festival of the Mandolins April 23, 2023, 12-5 p.m.
Croatian American Cultural Center
60 Onondaga Ave.
San Francisco, CA
$20, croatianamericanweb.org | facebook.com/ sfmandofest
Diverse mandolin performances. Kids get in free. Bring Your Own Mandolin Orchestra, including original mandolin composition with Gus Garelick. Delicious Eastern European moussaka and stuffed peppers prepared by Hristo Kolev, Open bar
Lineup: Aurora Mandolin Orchestra, Easy Winners, Tyler Weed, Gravenstein Mandolin Ensemble. Ngirchoureng, Dave Berry & Friends

PASADENA: The Caltech Jazz Festival April 15, 2023, 1-5 p.m.
Gates Annex Patio of Gates Laboratory of Chemistry Annex 1200 E. California Blvd. Pasadena, CA
Free, bands.caltech.edu
Annual Caltech Jazz Festival Series: Student Group Performances admission is free and no tickets are required. Some seating will be provided and audience members are welcome to bring food and blankets for a picnic on the lawn.

WHITTIER: Bach Festival April 14-16, 2023
Whittier College
13406 E. Philadelphia St.
Whittier, CA 90602
$10 suggested donation, whittier.edu/academics/music/bach
Whittier College Department of Music hosts its annual Bach Festival for a weekend filled with the music of J.S. Bach.

VENTURA: Skull and Roses April 19-23, 2023
Ventura County Fairgrounds
10 W. Harbor
Ventura, CA
$120-up, skullandroses.com | facebook.com/ SkullandRosesFestival
Grateful Dead themed music festival
Lineup: Phil Lesh & Friends , Dark Star Orchestra, Oteil & Friends, Leftover Salmon (Workingman's Salmon), Melvin Seals & JGB, Grateful Shred, Sages & Spirits, BoomBox ft. Backbeat Brass, Circles Around The Sun, Jerry's Middle Finger, Stu Allen & Mars Hotel, Big Steve & The Assbites From Hell, Cubensis, Electric Waste Band w/ Bill Walton, Moonalice, Dogs In A Pile, Forgotten Space, Hyryder, Brown Eyed Women, and MANY more!

LOS ANGELES: Azusafest April 14-15, 2023
Gospel Music on Azusa Street
J.A.C.C.C
244 S. San Pedro St.,
Los Angeles, CA
Free. azusafest.com

PALM SPRINGS: Opera in The Park April 2, 2023, 5:30 p.m. Annual Opera in the Park
Sunrise Park
Palm Springs, CA
Free, palmspringsoperaguild.org
This free concert of opera arias in a celebration of great opera music. The cast for this year's concert includes sopranos, mezzo-soprano, tenor and bass-baritone.
Lineup: Craig Colclough, Rodell Rosel, Allisa Goretsky, Anastasia Malliaris, Xavier Prado
Bring a blanket and picnic basket or purchase food. Pre-order for gourmet box lunches.

THREE RIVERS: Jazzaffair April 13-16, 2023
Three Rivers, California
$tickets: sierratraditionaljazzclub.com
Line up:  Saint John’s Riverboat Jazz Band, Sierra Stompers , Blue Street Jazz Band, Dave Stuckey & the Hoot Owls, Clint Baker & Nathan Tokunaga, Holland & Coots Quintet, Gino & the Lone Gunmen, Bob Schulz Barbary Coast Jazz Band, Carl Sonny Leyland & Caroline Dahl, Dave Bennett Quartet, St John’s Riverboat Jazz Band, Tom Rigney & Flambeau, Blue Street Jazz Band, Gino & the Lone Gunmen, Dave Bennett Quartet

WALNUT CREEK: Generations in Jazz Festival April 19, 2023 7-9:30 p.m.
Rossmoor Event Center
1021 Stanley Dollar Drive
Walnut Creek, CA 94595
$15-25, thebigbandofrossmoor.org
Presented by the Big Band of Rossmoor
Lineup: he Big Band of Rossmoor with special guest Mary Fettig, Northgate High School Jazz Band ll, Stanley Jazz Messengers, The Big Band of Rossmoor Alumni Combo

SHINGLE SPRINGS: Gold Country Jazz Festival April 22, 2023, 8:30 a.m.-6 p.m.
Ponderosa High School, Shingle Springs, CA
$10, facebook.com/ GoldCountryJazzFest
Annual Gold Country Jazz Festival Hosted by Ponderosa High School features grade and high school bands throughout the greater Sacramento area performing jazz.
 

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