California August Music Festivals

What a wonderful time to be living in California or visiting! In addition to free summer concerts in parks,  August features music festivals on the river,  in the mountains, at the beach and all over the place. The genres are varied--pop, rock, classical, Indie, country, bluegrass, reggae--you name it! And some concerts are actually free!

REDWAY / PIERCY: Reggae on the River music festival August 2-4, 2024 at County Line Ranch in Humboldt County. Camping, reggae music, river enjoyment and cannabis farm tour, optional. County Line Ranch (next to old location, French's Camp).
$135-up, reggaeontheriver.com
Line up:  Anthony B, Stylo G, Pressure Busspipe, Perfect Giddimani, Mysta Crooks, Topshelf, Blue Luke's Dubrock, Tropical Crew, Dub Propulsion artist showcase, Rising Signs, Konshens Capleton, Skarra Mucci, Lila Ike, Dermarco, Lutan Fyah, Chezidek, DJ Lazyboy, Reggae Angeles, Mystic Roots, Collie Buddz, J-Boog, Marlon Asher, Sister Nancy, Iba Mahr, King Addies Sound, Xyclone, Bay-C, Bobby Hustle, Soulmedic, 9LFE, Soul Ska Band, Chico, Eli Fowler & Mikasun, Kings of Earth Soundclash and more

LONG BEACH: Uptown Jazz Festival August 3, 2024
Houghton Park
6301 Myrtle Ave.
Long Beach, CA
Free, longbeach.gov

LOS ANGELES: Hard Summer Festival August 3-4, 2024
Hollywood Park adjacent to SolFi Stadium, Los Angeles, CA $190-up, hardsummer.com | line up: Disclosure, Fisher + Chris Lake, Nelly Furtado, Rezzmaus, Major Lazer, Jamie XX, Subtronics, Mochakk, Zeds Dead, Cloonee, Tchami X Malaa more, more, more

SAN FRANCISCO: Bliss Festival August 3, 2024, 6 p.m. and Sunday, August 4, 2024 at 3 p.m. at Presidio Theatre  Location: Presidio Theatre on the Main Post, 99 Moraga Avenue, San Francisco CA, 94129 $7-15, presidiotheatre.org 
Line up: Ritmos Tropicosmos, Quiensave?, Orchestra Gold, Hectorine, Yea-Ming & The Rumours, Salami Rose Joe Louis, Hands-On DIY Crafts with the Mexican Museum, Pop-Up Food Trucks, Beer and Wine Tasting   

HOLLISTER - TRES PINOS: Good Old Fashioned Bluegrass Festival   August 8-11, 2024
San Benito County Historical Park
8300 Highway
Tres Pinos, CA
$35-up, scbs.org
Line up: Brent Pierce & His Acid Grass Boys, Late For The Train, Dark Hollow, Dirty Cello, Blue Birds On A Wire, Sidesaddle & Co., Bluegrass Holiday, Salty Sally Band, Lucas Lawson, Trouble Town, The Goat Hill Girls, The Storytellers, Sunny Side Of The Mountain, Red Dog Ash, Bean Creek, Honey Run, Water Tower, Lonesome Still, Whole Hog & more

OROVILLE: For the Funk of It Music Festival August 9-11, 2024
Lake Concow Campground, 12967 Concow Rd., Oroville, CA. $270 weekend pass (approx.), ftffest.com
Line up:  Polyrhythmics, Cool Cool Cool, The Nth Power, Apollo Suns, Tha Exchange, Object Heavy, Collectivity, Hornmageddon, Lazwell, Oakadelic, West Grand Brass Band, The Gold Souls, Litty Debungus, Fourth Position, Phat Mark, Jenes N The Juice, Boca Do Rio, Drinking With Clowns, Esp, Suika T, Late Night Dj Party Crews, Bassmint, Shogun Sound, Woot Squared

LONG BEACH: Long Beach Jazz Festival  August 9-11, 2024
Great line up of acts, , VIP options, too. Held at the beautiful Rainbow Lagoon, Shoreline Park, this event offers room to roam, vendors galore and jazz, oh yea!
$75-200, longbeachjazzfestival.com

SAN FRANCISCO: Outside Lands August 9-11, 2024
Golden Gate Park. $226-up, sfoutsidelands.com
The largest independently owned music festival in the country.
Line up: The Lemon Twigs, Real Estate, The Last Dinner Party, The Japanese House, Young the Giant, JUNGLE, The Killers, Rochelle Jordan, Confidence Man, Snakehips, Knock2, Reneé Rapp, Gryffin, MiLES. Rocco, Daoi Freyr, Shaboozey, Mindchatter, Tyla, Kevin Abstract, Daniel Caesar, Valencia Grace, Odie Leigh, billy woods, underscores, Devault, Kasablanca, Jackie Hollander, Yulia Niko, Marsh, DARIUS, Joe Kay b2b Jared Jackson, Shiba San b2b CID, SIDEPIECE, Adam Kraft, Beverly Chills, moistbreezy, Mel 4Ever, Miss Twink USA, Miss Madeline, TOCCORORO, Isabella Lovestory, p1nkstar, Chulita Vinyl Club, Salsa by Ricardo, La Favi, Chulita Vinyl Club, J Noa

SUTTER CREEK: Historic Sutter Creek Ragtime Festival August 9-11, 2024
4-5 locations throughout the town feature: Saturday evening concert and a Sunday afternoon concert to end the festival. Event passes are required at the venues, but you can still see and listen to the music at the Sina's backroads Cafe with no pass.  $25-85, historicsuttercreekragtimefestival.com / sold through the mail, online or in town at the beginning of the event.
Line up: Keith Taylor, Paul Orsi, Carl Sonny Leyland, ​ Michael Chisholm, Frederick Hodges, ​ Danny Coots & Dalton Ridenhour, Danny Coots, Dalton Ridenhour, Pacific Coast Ragtime Orchestra, ​​ Stevens Price, Anthony Sarginson, Anthony Sarginson, Kevin Gunia, Squeek Steele, Free Badge Serenaders, Bub & Petra Sullivan, The Amador Clarinet Quartet, ​ Sophia Rechel, Claire Lillie, Lori McIntyre, Charlie Judkins and Miss Maybell, Max Libertor, ​ Virginia Tichenor, Key System Rhythm Ramblers, Elliott Adams, Martin Spitznagel 

SAN JOSE: San Jose Jazz Summer Fest August 9-11, 2024
Plaza de Cesar Chavez Park, 170 S. Market
Downtown San Jose, CA
$40-640, sanjosejazz.org
The Summer Fest grounds encompass the heart of downtown San Jose.
Line up: 
Tien Hsieh
Synchronicity
New Breed Brass Band
Huney Knuckles
Pascal Le Boeuf’s “Ritual Being”
Tia Carroll Band
Benny Green – Solo Piano
The Family Stone
Las Cafeteras
Soj Band
Baycoin Beats
Greg Rahn & The Fat Tuesday Horns
Terrence Brewer & Mason Razavi: The Magic Of Monk
David Benoit Quartet
Retro Waack Dancers
Incognito
Black Joe Lewis & The Honeybears
Kiefer
Lucía Gutiérrez Rebolloso
Los Gatos Saratoga Band
Jahari Stampley Trio
Miss Faye Carol Smiles At The Camera In Front Of A White Backdrop.
The Dynamic Miss Faye Carol With Charles Haynes
San Jose Jazz High School All Stars
Monterey Jazz Festival Regional All-Star Big Band Ensemble
Grace & The Grit
Shamarr Allen
William Johnston & Lysn At Sjma
Jazz Education Ensemble
Footnotes
Andrey Chmut & Dave Burns Quintet
The Juju Exchange
Agua Pura
John Santos Sextet
Sjz High School All Stars On Main Stage.
Sjz High School All Stars
Asml Next Gen Stage At Sjma
Agostini Featuring Jc Smith
Top Shelf
Angélique Kidjo
Youth Jazz Jam
Jorge Luis Pacheco Trio
Janet Evra: Meet Me In Paris
Natalie Cressman & Ian Faquini
Karl Perazzo & Mike Spiro Y Su Conjunto Karabali
Ames
Kid & Lisa And The Greaseland Allstars
Herbie Hancock
Francis Experience Quintet
Bloco Do Sol San José
Sean Mason Quartet
Los Tocayos
Se:Um
Cabanijazz Project
Kristen Strom Quintet With Skylar Tang
Shamarr Allen
Green Feather Jazz Society
Cory Henry & The Funk Apostles
Jorge Luis Pacheco Trio
Se:Um Moderated Discussion With Betto Arcos
Spanish Harlem Orchestra
Nico Segal
Huney Knuckles
Urban Sanctuary: Soulful Sunday
Boombox Brunch
New Orleans Sunday Brunch
Unitarian Jazz Service
Gospel Brunch
Michael Davis Hip Bone Big Band
Ayo Brame
Brian Ho Album Release Ft. Dan Wilson And “Wookie” Landham
Andre Thierry Accordion Soul
Daniel Ho Quintet
Mr. Clifford’s Young Jazz All Stars
Full Spectrum Big Band
Pascal Bokar Afrobluegrazz Band
Ms. Lisa Fischer & Grand Baton
Ken Okada Group Featuring Yoyoka
Saturn Six
Eugene Rodriguez Book Signing: Bird Of Four Hundred Voices
Ac Myles Band
Roberta Gambarini Quartet
Swing Solution
East Bay Jazz High School All-Stars
Jane Monheit
Alexis & La Original
Alejandro Brittes Trio At Sjma
Sjz U19s
Nikara Presents Black Wall Street
Delfeayo Marsalis & The Uptown Jazz Orchestra
Curtis Salgado
Groover Quartet With Mike Ledonne
Bloco Do Sol San José
Edgardo Cambon & Candela
Alejandro Brittes Trio
Eddie 9v
Maze Honoring Frankie Beverly, With Guest Appearance By Frankie Beverly
Ayo Brame
Miss Hits
Dominique Fils-Aimé
Jimmy Bosch Salsa Masters
Nikara Presents Black Wall Street

SEBASTOPOL: Gravenstein Apple Fair August 10-11, 2024
$18-20, gravensteinapplefair.com
Ragel Ranch Park.
Saturday lineup:
Sunday lineup:

SAN CLEMENTE: San Clemente 68th Annual Fiesta Music Street Festival August 11, 2024, 10 a.m.-7 p.m.
100-200 blocks Avenida del Mar
San Clemente, CA
Free, scchamber.com
Line up: Long Beach Dub All Stars, Buck-O-Nine, Tijuana Panthers, 3LH, Ted Z and the Wranglers, Wes Chiller, Grooveswitch, Joint Committee, Dan Getz, And the Rest - 16 Again, Cinco Hombres, The Saltwater Kings, The Decents, The Sea Monks, Laxi, Buckshot, No Pressure, 74ODD, The Wilbury Super Group, Viorythm

SAN DIEGO: Hillcrest CityFest August 11, 2024, 12-11 p.m.  5th Avenue - 9 city blocks! (includes parts of Robinson & University Streets) San Diego, CA. Free,   fabuloushillcrest.com 
Lineup: Los Salvajes, Topeka Clementine, Justin Renaissance - A Pop-Rock Zaddy, Rhythm & Root, Jenny & the Tramps, Kogee Soul Reprise, Lextacy, DJ Valerian, CLIFHANGERS, Thonie Lee, Tori Roze and The Hot Mess

SAN MATEO: Aloha Festival, August 10-11, 2024
Hula, Polynesian dance performances, music, Hawaiian art and souvenirs, food. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. 
San Mateo Event Center
1346 Saratoga Drive
San Mateo, CA
$5, $20 parking, pica-org.org

SAN DIEGO: SoCal Taco Fest August 17, 2024, 12-10 p.m.
at Waterfront Park, 1600 Pacific Highway  San Diego, CA. Line up:   .  21 + only so make sure to bring your ID. No "in and out" of festival will be allowed.$, socaltacofest.com | tacos

VISTA: Summergass Bluegrass Music Festival August 16-18, 2024
Antique Gas & Steam Engine Museum
2040 N. Santa Fe Avenue
Vista CA
$20-85 (camping also available for a fee), summergrass.net
Bluegrass bands, workshops Impromptu jam sessions Vendors A raffle Special kid's activities Tasty food Plenty of onsite dry camping And more!
Line up:  John Moore and Friends Rick Faris, Todd Phillips & Brian Wicklund featuring The Special Consensus, Lorraine Jordan & Carolina Road, Breaking Grass with • Central Valley Bluegrass Boys • Vulcan Mt Boys • Front Porch Music Preservation Society • Sweet Tidings Gospel Jam • Sheri Lee & Blue Heart • Chris Cerna & Bluegrass Republic • Corzines • Virtual Strangers

OLYMPIC VALLEY: Brews, Jazz & Funk Fest August 17, 2024, 3-10 p.m. at Palisades Tahoe. Breweries from throughout the western states showcase their best brews in The Village at Squaw Valley while fantastic bands bring the funk, making this fun-filled event one of the most popular in the Tahoe region. AND you can bring your canine companions to party down with you! Beers served individually for around $8/ea.  Location: 1960 Squaw Valley Road Olympic Valley, CA $28-40 approx. music only, beers additional, palisadestahoe.com
Line up: Object Heavy
Mescalito Brews Stage
Galactic featuring Jelly Joseph

BETHEL ISLAND: Boats & Berries Music Festival August 17-18, 2024, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. at Bethel Island Scout Hall.  American Legion Colour Guard and National Anthem, King and Queen, and a hometown parade down Bethel Island Rd! (fire department golf carts, horses, dogs, dancers, musicians.) Featuring: Boat Show, Berry Pie Eating Contest, Rubber Duckie Races, LIVE Entertainment, Line Dancing and Lessons, Fun and Educational Kids Zone, Dog Show, Businesses and Vendors, Adult Refreshments/Goodies Garden, Food Trucks! Location: 3090 Ranch Lane, Bethel Island, CA 94511.  Free, facebook.com/

COTATI: Accordion Festival August 17-18, 2024
La Plaza Park
$19-32, cotatifest.com  
Nonstop accordion music in this annual event
Line up: Ron Borelli, Sourdough Slim & Robert Armstrong, 5am Sergei & Maria Teleshev, Stas Venglevski, United Air Force Band of the Golden West Galaxy, Lady of Spain-A-Ring, Jelena Milojevic, Cory Pesaturo, Discos Resaca Collective Featuring Mariposa del Alma & Deuce Eclipse, Pete Contino, The Mad Maggies, Netta Skog, Junk Parlor, Sheri Mignano, he Steve Balich Polka Band, Zydeco Dance Party, Mark St. Mary, Iko Ya Ya, Andrew Cohen, Nathan & Jessie, The Wind Weavers, Cent Coffee, Zla Vila, The Art Peterson Trio, Duckmandu, Future Stars, Mike Zampiceni, Alejandro Brittes Trio, Jelena Milojevic, Sonomusette, Lady of Spain-A-Ring, Netta Skog, Cory Pesaturo, Califas, Balkan Laikas, Sergei & Maria Teleshev, Discos Resaca Collective Featuring Mariposa del Alma & Deuce Eclipse and Grand Fi

SAN FRANCISCO: San Francisco Sea Music Festival August 17, 2024, 11 a.m.-7 p.m.
Multiple venues in San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park and along the waterfront to the Crab Wheel Plaza at Fisherman’s Wharf.
Five stages of live music, parade of historic boats, over-the-water jousting
San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park
Argonaut Hotel Plaza
Crab Wheel Plaza at Fisherman’s Wharf
Free, maritme.org
Festival Highlights: Traditional chanteys, folk songs, and contemporary maritime music. • Special Guest Performer: Maria Muldaur and Her Red Hot Bluesiana Band joins the festival with their soulful blend of blues and roots music.

LAKE ARROWHEAD: Jazz Festival in San Bernardino Mountains at Tavern Bay August 22-24, 2024
Location: 28399 N Shore Rd. Lake Arrowhead, CA
$58-up, bluejayjazz.org
Line up: Lee Ritenour, Poncho Sanchez and John Proulx with Speakeasy Band

SAND CITY: West End Celebration August 24-25, 2024
Ortiz & Hickory St.
Sand City, CA
westendcelebration.com
Free admission
Line up:  Joe Crave & the Sometimers, Latin Jazz Collective, The Rudians, Three Twenty Five, River Voices, The B-Keepers, Casey Frazier, The Tremolos, Venus Daze, The Fragonards, Justin Robinson, Coco Montoya, Sensory Tribe, Al James Band, Guitars Not Guns, The Transducers, Sunny Side of the Mountain, and more...

SANTA CRUZ: Valley of the Moon Scottish Fiddling School August 23-31, 2024
valleyofthemoon.org
The Valley of the Moon Scottish Fiddling School in the northern California redwoods invites you its 30th Annual week of intensive study, recreation, and good times with people who share an interest in the music and dance traditions of Scotland. 

GROVER BEACH: Stone Soup Music Faire August 24-25, 2024
Grover Beach, CA
Free, clarkcenter.org
Stone Soup Music Festival Street Faire offers live music, vendor booths, Mardi Paws Dog Parade and international foods.  Local dance groups, too!   
Line up: tba

AUBURN: Dry Diggings Music Festival August 23-25, 2024
Gold Country Fairgrounds
209 Fairgate Road
Auburn, CA
$52-375, drydiggingsfest.com
Lineup:  Common Kings, Collie Buddz, Joe Samaba, The Green, Fortunate Youth, The Expendables,, Eli-Mac, Iration, Hirie, Denm, The Ries Brothers, Tomorrows Bad Seeds, Gonzo Mighty Music, Green Buddha, Pacific Vibration, Two Peace - Rey Fresco, Jordan T, Surfer Girl, Half Hour Late

DUNSMUIR: Pacific Crest Music Festival 
pacificcrestmusic.com
Music in the Mountains Musicians from around the country come to Dunsmuir, CA to learn and to play together. Classical music and more. Public performances, outdoor concerts, outreach events, and other live musical events included. Lineup: Members of San Francisco Symphony, the Cavani Quartet, and The Juilliard School of Music, and much more. 

SAN DIEGO: Tiki Oasis July 31-August 4, 2024
Music & Mayhem

MAMMOTH LAKES: Mammoth Festival of Beers & Bluesapalooza August 1-4, 2024
Mammoth Lakes, California
$65-325, mammothbluesbrewsfest.com
Annual Mammoth Bluesapalooza and Festival of Beers and Bluesapalooza includes 2 days of beer tasting from 150 brews + 4 days of music.  This is an outdoor venue - you can bring blankets and LOW BACKED sand chairs, no pets or outside alcohol.
Line up: Los Lobos, Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue, The California Honeydrops, Devon Allman Project, The Record Company, Ozomatli, Joanne Shaw Taylor, Grace Bowers & The Hodge Podge, Southern Avenue, Tinsley Ellis, Danielle Nicole, Sugaray Rayford, Ron Artis Ii, Eric Lindell With Samantha Pelham & The Summer League, Gráinne Duffy, Dennis Jones, Beaux Gris Gris & The Apocalypse, The Delgado Brothers, Eric Roebuck, The Felt Cutouts, Mill Creek Revival

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