July Music Festivals & Event

First off, you probably know that there are thousands of mostly free summer concerts throughout California. These annual events usually are held in parks and tend to be weekly for a period of time.

NAPA: Blue Note Jazz Festival July 28-30, 2023 at Silverado Resort
Silverado Resort
1600 Atlas Peak Road
Napa, CA 94558
True to the Blue Note essence, the festival offers an up-close and personal experience with the artists, moving from stage to stage, experiencing different sounds and vibes throughout the day with three-time NBA champion and Finals MVP Dwyane Wade partaking as the first-ever Director of Culture and Vibes for the festival. 
$224-1500 approx., bluenotejazzfestival.com
Lineup: Robert Glasper, Dave Chappelle, Mary J Blige, Nas, Chance The Rapper, Ari Lennox, Nx Worries, Gary Clark Jr, Cordae, DeLaSoul, Bilal, Lalah Hathaway, Parliament Funkadeli, Rakim DJ Jazzy Jeff, Talib Kweli Madlib, PJ Morton, Meshell Ndegeocello, Big Freedia, Digable Planets, BJ The Chicago Kid, Madlib, Domi JD Beck, Soulive, The Soul Rebels, Rapsody, Terrace Martin, Cory Henry, Nicholas Payton, MonoNeon, Taylor McFerrin Marcus Gilmore, Bobby McFerrin, Yussef Dayes Experience, Adam Blackstone, Ghost Note, Derrick Hodge, J Period, Kenneth Whalum, Weedie Braimah The Hands of Time, Fredric Yonnet, DJ Trauma, DJ Pee Wee, 9th Wonder, DJ Jahi Sundance, Chance The Rapper

LOS ANGELES: Sound and Fury July 29-30, 2023
Exposition Park
700 Exposition Park Drive
Los Angeles, CA 90037
$76.80-139.80, soundandfury.la/
Lineup:
Saturday Doors @ Noon: Big Boy, C4, Cold World, Crushed, Dead Heat, Fury, Gel, High Vis, Minority Unit, Modern Color, Pain Of Truth, Restraining Order, The Runts, Scalp, Skourge, Spy, Truth Cult, Twitching Tongues
Sunday Doors @ Noon: Dying Wish, Extinguish, Fleshwater, Fugitive, Glitterer, God's Hate, Hotline Tnt, Kommand, Kruelty, Model/Actriz, No Pressure, Sanguisugabogg, Soul Search, Speed, Temple Of Angels, Trapped Under Ice, Volcano

BENICIA: Waterfront Festival, July 29-30, 2023, 11 a.m. - 6 p.m. First Street Green First & B Streets Benicia, CA The popular summer event is back with a splash! Benicia celebrates its picturesque waterfront locale with two days of live music, microbrew tastings, arts & crafts marketplace, gourmet foods, and kids' activity area. Cost: $10-up. beniciamainstreet.org
Line up: 

MAMMOTH LAKES: Villagefest July 28-29, 2023 at  Village Plaza  Eastern Sierras annual Mammoth VillageFest promises Libations, Food and Rock & Roll at the free-admission event at the Village at Mammoth, where you can check out delicious dishes from local restaurants that are vying for the title of Best. Location: 1 Canyon Blvd. Mammoth Lakes, CA  mammothvillagefest.com
Lineup: Capt. Jonny's Yacht Rock Revue, Skynyrd and Company, 33 Thunder & Line Dancing with Anne Marie, Lizard King, Celso Salim, Pink Froyd

SONOMA: Valley of the Moon Music Festival July 15-30, 2023 is a series specializing in Classical and Romantic chamber music on period instruments. Location: Hanna Boys Center Auditorium 17000 Arnold Drive Sonoma, CA 95476. $, valleyofthemoonmusicfestival.org
Lineup:

• July 15, 2023, 4 p.m. The Symphony As A Trio: Mozart & Beethoven
• July 16, 2023, 2:30 p.m. Blattner Lecture Series – Nic Mcgegan
• July 16, 2023, 4 p.m. The Piano As Orchestra: Clara Schumann, Liszt, R. Schumann
• July 18, 2023, 7 p.m. Alfresco Concert Series Alfresco Concert I
• July 20, 2023, 7 p.m. Alfresco Concert II
• July 22, 2023, 4 p.m. The Concerto As Chamber Music: Price, Ravel & Mozart
• July 23, 2023, 2:30 p.m. Blattner Lecture Series – Francesco Spagnolo
• July 23, 2023, 4 p.m. The Intimate Pastoral: Beethoven & Chopin
• July 25, 2023, 7 p.m. Alfresco Concert III
  
• July 27, 2023, 6 p.m. A Poet’s Love: Schumann
• July 29, 2023, 4 p.m. The Rite Of Spring On 88 Keys: Schumann, Viardot & Stravinsky
• July 30, 2023, 11 a.m. Matinee | 2023 Apprentices Perform
• July 30, 2023, 2:30 p.m. Blattner Lecture Series - Kate Van Orden
• July 30, 2023, 4 p.m. The Eroica For Four: Beethoven & Tchaikovsky

DUNSMUIR: Pacific Crest Music Festival Season 11 runs July 28 - Aug 8, 2023
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 JUAN CAPISTRANO: Milpa Music Festival July 29-30, 2023
The Ecology Center
32701 Alipaz Street
San Juan Capistrano, CA
$45-80, $15-30 age 5-12 years,  theecologycenter.org
Saturday, July 29, 3-9 p.m. Sunday, July 30, 2-8 p.m.
A 28-acre Regenerative Organic Certified  farm and education center pays homage to the legacy of the land and milpa (the original expression of regenerative agriculture): corn, beans and squash. Milpa Music Festival includes foods for sale, beverages and cocktails, plus 13 musical acts. Saturday Lineup: Mitchum Yacoub, Skeleton Crew, Gazoota, Message, Semi-Trucks, and Born Dead; Sunday lineup: B-Side Players, Moonsville Collective, Damian DeRobbio & The Folk Cartel, Glue LA, Helena Holleran, Caroline & Walter, and Lola Kristine.

PETALUMA: Petaluma Music Festival July 29, 2023
Sonoma-Marin Fairgrounds
175 Fairgrounds Drive
Petaluma, CA 94952
$60-169, petalumamusicfestival.org
Petaluma Music Festival bands include: 
Fine beers, food, merchandise, and local business vendors. Proceeds benefit the music education programs of all Petaluma area public schools.
Line up: English Beat, Brothers Comatose, Royal Jelly Jive, Noma Rocksteady Band,  Stroke 9, Kingsborough, San Germonimo, Chuck Prophet & The Mission Express, Karl Denson's Tiny Universe,The King Street Giants, Erica Ambrin & The Electric Soul Project, Dear Darling, One Armed Joey, DJ Dyops

CARMEL: Carmel Bach Festival July 15-29, 2023
$free-up, approx. bachfestival.org
15-day Music Celebration in Carmel-by-the-Sea The Carmel Bach Festival celebrates the works, inspiration, and ongoing influence of J.S. Bach worldwide by immersing audiences in a festival experience integrating music, education, and ideas. The annual Bach festival is held in venues throughout Carmel, Monterey, Pebble Beach, and Salinas, California. This year's festival presents an even wider span of concerts than usual, with symphonic, choral, chamber, solo vocal and instrumental, bluegrass, brass and even a children's concert.

DUNSMUIR: Pacific Crest Music Festival July 28-August 8, 2023
pacificcrestmusic.com Yreka, Redding, and Dunsmuir

NAPA: Porch Festival July 30, 2023
On the day of the event, maps are available at the Library and venues throughout Old Town. Volunteers, Food truck roundup napaporchfest.org

MENDOCINO: Mendocino Music Festival July 15-29, 2023 mendocinomusic.org Festival includes world class jazz, encore performances, plus Bach, Blues, Latin Jazz, Flamenco and Bluegrass. Many concerts are in the spectacular tent overlooking the Pacific Ocean in Mendocino. It's an awe-inspiring setting for this event!

ELK GROVE: Strauss Festival July 27-30, 2023
A live orchestra and colorfully costumed waltz and polka dancers in an outdoor classical event entire families enjoy is, as always, free to the public. straussfestival.com

SANTA CRUZ: Cabrillo Music Festival July 30-August 13, 2023
$, cabrillomusic.org
Civic Auditorium, 307 Church Street, Santa Cruz, CA
The most distinguished festival of new orchestral music in North America presents its 60th season with many composers in residence, world-class guest artists, and Grammy Award-winning Music Director and Conductor. Most rehearsals free and open to the public.

BEAR VALLEY: Bear Valley Music Festival July 21-August 6, 2023. This year's line up features 
$ tickets. Season tickets range from $425 to $725 bearvalleymusicfestival.org
Lineup: The English Beat, Steel 'n' Chicago, Deja Vu, Laurence Hobgood Trio, Live & Let Die, The Wild West, Story Tellers, Mountain Matinee, Candlelight Chamber Night, Romantic Bear Valley, Blockbuster Classical, Gala - Get Your Spy On, Oktoberfest in August

RENO, NV: Bass Camp Music Festival July 28-30, 2023, Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Lake Tahoe, Stateline, NV  $20-up, basscampfest.com Line up: A-Trak, Benson, Blanke, Buku, Charly Jordan, Christian Martin, Codes, Dancetronauts, Destructo, Ghastly Good Times Ahead, Janstsen, Kaleena Zanders, Kompany, Mitis, Odd Mob B2B Omnon, SkiiTour, Speaker Honey, Stylust, Subdocta, Sully Truth X Lies, Vampa, VNSSA, Walker & Royce, Wuki, 4Bang, Audio Stasis, Benthos, Bob the Barber, Cole-Man, Daneger, DMTRI, Fox & Buck, Frenzy, Groove Cartel, Harmacists, Hot Dad, Huerta, Hurricane Eva, LYFTD Kid, Ionious, Jerick Image, Marques Skot, Micah, Mosteph, Morehugz, Nightly Gatherings, Obi-Wan Solo, Onzu, Oscar Perez, Peej, Skudd, Teyquerisi, The Rhino, Tyberius, Vic Crulich, Zac Black, Zasz, Zebracat

LONG BEACH: Rising Japan Music Fest July 22-23, 2023, 12 p.m.
Marina Green Park
400 E Shoreline Drive
Long Beach, CA
$60-180, risingjapan-musicfest.com
Lineup: Def Tech, Shanice, Iakopo, Minami, WST, Rihway, Kaoru Miyazaki, Epithymia, Mio Ando, Jules Liesl, Arkta, A Page Unturned

PIERCY: Northern Nights July 14-16, 2023
Cooks Valley Campground
$149-599 approx., northernnights.org
Music. Cannabis. Art. Glamping. Wellness. Redwoods.
Line up: Big Gigantic, G Jones, Mura Masa, Tokimonsta, Dr. Fresch, Netsky, Bipolar Sunshine, Casmalia, Coco & Breezy, Daily Bread, DOS, Eazy Baked, Elephant Heart, Forester, Gudfella, High Step Society, Ion, Kr3ture, Lapa, Leigh Jones, Mary Droppinz, Megan Hamilton, Mimosa, Moontricks, Nala, Paper Idol, Naughty Princess, Random Rab, Spuke, Truthlive, Notlo, Nina Grae, Night Tales, Av8trix, Bad Girl Baily, Brazilbeat Soundsystem, Cannaba55, Cavemen, Chaboi with Mami Sandunga, Chango, Chill Bill, Christafari, Cootdog, Curtis B, Demotivator, DJ Bird, DJ Groundscore, DH Hi C, Eluid, Funky T-rex, Ham Houseium, Lov3l3ss, Lyja, Maia, Malarkey, Marjo Lak, Molly, Moxxy, Nichole Cayenne, NiyaO, Ptchwrk, Raeya, Segoya, Steamy Windows, Sub:Aura, Tanasa Ras, Zera, Zero the Hero

RICHMOND: Point San Pablo Harbor New Roots Festival: 1st  Summer Square Dance July 21, 2023, 6 p.m.
Point San Pablo Harbor
Richmond, CA
Starts at $25, eventbrite.com
Live on the Waterfront in the Big Art Meadow

GRASS VALLEY: California Worldfest (music festival). July 13-16, 2023. worldfest.net

CAMP NAVARRO: Redwood Ramble SOLD OUT
Camp Navarro 901 Masonite Industrial Road Navarro, CA 95463 redwoodramble.com

NAPA: Festival Napa Valley July 8-23, 2023
A mix of free and patron supported concerts and dinners include performers Grammy Award-winning violinist Joshua Bell and soprano Larisa Martinez, Brubeck Brothers Quartet and  Trisha Yearwood, three-time Grammy Award-winning country music star performing some of her biggest hits.

CROCKETT: The Sugar Town Festival July 16, 2023, 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Great FOOD Vendors ARTS & CRAFTS Vendors And More Beer & Wine Garden, 2 Stages 8 Bands Over 150+ Vendors And Much More   Location: 1214 Pomona St., Crockett, CA. Free, sugartownfestival.com
Lineup: Blue Moonshine (Classic Rock and Vintage Roll); Mitch Polzak & the Royal Deuces (Rock-a-billy); Clear Conscience (Reggae);  The Ed Early Band (Blues); Van Goat (Swing/Jazz); Beaufunk (Funk)

MAMMOTH LAKES: Mammoth Jazz Fest July 14-15, 2023  Friday 4:30-9:45 p.m. Includes a Wine Walk and concerts
Saturday Includes Bar for drink purchase and food truck 5:30-9:45 p.m.
Free to fee, mammothjazzfest.org
Lineup: Mammoth High School Jazz Band, UCLA Global Jazz All Stars, Nolan Shaheed Quintet, Del Atkins and the Lyfe Band. Saturday: UCLA Global Jazz All Stars, Nolan Shaheed Quintet, Mel Collins & The D.Ben-jamin Band with special guest Michael Washington

PLEASANT HILL: Blues & Brews Festival July 14-15, 2023
 Pleasant Hill Park 147 Gregory Lane.
Free admission,  Tasting Tickets pleasanthillrec.com,  | bluesandbrewsfestival.com Friday 6-9 pm pre-party 
tasting experience tickets required; Saturday 3-9 p.m. 
Enjoy a day of live blues music and draft brew tasting. Co-sponsored by Pleasant Hill Recreation & Park District and the Pleasant Hill Chamber of Commerce.
Line up:  The Big Jangle, Jr. De Ville Blues Band, The Daniel Castro Band, Top Shelf

LAWNDALE: Alondra Park Ho'olaule'a, Saturday, July 15-16, 2023, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday & 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Sunday
Cost: FREE Admission
Alondra Park
3850 Manhattan Beach Blvd.
Lawndale, CA 90260 heleloa.com/ alondra-park-hoolaulea/ Annual island celebration with vendors, music, food and dance. Bringing the Pacific Islands to SoCal.

MAMMOTH LAKES: Mammoth Reggae Festival July 21-23, 2023
The Village at Mammoth
100 Canyon Blvd.
Mammoth Lakes, CA
Free admission, mammothreggae.com
Three days- July 21, 22 and 23. Free show- 12 bands live outdoors in Mammoth! Food, shops are more- all ages are welcome!
Line up: Eli-Mac, Pacific Dub, Eureka Sound, Leina'ala & 'Da Hui, The Elovaters, Kyle Smith, The Wide Eyed Kids, Claire Wright, Arise Roots, Inna Vision, Gonzo & Zeb of Tribal Seeds, Ethno

BETHEL ISLAND: Boats & Berries Music Festival July 22-23, 2023, 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/ events/1122799841783608

LONG BEACH: Love Long Beach Festival July 22-23, 2023, 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Takeovers by: Bass waffles, B-side, Momentive. Healing Arts Village & Sanctuary + Kids Village, Food Vendors & Trucks, Merchandise & Services Vendors, And much more... Location: ShoreLine Aquatic Park, 200 Aquarium Way, Long Beach, CA 90802 $25-100, lovelongbeachfestival.com
Line up:APX-1, Bianca Oblivion, Bunkle, Dip Vertigo, Hyroglifics, L-Buzz, LMNOP, PHNX, Sylph, Whys, Momementive Takeover: AXJA, Chief Jesta, Nodsy, Anton Tumas, Davi, DJ Dan, DJ Sneak, Doc Martin, Heidi Lawden, Karam, Masha Mar, Miguel Migs, Mr Jenifer, Oona Dahl, Polina, Porky, Shaded, Tara Brooks. The Disco Temple, Anabadi, Ayamterrain, Brooklyn Wildfire, Cello Azul, Cina James, DJ Odie, East of the Causcuses, Irie Nationz, Izzy Outerspace, Josh Moreland, Katie Skene Band, Kevin Land Band, Lumis + The Galaxy Twins, Mariachingona, Mikayla, Mystical Joyride, Roet, Ruby Chase, The Galactivators, Torkom Ji, TV Broken 3rd Eye Open, Vaidehi Amair

PETALUMA: Rivertown Revival July 22-23, 2023,  Saturday 12-8 p.m., Sunday 12-7 p.m.
McNear Peninsula Steamer Landing Park Copeland St. Petaluma, CA 94952
$30-55, rivertownrevival.com
Line up: Ben Morrison and Friends, John Courage, Barrio Manouche, Sonomacana, Tay and the JangLahDahs, Van Goat, The Rivertown Revue, The Crux, Kayatta and The Vibe Keepers, KingLung and Mystie Moon, X Confidence, The Grain, Salsa Rosa Orquesta, The Hubbub Club, Foxes In The HenHouse, Audio Angel & Her Good Intentions, Andre Thierry, Pardon The Interruption, Rivertown Skifflers, RAD and Campbell,  The Revival, Ismay, King Dream

SAN LUIS OBISPO: Festival Mozaic, July 22-29, 2023
Free t0 $35-up, festivalmozaic.com
Cuesta College Cultural and Performing Arts Center San Luis Obispo. Baroque, jazz and all things in between at the unique music festival held in various venues around San Luis Obispo. Line up:  Family Concert: Appalachian Spring; Fm Presents: Rachel Baiman; Chamber Concert 1: Hummel, Françaix & Beethoven; Midday Mini-Concert: Stewart Goodyear; Notable Dinner: Evolution Of The Piano Quartet; Midday Mini-Concert: Eunice Kim & John Novacek; Film Presentation: Amadeus; Dinner In Mission Plaza; Chamber Concert 2: Mozart In The Mission; Midday Mini-Concert: Alex Wasserman; Chamber Concert 3: Mission San Miguel; Midday Mini-Concert: Abigel Kralik & Noam Elkies; Notable Insight: Stravinsky's A Soldier's Tale; Fm Presents: Lucia Micarelli & Leo Amuedo; Midday Mini-Concert: Jessica Oudin, Alice Dade & Alex Wasserman; Film Presentation: Tár; Chamber Concert 4: A Soldier's Tale; Baroque In The Vines

NEWARK: Mariachi Festival July 16, 2023, 1-5 p.m. at Shirley Sisk Grove. Past acts have included Mariachi San Francisco | Mariachi Halcones | Mariachi Estelar | Newark Children's Ballet Folklorico.  Cedar Blvd. at NewPark Mall, Newark, CA Free, newark.org

OAKLAND: Mosswood Meltdown (formerly Burger Bugaloo) July 1-2, 2023
Mosswood Park, Oakland, CA
mosswoodmeltdown.com

QUINCY: High Sierra Music Festival June 29-July 2, 2023 at Plumas County Fairgrounds. highsierramusic.com
High Sierra Music Festival  Plumas County Fairgrounds, Quincy, CA Starts at $65

SAN FRANCISCO: San Francisco Free Folk Festival July 8, 2023, 12-10 p.m. online again this year San Francisco, CA Free, sffolkfest.org
From Egyptian Belly Dance to Western Line Dance and everything in between, the folk music festival provides cultural entertainment in a variety of musical genres and style--but all with the emphasis on "folk". Autoharp, Irish songs, chorus songs, ballads, zydeco, flash mob choir and more.

HUMBOLDT: Trinity Alps Chamber Music Festival took place in July 1-9, 2023 trinityalpscmf.org

AHWAHNEE: The Plunge Music Fest June 30-July 4, 2023.  5-day music festival with main entertainment DJ-driven! The festival, located in a beautiful sunlit valley, also includes catered meals, live music acts, and  DJs, a full bar, pool, and hot tub. Location: 46516 Opah Dr., Ahwahnee, CA $200-up,  plungefest.com

UKIAH: Rising Vines Reggae Festival  July 8, 2023, 12-10 p.m. Rivino Winery
4101 Cox Shrader Road
Ukiah, CA
$35-45, rivino.com
Reggae bands, food, vendors, and more!
Lineup:  Prezident Brown,  Rising Signs, The Higher Logic Project, King Kulture, DJ Sqydly Petes and DJ Seshwann.
. See less Ukiah Rancheria, California Meet Your Host Tickets Rivino Winery is a family owned Estate winery on the flood plain of the Russian River in Mendocino County, CA. We are pet friendly! Location: 4101 Cox Shrader Road, Ukiah, CA

VENTURA: Tequila and Tacos Music Festival July 15-16, 2023,  1-9 p.m. Saturday and 12-6 p.m. Sunday
San Buenaventura State Beach, 901 San Pedro St. Ventura, CA $50-82 approx., plus $20-42 parking. tequilaandtacomusicfestival.com
Line up: Sambada, La Sonora Dinamita, Upstream, Adelaide - Selena tribute 

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