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.

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

WILTON: Nudestock September 14-17, 2023 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.
Lineup: Keep on Truckin', Rhythm Vandals, Groovy Judy Band, Power Play, Bad Miller Revival, Petty Jack Flash

BISHOP: Millpond Music Festival September 15-17, 2023
Millpond County Park
$35-120, inyo.org
Camping is also available by reservation
Lineup: Hay Blackbirds, The Faux Paws, Jelly Bread,       The Two Tracks, Gunning & Cormier, Steve Poltz, The Brother Brothers, Akamya, Fula Brothers, Harry Manx, Ron Artis II

FELTON: Santa Cruz Mountain Sol Festival September 15-17, 2023, ends at 9 p.m. daily
Roaring Camp
5401 Graham Hill Rd.
Felton, CA 95018
$75-235, santacruzmountainsol.com
Lineup: Friday: Jewel, AJ Lee & Blue Summit, Steve Poltz, Keith Greeninger, The Coffis Brothers, China Cats | Saturday: Ben Harper & the Innocent Criminals, Samantha Fish, Jackie Gree & Tim Bluhm, Kbong & Johnny Cosmic, Jive Machine | Sunday: Burning Spear, Railroad Earth, The Nth Power Presents Earth, Wind & Power, Orgone, Vince Herman Band, Wreckless Strangers

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

SAN DIEGO: CRSSD Festival September 23-24, 2023 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: Flume, Underworld, Ben Bohmer, The Blaze, Elderbrook, Eliza Rose, Emmit Fenn, Fatboy Slim, Kucka, Ladytron, LP Giobbi, Muto, Royksopp, SG Lewis, Weval, Winstron Surfshirt, Basement Jaxx dj set, Chris Lake b2b Cloonee, Fisher, Overmono, Barry Can't Swim, Blackchild, Chris Stussy, Etienne de Crecy, DJ Falcon, Boombass, Ewan McVicar, Interplanetary Criminal, Jayda G, Layla Benitez, salute, Todd Terje, TSHA, Amelie Lens, Charlotte de Witte, Enrico Sangiuliano, Fjaak, NikkiNair, Cassian, Farrago, Object b2b Call Super, Patrick Mason, Will Clarke b2b DJ Minx

CALIFORNIA CITY/EDWARDS: Wasteland Weekend   September 27-October 1, 2023
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
Lineup: V2A, AHTCK, Militia Vox, Elishia Sharie, Fleischkrieg, Old Blood, Jason Charles Miller, ArnoCorps, Soldiers of Destruction, Xtine & The Reckless Hearts, Anthea, Living Darkness

PERRIS: Same Same But Different September 28-October 1, 2023
Lake Perris State Park
Perris, CA
$350-up, ssbdfest.com
Camping available
Lineup: Big Wild Griz, Louis the Child, Polo & Pan, Playground Set, Hippie Sabotage, What So Not, Bijou, Blu Detiger, Boombox, CVBZ, Eazybaked, Glamingosis, KR3Ture, Kyle Kinch, Maddy O'Neal, Mat.JOe, Mija, Moontricks, The Motel, PartiB0169, Phantoms DJ, Sodown, Speaker Honey, Sunsquabi, Weiss, Aviator Stash, Bix King, Boostive, Cam Steen, Chucky Motion, Combover, DJ M3, Fresh Veggies Micro Brass, Hollywood Prinicple, Jacklndn, Kaipora, Kat Hall, L'Eclair, Mitchum Yacoub, Mr. EOS, New Constellations, Paper Idol, Spacehall Sound Machine, Sunsets, Truthlive, Voss & Things, Wes Light, Whiskerman

SAN FRANCISCO: Hardly Strictly Bluegrass  September 29-October 1, 2023
Free, hardlystrictlybluegrass.com
Golden Gate Park's Hellman Hollow (formerly Speedway Meadows)
San Francisco, CA

DANA POINT: Ohana September 29-October 1, 2023 at Doheny State Beach
Dana Point, CA
Tickets: ohanafest.com 
2023 headliners include Eddie Vedder, The Chicks, Foo Fighters, Pretenders see Lineup! 

GRASS VALLEY: Celtic Festival September 30-October 1, 2023
Nevada County Fairgrounds,
11228 McCourtney
Grass Valley, CA
$80-85, kvmrcelticfestival.org
With a marketplace, foods, camping available and music throughout, this is California's premier Celtic Festival and Fair.
See musical lineup...

SAN FRANCISCO: Portola Festival September 30-October 1, 2023
Pier 80
San Francisco, CA 
$250-up, portolamusicfestival.com
Lineup: 2manyDJs, Avalon Emerson, Azzecca, Barry Can't Swim, Basement Jaxx DJ Set, Bonobo  DJ, Carl Cox Hybrid Set, Chaos In The Cbd, Charlotte Adigéry & Bolis Pupul, Charlotte De Witte, Chris Lake B2b Armand Van Helden, Chris Lake B2b Armand Van Helden, Chromeo, Cobrah, DJ Koze, Dom Dolla, Elio, Eliza Rose, Eric Prydz Presents Holo, Fkj, Flying Lotus, Hot Chip, Jai Paul, Jayda G, Jockstrap, Jon Hopkins, Jyoty, Kavinsky, Kenny Beats, Labrinth, LF System, Little Dragon, Little Simz, Maddy Maia, Major Lazer B2b Major League DJz, Masego, Model/Actriz, Nelly Furtado, Overmono, Pabllo Vittar, Polo & Pan, Purple Disco Machine, Rina Sawayama, Róisín Murphy, Salute, Sam Gellaitry DJ, Sbtrkt, Skin On Skin, Skrillex, The Blaze, The Dare, Thundercat, Todd Terje DJ, Tokischa, Totally Enormous Extinct Dinosaurs (Live), Two Shell, Underworld, Very Nice Person, Winston Surfshirt, Yeule, Young Fathers, Yung Singh

 

QUINCY: Plumas Homegrown Americana Festival September 1-3, 2023
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: Banana and the Bunch, Salty Sally, Dirty Cello, Wildcat Mountain Ramblers, Sierra Sweetheats, Sweet Sally, Ten Dollar Pony, Dust In My Coffee

LONG BEACH: New Blues Festival September 2-4, 2023
Shoreline Aquatic Park
200 Aquarium Way
Long Beach, CA
$50-270, newbluesfestival.com 
Produced by the Long Beach Blues Society.
Lineup: Tommy Castro and the Painkillers, Phantom Blues Band, Mari Muldaur, Micki Free

UPPER LAKE: Blue Wing Blues Festival September 2-4, 2023
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:  Mighty Mike Schermer & his Band, Nancy Wright, The Jules Leyhe Band, The Delgado Brothers Band, AJ Crawdaddy, Daniel Castro & Band

MT. SHASTA: Blackberry Music Festival September 3, 2023, 12- 6 p.m.
Mt Shasta City Park
Nixon Rd
Mt Shasta, CA
$5 per car requested donation, mtshastachamber.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:  Mount Shasta Friends, a unique session of local musicians collaborating for this year’s festival featuring Tom Scott, Sam Cuenca, Paul Blackwell and special guests at 12 p.m. Singer-songwriter Jessica Malone returns to Mt. Shasta to play at 2 p.m. in a trio. Closing the festival will be the bluesy rock and jazz fusion of Sound Advice.

LINCOLN: Rewind Fest 80s Live '23 September 3, 2023, 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: Night Ranger, Wang Chung, A Flock Of Seagulls, General Public, Wally Palmar of The Romantics, Missing Persons, Naked Eyes, Shannon, Animotion, Stacey Q, Musical Youth & Trans-X.

GRASS VALLEY: Brownsville Blues Review September 3, 2023, 6:30 p.m. at Grass Valley Center for the Arts
314 W. Main
Grass Valley, CA
facebook.com/brownsvillebluesfestival 
Line up: Willie G, Tia Carroll, Kyle Rowland

SACRAMENTO: Tejano Conjunto Festival September 3, 2023 Tejano Conjunto Festival Annual event taking place Labor Day Weekend. Location: Cesar Chavez Plaza, 910 I Street, Sacramento, CA. $50-108.55, facebook.com/ TejanoConjuntoFestivalSac
Lineup: Los Niteliters, Conjunto, Esteban Jordan III,  Los Conjunto Kings de Flavio Longoria, The Latin Breed

TURLOCK: WSGMA Labor Day Gospel Music Celebration September 4, 2023, 1-5 p.m.
Connecting Point Church of Nazarene
3200 E. Monte Vista Ave.
Denair, CA
$16 pre, $20 door, wsgma.com 
Lineup: California Melody Boys, The Casey Family, The Roberts, Rykert Trio, The Herb Henry Family, Solid Ground, Reliance

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

PINECREST: Bear Music Fest September 7-10, 2023
 $575-up, bearmusicfest.com
All inclusive includes cabin sleeping, all meals and concerts and music in this immersive event.

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
 

 

 

Past events

WATTS: Simon Rodia Watts Tower Day of the Drum Festival September 24-25, 2022, 10 a.m.-6 p.m.
 40th Annual Watts Towers Day of the Drum Festival & 42nd Annual Simon Rodia Watts Towers Jazz Festival  Honoring Ndugu Chancler Art by Ramsess
 Watts Towers Campus
1727 E. 107th St.
Watts, CA
Free wattstowers.org
Drum Festival Line up:  

YORBA LINDA: Ragfest Nixon Library
ragfest.com

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