COMPILED BY SHARON CUMMINGS
» MAY 21–25
Lightning in a Bottle
Bradley, CA
LightningInABottle.org
Lineup includes:
Odesza, Flume, SBTRKT, RL Grime, Tycho, Griz, Ott., Panda Bear, John Digweed, Thomas Jack, The Human Experience, The Opiuo Band, Phutureprimitive, Govinda, Random Rab, Rising Appalachia
Located between the Bay Area and LA, LIB kicks off summer fest season in tent-camping style with a stellar, primarily electronic allnight-long music lineup to galvanize your Memorial Day weekend. Highly innovative daytime programming and interactive art throughout the expansive venue complement the thoughtful, creative infrastructure skillfully produced by The DoLab. Expect the unexpected, exploring areas such as The Learning Kitchen, Temple of Consciousness, and The Village, honoring indigenous wisdom, sacred ceremony, plant-based education, herbal elixirs, visionary art exhibition, tribal community, and more.
» MAY 29–31
Bottle Rock
Napa Valley, CA
BottleRockNapaValley.com
Lineup includes:
Robert Plant, Snoop Dogg, Chris Robinson Brotherhood, Imagine Dragons, No Doubt, The Avett Brothers, Michael Franti & Spearhead, Foster the People, Portugal the Man, Cage the Elephant, Young the Giant, Lettuce, JJ Grey & Mofro, Xavier Rudd, Courtney Barnett
Set in downtown Napa, the third iteration of this uniquely well-heeled experience showcases a broad spectrum of top-shelf musical acts as well as the exquisite culinary creations of regional chefs. As the name implies, many a bottle of locally produced Napa Valley vintages will be on hand to help lubricate your hip sways.
» JUNE 12–14
Once Upon a Festival
East Park Reservoir
OnceUponAFest.com
Lineup includes:
Emancipator, Dimond Saints, Desert Dwellers, Random Rab, Brian Hartman, Clever Alias, DJ Dragonfly, Little John, Andreilien, AtYya, An-ten-nae, Coyote Kisses, DJ Dakini
Demonstrating the true community spirit of summer music and dance, the production teams behind the best theme camps and fests in the West (Envision, Lucidity, Enchanted Forest, Antennae Presents, Raindance, Emmersion, Sacred Spaces, and more) bring a fabulously fantastical collaboration in this sweet, boutique festival with a heavy-hitting electronic lineup. A place where the colorfully costumed can go all night. Promising soundscape adventures, whimsical floating stages, and expertly themed sparkle.
» JUNE 19–21
Sierra Nevada World Music Festival
Boonville, CA
SNWMF.com
Lineup includes:
Jimmy Cliff, Thievery Corporation, Steel Pulse, Max Romeo, Third World, Common Kings, Ken Boothe, Yellowman, Big Youth, The Very Best, Melbourne Ska Orchestra, Gentleman’s Dub Club, Jesse Royal
Sierra Nevada World Music Festival celebrates its annual family summer reunion on solstice weekend. World music artists unite with the purpose of creating a “one big earth community” vibe. Two music stages and a latenight dancehall bridge diverse beats interwoven with dancing, singing, drumming, crafting, eating, and togetherness.
» JUNE 25–28
20th Annual Kate Wolf
Music Festival
Laytonville, CA
KateWolfMusicFestival.com
Lineup includes:
Smokey Robinson, Angelique Kidjo, Steve Earle & The Dukes, Cris Williamson, Lukas Nelson & Promise of the Real, Iron & Wine, Roy Rogers & The Delta Rhythm Kings, The Wailin’ Jennys, MaMuse, Poor Man’s Whiskey, Hot Buttered Rum, Absynth Quartet, T Sisters, The Coffis Brothers, Playing for Change Band
A gem on the summer roundup that continuously exceeds expectations, the Kate Wolf Fest bridges traditional folk music legends with well-loved regional acts and more than a few impressive up-and-comers. Favorite summertime activities abound such as campfires, jam circles, creek-side dips, and Sunday gospel at Wavy Gravy’s Black Oak Farm and Camp Winnarainbow in Mendocino.
» JULY 2–5
High Sierra Music Festival
Quincy, CA
HighSierraMusic.com
Lineup includes:
The String Cheese Incident, Umphrey’s McGee, The Word, Galactic, Nicki Bluhm & The Gramblers, Karl Denson’s Tiny Universe Lake Street Dive, The John Butler Trio, The California Honeydrops, Nahko & Medicine for the People, Rising Appalachia, Fruition, The Barr Brothers, Pimps of Joytime, Lotus, ALO, Phutureprimitive
In its 25th year, High Sierra ranks as one of elders on the West Coast festival scene, with its popular lineup improving with age. Independence Day weekend brings together longtime resident artists, exciting new acts, spectacular headliners, and humble jam-band fans alike to partake in the relaxing midsummer atmosphere of quirky traditions that have come to characterize High Sierra culture: costume nights, theme camp parties, sunrise silent disco/kickball, and late-night impromptu kazoo jams.
» JULY 16–19
Wanderlust Festival
Squaw Valley, CA
Wanderlust.com
Lineup includes:
Michael Franti, Thievery Corporation, Rob Garza, MC Yogi, DJ Drez, Trevor Hall, SWELLS, Trevor Exter, Wild Child, Buster Blue, Dharma Mittra, Shiva Rea, Seane Corne, Rod Stryker, Janet Stone, Nicki Doane, Ana Forrest, Danni Guttierez, Kevin Courtney
Squaw Valley sets the scene for this yoga and music fest. By day, experience a range of world-class instructors, or stand-up paddle boarding yoga on Lake Tahoe or DJ pool parties at 8,200 feet. Save some energy for the evening, for by dusk the vibe is transformed as the stage lights come on.
» JULY 16–19
California Worldfest
Grass Valley, CA
WorldFest.net
Lineup includes:
Lucinda Williams Band, King Sunny Ade & His African Beats, Buffy SainteMarie, The Sam Chase, Beats Antique, John Trudell & Bad Dog, Birds of Chicago, Todo Mundo, Honey of the Heart, Sambadrop, Nadi, Brian Hartman, Portland Cello Project
The 2.5 hour trip from the Bay Area is well worth it to experience the artsy, outdoorsy communities of sister cities Grass Valley and Nevada City. California Worldfest highlights a sweet sampling of the local flavor with a bristling lineup of both home-grown and imported talent teeming with female rockers. Set in the open space bordering Tahoe National Forest, this beautiful setting offers a “games on the green” kids zone that provides mutual freedom for you and your little ones in a country fair environment.
» JULY 30–AUGUST 2
Reggae on the River Festival
French’s Camp, Humboldt
ReggaeOnTheRiver.com
Lineup includes:
Stephen Marley, Cham, Collie Buddz, Flavia Coelho, Nahko & Medicine for the People, Tarrus Riley & Blak Soll, Inna Vision, The Congos, Emmanuel Jal, Protoje & The Indiggnation, Alborosie & The Shengen Clan, CeCile, Stick Figure
A 31-year mainstay on the summer circuit, Reggae on the River is recognized as one of the longest running roots music events in the world—and a convergence of NorCal cannabis culture. Come prepared to be completely immersed in an oasis of homegrown alongside the Eel River.
» AUGUST 7–9
Outside Lands Music & Arts Festival
Golden Gate Park, SF
SFOutsideLands.com
Lineup includes:
Elton John, Billy Idol, Wilco, The Black Keys, Mumford & Sons, Sam Smith, Kendrick Lamar, Ben Harper & The Innocent Criminals, Chet Faker, Lake Street Dive, First Aid Kit, St. Vincent, Odesza, Porter Robinson, RL Grime, The Devil Makes Three, G-Eazy, Lindsey Stirling
Ideally located for the urban among us, Outside Lands includes a bounty of music, food, libation, and other onsite interactive entertainment—including a comedy tent and a gastromagic stage catering to a distinctly SF crowd. From foodie to techie and from hipster to hippie, Outside Lands provides ample room to maneuver between the many stages it occupies in Golden Gate Park. From the local producers at Another Planet Entertainment, Outside Lands emerged as a national destination festival.
» AUGUST 7–10
Beloved Festival
Tidewater, OR
BelovedFestival.com
Lineup includes:
BA end of May
» AUGUST 14–16
For the Funk of It Music Festival
Belden, CA
FTFFest.com
Lineup includes:
The Motet, Big Sam’s Funky Nation, Polyrhythmics, Mojo Green with Hornmageddon, The Nibblers, The Humidors, Cherry Royale, Funktrek, Sean Lehe & The Family Practice, Dirty Revival, Fox Trot Mary, Swamp Zen, Soul Shine Band, Big Sticky Mess, Vinyl Gold, Nameless Natives
Swing by this boutique specialty festival billed as NorCal’s only camping all-funk music festival. It’s set in Belden—a funky Gold Country frontier town with a swimmable riverside. A portion of all proceeds goes to Future Kind.
» AUGUST 14–16
Enchanted Forest
Mendocino, CA
EnchantedForestMendo.com
Lineup includes:
TBA
» SEPTEMBER 10–13
Bhakti Fest West
Joshua Tree, CA
BhaktiFest.com
Lineup includes:
Jai Uttal, Krishna Das, Kirtaniyas, DJ Drez & Marti Nikko, Donna De Lory, MC Yogi, Saul David Raye, David Newman, Karnamrita, Sean Johnson & The Wild Lotus Band, Govind Das & Radha, Girish, Fanna Fi Allah, Srikology, Prajna Viera, Shiva Rea
Shake your Shakti at this unique intentional celebration set in the scenic, sacred desert of Joshua Tree. Cap your summer with a must pilgrimage to join the who’s who in the devotional singing (kirtan) and yoga movements. With ample opportunity to participate in spiritually infused movement practices and countless workshops—all set in an alcoholfree zone—Bhakti Fest has become a favorite gathering for those seeking to sustain a clear focus and higher connection.
» SEPTEMBER 17–20
Symbiosis Gathering
Oakdale, CA
SymbiosisGathering.com
Lineup includes:
TBA (10th anniversary)