Best Music Festivals Near Sacramento
www.sacmusicfest.com
Dates: May 22 through 25, 2015
Price: Click here for prices.
For more than 40 years, people from across the country have flocked to Old Sacramento for this premier musical event. Originally known as the Dixieland Jazz Jubilee, the festival has expanded to include other musical styles over the four-day Memorial Day weekend. Guests can enjoy bluesy rock and soul, zydeco, dance, country, bluegrass, Latin, swing, ragtime, New Orleans street beat, big band, ragtime, jazz and marching band music. More than 20 venues between Old Sacramento and the Sacramento Convention Center play host. These include Embassy Suites, Holiday Inn and the Delta King riverboat. Groups like Tower of Power, Mumbo Gumbo, Wonderbread5, Brodie Stewart Band, Royal Society Orchestra, Spangler, Latin Touch and Joy & Madness will be among more than 100 performers at the festival.
River Walk Park
651 2nd St.
West Sacramento, CA 95605
(916) 806-7561
www.firstfestivalsacramento.com
Date: May 23, 2015 from 12 p.m. – 10 p.m.
Price: Click here for prices.
A unique, new musical event will be taking place on the Saturday of Memorial Day weekend. First Festival features an eclectic mix of musical styles, and celebrates many of the exceptional things that make locals feel hometown proud. Created by the owners of midtown fashion boutiques Firefly and Moonrise Boutique, the event includes the wares of artists, breweries, crafters, performers, festival fashion and accessory designers and other small businesses, all of whom are from the Sacramento region. Musicians will perform on three stages at the gorgeous River Walk Park, located on the west bank of the Sacramento River between the I Street and Tower bridges. Everything from punk, blues, rock, synth-pop, folk and heavy metal will be performed by 18 bands including A Mile Till Dawn, Humble Wolf, Whiskey & Stitches, Merdog, Thick Soup, Be Brave Bold Robot and Surviving the Era. The festival also includes popular food trucks from SacMoFo, and promises to be a low cost, high-energy celebration.
Cesar Chavez Plaza
910 I St.
Sacramento, CA 95814
www.godowntownsac.com/events
Dates: Every Friday from May 15 through July 24, 2015, from 5 p.m. – 9 p.m. This excludes July 3.
Price: Free
This free three-month concert series has been wildly popular throughout its more than 20 year history in Sacramento. More than 5,000 fans are in attendance each Friday night. Featuring the talents of local artists, DJs and bands from a wide variety of musical genres, the outdoor festival marks the start of summer for many people from Sacramento. The lush grounds of downtown's Cesar Chavez Plaza are home to this free series which is open to guests of every age. Musicians featured in the festival include Frank Hannon Band, Ashley Barron, DJ Rawhide, Blackalicious, Druskee, Element of Soul, Cripple Creek Band, 50-Watt Heavy, Alex Vincent Band, DJ Peeti-V, Golden Cadillacs and Burro. A full list of the performers scheduled for each concert date is available on the website.
Folsom Powerhouse State Historic Park
9980 Greenback Lane
Folsom, CA 95630
www.ffpaonline.org/events
Date: June 13, 2015 from 5p.m. – 9 p.m.
Price: Click here for prices.
Open to guests over 21, Taps & Tunes is all about music, beer and local history. The location is Folsom Powerhouse State Historic Park, which has a colorful connection to speakeasies, breweries and saloons of the past. Exciting NorCal party band Azuar will keep everyone moving and grooving with a wide variety of music from the 60s to today. Sample great foods and beers, learn about home brewing, earn prizes and meet local historians, brew masters and authors at this unique event.
Village Green Park
3141 Bridgeway Drive
Rancho Cordova, CA 95670
www.enutshells.net
Date: May 16, 2015 from 5 p.m. – 9 p.m.
Price: Free
Experience the world from Rancho Cordova at the eighth annual International Festival. Entertainment includes music and dance from India, Africa, Mexico, Polynesia, Philippines, Italy, the Middle East and other international locales. This family-friendly festival includes international art, cuisine and crafts, as well as a scavenger hunt, green screen world photo opportunities, henna tattoos, pedicabs, piñatas and a car show.
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