Whether you’re jazzed about local summer festivals or ready to rock ‘n’ roll all over the state, we have the event round-up for you. Keep this Summer Lovin’ guide taped to your fridge or tucked in your back pocket; it’s your guide to the places and events that will make your summer the most spectacular, music-filled one yet.
Ongoing Festivals
(see Keep it Local, Keep it Free here for details on many of these ongoing events)
Truckee Thursdays Thursdays, June 12 to Aug. 21 Farmers market, artists, crafts, music, beer garden, and food fill the street of downtown Truckee. Info: 5 to 9 p.m., Donner Pass Road, Truckee, truckeethursdays.com
Bluesdays at Squaw Tuesdays, June 17 to Aug. 29 Enjoy the summertime blues at Squaw. Info: free, High Camp concerts 1 to 4 p.m. (requires tram ticket), village concerts 6 to 8:30 p.m., Squaw Valley, squaw.com
Music in the Park Wednesdays, June 18 to Aug. 27 Live music while sipping on wine and enjoying picnic food. Info: free, 6:30 p.m., donations welcome, Truckee Regional Park, Truckee, tdrpd.com
Concerts at Commons Beach Sundays, June 22 to Sept. 7 Free community concerts on Lake Tahoe. Headliners include Mumbo Gumbo, SambaDá, and New Monsoon. Info: shows start at either 3 or 4 p.m., Commons Beach, Tahoe City, concertsatcommonsbeach.com
Music on the Beach Fridays, June 27 to Aug. 29 Dance to live tunes in the sand; lineup includes Blues Monsters, Drop Theory, Keyser Soze, and more. Info: free, 6:30 p.m., Kings Beach State Recreation Area, northtahoebusiness.org
Outdoor Summer Movie Series Wednesdays, July 3 to Aug. 28 Watch movies, star gaze, and gather with friends. Movies include “The Hunger Games,” “Frozen,” “Gravity,” “The Lego Movie,” “Man of Steel,” “The Hobbit,” “42,” and “Jurassic Park.” Info: free, 8:30 p.m., the Village at Squaw Valley, squaw.com
May
Joshua Tree Music Festival May 15 to 18 This family-friendly festival is filled with music and camping. Info: $140/three-day, $70/Friday, $80/Saturday, $60/Sunday, Joshua Tree Lake Campground, joshuatreemusicfestival.com
Emissions May 16 to 19 Gather together outdoors and expand your musical horizons while dancing to West Coast bass music, a subgenre of dubstep. Info: tickets start at $160, cabin and RV packages available, Belden Town, emissionsfestival.com
Bay to Breakers Sunday, May 18 A 12K race from the Embarcadero to Golden Gate Park. Opt to run it seriously or wander in costume. Info: $59/basic registration, San Francisco, baytobreakers.com
Lightning in a Bottle May 22 to 26 Celebrate art, music, performance, sustainability, and life. Info: $240/weekend in advance, $365/full-weekend with camping pass, $260/full-weekend, $195/two-day, Bradley, lightninginabottle.org
California Roots Music and Arts Festival May 23 to 25 Fun-filled weekend with roots reggae music, live painting, yoga, and bike valet. This year the festival has committed to become a zero-waste event. Info: $160/three-day, $65/one-day, Monterey County Fairgrounds, californiarootsfestival.com
Black Rock Rendezvous May 23 to 26 Join the Friends of Black Rock, the Nevada Outdoor School, and the Friends of Nevada Wilderness in the Black Rock Desert to celebrate diversity and stewardship. Events include kids camp, workshops, potlucks, rocket launches, and more. Info: free, Black Rock Desert, blackrockdesert.org
Made in Tahoe Festival May 24 & 25 Peruse booths and support local artists, culture, and music. Info: 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., the Village at Squaw Valley, squaw.com
BottleRock May 30 to June 1 Rockin’ round-up featuring Weezer, Outkast, LL Cool J, Heart, De La Soul, Cracker, and more. Info: $279/three-day, $149/single-day, Napa Valley, bottlerocknapavalley.com
Valhalla Renaissance Faire May 31 & June 1, June 7 & 8 Music, dancing, jesters, costumed actors, Shakespearean vignettes, staged battles, storytelling, and archery tournaments, plus merchants selling themed goods. Info: tickets $18/adults, $13/seniors, military, ages 13 to 17, $8/children 6 to 12, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday, Camp Richardson, South Lake Tahoe, valhallafaire.com
June
Fathers Day Weekend Bluegrass Festival June 12 to 15 Celebrate your dad with some bluegrass. Headliners include Peter Rowan Bluegrass Band, Lonesome River Band, and The Deadly Gentlemen. Info: $160/four-day, $130/three-day, $35/Thursday or Sunday, $50/Friday, $55/Saturday, special prices for teens available, Nevada County Fairgrounds, Grass Valley, fathersdayfestival.com
Reggae in the Hills June 13 to 15 Jam to reggae headliners like Tribal Seeds, Collie Buddz, Luciano, and more. Info: $110/three-day, free camping, Calaveras County Fairgrounds, reggaeinthehills.com
Susanville Bluegrass Festival June 16 to 22 Listen to tunes while you sew a quilt. Headliners include Bluegrass Etc., North Country Bluegrass, Katy Penn & Newtown, and more. Info: $45/four-day advance, $25/single-day, Lassen County Fairgrounds, Susanville, susanvillebluegrass.com
Solstice Festival June 19 to 22 Celebrate the summer solstice. Headlining events include the Bridgetender Fireworks Street Dance, a Commons Beach concert featuring Mumbo Gumbo, the Tahoe City Classic Car Stroll, and a wine walk. Info: times vary, Tahoe City, visittahoecity.org
Reno Rodeo June 19 to 28 “The wildest, richest rodeo in the West,” complete with a carnival, music, and food. Events include bareback riding, steer wrestling, saddle bronc riding, team roping, mutton bustin’, barrel racing, and more. Info: tickets start at $17, Reno Livestock Events Center, renorodeo.com
The Great Eldorado BBQ, Brews, and Blues Festival June 20 & 21 For Reno’s summer kickoff party, events include live blues, food, and more than 40 microbrews. Info: noon to 8 p.m. on Friday, 2 to 8 p.m. on Saturday,
El Dorado Hotel and Casino and Virginia Street, Reno, eldoradoreno.com
Sierra Nevada World Festival June 20 to 22 Featuring three days of the best in roots reggae and world music, with a late-night dancehall. Info: $170/three-day, $60/Friday, $75/Saturday, $65/Sunday, Boonville, snwmf.com
Adventure Sports Week June 20 to 29 Races, clinics, music, film, and family activities in North Tahoe. Compete in trail running, mountain biking, triathlon, stand-up paddleboarding, and swimming. Info: registration varies, Lake Tahoe, aswtahoe.com
San Francisco Free Folk Festival June 21 & 22 Two days of music, dance workshops, concerts, crafts, and vendors. Info: free, noon to 10 p.m., Presidio Middle School, San Francisco, sffolkfest.org
Alpenglow Mountain Festival June 21 to 29 Nine-day series of workshops and demonstrations on sport products. Info: alpenglowsports.com
July
Artown July 1 to 31 A month-long celebration of art in Reno. Thursday night’s Soiree Under the Stars featuring Los Lonely Boys, Jesse Cook, Judy Collins, and Don McLean. Info: renoisartown.com
Red, White, and Tahoe Blue July 3 to 5 Incline Village and Crystal Bay celebrate Independence Day. Events include parades, tributes to veterans, fireworks, concerts, chalk drawings, rubber ducky races, food, and more. Info: times and locations vary, Incline Village, redwhitetahoeblue.org
High Sierra Music Festival July 4 to 7 Blues to bluegrass and rock to folk all performed in the Sierra Nevada. Headliners include Widespread Panic, Beats Antique, Trampled by Turtles, and more. Info: $207/four-day advance, Plumas-Sierra County Fairgrounds, Quincy, highsierramusic.com
Beerfest & Bluegrass Festival Saturday, July 5 Live music and 30 local and regional breweries on tap. Info: 3 to 7 p.m., the Village at Northstar, northstarcalifornia.com
Fillmore Jazz Festival July 5 & 6 The largest free jazz festival on the West Coast. Events include three stages of back-to-back music. Info: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. rain or shine, Fillmore Street between Jackson and Eddy Street, San Francisco,
fillmorejazzfestival.com
California WorldFest July 10 to 13 Eight stages for music, camping, crafts, and children’s programming. Headliners include Yuna, Los Lonely Boys, Dehli 2 Dublin, and more. Info: $185/four-day, $175/three-day, $145/two-day, $85/one-day, all passes include camping, Nevada County Fairgrounds, Grass Valley, worldfest.net
Lake Tahoe Shakespeare Festival July 11 to Aug. 24 Enjoy the sunset from the East Shore while watching Shakespeare’s “As You Like It” come alive on stage. Info: tickets start at $25/adults, Sand Harbor State Park, Incline Village, laketahoeshakespeare.com
Truckee Tahoe AirShow & Family Festival Saturday, July 12 Pay tribute to Women in Aviation at this year’s event. Info: free, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Truckee Tahoe Airport, truckeetahoeairshow.com
Music at the Mine Saturdays, July 12, Aug. 2 & 16 Mumbo Gumbo, Bourgeois Gypsies, and Downieville String Alongs take the stage under the stars. Info: ticket prices vary per night, 7:30 p.m., Kentucky Mine Amphitheatre, sierracountyhistory.org
Art, Wine & Music Festival July 12 & 13 Browse booths by fine artists and crafters, enjoy live music performances, and sip wine from featured wineries. Info: starts at 11 a.m., tastings 2 to 5 p.m., donations accepted, the Village at Squaw Valley, squaw.com
Mendocino Music Festival July 12 to 26 Summer festival featuring orchestral and chamber music, opera, jazz, big band, and more. Info: times and tickets vary, Mendocino, mendocinomusic.com
Broadway on the Beach Monday, July 14 The Reno Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Laura Jackson performs on the beach for this one-of-a-kind experience. Info: tickets start at $45, 7:30 p.m., Sand Harbor State Park, Incline Village, laketahoeshakespeare.com
Lake Tahoe Dance Festival July 15 to 17 Movement comes to the mountains, hosted by the North Lake Tahoe Historical Society. Info: $50/opening gala, remaining performances $20/advance, $25/door, laketahoedancefestival.org
Wanderlust July 17 to 20 The world’s leading yoga teachers, top musical acts and DJs, renowned speakers, top chefs, and winemakers join together in a setting of breathtaking natural beauty. Headliners include RJD2, Seane Corn, Big Gigantic, and more. Info: $475/Sage four-day, $395/Seeker three-day, Squaw Valley, wanderlustfestival.com
Sierra Storytelling Festival July 18 to 20 Orators and special guests will captivate participants with stories from different traditions, as well as heart-warming folk tales. Featured tellers include Bill Harley, Elizabeth Ellis, Kirk Waller, and more. Info: $82.50/all events, $20.75/Friday evening, $30/Saturday day, $22.75/Saturday evening, $12.50/Sunday, $7.50/children’s concert, North Columbia Schoolhouse Cultural Center, San Juan Ridge, sierrastorytellingfestival.org
Chautauqua: Thomas Edison and Henry Ford Monday, July 21 A meeting between two great figures to discuss their successes and challenges. Info: tickets start at $22, Sand Harbor, Incline Village, laketahoeshakespeare.com
Night in the Country July 25 & 26 Break out your cowboy boots and dance to Brantley Gilbert, Blackjack Billy, Morgan Frazier, and more. Sunday will feature extreme bull riding. Info: $105/advance, $115/gate, Yerington, nightinthecountry.org
Sierra Nevada Ballet: Swan Lake at the Lake Monday, July 28 An exciting new twist on a classical ballet performed by one of the West Coast’s most prestigious ballet companies. Info: tickets start at $22, Sand Harbor, Incline Village, shakespearefestival.org
Living History Day Saturday, July 26 The California State Parks turns back the clock to the ’30s when guests can browse vintage cars and boats, and swim on the beach. Events include concerts, historical talks, movies, painting with artists-in-residence, guided tours. Info: $10/parking, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Sugar Pine Point State Park, laketahoelivinghistory.com
Hot August Nights July 29 to Aug. 3 Cars and music to celebrate rock ‘n’ roll and the ’50s. Entertainment and event schedule to be announced. Info: Reno, hotaugustnights.net
Reggae on the River July 31 to Aug. 3 An internationally renowned celebration of the best in reggae and world music featuring Jimmy Cliff, Iration, Israel Vibration, and more. Info: tickets start at $190, French’s Camp, reggaeontheriver.com
Bluesapalooza July 31 to Aug. 3 Showcasing the best craft breweries and top blues performers, including headliners Tab Benoit, Taj Mahal Trio, Buddy Guy, John Hiatt and the Combo, and more. Info: $140/ultimate blues and brews three-day, $100/two-day, Sam’s Wood Site, Mammoth Lakes, mammothbluesbrewsfest.com
August
Strawberry Fall Music Festival ON HOLD DUE TO PERMITS Permit is in question due to concerns over portable water and forest closure. Keep checking website for updates. Info: Camp Mather, bordering Yosemite National Park, strawberrymusic.com
GuitarFish Music Festival Aug. 1 to 3 A three-day family, community, and arts festival to raise awareness of overfishing and pollution in our oceans, and to help preserve watersheds. Headliners include The Pimps of Joytime, Nicki Bluhm & The Gramblers, Everyone Orchestra, and more. On-site camping (bring your headlamps) with yoga and Pilates classes, arts and crafts, and food vendors. Info: tickets $139/three days, Cisco Grove Campground, Cisco Grove, guitarfishfestival.com
SummerFest Concert Series Aug. 1 to 17 Featuring classical artists from the world’s most prestigious symphonies under Maestro Joel Revzen. Info: tickets start at $25, 7 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays, 4 p.m. on Sundays, Sierra Nevada College, Incline Village, tahoesummerfest.org
Reno Jazz Orchestra: Bring Me the Funk of James Brown Monday, Aug. 4 Salute James Brown, the Godfather of Soul, and don’t forget your dancing shoes. Info: tickets start at $22, Sand Harbor Festival, Incline Village, laketahoeshakespearefestical.com
Lake Tahoe Concours d’Elegance Aug. 8 & 9 One of the premier events showcasing wooden boats. Events include boat exhibits, dinners, awards ceremony, and more. Info: $25/advance, $30/door, $35/two-day advance, $40/two-day door, Obexer’s Boat Company, Homewood, laketahoeconcours.com
Outside Lands Aug. 8 to 10 Music and art at Golden Gate Park. Headliners include Kayne West, Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers, The Killers, The Flaming Lips, Death Cab for Cutie, and more. Info: $595/three-day, Golden Gate Park, San Francisco, sfoutsidelands.com
Kings Beach Pacific Fine Arts Festival Aug. 9 & 10 Showcasing a variety of art right on the beach of Lake Tahoe. Info: free, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Kings Beach, pacificfinearts.com
Tahoe Players: Sweeney Todd Monday, Aug. 11 Performed by local members of Tahoe Players. Info: tickets start at $25, Sand Harbor, Incline Village, laketahoeshakespearefestival.com
Bowers Mansion Bluegrass Festival Aug. 15 to 17 An outdoor festival hosted by the Northern Nevada Bluegrass Association, which is dedicated to promoting and preserving bluegrass, old-time, traditional, and related folk music in Northern Nevada. Info: $20, children under 12 free, Bowers Mansion, New Washoe City, bowersbluegrassfestival.org
Truckee Championship Rodeo Aug. 23 & 24 Back for its 39th year, come get down and dirty with the cowboys. Kids’ day, Aug. 22, is free for all. Info: $12/advance, $15/gate, free/children 6 and under, McIver Arena, Truckee, truckeerodeo.org
Peaks and Paws Festival Saturday, Aug. 23 Treat your dog to a weekend at Squaw. Events include live music, art booths, wine and beer tasting, and doggy vendors. Info: entry donation, noon to 6 p.m., Village at Squaw Valley, squaw.com
Burning Man Aug. 25 to Sept. 1 Find your true self in Black Rock City and immerse yourself in art, music, and community. This year’s art theme is Caravansary. Info: Black Rock City, burningman.com
Foam Fest Saturday, Aug. 30 Sample more than 50 beers while rocking out to Tommy Castro and the Painkillers. Proceeds benefit Disabled Sports USA Far West. Info: $25/beer tasting, free/designated drivers, 1 to 6 p.m., KT Base Bar sundeck, Squaw Valley, (530) 581-4161, squaw.com
Alpen Wine Festival Sunday, Aug. 31 Listen to live music while wine tasting. Event also includes a silent auction and raffle to benefit Can Do MS, a foundation providing wellness and education for people with multiple sclerosis. Info: tickets $40/includes a Spiegelau crystal souvenir, 2 to 5 p.m., Village at Squaw Valley, squaw.com
September
Sample the Sierra Sunday, Sept. 1 El Dorado County local farmers and chefs pair up to produce tasting samples. Events include live music, storytellers, and cooking demonstrations. Info: $30, available at door, Bijou Community Park, South Lake Tahoe, samplethesierra.com
Guitar Strings vs. Chicken Wings Friday, Sept. 5 Bands and restaurant will square off in order to raise funds for Tahoe Institute for Natural Sciences. Info: $5 or $10 food packages available, Village at Squaw Valley, squaw.com
Lake Tahoe Autumn Food and Wine Festival Sept. 5 to 7 Three days of cooking seminars and demonstrations, culinary competitions, wine tasting, grape stomping, and more. Info: events and tickets to be announced, Northstar, Truckee, northstarcalifornia.com
The Great Reno Balloon Race Sept. 5 to 7 The largest free hot air ballooning event in the nation. Arrive at dawn to see more than 100 balloons take flight in the newly expanded dawn patrol. Info: free, 5 to 10 a.m., Rancho San Rafael Regional Park, Reno, renoballoon.com
Virginia City International Camel Races Sept. 5 to 7 Featuring competitors of every unlikely species, from camels to ostriches to emus. Info: 10 a.m., Virginia City, visitvirginiacitynv.com
Trails and Vistas Sept. 6 & 7 Experience live performances and art installations along a guided three-hour hike that blends art and nature at Spooner Lake, and the World Concert Saturday night at Sand Harbor. Info: art hike $30/general, $10/children, concert tickets start at $23, discounts available, trailsandvistas.org
Historic Downtown Truckee Arts and Crafts Festival Sept. 7 & 8 Handcrafted arts fair featuring local and regional vendors. Info: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday, Bridge Street at Donner Pass Road, Truckee, pacificfinearts.com
American River Music Festival Sept. 12 to 14 Music on the banks of the South Fork of the American River. Headliners include Hot Buttered Rum, Sean Hayes, New Monsoon, Dead Winter Carpenters, Trevor Green, and more. Info: $50/two-days, $35/one-day, camping packages available, Henningsen-Lotus Park, Coloma, americanrivermusic.org
Aftershock Sept. 13 & 14 Two-day metal rock festival right in Korn’s hometown. Info: check website for lineup and ticket prices, Sacramento, aftershockconcert.com
Lost Sierra Hoedown Sept. 18 to 21 It’s not a festival…it’s a hoedown. Celebrate country life and simple living with dancing music from Willie Watson, Miner, Good Luck Thrift Store Outfit, and more. Info: $80, Johnsville Ski Bowl, Plumas County, lostsierrahoedown.com
IRONMAN Lake Tahoe Sunday, Sept. 21 Get yourself moving and enjoy the victory of completing an IRONMAN race. Info: $700, course throughout North Tahoe/Truckee, ironman.com
Celtic Festival Sept. 26 to 28 Celebrate Celtic heritage with live music, dancing, and family fun. Info: early bird ticket pricing through May 31, Nevada County Fairgrounds, Grass Valley, kvmr.org/celticfestival
October
Hardly Strictly Bluegrass Festival Oct. 3 to 5 Three days of free music in Golden Gate Park, San Francisco. Lineup to be announced. Info: hardlystrictlybluegrass.com
