Tag Archives: live music

Events, Music, September, Street Fairs, Wine/Beer/Culinary

Adams Avenue Street Fair

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Adams Avenue Street Fair

One of the largest FREE music street fairs in California. Over 90 live music acts on 7 stages, 4 beer gardens, Giant Carnival rides and 300 craft & food vendors.

Two day Music Festival covers many blocks of Adams Avenue, only a few miles from downtown San Diego. Held in late summer near 35th Street to 32nd Street. Adams Ave Street Fair is Southern California local fun.

Annual event; September

San Diego, CA

adamsavenuebusiness.com/event-info/adams-avenue-street-fair

Adams Avenue Street Fair

Adams Ave San Diego

Jan Alexander took this image in 2007, when he visited San Diego & Jeannie.

August, Events, Wine/Beer/Culinary

Banana Festival

Healthy Banana and Friends!

Sac Banana Fest
Sacramento Banana Festival

Held in Sacramento @ William Land Park

5k run/walk on Saturday and a Kids Banana Split Eating Contest. Enjoy a day filled with fun, food, live entertainment, and exhibits. The event benefits the National Academic Youth Corps, which provides art and educational programs for young people in Sacramento, as well as over a dozen other worthy local charities.

Annual event: August
916-800-3478

Sacramento, CA

facebook.com/BananaFestival

Community Drummers

Kids Banana Split Eating Contest

Events, July, Music

Atascadero Fourth of July

Atascadero Fourth of July Music Festival returns

Atascadero Fourth of July Music Festival

Celebrate Freedom and Independence Day lakeside under giant shady oaks with three great musical acts on an afternoon of music, food & drinks! General Admission is free to the music festival. If you want to be closer to the music there is a reserved VIP area and VIP Plus to get into the front row. ?Don’t forget to bring your low back chair or blanket.

July 4th @ 4 to 8 pm

Atascadero Lake Park

Annual event: July
One day event,  always held on Fourth of July

Atascadero, CA

atascadero4thofjuly.org

Events, May, Music

California Roots Reggae Festival

California Roots Music & Art Festival
Cali Roots: California Roots Fest
Reggae Festival

11 years running, this huge reggae concert festival is 4 days long and held at the coastal bay of Monterey. Featuring the largest amount of top reggae artists in one single event in California.

California Roots Music and Arts Festival has always been rooted in a genuine enthusiasm for an experience that stimulates all senses through a release of creativity that can be heard, felt, seen, and embodied. Camping options.

What started in the early years as an opportunity for painters to create art on stage during the music performances has evolved into interactive art experiences for fans and artists alike scattered throughout the venue via the Art Retreat, Interactive Art Stations, Paint Workshops and a Festival Fashion Zone. Plus yoga sessions every morning!

Monterey County Fairgrounds
2004 Fairground Rd
Monterey, CA 93940

Annual event: May
4 Day event

Monterey, CA

californiarootsfestival.com

Events, June, Parade, Street Fairs

Placerville Hangtown Days

hangtowndays
2019 photo by Bill Robinson

Hangtown Wagon Train Days

califrepublic

Living History in Downtown Placerville, California

Historic Gold Country. Walking parade, re-enactments, costumes encouraged. Street dance party (5pm). Live music all day, food, drinks, games. Free admission.

Annual event: June
Saturday 2-8 pm, One Day event
530-391-2190

Placerville, CA

hangtowndays.org

 

hangtownparade
2019 photo by Bill Robinson
Arts & Crafts, Events, March, Parade, Street Fairs, Wine/Beer/Culinary

Murphys Irish Day

gocalaveras.com
photo credit Jim Last

Murphy’s Irish Day

3rd Saturday in March

#MID-  MURPHYS IRISH DAY

One of the premier annual events, where thousands of people gather in the historic gold rush town of Murphys Camp to honor its Celtic heritage – and to celebrate as only the Irish can.

Parade, live music, jugglers, antique cars, horses, bagpipes, with village shops and restaurants all open. The picturesque Main Street is filled with booths offering handcrafted items, original art, photographs, tasty food, wine, and beverages.

Sponsored by the
Murphys Business Association

Annual event: March
One day event

Murphys, CA

visitmurphys.com/murphys-irish-day

 

Irish Day parade
photo credit Jim Last

#gocalaveras
#visitgoldcountry

California Rivers, Events, May, Music, Street Fairs

Waterfront Days Old Sacramento

Sacramento Waterfront Days

Sacramento Gold Rush Days in Old Town is now
“Waterfront Days Old Sacramento”

3-day event takes place on Front Street, The Embarcadero, and the 1849 Scene all along the wonderful Sacramento River. The heritage celebration features a wide variety of crowd-favorite entertainment, all free to experience and enjoy.

Annual event: May

oldsacramento.com/event/waterfront-days

 

Old Sac Waterfront Days

Events, Festivals, October, Street Fairs, Wine/Beer/Culinary

Avocado Festival in Carpinteria

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The Avo Fest, Carpinteria

Take a scenic drive and see the back roads near Lake Casitas, where numerous avocado orchards grace the hillsides. This coastal Avocado Festival has evolved into one of the largest festivals within California; Three full days of fabulous food, terrific music, & family fun. Held in Carpinteria, just south of Santa Barbara, CA

Annual event; October
805-684-0038

CARPINTERIA CA

avofest.com

 

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Competitions, County Fairs, Events, Horse/Rodeo, May

Los Angeles County Fair

The Fun Starts Here

LA County Fair

Los Angeles County Fair is held several miles from downtown LA; at the Pomona Fairgrounds (off Interstate 10). Concerts, carnival rides & games, exhibits, horse shows, home & garden shows, arts & crafts. Big event for the county of Los Angeles.

NOTE 2022:
The LA Fair has permanently moved to the month of May

Annual event; May
909-623-3111

Los Angeles CA

lacountyfair.com

Events, February, Festivals

Whiskey Flat Days

Parade, Rodeo, Carnival Rides, Frog Jumping Contests, Food & Craft Booths, Epitaph, Costume & Whiskerino Contests, Line Dancing, Gold Panning, Wood Carving, Pet Parade, Blue Grass & Country Western, Art Show, Gunfighters….

Old Kernville Town
Kernville should have never painted this building white.

Annual event; February
always held on Presidents Day weekend

KERNVILLE CA

Kernville Chamber of Commerce
760-376-2629
(866) KERNVILLE

kernvalley.com/news/whiskey.htm

August, Events, Festivals, Music

Burning Man

Burning Man 2013

Burning Man

@ Black Rock City, Nevada

for those seeking the wilder side of camping out

Week-long event; Black Rock Desert NV

Everyone (who is anyone) has heard of this massive annual desert party by now. The historic bon fire event that started in Santa Cruz in 1986 and then moved out to the deserts of Nevada. Way north of Reno!

The event is getting bigger by the decades, so expect a mind altering experience with tens of thousands of well-decorated lost souls. Advanced tickets are required.

Sunrise Balloon People, Burning Man 2011

Art cars, construction, costumes, pyrotechnics, live bands, music DJs, the playa dust & summer desert camping w/ 70,000 other freaks in the temporary set up of Black Rock City.

BRC = Black Rock City

NPR said about Burning Man, “Once considered an underground gathering for bohemians and free spirits of all stripes, Burning Man has since evolved into a destination for social media influencers, celebrities and the Silicon Valley elite.”

Annual event;  August

burningman.org

Burning Man 2013

The Temple of Transition - Burning Man 2011

Events, September, Wine/Beer/Culinary

Original Lobster Festival

Long Beach Lobster Festival

Long Beach Lobster Festival is now held in a new location, and is renamed:

The Original Lobster Festival

This event has been running over 25 years now. This Original Lobster Festival has become a tradition to over thousands of festival goers annually.

The event combines local popular artists, Swing, Salsa, R&B/Motown, Decades 70s/80s Dance Bands. Plus tons of Fresh Live Maine Lobsters steamed in the World’s Largest Cooker prepared and served by a Master Chef for that mouth watering taste, giant food court, children’s area, dance floor, two stages and beach bars to create the largest Lobster Festival outside of Maine.

Fountain Valley Sports Park
16400 Brookhurst Street
Fountain Valley, CA 92708

Annual event: September
562-495-5959

originallobsterfestival.com

 

Long Beach Lobster Festival

Events, Fairs or Faires, Parade, September

Gold Country Fair

Auburn Gold Country Fair - 7 September 2007

Auburn Gold Country Fair

California Gold Country Fair

Auburn is home to the Gold Country Fair every September. 4-day event w/ parade, pony rides, carnival rides & games, entertainment.

1273 High Street
Auburn, CA 95604

Annual event; September
530-823-4533

Auburn CA

goldcountryfair.com

20070907 Cowgirl

California Coast, Events, Festivals, June, Music

Russian River Blues Festival

Russian River Summer Festival

Tall Trees Camping
Bull Frog Campground, in all its glory

Russian River Jazz Festival

Russian River Blues Festival

Summertime warms up and being outdoors is THE plan. The Russian River Jazz & Blues Festival is held annually near the redwood forests of Guerneville, California. Located of event is Johnson’s Beach – right on the Russian River. This is a great opportunity to camp out in the inland, North Coast region. Plenty beach parks & campgrounds nearby.

Annual event; June
707-869-1595

Guerneville, California

russianriverfestivals.com

canoe

Russian River Jazz Festival

Events, Festivals, Music, October, Wine/Beer/Culinary

Lobster Festival Redondo

Redondo Pier

Redondo Beach Lobster Festival

30 years running, this Redondo Beach event is a hot hit, especially for beach-goers near Los Angeles, California

3 day event held at the Seaside Lagoon next to King Harbor, just north of the Redondo Beach Pier. Live music, entertainment, lobster recipes, celebrity chefs, craft beer, kids activities and vendor booths.

Annual event; October
310-376-6911

REDONDO BEACH California

redondolobsterfestival.com

 

Cracking lobster

Events, July, Mountain Bike Race

Downieville Classic Mountain Bike Festival

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Downieville Classic Race

Downieville Classic Mountain Bike Festival

25th Anniversary in 2023

Downieville Downhill

The very busiest weekend to visit the Downieville – Yuba River canyon region, so consider yourself warned.

Bicycle Expo & Street Fair on Saturday and Sunday. Live music & dancing. Big Air River Jump, plus, race cross country style or the infamous Downieville Downhill. Shuttle service available.

One of the biggest mountain bike events on the west coast. Located deep in the heart of Northern Gold Country, along the Yuba River & historic Highway 49. Camping options available in every direction. The small historic hotels book up well in advance.

Annual event; July

DOWNIEVILLE CA

downievilleclassic.com

 

Festivities on main street

Ross Schnell

August, Events, Wine/Beer/Culinary

Hops in Humboldt

Hops In Humboldt 2012

Micro Brew Festival
Beer Festival Humboldt Redwoods

A one day event in Fortuna @ Rohner Park. This beer festival is the premier beer festival on the North Coast. Local microbrews from the region – Eel River, Mad River, Six Rivers and Lost Coast brewing companies, along with other Northern California and Oregon breweries.

Annual event; August
Fortuna, CA

hopsinhumboldt.com

 

Humboldt Brewing Company Hemp Ale

Events, Festivals, Music, October, Wine/Beer/Culinary

California Beer Festival

California Beer Festival

California Beer Festival, Ventura

this festival is now known as the Surf ‘n’ Suds Beer Festival or shorter the Surf Beer Fest

Over 70 craft breweries, ciders, kombucha, seltzers, and wine. Surf ‘n’ Suds includes live music, street fair vendors and food trucks. Surfboards shapers, local non-profits, plenty of shade and free water stations.

San Buenaventura State Beach
901 San Pedro Street
Ventura, California

Annual event; October
One day event
805-323-5691

Ventura, CA

surfbeerfest.com/ventura

 

California Beer Festival

California Beer Festival

California Beer Festival

Events, Festivals, June

Greek Festival San Diego

San Diego Greek Fest

This is a Greek Festival in the Balboa Park area of San Diego, on Park Blvd @ corner of Cypress. Greek Orthodox church, Saint Spyridon, holds this very popular food & dance festival during “June Gloom”. If it’s sunny, it’s a rare treat. But you’ll be heated up on the dance floor learning all those traditional Greek dances, right?

Saint Spyridon Greek Orthodox Church
3655 Park Boulevard
San Diego, California 92103

Annual event; June
619-297-4165

San Diego CA

sdgreekfestival.com

Arts & Crafts, Events, Fairs or Faires, Marathon/Runs, October, Parade, Street Fairs

Old Hometown Fair

Manhattan Beach 10K race,

Manhattan Beach 10k

Manhattan Beach Hometown Fair

MBFair

Manhattan Beach Fair is every October & a great day to go out to the beaches of Los Angles County. Weekend festivities begins with a 10k race and a parade. Music, vendor booths, art exhibits, food & wine/beer.

This Los Angles county beach destination has been doing this event for 45+ years! Since this is LA and parking is horrible, shuttles are available from Aviation Avenue.

Annual event; October

MANHATTAN BEACH CA

mbfair.org

mb10k.com

Hyperion Outfall Band

The Hollow Trees

Manhattan Beach Hometown 10k Run 2009

Hometown Cheer.

Arts & Crafts, California Coast, Coastal Cliffs, Events, Festivals, Music, September

Pacific Coast Fog Fest

Pacifica Fog Fest

Pacifica Fog Festival
Pacific Coast Fog Fest

Held along Palmetto Avenue in Pacifica, is a weekend arts and crafts fair with over 190 arts and craft booths, live entertainment, plenty of tasty food and drink to please any appetite. Since 1986!

Annual event; September
650-355-4122

Pacifica, CA

pacificcoastfogfest.com

 

Pacifica Fog Fest 2011

Pacifica Fog Fest 9-2009

Pacifica Fog Fest

Events, Festivals, September

Monterey Jazz Festival

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Monterey Jazz Fest

MJF stands for Monterey Jazz Festival: One of the most popular, well known, Jazz Festivals in California. This special one on the Monterey Bay has been going on near 60 years. And we’re not kidding on the popularity of this event.

Annual event; September

MONTEREY, CA

montereyjazzfestival.org

 

Willie Green

Cannonball Adderley 1970 Monterey Play Misty - 07-10-2010_0004

Montetey Jazz festival. 51st

Auto Show/Race, California Coast, County Fairs, Events, Horse/Rodeo, September

Santa Cruz County Fair

santa cruz county fair racing pigs

Santa Cruz County Fair

September is the month for the Santa Cruz County Fair. Carnival rides and games, horses, live music, entertainment. Auto races, pig races, horse show

Annual event; September
831-724-5671

Santa Cruz California

santacruzcountyfair.com

 

Sam and Arthur go down the slides at the 2000 Santa Cruz County Fair

Arts & Crafts, County Fairs, Events, Horse/Rodeo, September

Monterey County Fair

fair trails

County Fair in Monterey

Over 80 years of this coastal event in California. Carnival rides, livestock show, food, live music, arts & crafts, horse races & wine tasting. This is by far the largest summer fair event in the whole region. Campgrounds and hotels in the area fill up fast in warmer months, so make reservations if you want to visit the Monterey Bay Area.

Annual event; September
831-372-5863

MONTEREY, CA

montereycountyfair.com

 

bred-heifers2.jpg

montereybay

August, Events, Festivals

Reggae on the River

Reggae on the River 2011

Redwood forests with sweet tunes out-of-doors, at the river.

THIRTY YEARS running – this is an epic NorCal summertime music event. The celebration of reggae music in Northern California, at French’s Camp – right on the Eel River. Glorious surroundings, excellent redwoods camping all over the region!

Annual event; August
707-923 3368

Garberville CA

reggaeontheriver.com

August, Auto Show/Race, Events, Horse/Rodeo, Marathon/Runs, Parade

Tehachapi Mountain Festival

Tehachapi Mountain Festival 2013

Mountain Festival in Tehachapi

Over 50 years of summertime celebrations in the Southern Sierra town of Tehachapi CA. Festival includes arts & crafts show, food, entertainment, carnival, 5K & 10K run, parades, car show, rodeo, gem & mineral show, quilt show, VFW dinner and dance, pancake breakfast.

Annual event; August
661-822-4180

Tehachapi California

tehachapimountainfestival.com

Tehachapi Mountain Festival 2013

Tehachapi Mountain Festival 2013