Summer Music Festivals

Get Your Groove On at These Bay Area Summer Music Festivals

One of the many wonderful aspects of living in or visiting the Bay Area is the endless variety of live music all year long. That said, everyone knows that summertime is the best time to see and hear live music, scantily clad spectators, convivial crowds and all the other aspects of outdoor concerts. We’ve compiled a list of this summer’s best music festivals for music lovers of all ages. So, make sure to mark your calendars!

Huichica Music Festival

This festival opens the summer music season on June 14 and 15 at Gundlach Bundschu Winery, Sonoma. This summer’s lineup includes Blitzen Trapper, Fruit Bats, Damien Jurado, Cass McCombs and many other local, regional and national bands. Prices run from $18 for a Friday-only pass to $90 for the full VIP treatment on both days.

Stern Grove Festival

This festival is a series of free Sunday afternoon concerts held from June 16 through August 18 at Sigmund Stern Grove Park, which is located at 19th and Sloat. As you might guess, it’s an eclectic lineup featuring something for everyone, including Deltron 3030, Shuggie Otis, the San Francisco Symphony and much more. The concerts begin at 2 p.m., but pack a picnic lunch, and get there early for the best seats.

Sierra Nevada World Music Festival

For the best in mellow grooves and mellow crowds, plan on being at the Mendocino County Fair in Boonville on June 21 through 23 for this music festival. This reggae-centric festival features Damian and Stephen Marley, SOJA, Max Romeo, Bombino and other musicians, who are guaranteed to make you feel irie. Prices range from $64.29 for a Friday-only ticket to $180.34 for a three-day pass. Given the location, attendees are pretty much guaranteed to get a contact buzz as soon as they pass through the gate.

Rockstar Mayhem Festival

If you like your guitars loud and crunchy, don’t miss this festival at the Shoreline Amphitheatre in Mountain View on June 30. Metal aficionados will love headliners such as Rob Zombie, Five Finger Death Punch, Mastodon, Machinehead and others, and prices run from $42 to $94, with a $200 VIP option for those who wish to sear their eardrums while eating and drinking backstage.

High Sierra Music Festival

If you’re planning on being near Quincy on the Fourth of July, you may want to head over to the Plumas Sierra Fairgrounds for this festival, which runs from July 4-7. The festival boasts an eclectic lineup this year, including headliners Robert Plant, Primus, Thievery Corporation and moe. Prices range from $85 for a one-day pass to $205 for the full festival.

Fillmore Jazz Festival

The annual Fillmore Jazz Festival will be held on July 6 and 7 and offers three stages of local, regional and international jazz talent on Fillmore Street between Jackson and Eddy in San Francisco. As usual, there is no charge for admission on either day, and everyone is welcome to come and enjoy one of the city’s best street parties.

There are other outstanding Bay Area music festivals from mid-summer through fall, but the events listed above are a fine start to your summer concert season. Attending these fests is a great way to celebrate and enjoy life in San Francisco and the beautiful Bay Area and give out-of-town visitors a taste of our version of la dolce vita! Enjoy!