In 2023, Southern California reverberated with the beats of some of the biggest music festivals.
From the iconic genre melting pot of music at the Coachella Valley Music & Arts Festival, diverse country acts at Stagecoach, the reggaeton and Latin trap-fueled Baja Beach Fest in Rosarito Beach, the spring and fall editions of CRSSD Fest at Waterfront Park, the multi-generational Latin sounds of Bèsame Mucho, the new-wave rhythm of Cruel World, the San Diego Smooth Jazz Festival at The Shell, the DIY spirit of Viva! Pomona, the Inglewood debut of hip-hop festival Rolling Loud to the year-closing Dec. 30 Wild Horses at Petco Park, it was another huge year for music festivals.
This yea is shaping up to be even bigger and better. Whether your heart longs for metal, alternative rock, country, techno, new-wave, punk, Latin pop and smooth-jazz, there’s something for almost every musical taste on the roster thus far.
Here’s a list of music festivals coming to Southern California in 2024. Some events may only list dates and locations, but check the official websites for updates.
FEBRUARY
Rome Ramirez of Sublime with Rome, which headlines the Cali Vibes festival Feb. 16-18 in Long Beach.
(Arlene Ibarra)
Cali Vibes
The three-day reggae, rock and hip-hop music festival will include performances by Gwen Stefani, Rebelution and Sublime With Rome, which will be doing a special performance of its “40 Ounces to Freedom” album in its entirety. Other acts include Shaggy, Sean Paul, Sojo, Common Kings, The Interrupters, Too Short, Skip Marley, Action Bronson and The Pharcyde.
When: Feb. 16-18
Where: Marina Green Park, 386 E. Shoreline Drive, Long Beach
Tickets and more info: Three-day admission passes start at $330; VIP passes start at $515. There’s a deluxe Beach Club three-day pass for $1,099; Single-day passes start at $150 and $225 for VIP at calivibesfest.com
Skyline Festival
Insomniac Events’ techno brand Factory 93 and house-music counterpart Day Trip, are joining forces to bring the two genres together. The lineup has yet to be revealed, but last year included sets from Dom Dolla, Meduza, Eli & Fur, Peggy Gou, Michael Bibi, Anotr, Diplo, Joshwa, Charlotte De Witte, Joseph Capriati and Stella Bossi.
When: Feb. 24-25
Where: Gloria Molina Grand Park, 200 N. Grand Ave., Los Angeles
Tickets and more info: Two-day general admission tickets start at $177.99; VIP two-day passes start at $349; deposit plans are available at $10. skylinefest.com
MARCH
CRSSD Festival returns to San Diego’s Waterfront Park March 2-3.
(Courtesy photo by Keiki-Lani Knudsen / CRSSD )
The two-day electronic, house and techno festival is raving its way back to San Diego with three stages and more than 40 acts. The lineup has yet to be announced, but last year attendees saw performances from Odesza, Polo & Pan, Lane 8, Mall Grab, Channel Tres, Phantoms and more.
When: March 2-3
Where: Waterfront Park, 1600 Pacific Highway, San Diego
Tickets and more info: Fans can now sign up for text updates on ticket info, lineups and additional information at crssdfest.com
Country singer Thomas Rhett will headline Boots in the Park Norco festival on March 9 in Norco.
(Amy Harris / Amy Harris/invision/ap)
Boots in the Park Norco
Country star Thomas Rhett will headline the Norco edition of the single-day Boots in the Park festival, which will also include performances by Jordan Davis, Mitchell Tenpenny, Parmalee, Tyler Braden, Presley Tennant and Luwiss Lux.
When: March 9
Where: SilverLakes Equestrian and Sports Park, 5555 Hamner Ave., Norco
Tickets and more info: General admission tickets start at $99; VIP passes start at $249. bootsinthepark.com
Rapper Drakeo the Ruler performs at the 2021 Rolling Loud music festival in San Bernardino.
(Scott Dudelson/Getty Images)
Rolling Loud
The international hip-hop festival brand is returning for its second year with three days of music at Inglewood’s Hollywood Park, located adjacent to SoFi Stadium. The show will include performances by Nicki Minaj, Rae Sremmurd, Sexxy Red, YG & Tygga, Post Malone, Suicideboys, Summer Walker, Big Sean, Bones, Flo Milli, Future x Metro Boomin, Don Toliver, Chief Keef and more.
When: March 15-17
Where: Hollywood Park Grounds, 1001 Stadium Drive, Inglewood
Tickets and more info: Three-day general admission passes start at $299; Three-day general admission plus passes start at $449; Three-day VIP passes start at $599; Three-day VIP passes with a “Munchie Pass” start at $799. rollingloud.com/california
Dave King of Flogging Molly performs at a festival in 2023. The L.A. punk band will headline the Shamrock Rebellion Silverado festival March 16 in Silverado.
(Amy Harris / Amy Harris/invision/ap)
Shamrock Rebellion Silverado
Los Angeles punk rockers Flogging Molly are celebrating St. Patrick’s Day a little early in 2024 with a single-day festival dubbed Shamrock Rebellion. It will also include sets by Frank Turner & The Sleeping Souls, Buzzcocks, Face to Face, Amigo The Devil, NOBRO, Gen and the Degenerates. The event offers tastings from local and regional breweries for those 21-and-older from noon to 3 p.m.
When: March 16
Where: Oak Canyon Park, 5305 Santiago Canyon Road, Silverado
Tickets and more info: General admission tickets start at $69; VIP admission starts at $149; Flogging Molly meet and greet VIP package starts at $350. brewhahaproductions.com
Beyond Wonderland
One of Insomniac Events’ longest-running festivals will return to its home base at the NOS Events Center with a Mad Tea Party theme. The lineup has yet to be announced, but last year ravers saw performances from Alan Walker, AC Slater, Borgore, San Holo, Slushii and more.
When: March 22-23
Where: NOS Events Center 689 S. E Street, San Bernardino
Tickets and more info: Two-day general admission passes are $159-$219; VIP packages are $279. Payment plans are available starting at $9.99 down. socal.beyondwonderland.com
Boots in the Park Long Beach
Boots in the Park is headed to Long Beach in 2024 with headliner Lee Brice. He’ll be accompanied by Chris Janson, LoCash, Heidi Merrill, Luwiss Lux and a few more acts that will be announced in the coming months.
When: March 23
Where: Queen Mary Festival Grounds, 1126 Queens Highway, Long Beach
Tickets and more info:Fans can now register for tickets by providing a valid email address and phone number at bootsinthepark.com
APRIL
Boots in the Park is a country music festival at Waterfront Park.
(Miguel Lizarraga)
Boots in the Park San Diego
Thomas Rhett will be making another appearance as the headliner for the San Diego edition of the single-day Boots in the Park festival with support from Lee Brice, Scott McCreery, LoCash, Rhett Akins and Alana Springsteen.
When: April 6
Where: Waterfront Park, 1600 Pacific Hwy., San Diego
Tickets and more info:Single-day general admission starts at $99-$199; VIP passes start at $349. bootsinthepark.com
A crowd awaits a concert at the Coachella Valley Music & Arts Festival in Indio.
(The Los Angeles Times)
Coachella Valley Music & Arts Festival
The biggest party in the desert is set to make its 2024 return to the Empire Polo Club in Indio. Although the lineup has yet to be revealed, fans can expect A-list stars and the best up-and-coming acts to be on the bill. Olivia Rodrigo, the 20-year-old vocal star who grew up in Temecula, conspicuously has no concert dates between April 9 and April 30.
When: April 12-14 and April 19-21
Where: Empire Polo Club, 81800 51st Ave., Indio
Tickets and more info: Three-day general admission tickets are $549-$599; VIP passes are $1,069-$1,269. Various camping, shuttle, parking passes and other add-ons will also be available at coachella.com
Eric Church at the 2016 Stagecoach Country Music Festival at the Empire Polo Club in Indio.
(Allen J. Schaben/Los Angeles Times)
Stagecoach Country Music Festival
After the madness of the Coachella Festival, fans can bring out their cowboy boots and bolo ties for the annual three-day country music festival headlined by Eric Church, Miranda Lambert and Morgan Wallen. Other performers include Post Malone, Willie Nelson & Family, Leon Bridges, Jelly Roll, Elle King, Hardy, Bailey Zimmerman, The Beach Boys and more.
When: April 26-28
Where: Empire Polo Club, 81800 51st Ave., Indio
Tickets and more info: Passes are officially sold out; waitlist available at stagecoach.com
Jackson Lyon, 2 was inspired to play along with the live performance at Rabbit Hole during the Adams Avenue Unplugged festival on Saturday, April 29, 2023 in San Diego.
(Nelvin C. Cepeda/The San Diego Union-Tribune)
Adams Avenue Unplugged
Acoustic music groups and solo artist will perform — free of charge — in nearly two-dozen venues along Adams Avenue in San Diego. Performers have not yet been announced, but past headliners include Rock Hall of Famer Chris Hillman, David Lindley and Dave Alvin.
When: April 27
Where: Kensington, Normal Heights and University Heights, San Diego
Tickets and more info: adamsavenuebusiness.com
MAY
Singers Cecilia Noel and Colin Hay perform at the 2019 BeachLife Festival at Redondo Beach.
(Scott Dudelson / Getty Images)
BeachLife Festival
The three-day rock, Americana and reggae-focused BeachLife Festival will return to the seaside of Redondo Beach. The festival will include its popular SpeakEasy stage, where artists perform strip-down versions of music and two main stages for non-stop music all day long. The lineup has yet to be announced, but will be announced soon.
When: May 3-5
Where: 239 North Harbor Drive, Redondo Beach
Tickets and more info: Three-day general passes start at $369; three-day VIP passes start at $929; three-day captain passes start at $3,099. beachlifefestival.com
Gator by the Bay returns to Spanish Landing Park in San Diego for its 21st year May 9-12, 2024.
(Courtesy of Gator by the Bay)
Gator by the Bay
San Diego’s “Mardi Gras in May” fete will celebrate its 21st year with a lineup co-booked for the first time by veteran festival producer Rich Sherman, who heads Orange County’s Omega Events. The lineup includes C.J. Chenier and the Red Hot Louisiana Band, Southern Avenue, Marcia Ball, Sonny Landreth, Nikki Hill and Geno Delafose & French Rockin’ Boogie.
When: May 9-12
Where: Spanish Landing Park, 3900 North Harbor Drive, across from San Diego International Airport
Tickets and more info: single-day tickets are $50-$85; multi-day passes are $185-$295; patron passes are $100-$475. gatorbythebay.com
A crowd gathers for a daytime concert at the inaugural Wonderfront Festival in San Diego in 2019.
(Wonderfront Festival)
Wonderfront Music & Arts Festival
The waterfront music festival returns after a one-year hiatus with a shift from its usual November slot to the springtime. The lineup has not yet been announced, but the three-day event will feature over 80 artists performing across seven stages. The 2022 headliners included Gwen Stefani, Zac Brown Band and Kings of Leon.
When: May 10-12
Where: Seaport Village, 849 W. Harbor Drive, San Diego
Tickets and more info:Fans can now sign up for text updates regarding tickets sales, lineup announcements and additional information at wonderfrontfestival.com.
The Cruel World Festival, seen here in 2022, will return May 11 to Brookside at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena.
(White Owl Drone)
Cruel World
Goldenvoice’s Cruel World Festival is returning to Brookside at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena with Duran Duran, Interpol, Blondie, Simple Minds, Placebo, Soft Cell, Adam Ant and more.
When: May 11
Where: Brookside at the Rose Bowl, 1133 Rosemont Ave., Pasadena
Tickets and more info: General admission passes start at $229; VIP passes start at $449. AXS.com
Just Like Heaven
The indie music festival, which celebrates the music of the early 2000s, will be back at Brookside at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena. The lineup hasn’t been announced yet, but last year’s roster included Empire of the Sun, MGMT, Ladytron, Caribou, Future Islands and Hot Chip.
When: May 18
Where: Brookside at the Rose Bowl, 1133 Rosemont Ave., Pasadena
Tickets and more info: justlikeheavenfest.com
Joshua Tree Music Festival
This family-friendly music event takes place twice a year in the Mojave Desert. The four-day festival also includes wellness workshops and yoga courses . Performers announced so far include Fantastic Negrito, Moon Hooch, Telmary & HabanaSana, Madison McFerrin and Q.Varo.
When: May 16-19
Where: Joshua Tree Lake Campground, 2780 Sunfair Road, Joshua Tree
Tickets and more info: Single-day tickets start at $65-$100; four-day tickets start at $215; children’s passes start at $25-$35. Camping passes are $135-$175; on-site parking is $15. joshuatreemusicfestival.com
Saxophonist Dave Koz at the Newport Beach Jazz Festival, which returns May 31-June 2, 2024.
(Glenn Koenig / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)
Newport Beach Jazz Festival
The three-day jazz festival will feature smooth-jazz and R&B artists for its 27th edition. The full lineup will be announced in the coming months, so make sure to check its website for updates. The 2023 lineup included Boney James, Chante Moore, Eric Darius and San Diego singer Rebecca Jade.
When: May 31-June 2
Where: Hyatt Regency Newport Beach, 1107 Jamboree Road, Newport Beach
Tickets and more info: General admission weekend passes start at $265; VIP passes start at $495. festivals.hyatt.com
JUNE
Roots Picnic: Hip-Hop Is the Love of My Life
The legendary Philadelphia band The Roots celebrates the first five decades of hip-hop at the Hollywood Bowl with performances by The Roots, Queen Latifah, Common, Digable Planets, Arrested Development, The Pharcyde, Black Sheep and more.
When: June 29
Where: Hollywood Bowl, 2301 Highland Ave., Los Angeles
Tickets and more info: $30-$120 at hollywoodbowl.com
AUGUST
Baja Beach Fest will be presented in August 2024 in Rosarito Beach, Baja California, Mexico.
(Courtesy Audible Treats)
Baja Beach Fest
Since its inception in 2018, this homegrown festival has grown into one of North America’s top annual events for fans of reggaeton and Latin-trap music. This year’s lineup hasn’t been announced yet, but previous performers have included Bad Bunny, Ozuna, J. Balvin, Daddy Yankee, Becky G, Yandel and Tijuana’s Grupo Firme.
When: Mmid-August; dates TBA
Where:Rosarito Beach
Tickets and more info: No on-sale date has been announced yet, but fans can sign up for updates by joining the mailing list at: bajabeachfest.com
Scott Stapp, lead singer of the rock band Creed, which leads the lineup of the Summer of ’99 and Beyond musicl festival on Aug. 31.
(Amy Harris / Associated Press)
Summer of ’99 and Beyond Festival
Creed has reunited and will spearhead this single-day festival along with sets from 3 Doors Down, Daughtry, Finger Eleven, Fuel, Vertical Horizon and The Verve Pipe.
When: Aug. 31
Where: Glen Helen Amphitheater, 2575 Glen Helen Parkway, San Bernardino
Tickets and more info: Tickets start at $89 at livenation.com
SEPTEMBER
Sheryl Crow performs at KAABOO Del Mar on Sept. 15, 2019.
(K.C. Alfred/The San Diego Union-Tribune)
KAABOO Del Mar
After being dark for five years — and mired in litigation — the upscale music festival appears set to return. The 2024 edition is scheduled to take place over three days at the Del Mar Fairgrounds, where KAABOO was held from 2015 to 2019. No performers have been announced, but previous editions featured Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers, Robert Plant, The Killers, Wu-Tang Clan, Zac Brown Band, Snoop Dogg, Sheryl Crow and Switchfoot.
When: Dates have not been announced
Where: Del Mar Fairgrounds, 2260 Jimmy Durante Blvd., Del Mar
Tickets and other info: Fans can sign up for updates by joining the mailing list at: kaaboosd.com
Members of local San Diego band Minaturized perform during the 2023 Adams Avenue Street Fair. The festival returns Sept. 21-22, 2024.
(Sandy Huffaker/The San Diego Union Tribune)
Adams Avenue Street Fair
The lineup for this free festival, now in its 42nd year, has not yet been released. But past performers range from the young No Doubt, the Beat Farmers and Rock & Roll Hall of Famer Andy Summers of The Police to El Vez, Iron Butterfly and former Rolling Stones guitarist Mick Taylor.
When: Sept. 21-22
Where: Adams Avenue between 32nd Street and 37th Street, San Diego.
Tickets and more info: adamsavenuebusiness.com
Same Same But Different
The three-day waterfront music, art and wellness festival is returning to Lake Perris. The lineup has not been set, but fans can expect electronic DJs, funk and indie acts in the mix.
When: Sept. 27-29
Where: Lake Perris State Park, 17801 Lake Perris Drive, Perris
Tickets and more info: Fans can now sign up for the waitlist at ssbdfest.com
OCTOBER
Mike”Fat Mike” Burkett of NOFX, in 2022. The L.A. punk band will perform its final shows Oct. 4-6, 2024, in San Pedro.
(Thomas Cooper / Getty Images)
NOFX Final Shows
Los Angeles punk rock band NOFX is calling it quits after 40 years and will be out on its final tour which includes 40 cities and they’re doing 40 songs per show. The band’s last three shows ever will take place in San Pedro. Since these last shows are done in partnership with Brew Ha Ha Productions and the Punk in Drublic Festival, there will be craft beer tastings for those 21-and-older from noon-3 p.m. each day.
When: Oct. 4-6
Where: Berth 46, 3011 Miner Street, San Pedro
Tickets and more info: Single-day general admission tickets (Friday-Saturday) are $125; Single-day VIP admission (Friday-Saturday) is $249; Final performance general admission tickets for Sunday are $225 and $325 for VIP. Weekend general admission is $350; Weekend VIP passes are $750. All passes can be purchased at PunkInDrublicFest.com
Kamasi Washington performs at Desert Daze in 2019 in Perris. The psych-rock festival returns Oct. 10-13, 2024.
(Eric Tra / Desert Daze)
Desert Daze
The psych-rock lakeside festival will return after a one-year hiatus to Lake Perris for three days of music and art. The fest brings together interactive art installations that are scattered throughout the campgrounds. The lineup is still unknown, but attendees can anticipate an eclectic mix of rock and psychedelic acts.
When: Oct. 10-13
Where: Lake Perris State Park, 17801 Lake Perris Drive, Perris
Tickets and more info: Fans can now sign up for updates by joining the mailing list at desertdaze.org
36th annual Catalina Island JazzTrax Festival
Founded by former San Diego radio mainstay Art Good in 1987, the JazzTrax Festival has been a bastion of smooth-jazz ever since. The 2024 lineup has not yet been announced, but performers in previous years have included Grover Washington, Jr., David Sanborn, George Duke, Trombone Shorty, Mindi Abair, Dave Koz and Fourplay, featuring San Diego-bred bassist Nathan East.
When: Oct. 10-13 and Oct. 17-20
Where: Avalon Ballroom and Descanso Beach, Catalina
Tickets and more info: $305-$470; jazztrax.com
Alvarado writes for the Southern California News Group. Varga is the Union-Tribune’s music critic.
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