Alternative rock was the theme Friday night as Sacramento kicked off its Concerts in the Park series of free summer shows in downtown Sacramento across from City Hall.
The longtime Friday night series has thematic groupings this year. Next week’s show will feature EDM, followed by Latin artists on May 15. This year’s series concludes on June 26 with a reggae-themed show headlined by Arden Park Roots.
The shows traditionally take place in the park across from City Hall, known since the 1990s at Cesar E. Chavez Plaza. The city is in the process of renaming the park after sexual abuse allegations surfaced against the late civil rights and labor leader Cesar Chavez.
Gates for the shows open at 6 p.m. and the final band’s set ends at 9:30 p.m.
Mika Faye and Courtney Hoang dance to the music played by Ashley Jaguar at Concerts in the Park across from Sacramento City Hall on Friday. JOSÉ LUIS VILLEGAS jvillegas@sacbee.com
Bryan Nelson, left, and Dennis Farrell cheer as Ashley Jaguar finishes their set at Concerts in the Park across from Sacramento City Hall on Friday. JOSÉ LUIS VILLEGAS jvillegas@sacbee.com
Concert attendees cheer during a performance at Concerts in the Park across from Sacramento City Hall on Friday. JOSÉ LUIS VILLEGAS jvillegas@sacbee.com
Concert attendees cheer during a performance at Concerts in the Park across from Sacramento City Hall on Friday. JOSÉ LUIS VILLEGAS jvillegas@sacbee.com
Liam McKean-Craig and Silas McKean enjoy family time during Concert in the Park across from Sacramento City Hall on Friday. JOSÉ LUIS VILLEGAS jvillegas@sacbee.com
Alt rock group Rainbow City Park, with Danielle Judith on lead vocals and guitar, performs at Concerts in the Park across from Sacramento City Hall on Friday. JOSÉ LUIS VILLEGAS jvillegas@sacbee.com
Alt rock group Ashley Jaguar performs at Concerts in the Park across from Sacramento City Hall on Friday. JOSÉ LUIS VILLEGAS jvillegas@sacbee.com
May’s Concerts in the Park shows with themes
(Headliner in bold)
May 8 — EDM: Dirty D, Shroomi, 2dy4, beastboi
May 15 — Latin: My Cousin Vinny, Megan Claire, Sol Peligro, Andrea Bejar
May 22 — indie rock: DJ Genetixx, bloodsugar, Rosemother, In Color
May 29 — rock: Nesss, Nothing Special, Say It Backwards, Tarnish
The nine-show 2026 lineup for Concerts in the Park Downtown Sacramento
Award-winning visual journalist José Luis Villegas first joined The Bee in 1992. He has shared a general news Pulitzer Prize for Bay Area earthquake coverage, and teamed with Bee colleague Marcos Bretón for two books on Latino baseball players.
Get one year of unlimited digital access for $159.99