Concerts in the Park returns to Sacramento: When, where and who’s playing
Sacramento’s largest, longest-running free music festival is back for another summer of fun.
More than 35 bands are slated to perform at Cesar Chavez Plaza in downtown Sacramento as part of Concerts in the Park in 2025.
The outdoor music festival features an all-star lineup of “Grammy Award-winning artists, DJs and Sacramento legends,” organizers said on the event’s website, serving as a “rite of passage for Sacramento’s musical talent.”
Before you don your favorite band T-shirt and pack up your cooler, check out The Sacramento Bee’s guide to Concerts at the Park — including who’s playing, where to park and what you can bring.
Here’s what to know:
When is Concerts in the Park in 2025? Where is it?
Hosted by the Downtown Sacramento Partnership, the 32nd annual Concerts in the Park begins on Friday, May 2, and continues through Friday, June 27, with a different headliner performing each night of the weekly series.
Gates open at 6 p.m. and the music ends at 9:30 p.m.
The free, family-friendly event is at Cesar Chavez Plaza, 910 I St. in Sacramento.
The park will be temporarily fenced off on concert nights, with two official entrances for attendees.
Those entrances can be found at the intersections of:
Ninth Street and J Street
10th Street and I Street
Who’s playing at Concerts in the Park?
Every week, Concerts in the Park will showcase a new artist and musical style, with genres ranging from Americana and emo pop to R&B, reggae and hip hop.
Acts performing as part of the 2025 concert series include platinum-selling rapper Xzibit, who takes the stage May 23, and American reggae rock band The Expendables, playing June 13.
Sacramento native Aaron Le, an R&B artist, will make his debut at Concerts in the Park on May 16.
Here’s which headliners are playing, and when:
Friday, May 2: Jon Wiiilde
May 9: Discrete
May 16: Khloe Rose
May 23: Xzibit
May 30: Phantogram
June 6: Dexter & The Moonrocks
June 13: The Expendables
June 20: Winona Fighter
June 27: Jackie Greene
Where can I park near Cesar Chavez Plaza?
There are 15 parking garages within a 1-mile radius of Cesar Chavez Plaza in Sacramento. Reservations can be made through the SpotHero website or SpotHero app.
As of Tuesday, here’s how much it cost to reserve a spot at the following parking garages and lots from 6 to 11 p.m. on Friday, May 2:
Cathedral Building, 1100 J St., Sacramento: $9.65
AirGarage Public Parking, 1224 G St., Sacramento: $9.65
Capitol Centre Garage, 1550 K St., Sacramento: $9.65
SP+ Parking, 849 J St., Sacramento: $10.73
Public Parking Garage, 751 10th St., Sacramento: $10.73
300 Capitol Mall Garage, 300 Capitol Mall, Sacramento: $10.73
SP+ Parking, 728 J St., Sacramento: $18.23
There’s limited meter parking available off I Street.
Smart parking meters in downtown and midtown Sacramento operate on a tiered rate system, according to the city of Sacramento site. There’s no time limit to park at these meters.
It costs $2 to park for the first hour or two hours depending on the meter, with parking costing an additional $1.50 per hour after that.
Parking rules are enforced in Old Sacramento seven days a week, including holidays, from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. at all meters and time-limited parking spaces.
For all other areas in Sacramento, drivers should look at signs stating standard operating hours, which can range from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. to 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. depending on the location.
Can I ride my bike or scooter to Sacramento concert series?
Eventgoers are encouraged to ride bicycles and scooters to Concerts in the Park.
Concert attendees can take advantage of a free bike valet service, courtesy of Sacramento Area Bike Advocates.
Bikes can be checked in by the park entrance at Ninth and J streets. Bikes must be picked up before 9:15 p.m.
There’s free scooter parking at both park entrances.
Will food be available to purchase?
There will be a variety of food trucks and vendors offering food and beverages for purchase during Concerts in the Park, according to the Downtown Sacramento Partnership site.
As of Tuesday, the partnership had to release an official list of vendors offering meals, snacks and drinks for sale.
People can bring outside food to the park as long as it’s in an appropriately sized bag or icebox.
Can I drink alcohol at Concerts in the Park?
At Concerts in the Park, eventgoers are banned from bringing in outside beverages, including alcoholic beverages.
Refillable water bottles are allowed at the music festival but must be empty prior to entering Cesar Chavez Plaza, according to the event site.
However, concertgoers 21 and older can buy beer, wine and other alcoholic drinks at the event.
After showing photo identification at the park entrances, you’ll get a wristband indicating you’re allowed to drink on the premises.
You can then purchase drink tokens and exchange them for beer, wine or cocktails at the bar.
Can I bring bags, chairs or signs?
Yes, but there are limitations.
Bags and coolers must measure less than 1.5 feet wide by 1.5 feet long, according to the event site.
You’re allowed to bring in picnic blankets and “low-profile, compact foldable chairs,” according to the event site. Those chairs must be lower than 37 inches high in the center sections.
Signs, posters and flags may not be larger than 11 inches by 17 inches and cannot be attached to sticks or poles of any kind.
This story was originally published April 30, 2025 at 6:00 AM.
