It’s summer concert season in Sacramento. Events, ticket prices and who’s playing
Summer is around the corner, which means an array of outdoor concerts and music festivals in the Sacramento area.
In 2025, options for local music lovers range from a jazz festival to country and classic rock performances.
The Sacramento Bee tracked down some of the high-profile local events in store to help make the most of your summer.
Here’s what we found:
Concerts in the Park in Sacramento
What: Sacramento’s popular Concerts in the Park is back for its 32nd year. Every week, the outdoor concert series showcases a new artist and musical style, with genres ranging from Americana and emo pop to R&B, reggae and hip hop.
When: 6 to 10 p.m. Friday, May 16, through Friday, June 27
Where: Cesar Chavez Plaza, 910 I St. in Sacramento.
Who’s playing? Headliners include Xzibit, The Expendables, Khloe Rose and Phantogram.
Tickets: Free admission
Country in the Park
What: The 25th annual Country In the Park advertises itself as “Sacramento’s favorite country music festival.” In addition to “top-tier performances,” the event features food trucks and activities including mechanical bulls, ax-throwing, line dancing and rock climbing.
When: 2 to 11 p.m. Friday, May 16, and 1 to 11 p.m. Saturday, May 17
Where: Cal Expo, 1600 Exposition Blvd. in Sacramento.
Who’s playing? Headliners include Bailey Zimmerman and Billy Currington.
Tickets: $52 to $245 for single-day passes, $90 to $465 for two-day passes
The Golden Road Gathering in Placerville
What: This multi-day outdoor music festival in the heart of California’s Gold Country features live performances, artisan vendors, food trucks and workshops.
When: Noon Friday, May 16 til 3 a.m. Saturday, May 17; then back again from noon Saturday, May 17, til Sunday, May 18 at 3 a.m. and noon Sunday, May 18 til Monday, May 19 at 1:45 a.m.
Where: El Dorado County Fair & Event Center, 100 Placerville Drive in Placerville
Who’s playing? Headliners Thievery Corporation, Karl Denson’s Tiny Universe and Leftover Salmon lead a concert lineup featuring more than a dozen artists.
Price:
$89 to $109 one-day pass, or $20 to $40 for age 17 and younger. Prices differ for teens ages 13 to 17 and kids ages 5 to 12.
$199 two-day pass, $49 to $259 three-day pass. Golden Ticket VIP Experience tickets cost $69 to $259.
Some tickets such as the three day festival pass includes walk-in tent camping but do not include parking. Parking must be purchased separately. Golden Ticket VIP Experience includes parking and a designated camping area.
Sacramento County Fair
What: The Sacramento County Fair combines a “friendly atmosphere” and “festival-style entertainment” with concerts, carnival rides, competitions food and family-friendly activities.
When: 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Thursday, May 22, through Sunday, May 25; 10 a.m. to 7 p.m on Monday, May 26
Where: Cal Expo, 1600 Exposition Blvd. in Sacramento
Who’s playing? The entertainment lineup includes musical acts Eric “EQ” Young and Red Rocker Revisited as well as illusionists and a hypnotist.
Tickets: $10, $8 for children ages 12 to 16. Kids under 11 get in free. Ticket prices increase by $2 after Wednesday, May 21.
Capital City Jazz Festival in Sacramento
What: The Capital City Jazz Festival features live performances, food trucks and a wine and beer garden on the Old Sacramento waterfront.
When: 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., Saturday, May 24
Where: Old Sacramento State Historic Park, 100 Front St. in Sacramento
Who’s playing? Jeff Ryan and Friends headlines the jazz festival.
Tickets: Free admission
Fair Oaks Concerts in the Park
What: The weekly Concerts in the Park series returns to Fair Oaks with nine weeks of outdoor music
When: 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday, July 10, through Thursday, Aug. 28; 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. Saturday, Sep. 27
Where: Village Park, 4238 Main St. in Fair Oaks, and other locations
Who’s playing? The 2025 concert lineup includes Groove Thang, Jax Hammer and Island of Black and White
Tickets: Free admission
California State Fair
What: The California State Fair features 17 days of concerts, food, carnival rides and agriculture competitions.
When: Friday, July 11, through Sunday, July 27. Gates open 4 to 10 p.m. on Monday through Thursday, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Friday through Sunday, and 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. on closing night.
Where: Cal Expo, 1600 Exposition Blvd. in Sacramento
Who’s playing? The Toyota Concert Series lineup includes Ludacris, Dustin Lynch, O.A.R. and Air Supply.
Tickets: Concerts are free with fair admission, which costs $16, or $12 for seniors ages 62 and up and $10 for youth ages 5 to 12. Children ages 4 and under get in free. Concertgoers can reserve seats for $40 to $45.
