Sing a song of summer, with so many live music concerts and music festivals taking place this season in the Sonoma Wine Country region of the San Francisco Bay Area. Enjoy Broadway Under the Stars in Jack London State Park, wine festivals, Fourth of July Fireworks at the Green Music Center, plaza concerts, and much more.
Take in the spectacular weather of long warm days and cool nights, and make plans to get your groove on at local music festivals, rock-n-roll parties, and tastes of uncommon favorites like zydeco and Mexican pop.
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Broadway Under the Stars, Jack London State Historic Park in Sonoma
June 14-Sept. 8, 2019
Jack London State Historic Park is breathtakingly beautiful at dusk, and turns even more mystical in the summer, with the sounds of Broadway musical theater acts serenading under the stars. For the first time, the 2019 summer schedule includes a full hit Broadway musical — A Chorus Line — as well as three concerts combining Broadway and popular songs around specific themes. Each of the performances begins before sundown at the spectacular Kohler & Frohling winery ruins in the park.
In addition to the innovative production of A Chorus Line, the three themed concerts for 2019 are Fantastical Family Night, Those Dancin' Feet, and The Big Gala Celebration. Festive pre-show picnicking and warm-up band music begins at the Beauty Ranch at 5 p.m., so bring your own feast or purchase food and beverages including signature wines from local wineries at the park. Then, prepare to dance and sing, when the show starts at 7:30 p.m.
Details: Jack London State Historic Park, 2400 London Ranch Road, Glen Ellen
Transcendence Theatre: ticket prices vary depending on VIP, premium, select, general admission, or youth levels; proceeds benefit park preservation.
Tuesdays in the Plaza Concerts, Healdsburg
May 28-Aug. 27, 2019
A true community gathering, hundreds of locals and visitors stake out their blankets and folding chairs early in the day to secure prime viewing of bands playing everything from swing to cool jazz to country and rockabilly.
Bring a picnic and wine (some regulars bring small, low tables and set up candelabras and flower vases), then settle back in the grass for a variety of acts that often include favorites like Roy Rogers & The Delta Rhythm Kings, Stompy Jones, The Dixie Giants, and Big Sandy & His Fly-Rite Boys.
The music runs from 6 to 8 p.m. each Tuesday, with plenty of food trucks to feed you, too.
Details: Healdsburg Plaza, Healdsburg
Country Summer Music Festival, Santa Rosa
June 14-16, 2019
As Northern California's largest country music festival, the weekend features some dozen big name acts, sprawled across the grassy, five-acre Carnival field at the Sonoma County Fairgrounds in Santa Rosa.
State-of-the-art staging and sound are enhanced by two 16-foot video walls, showcasing talent like Tim McGraw, Jake Owen, Old Dominion, Lauren Alaina, Carly Pearce, Devin Dawson, Morgan Evans, and many more.
Concessions serve beer, wine, spirits and Wine Country food alongside an array of western themed and festival activities.
Details: Country Summer, Sonoma County Fairgrounds, 1350 Bennett Valley Road, Santa Rosa. Tickets start at $89.
Friday Night Live at the Plaza, Cloverdale
May 31-Aug. 30, 2019
Cloverdale’s summer-long, free concert series plays alongside the Farmers Market in the Downtown Plaza. The market begins at 6 p.m. and the music plays from 6:30 p.m. until around 10 p.m.
There’s music for everyone, in a weekly changing showcase of alternative country, pop, rock, blues, American rock, soul, funk, salsa, Latin jazz, and indie - even zydeco and Cajun French tunes.
For even more family fun, there are food booths, premium Sonoma County wines and craft beers, hand-crafted arts for sale, and kids’ activities like jumpy castles and rock climbing walls.
Details: The Downtown Cloverdale Plaza
Rodney Strong Vineyards Summer Concert Series, Healdsburg
July-October, 2019
Every year for the past 28 years, fans of this winery’s lavish monthly celebrations have looked forward to seeing such intimate performances by world-class musicians in a stunning vineyard setting topped off by sweeping views of the Russian River Valley.
Big names are a given; the 2019 lineup is TBA, but past performers included stars like Michael McDonald, Melissa Etheridge, Temptations & The Four Tops, and Boz Scaggs.
Take a picnic meal to enjoy on The Green, or purchase an assortment of delectables from local purveyors who will be onsite. You can also stock up on Rodney Strong wines, to sip while you sing along.
Details: Rodney Strong, 11455 Old Redwood Highway, Healdsburg
Summer Nights on the Green, Windsor Town Green
There’s simply too much good music to pack into the small town of Windsor, which is why this weekly event is always packed, with thousands of partygoers converging on Thursdays.
The Windsor Farmers Market, complete with food trucks and lawn games, runs from 5 to 8 p.m., and the free music concerts start at 6 p.m.
The 2019 concert lineup will be announced in March 2019.
Details: Windsor Town Green, Windsor
Funky Fridays at Hood Mountain, Santa Rosa
June-August, 2019
The summer-long Funky Fridays concert series outgrew its previous venue at Sugarloaf Ridge State Park and now presents its eclectic variety of music at historic Hood Mansion in the Sonoma Valley.
Weekly concerts on the lawn entertain from 7 to 9 p.m. with bands like Poyntlyss Sistars Band, Soul Fuse, The Blues Burners, and Gator Nation.
Funds raised will support Sonoma County Regional Parks. Tickets are only $10 for adults and free for kids 18 and under.
Details: Funky Fridays, Hood Mountain Regional Park, 1450 N. Pythian Road, Santa Rosa
Huichica Music Festival, Sonoma
June 7-8, 2019
First, it’s pronounced We-Chica. Second, it’s an annual concert at Gundlach Bundschu Winery in Sonoma, selected because the 152-year-old Gun-Bun (as regulars call it) was once part of the land called Rancho Huichica by Mexican General Mariano Vallejo, and Huichica is the name of the unique soil of the region that makes for great winegrowing.
The festivities start at 3 p.m. on Friday and continue at 11:30 a.m. on Saturday, with a diverse lineup across four stages. The 2019 lineup is TBA; past performers included groups like King Tuff, Fruit Bats, Iceage, White Fence, and more.
Keeping everyone fueled are pizza, barbecue, salads, yakitori, craft beers and plenty of Gun-Bun wine.
Details: Huichica Music Festival, 2000 Denmark St., Sonoma.
Valley of the Moon Music Festival, Sonoma
July 13-28, 2019
It’s an authentic taste of centuries old inspiration, over three weekends of concerts that were introduced as the first in the nation devoted to classical and romantic chamber music on period instruments
Set in the 300-seat concert hall at Hanna's Boys Center in the Sonoma Valley, the 2019 festival honors the extraordinary Salonnières of the 19th Century, who curated fantastic events in their homes by bringing together great performers, composers, and thinkers. They helped shape the musical taste of 19th-century Europe and launched the careers of outstanding composers whose music we still enjoy.
Highlights of 2019 include world-renowned violinist Rachel Barton Pine performing music by Franck and Chausson; Stravinsky's classic Three Pieces for String Quartet; and music by Mozart, Schumann, and Brahms. The second annual Blattner Lecture Series features star lecturers exploring the social and musical context of the 19th-century salon.
Sip wine and enjoy the Sonoma vista while mingling with the artists on the patio after concerts. Each reception features a different local winery. And feel free to picnic on the patio before concerts.
Details: 17000 Arnold Drive, Sonoma, 707-996-6767, more info.
Fort Ross Festival, Jenner
July 27, 2019
Fort Ross State Historic Park is wonderful to visit all on its own, with historic crafts, militia cannons, and living breathing history of its founding in the 1800s.
For this special festival, there is also a multi-cultural food court, marketplace, children’s crafts, costumed re-enactments, dance, and the highlight: live music.
Set in a dramatic natural outdoor amphitheater with the Pacific Ocean as its backdrop, authentic re-enactors will perform periodic songs accompanied by historic instruments and twirling dancers.
Details: Fort Ross Festival, 19005 Coast Highway One, Jenner
Petaluma Music Festival
Aug. 3, 2019
Plan for a whole day of entertainment, with gates opening at 11:30 a.m. and live music continuing until 9:30 p.m. Spread out on the expansive lawn areas in front of the main stage and garden stage, or grab a VIP Premium ticket for shaded reserved seats under a canopied area complete with complimentary hors d'oeuvres, wine and beer.
Wherever you sit, food is a highlight, offered for sale by gourmet food trucks and washed down with Lagunitas Brewing Company beers and Sonoma wines.
Or check out the food pavilion, featuring locally grown and produced cheese, bread, chocolate, organic farm produce and more. And then, there’s the music from a wide variety of groups.
As a bonus, proceeds from the weekend will be distributed among Petaluma’s public elementary and secondary schools to support their music programs. Tickets start at $55.
Details: Sonoma-Marin Fairgrounds, 175 Fairgrounds Drive, Petaluma
The Sonoma County Fair Concert Series, Santa Rosa
Aug. 1-11, 2019
One of the biggest parties of the year, the Fair attracts top-notch performers amid the carnival rides, games, great food and wine.
As always, headline acts this year will be big names, with the exact lineup announced in spring 2019. All concerts are free with fair admission ticket purchase.
Details: Sonoma County Fair, 1350 Bennett Valley Road, Santa Rosa
Summer Concerts at Montgomery Village, Santa Rosa
Summer concerts in the heart of the picturesque Montgomery Shopping Village make shopping and dining on the patios even more fun with a bit of groove.
Concerts Under the Stars are held every other Thursday in Village Court from 5:30 to 8 p.m., while Rockin’ Concerts take place each Saturday from noon to 3 p.m., and for the free Sunday Concerts, the music takes over the Village Terrace from are 1 to 4 p.m.
This year’s lineup includes Petty Theft, Wonderbread 5, Pop Fiction, Pride & Joy, and more.
Details: Montgomery Village Shopping Center, 911 Village Court, Santa Rosa, 707-545-3844
Geyser Peak Winery 2018 Summer Concert Series, Healdsburg
June-October, 2019
Enjoy music and dancing with a vineyard view at Geyser Peak Winery's summer concerts, featuring some of the Bay Area's best tribute bands and entertainers. Pack a picnic, buy a bottle of wine, and find a spot on the lawn or deck. Food is also available for purchase at the event.
Geyser Peak's series runs monthly from June to October, with the 2019 lineup TBA.
Details: Geyser Peak Winery, 2306 Magnolia Drive, Healdsburg
For other events and festivals, please check our Sonoma County Calendar of Events.
Written by Sonoma Insider Carey Sweet
