Can’t-Miss Summer Concerts and Festivals in Wine Country

With warm days and cool nights, summer in Sonoma County boasts a full calendar of wonderful outdoor concerts, festivals, and performances. Make plans to get your groove on in Sonoma Wine Country at one of these annual events.

Country Summer Music Festival, Santa Rosa

Experience Northern California’s largest country music festival over a weekend that includes more than 20 country artists on the grassy, five-acre field of the Sonoma County Fairgrounds. The main stage features nationally known artists while up-and-coming talent performs on a second stage between main acts. Discover state-of-the-art sound, two 16-foot video walls, festival activities, and concessions offering beer, wine, spirits, and Sonoma Wine Country cuisine.

Healdsburg Jazz Festival, Healdsburg

With a national reputation for artistic excellence, the Healdsburg Jazz Festival hosts internationally acclaimed jazz musicians, the area’s foremost jazz performers, and hot new talent. Celebrate the past, present, and future of this storied genre with events across nine lively and music-filled days at various locations throughout the vibrant town of Healdsburg. Times and ticket prices vary by event. 

Friday Nights at the Plaza, Cloverdale

This summer-long, free concert series plays alongside the Cloverdale Farmers Market in the vibrant downtown plaza. It’s a family-friendly good time with a weekly music lineup that will get you grooving to an array of styles, which can include rock, blues, country, pop, soul, alternative, funk, salsa, jazz, indie, and more. Be sure to check out tantalizing food booths, premium Sonoma County wines and craft beers, handcrafted art for sale, and activities for kids.

Broadway Under the Stars, Sonoma

For a few glorious weeks in summer, Transcendence Theater presents Broadway performers in exciting live shows on an outdoor stage under the stars. Each performance offers something unique, ranging from pop and rock hits to the American songbook, and features Broadway performers from acclaimed musicals like Hamilton, Wicked, and Les Misérables. Arrive early to enjoy dinner and world-class wine tasting before the show around the historic Sonoma Plaza.

Tuesday Concerts in the Plaza, Healdsburg

At this foot-tapping, finger snapping, summer gathering, you’ll find hundreds of visitors and locals on blankets and folding chairs at the Healdsburg Plaza. Enjoy bands playing everything from swing and cool jazz to country and rockabilly. Bring a picnic and wine or sample the fare from food vendors. Then settle back in the grass to savor the summer vibes with guest artists and local favorites. The free music runs from 6 to 8 p.m. each Tuesday in summer.

Rodney Strong Vineyards Summer Concert Series, Healdsburg 

Fans of the wine and lavish celebrations at Rodney Strong Vineyards have long enjoyed the intimate outdoor summer concert series featuring world-class musicians amidst sweeping views. Select evenings throughout July, August, and September, you can bring chairs and blankets for these anticipated shows on the vineyard green featuring wine, music, and local food-truck fare. Tickets should be purchased in advance, and prices vary by event.

Summer Nights on the Green, Windsor

There’s a lot of good music packed into the small town of Windsor at this extremely popular weekly event, where thousands of partygoers converge in the Town Green on Thursdays during the summer. The lively line-up always promises a good time, and you can also peruse all kinds of farm-fresh goodies on offer at the Windsor Certified Farmers Market. These free concerts take place from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., with lawn games on the green and local food trucks serving a variety of tempting fare.

Valley of the Moon Music Festival, Sonoma

This inspiring festival takes place across three weekends every July, showcasing classical and romantic chamber music performed on period instruments in an outdoor setting. Drink in these rich and memorable performances, where you can expect to hear beloved centuries-old works by composers such as Mozart, Beethoven, Chopin, and many others. Music lovers, aficionados, and everyone interested in an extraordinary experience can purchase individual concert tickets and weekend passes in advance.

Petaluma Music Festival, Petaluma

Every July, the city of Petaluma hosts more than a dozen nationally and regionally recognized bands for its outdoor summer music festival — and it’s a pretty big deal! This highly anticipated event is an all-day affair with gates opening at 11:30 a.m. and live music continuing well after the sun goes down. Spread out on the expansive lawn in front of the main and garden stages, or grab a VIP Premium Ticket to secure your shaded, reserved seats in a canopied area, complete with complimentary hors d’oeuvres, wine, and beer. 

The Sonoma County Fair Concert Series, Santa Rosa

As the sun sets on the Sonoma County Fair, the theater here lights up with live music from a wide array of top-notch performers. Set amid the festive carnival rides, games, fair food, and wine, this concert line-up is one of Santa Rosa’s biggest parties of the year. All shows in this concert series are free to fair attendees. Tickets can be purchased at the door or in advance.

For other events and festivals, check our Sonoma County Calendar of Events.

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Written by Sonoma Insider Carey Sweet