Summer is here and festival season is already in full gear. While Coachella may be long gone, there are still a plethora of other music and arts festivals that run deep into the fall. Regardless of whether you’re in need of relief from the LA hustle or just trying to dance the weekend away, there are countless events on the horizon. Check the list below of the upcoming SoCal festivals.
Desert Daze by Lance Gerber – CC BY
Desert Daze – October 12-15
Joshua Tree, California
Since its beginning in 2010, Desert Daze sought to ‘provide a one of a kind festival experience; epic yet intimate, esoteric yet accessible, catering to weirdos, but embracing to all, and to facilitate the ever-expanding growth of the human spirit.’ Well, in its 9th year, we can safely say that they have achieved this goal. This 2-day festival, which is a true celebration of life, people, and South California culture, presents activities, entertainment, and musical performances from acts high-caliber acts such as Flying Lotus, The Flaming Lips, Animal Collective, and Stereolab.
CRSSD Festival – September 28 – 29
San Diego, California
Nestled comfortably on the grounds of the 12 acre Waterfront Park, sitting alongside the North San Diego Bay, CRSSD festival couldn’t be located in a more picturesque SoCal setting. This two-day festival, featuring three stages and 36+ performers, nearly covers the entire breadth of electronic music: from major EDM acts such as Fisher and Kaskade; to indie electronic and rock acts such as Portugal the Man and Hot Chip; to techno staples such as Richie Hawtin and Amelie Lens.
Joshua Tree Music Festival – October 10 – 13
Joshua Tree, California
A perfect weekend escape in the magical Mojave Desert, Joshua Tree Music Festival is a gathering of eclectic artists come together “to foster social interaction on a deep level, creating positive life-changing moments.” The biannual festival is a four-day, funky-desert-style party with over 30 bands, where passion, purpose, family, and friends come together. Everyone is invited to intermingle as equals, as the organizers strive to blur the line between patron and performer. Expect magnificent art installations and diverse and eclectic music, from dance-world-electro-funk’n groove to soulful global-ethno melodies. Also, consistent with the health-conscious spirit of the festival, there will be free water offered to all patrons and yoga classes aplenty.
Pasadena Daydream Festival – August 31st
Pasadena, California
Following their 40th anniversary appearance at British Summer Time Hyde Park, London in 2018, The Cure comes to California to headline and curate ‘Pasadena Daydream Festival’ at the Rose Bowl. They have invited a selection of their favorite artists including Pixies, Deftones, Mogwai, Throwing Muses, The Joy Formidable, Chelsea Wolfe, The Twilight Sad, Emma Ruth Rundle and Kælan Mikla.
Set against the West Coast backdrop of Pasadena’s Rose Bowl, Robert Smith has set out to create a magical vibe, similar to BST Hyde Park. In his own words, “Hyde Park was a fabulous experience, the whole day was really magical, and we wanted to create something with a similar celebratory vibe for this summer.”
Life Is Beautiful – September 20-22
Las Vegas, Nevada
Life Is Beautiful has grown to become one of the top pop festivals in the region, now on a magnitude amply fit for Las Vegas. In addition to big-name musical artists like Post Malone, Chance the Rapper, and The Black Keys, the experience includes a comedy stage, art exhibitions, and innovative dining pop-ups. But it doesn’t end there; the “Ideas” stage will offer intellectually-stimulating, TED Talk-inspired lectures from thinkers like Jonathan Van Ness and the Pod Save America hosts.
So, whether you are looking for some family-friendly fun at Joshua Tree Music Festival, a Vegas-scale bonanza at Life is Beautiful, a hipster affair at Echo Park Rising, an EDM dream at CRSSD, a SoCal scenic Rock’n’Roll fantasy at Pasadena Daydream or a cosmic playground at Desert Daze, a Southern California has got you covered in the upcoming months.
