Celebrate 50 Years of Bluegrass in the Sierra Foothills

By Sierra Rec Magazine Staff

It’s time to grab your lawn chairs, tune up your banjos, and circle June 12–15 on your summer calendar—because the sounds of mandolins, fiddles, and family harmonies are about to echo once again through the pines of the Sierra Nevada foothills. The 50th Annual Father’s Day Bluegrass Festival, hosted by the California Bluegrass Association, is coming to the Nevada County Fairgrounds in Grass Valley, and this year’s golden anniversary celebration promises to be one for the ages. Tickets Available now!

Whether you’re a longtime picker, a toe-tapping fan, or someone discovering bluegrass for the first time, this four-day festival is a heartfelt celebration of roots music, community, and multigenerational memories made under the summer sun.

🎶 A Stacked Lineup Across Three Beloved Stages

This year’s main stage welcomes national headliners like The Travelin’ McCourys, The Gibson Brothers, and AJ Lee & Blue Summit, alongside iconic acts including Laurie Lewis & The Right Hands, Junior Sisk Band, and Rob Ickes & Trey Hensley.

But it’s not just about the big names. The legendary Vern’s Stage—named after bluegrass pioneer Vern Williams—highlights the heartbeat of the genre with rising talent and hardworking bands from all over the West. Expect to discover gems like Flatpick Hotel, Hey Lonesome!, Critical Grass, and Jesse Appelman’s West Coast Stringband Project.

Over on the Pioneer Stage, festivalgoers can enjoy intimate showcases like the California Bluegrass Pioneers, youth open mics, and the Black Banjo Reclamation Project. Don’t miss the Sunday gospel jam to start Father’s Day off in harmony.

🎻 More Than Music — A True Sierra Summer Experience

Held beneath towering pines and spread across nearly 90 acres, the Father’s Day Bluegrass Festival has become a summer tradition in Nevada City for five decades. What began in 1976 as a humble gathering of bluegrass fans has grown into one of the premier acoustic music festivals in the West—yet it’s never lost its down-home, family-friendly charm.

Festivalgoers can look forward to:

  • Square dancing under the stars in the Whitney Pavilion
  • Free music workshops with performing artists
  • The inspiring Kids on Bluegrass youth showcase
  • Fireside chats with bluegrass legends
  • A festive Father’s Day Brunch
  • And of course, the all-hours campground jam sessions where magical collaborations are born.

Camping is included with all full festival passes, with limited RV hookups available. If you prefer a cozy bed, Nevada City and Grass Valley offer charming inns, motels, and Airbnb options just minutes away.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Bring the Whole Family

The festival’s kid-friendly focus shines through its KidFest activity zone, CBA Youth Academy for aspiring musicians ages 8–16, and plenty of space to roam, dance, and play.

Young musicians can even earn a coveted spot on the main stage through the Kids on Bluegrass program—proving that the next generation of pickers and singers is already here.

🎟️ Tickets & Info

Tickets are on sale now at fathersdayfestival.com , with discounted rates for teens and seniors, and kids 12 and under get in free! Single-day passes range from $34–$94, and full four-day festival passes are $264 for adults, $254 for seniors, and $79 for teens. Members of the California Bluegrass Association receive discounts.

So pack your picnic blankets, gather the family, and head to the hills for a festival experience that blends tradition, talent, and timeless tunes. After 50 years of bluegrass magic, the Father’s Day Festival is still the place where music, memories, and mountain air come together.

🎻 For the full performer schedule and camping details, visit fathersdayfestival.com . The Nevada County Fairgrounds are located at 11228 McCourtney Road, Grass Valley, CA.