ACSO 2024 Festivals Guide: Find a Summer Festival Near You
The 2024 summer music festival season is here! Artists and live music lovers from all over the world are coming to California and the Western U.S. to experience a unique blend of music-making, camaraderie, and scenic beauty. The Association of California Symphony Orchestras (ACSO) is pleased to share this summer's offerings from our festival members, highlighting a vital and vibrant way for artists and audiences alike to deeply engage in classical music in picturesque, unique communities.
No two festivals are exactly alike, yet each share one common thread: a love and respect for composers, musicians, and the communities in which they are rooted. There are many opportunities to experience world-class performances and connect with the artists who bring these great works of art to life.
ACSO is delighted to share seventeen festivals from our members below (listed in alphabetical order) which showcase a rich and impressive spectrum of live music in delightful destinations. The content below has been sourced directly from information released by each organization.
Bear Valley Music Festival | July 19 - August 4 |
Cabrillo Festival of Contemporary Music | July 29 - August 11
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Carmel Bach Festival | July 13 - 27 |
FOOSA Festival | June 9 - 23 |
Hollywood Bowl 2024 Season | May 7 - October 23 |
Mendocino Music Festival | July 13 - 27 A magical blend of fine music by outstanding performers in one of the most enchanting sites in Northern California. Evenings include orchestra concerts, Big Band, chamber music ensembles, dance, blues, jazz, world, folk, bluegrass and popular contemporary music. Daytime concerts include lecture/recitals at the Piano Series, a performance by participants in the Emerging Artists Program, and small concerts in intimate venues throughout the historic town of Mendocino.Established in 1986, the Mendocino Music Festival was the dream of Allan Pollack, Susan Waterfall and former principal bassoonist of the San Francisco Symphony, the late Walter Green. Tickets here. |
Midsummer Mozart Festival
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Music Academy of the West Summer School and Festival | June 12 - August 3 The Music Academy of the West, now in its 77th season, inspires artists and concert-goers alike with the 2024 Summer Music Festival themed “The Magic of Music.” The Festival showcases talented young musicians and outstanding teaching and guest artists in a wide array of one-of-a-kind performances, chamber concerts, public masterclasses, and competitions under the new leadership of President & CEO Shauna Quill. The 2024 Summer Music Festival, which runs from June 12 through August 3 at the Music Academy’s idyllic campus — and throughout the stunning setting of the American Riviera in Santa Barbara, California — features nearly 130 live events including special performances by Joshua Bell, Lawrence Brownlee, Sasha Cooke, Jeremy Denk, Steven Isserlis, Leila Josefowicz, Richard O’Neill, and the Takács Quartet. Tickets here. |
Music@Menlo | July 19 - August 10 From July 19 to August 10, 2024, Music@Menlo’s 22nd season celebrates French chamber music and its impact across the globe. With 44 incredible artists including 13 festival debuts, and music spanning 300 years, it's going to be an unforgettable summer! Tickets here. |
Music in the Mountains SummerFest | June 15 - July 3 Music in the Mountains (MIM) is a unique organization that marries world-class performances with a deep commitment to music education. Our location in the beautiful Sierra Nevada foothills’ historic gold rush communities of Grass Valley and Nevada City leads a special ambience to everything. At the heart of MIM is the SummerFest classical festival. In the days leading up to July 4th, it’s a thriving performing arts festival celebrating music, community, art and culture. The concerts culminate in a joyous celebration of our country’s birth. SummerFest features the MIM Festival Orchestra and soloists – comprised of extraordinary professional musicians from all over the country – and our own MIM Chorus of dedicated volunteers. You’ll thrill to powerful masterworks, pop favorites, and new pieces hot off the presses. Tickets here. |
Music in the Vineyards | August 2 - 25 Music in the Vineyards festival celebrates 30 years of chamber music concerts in Napa's iconic wineries. Concerts are hosted by Artistic Director Michael Adams, whose irreverent program notes are a beloved feature. This season will reprise commissioned works by Miguel del Aguila, T.J. Cole, Kevin Puts, and Maria Schneider, and classic silent films alongside new scores by Stephen Prutsman. Hear Pacifica, Miró, and Isidore quartets; violinists David Bowlin, Nikki Chooi, Owen Dalby, Gabrielle Després, Jennifer Frautschi, David Kim, Susie Park, Cindy Wu; violists Pei-ling Lin, Maya Papach, Dana Kelley, Emad Zolfaghari; cellists Julie Albers, Nick Canellakis, Julia Lee, Tanya Tomkins, Bion Tsang; pianists Michael Stephen Brown, Jeffrey LaDeur, Eric Zivian; vocalists Jennifer Zeltan and Daniel Belcher. The season concludes with a gala featuring Clarice Assad. Tickets here. |
Nevada Chamber Music Festival Planning is under way for the Nevada Chamber Music Festival, hosted by the Reno Chamber Orchestra. More information about the 2024 season and tickets will be found here. |
Ojai Music Festival | June 6 - 9 The Ojai Music Festival represents an ideal of adventurous, open-minded and open-hearted programming in the most beautiful and welcoming of settings, with audiences and artists to match its aspirations. Founded in 1947, the Festival remains a hallmark for groundbreaking musical experiences with a narrative thread guided by a different music director. These annual directors are more than conductors, composers, soloists, or musicians. They are musical thinkers who approach their craft with creativity and responsibility to the present day. Tickets here. |
Pacific Symphony SummerFest | July 4 - September 7 Experience the magic of summer like never before at Pacific Symphony's SummerFest, now at our enchanting new venue, Great Park Live in Irvine. Prepare for a series of five spectacular evenings under the stars, each filled with music that moves the soul. From stirring patriotic anthems to the unforgettable scores of beloved films and timeless classical masterpieces, SummerFest promises a mesmerizing soundtrack to your perfect summer season. Tickets here. |
Redlands Bowl Summer Music Festival | June 21 - August 16 The Redlands Bowl holds the distinction of being America’s longest continuously running summer music festival where no admission is charged. At 8:00 p.m. every Tuesday and Friday evening during the summer, the Redlands Bowl Summer Music Festival draws thousands to its world-class performances. Since its inception in 1924, the Bowl has been a special place in Redlands for families, friends, and music-lovers of all ages and backgrounds to gather and enjoy its superb programs. Tickets here. |
San Diego Symphony Rady Shell 2024 Summer Season | May 7 - November 2 First opened in the Summer of 2021, The Rady Shell at Jacobs Park is an architectural wonder on the edge of San Diego Bay and the heart of downtown. Years in the making, The Rady Shell at Jacobs Park is the soaring culmination of a long-time civic desire to have a state of the art concert venue that elevates the experience of live music while also serving as a public center for all of San Diego. Like well-known national venues such as Wolf Trap, Tanglewood and Ravinia, The Rady Shell at Jacobs Park provides a sparkling summer home for the San Diego Symphony. Tickets here. |
San Francisco Symphony, Summer with the Symphony | July 4 - August 4 The San Francisco Symphony announced programming for its summer season, with concerts at Davies Symphony Hall and outdoor performances at Stanford Live's Frost Amphitheater, Shoreline Amphitheater, and Sigmund Stern Grove. Concerts will include classical repertoire, exciting guest artists, and unique film programs. Tickets here. |
MORE CALIFORNIA MUSIC FESTIVALS HAPPENING THIS SUMMER:
Baroque Music Festival, Corona Del Mar | June 16 - June 23 | Coronal Del Mar, CA
Berkeley Festival & Exhibition | June 9 - 16 | Berkeley, CA
Festival Napa Valley | July 6 - 21 | Napa Valley, CA
La Jolla Music Society SummerFest | June 26 - August 24 | La Jolla, CA
Mainly Mozart All-Star Summer Festival | June 20 - 29 | San Diego, CA
Merola Opera Summer Festival | June 27 - August 17 | San Francisco, CA
West Edge Opera | August 3 - 18 | Oakland, CA