SACRAMENTO AREA BLUEGRASS & DANCE EVENTS

2/28 - 6/21

Everything on this list is worth recommending. Starred items are editor picks.
If you've got an event or comment on this list email [email protected]

📚 CLASSES & WORKSHOPS
Let's Jam Bluegrass - Student Jam @ Watermelon Music
Date: Every Tuesday 7-9pm
Venue: Watermelon Music, Davis
A drop-in jam class for people who want to learn how to play in bluegrass and old time jams.
Info: https://letsjambg.com/classes.html#jam-class
Wernick Method Bluegrass Jam Class
Date: Tuesdays, 3/31 - 5/19/2026
Time: 7:00-9:30pm
Venue: Davis
Structured bluegrass jam class using the Wernick Method. Build confidence and skills for playing in bluegrass jams.
Info: https://wernickmethod.org/event/jb-2026-03-davis
CBA Summer Music Camp
Date: 6/14-17/2026
Venue: Nevada County Fairgrounds, Grass Valley
California Bluegrass Association music camp held right before the Father's Day Bluegrass Festival. About 60 minutes from Sacramento.
Info: https://californiabluegrass.org/summer_music_camp/
🎵 SHOWS & CONCERTS
★John Reischman Bluegrass
Date: 2/28/2026
Venue: Fiddletown Community Center, Fiddletown
Bluegrass Unlimited calls John Reischman "one of the world's undisputed masters" of the mandolin. Acclaimed for his technical virtuosity and critically-acclaimed compositions, including work on a Grammy-winning project. About 60 minutes from Sacramento.
Info: https://fiddletowncc.org/musicseriesfiddlersjam/
★Bruce Molsky
Date: 3/7/2026
Venue: Fiddletown Community Center, Fiddletown
Grammy-nominated performer and absolute master of fiddle, banjo, guitar, and vocals. Known for his technical virtuosity and relaxed conversational wit. A true legend of American roots music. About 60 minutes from Sacramento.
Info: https://fiddletowncc.org/musicseriesfiddlersjam/
The Crooked Jades
Date: 3/28/2026
Time: 7:00pm
Venue: The Side Door, Sacramento
Old-time string band blending mountain blues with haunting harmonies and world instruments.
Info: https://crookedjades.com/the-side-door/
Joe and Hattie Craven
Date: 4/3/2026
Venue: Fiddletown Community Center, Fiddletown
Freestyle folk/world/roots. Joe collaborated with Jerry Garcia & David Grisman. About 60 minutes from Sacramento.
Info: https://fiddletowncc.org/musicseriesfiddlersjam/
BanjerDan
Date: 4/4/2026
Time: 8:00pm
Venue: The Melon Ball at Watermelon Music, Davis
Santa Cruz-based banjo player Dan Mazer blends Americana rooted in straight-ahead bluegrass, branching out to folk, country, and blues. Has performed at Grey Fox Bluegrass Festival and the Kennedy Center.
Info: https://watermelonmusic.com/event_details.php?products_id=54489
The Real Sarahs
Date: 5/23/2026
Venue: Fiddletown Community Center, Fiddletown
West coast Americana with folk/jazz/blues/bluegrass harmonies. About 60 minutes from Sacramento.
Info: https://fiddletowncc.org/musicseriesfiddlersjam/
🎪 FESTIVALS
Sonoma County Bluegrass & Folk Festival
Date: 3/14/2026
Venue: Sebastopol Center for the Arts, Sebastopol
Annual festival featuring great bluegrass bands, workshops, and jamming. A wonderful Northern California tradition celebrating acoustic music. About 90 minutes from Sacramento.
Info: https://californiabluegrass.org/cbaevent/sonoma-festival/
Berkeley Bluegrass Festival
Date: 5/2-3/2026
Venue: Freight & Salvage, Berkeley
Workshops including mandolin, fiddle, guitar, banjo, and harmony singing. About 90 minutes from Sacramento.
Info: https://californiabluegrass.org
CBA Spring Campout
Date: 4/14-19/2026
Venue: Lodi Grape Festival Grounds, Lodi
California Bluegrass Association multi-day music campout. About 40 minutes from Sacramento.
Info: https://californiabluegrass.org
★Strawberry Spring Music Festival
Date: 5/21-25/2026
Venue: Nevada County Fairgrounds, Grass Valley
Major multi-day family camping festival. About 60 minutes from Sacramento.
Info: https://strawberrymusic.com
★CBA Father's Day Bluegrass Festival
Date: 6/18-21/2026
Venue: Nevada County Fairgrounds, Grass Valley
California Bluegrass Association's flagship festival. About 60 minutes from Sacramento.
Info: https://californiabluegrass.org
💃 DANCES
Sacramento Contra Dance
Date: 2/28/2026
Venue: Coloma Community Center, Sacramento
Contra dance at 7:00-10:00pm with newcomer orientation at 6:30pm. Live music and calling. $15 adults; $10 students; $5 under 18; $30 family max.
Info: https://sactocds.wordpress.com/
Sacramento Contra Dance
Date: 3/14/2026
Time: 7-10pm
Venue: Coloma Community Center, Sacramento
Contra dance with newcomer orientation at 6:30pm. $15 adults; $10 students; $5 under 18; $30 family max.
Info: https://sactocds.wordpress.com/
Sacramento Contra Dance
Date: 3/28/2026
Time: 7-10pm
Venue: Coloma Community Center, Sacramento
Contra dance with newcomer orientation at 6:30pm. $15 adults; $10 students; $5 under 18; $30 family max.
Info: https://sactocds.wordpress.com/
Sacramento English Country Dance
Date: 1st & 3rd Sundays 2-5pm
Venue: Masonic Lodge / YLI Hall, Roseville & Sacramento
English Country Dance with live music. 1st Sundays at Masonic Lodge (235 Vernon St Roseville) 3rd Sundays at YLI Hall (1400 27th St Sacramento). Free intro class at 1:30pm. $15 adults; $10 students; $5 under 18; $30 family max.
Info: https://sactocds.wordpress.com/
Sacramento Contra Dance
Date: 2nd & 4th Saturdays 7-10pm
Venue: Coloma Community Center, Sacramento
Regular contra dances with live music and calling. Newcomer orientation at 6:30pm. $15 adults; $10 students; $5 under 18; $30 family max.
Info: https://sactocds.wordpress.com/
🎸 JAM SESSIONS
Martinez Bluegrass Jam
Date: Sundays 11am
Venue: Market & Main (upstairs), Martinez
Regular bluegrass jam session.
Info: https://www.bgsignal.com/jams--instruction.html
Lucky Horseshoe Performance Jam
Date: Sundays 4pm
Venue: The Lucky Horseshoe, San Francisco
Intermediate-level performance bluegrass jam (on stage playing into a mic). Must be able to lead a vocal or instrumental song. Ages 21+.
Info: https://www.bgsignal.com/jams--instruction.html
East Bay Bluegrassers Jam
Date: Wednesdays
Venue: Music Works, El Cerrito
Free bluegrass jam. All ages and skill levels welcome. Guitar mandolin banjo bass violin and other bluegrass instruments.
Info: https://www.bgsignal.com/jams--instruction.html
Napa Bluegrass Jam
Date: Tuesdays 7-9pm
Venue: Meadows of Napa, Napa
Friendly bluegrass jam hosted by Vern Flock at the Meadows of Napa retirement home.
Info: https://californiabluegrass.org/calendar/category/jam/
Two Rivers - Old Time Jam
Date: Every Sunday 6-8pm
Venue: Roving over Winter
Old Time jam is roving over winter. Contact [email protected] for details on current location. All ages welcome.
Info: [email protected]
Uncle Sonny's - Bluegrass Jam
Date: Every Wednesday 6-8pm
Venue: Uncle Sonny's, Colfax
Bluegrass jam at Uncle Sonny's in Colfax. High activity as of 10/12/25. Ages 21+.
Info: https://www.facebook.com/UNCLESONNYSBAR/
Third Friday Irish Session
Date: Third Friday 7-9pm
Venue: The Fox and Goose, Sacramento
Mostly Irish session at Fox and Goose.
Info: https://sacramento365.com/event/third-friday-irish-session/
North Bay Old Time Music Sessions
Date: 1st Sundays 3-5pm
Venue: Church of the Oaks, Cotati
Old time music jam session.
Info: https://www.bgsignal.com/jams--instruction.html
Sebastopol Bluegrass Jam
Date: 3rd Sundays 2:30pm
Venue: Sebastopol Center For the Arts, Sebastopol
Bluegrass jam for various skill levels.
Info: https://www.bgsignal.com/jams--instruction.html
Orangevale Grange Fiddle Jam
Date: 2nd Sundays at 1pm
Venue: Orangevale Grange, 5807 Walnut Ave, Orangevale
Fiddle jam session.
Info: https://www.bgsignal.com/jams--instruction.html

For the latest updates, visit the event websites listed above