SACRAMENTO AREA BLUEGRASS & DANCE EVENTS

4/11 - 7/26

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
Wernick Method Weekend Jam Camp
Date: 6/12-14/2026
Time: Fri 1-6pm; Sat 9am-5pm; Sun 10am-4pm
Venue: Watermelon Music, Davis
Weekend jam camp taught by David Abramson using the Wernick Method. Three days of hands-on instruction in rhythm, lead, and harmony singing. Build confidence and skills for bluegrass jams.
Tuition: $300
Info: https://wernickmethod.org/event/dabramson-2026-06-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
★★Gillian Welch & David Rawlings: Play Grateful Dead Acoustic Reckoning
Date: 4/17-18/2026
Time: 8:00pm (doors 7:00pm)
Venue: Fox Theater, Oakland
Two nights with the beloved duo performing their acoustic Grateful Dead tribute. Welch & Rawlings' most recent album Woodland won the 2025 Best Folk Album Grammy. All ages. About 90 minutes from Sacramento.
Info: https://thefoxoakland.com/events/gillian-welch-david-rawlings-260417
★Robbie Fulks
Date: 4/18/2026
Time: 8:00pm
Venue: Session Room at HopMonk Tavern, Novato
Grammy-nominated singer, songwriter, and guitarist known for his sharp lyrics and virtuosic country, folk, and bluegrass picking. A must-see for fans of clever Americana. About 2 hours from Sacramento.
Info: https://www.jambase.com/show/robbie-fulks-hopmonk-tavern-novato-20260418
New Found Road
Date: 4/30/2026
Venue: The Side Door, Sacramento
Bluegrass band from Ohio celebrating 25 years. Known for soulful vocals, tight arrangements, and instrumental firepower. Have performed at The Grand Ole Opry.
Info: https://www.thesidedoor.net/event-details/new-found-road
Cantara Loop
Date: 5/2/2026
Venue: The Side Door, Sacramento
Gold Country bluegrass band bringing hard-driving picking and rich three-part harmonies.
Info: https://www.thesidedoor.net/event-details/cantara-loop
Shelby Means
Date: 5/13-14/2026
Time: 7:30pm
Venue: Mondavi Center, Davis
Bassist, singer, and songwriter from Kentucky's bluegrass region. Grammy winner with Molly Tuttle & Golden Highway and member of Grammy-nominated Della Mae. Her solo work showcases accomplished songwriting and heartfelt vocals rooted in traditional music.
Info: https://sacramento365.com/event/shelby-means/
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/
Left of Cool Band
Date: 6/26/2026
Time: 7-9pm
Venue: Mills Station Arts and Cultural Center (The MACC), Rancho Cordova
Spousal duo performing bluegrass, Americana, traditional, folk, and old country. Hugh Hoeger plays guitar, mandolin, and bass with a distinctive flat-picking style. $5 at the door.
Info: https://sacramento365.com/event/left-of-cool-band-concert/
James McMurtry and the Martial Law Review
Date: 7/26/2026
Time: 8:00pm
Venue: Harlow's, Sacramento
Acclaimed Texas singer-songwriter known for sharp, literary Americana. With BettySoo. All ages.
Info: https://www.harlows.com/event/james-mcmurtry-and-the-martial-law-review/harlows/sacramento-california/
🎪 FESTIVALS
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
JAMboree at Ruhstaller Farm
Date: 4/26-29/2026
Venue: Ruhstaller Farm, Dixon
Multi-day music-making jam camp. About 20 minutes from Sacramento.
Info: https://www.bgsignal.com/jams--instruction.html
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
★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 CDS 40th Anniversary Contra Dance
Date: 4/11/2026
Time: 7-10pm
Venue: Coloma Community Center, Sacramento
40th Anniversary celebration! Free admission (thanks to a generous dancer), and there will be cake! Newcomer orientation at 6:30pm.
Info: https://sactocds.org/
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