ACSO 2026 Summer Music Festivals Guide

By Elly Khotim

5/4/2026

Find a Summer Festival Near You!

The 2026 summer music festival season has arrived! Artists and music lovers from around the world are gathering across California and the Western U.S. to experience an exciting blend of live performances, community engagement, and breathtaking settings. The Association of California Symphony Orchestras (ACSO) is pleased to showcase this year’s festival offerings from our members, highlighting unique and immersive opportunities for both artists and audiences to connect with classical music in remarkable locations.

While each festival has its own character, they are united by a shared passion: a deep appreciation for composers, performers, and the communities that support them. Audiences can look forward to a wide range of world-class performances, along with meaningful opportunities to engage with the artists behind the music.

ACSO is delighted to feature ten festivals from our membership network and a list of 12 additional festivals (all listed in chronological order by start date), representing a rich and varied lineup of live music set in inspiring destinations. The information below has been compiled from each festival’s official website.

Ojai Music Festival | June 11 - 14 | Ojai, CA

The Ojai Music Festival is a renowned celebration of musical innovation, where each year a new music director curates four days of bold, boundary-pushing performances. Since its founding in 1947, the festival has evolved from a mix of classical and contemporary works into a leading stage for experimental and modern music, shaped by influential composers and conductors. Known for its adventurous programming and highly engaged audience, Ojai blends tradition with experimentation, creating a dynamic space where creativity, collaboration, and discovery take center stage. Tickets here.

FOOSA Festival | June 13 - 29 | Fresno, CA

FOOSA, Fresno Summer Orchestra Academy, is a pre-professional orchestra that allows advanced musicians of college and high school age to enjoy a side-by-side performance experience with professional faculty members. The program allows advanced young musicians worldwide a fully immersive, two-week Summer program that culminates with a performance at the prestigious Walt Disney Hall.

FOOSA is facilitated by the Youth Orchestras of Fresno (YOOF). There are three programs, to accommodate various playing levels: FOOSA Philharmonic Program, FOOSA Symphony Orchestra Program, and FOOSA Chamber Orchestra Program. Tickets here.

Music Academy of the West | June 17 - August 8 | Santa Barbara, CA

Since 1947, the Music Academy of the West has provided classically trained musicians and diverse audiences with transformative educational and performance experiences. As part of its annual Summer Music Festival & School, the Academy presents the Fellowship Institute, which trains up to 150 fellows ages 18–34, alongside the new High School Intensive, a two-week program for 105 gifted musicians ages 14–18. Year-round programs include Sing!, a youth choir that performs with local, national, and international partners; and the Mariposa Concert Series, featuring Academy-affiliated artists.

Each summer, the Festival showcases more than 100 performances and events, including masterclasses, competitions, and a fully staged opera. Tickets here.

Music in the Mountains SummerFest | June 21 - 28 | Grass Valley, CA

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. It’s a thriving performing arts festival celebrating music, community, art and culture.

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.

Carmel Bach Festival | July 11 - 24 | Carmel, CA

The Carmel Bach Festival (CBF) began in 1935 as a four-day series of concerts at the Sunset School Auditorium and the Carmel Mission Basilica. Over the years, it grew to a two-week celebration of concerts, recitals, master classes, lectures, and open rehearsals in July. The Festival’s mission is to celebrate the works, inspiration, and ongoing influence of Johann Sebastian Bach worldwide by immersing audiences in a festival experience integrating music, education and ideas. Under the leadership of Artistic Director and Principal Conductor Grete Pedersen and Executive Director Nathan Lutz, the organization offers innovative artistic programming. Tickets here.

Mendocino Music Festival | July 11 - 25 | Mendocino, CA

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. Tickets here.

Festival Mozaic | July 15 - August 1 | San Luis Obispo, CA

In May of 1970, a trio of music professors at the California Polytechnic State University (Cal Poly) came together to brainstorm the possibility of starting a summer music festival in beautiful San Luis Obispo, California. A year later, the inaugural season of the San Luis Obispo Mozart Festival took place with three performances in venues on Cal Poly's campus, as well as the historic Mission San Luis Obispo de Tolosa. Fifty years later, the vision of Clifton Swanson, Ronald Ratcliffe, and John Russell lives on through Festival Mozaic, which hosts a two-week summer festival of more than 30 events, a year-round chamber music and presenting series, and a vibrant virtual presence. Over its five decades, the Festival has offered an ever-expanding range of programming, including early music, jazz, contemporary music, opera, world music, new commissions and world premieres. The Festival places an emphasis of offering performances in unique Central Coast venues, including the historic Mission and beautiful outdoor spaces, as well as contemporary concert halls. Tickets here.

Bear Valley Music Festival | July 17 - August 2 | Bear Valley, CA

The Bear Valley Music Festival is an annual summer event held in the picturesque Bear Valley, California, nestled within the Sierra Nevada Mountains, just above 7,200′. This vibrant and diverse music festival brings together renowned artists and ensembles from various genres, including classical, jazz, rock, and pop, for an enriching and entertaining experience. The festival currently begins on the second-to-last Friday in July and ends three Sundays later, drawing a total audience of roughly four thousand attendees. It is held within what is affectionately called the “Big White Tent.” With its stunning natural backdrop, intimate concert setting, and family-friendly atmosphere, the Bear Valley Music Festival has been a cherished cultural tradition for music enthusiasts and nature lovers since its inception in 1967. Tickets here.

Midsummer Mozart Fesitval | July 24 - 25 | San Francisco, CA

The Midsummer Mozart Festival is an annual music festival dedicated to presenting the works of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. Founded in 1974, it's held in the San Francisco Bay Area and features performances by both international soloists and local artists. Tickets here.

Music in the Vineyards | August 2 - 23 | Napa Valley, CA

Music in the Vineyards is a world renowned chamber music festival held each August in stunning winery settings in the Napa Valley. The festival showcases distinguished musicians and emerging young talent during its four week season. With complimentary wine tastings at each intermission and breathtaking views of the Napa valley, this unique combination of wine country ambiance and great musicianship allows audiences to experience chamber music in the small intimate settings it was intended for. Tickets here.