Despite rumors surrounding the festival’s future, High Sierra Music Festival will return to the Plumas-Sierra County Fairgrounds in Quincy, CA for its 33rd edition July 3rd–6th, 2025.
The long-running festival has become a highly anticipated and beloved part of festival season, and despite having to overcome numerous obstacles, including the death of founder and talent buyer Roy Carter earlier this year, organizers say the event will return reinvigorated and reimagined in 2025 under the visionary leadership of longtime music industry veteran and High Sierra producer David “Dave” Margulies.
“My goal is to turn people on to music they’ve never heard before, while also including the kinds of music that has made High Sierra one of the more highly regarded and longest-running multi-day music festivals in the country,” Margulies explained. “Our community of fans, staff, vendors, and artists are the heart of High Sierra. Their collective passion, support, and belief in what we do has not only been instrumental in helping us thrive and survive through 32 years, but they’ve also been responsible for creating and growing the culture in the most organic and loving way. We’re eternally GRATEFUL.”
Part of what makes High Sierra such a special event is how the festival fosters connections between artists and fans. Most acts perform twice over the course of the weekend, so the musicians stick around and mingle with each other and attendees, and each year the festival’s intimate troubadour sessions and various Playshops host unforgettable performances and unique collaborations you won’t see anywhere else.
“High Sierra truly is a musical playground,” explained High Sierra artist-at-large Dan “Lebo” Lebowitz. “The musicians know this, and that’s why they looooove being part of it! From the epic sets on the big stages to the pin-drop intimacy of the troubadour sessions, to the once-in-a-lifetime collaboration of the Playshops, it’s so much more than just a great music festival. It’s a convergence point from which fruitful lifelong relationships are born, both on stage and off! Viva High Sierra!”
Steve Poltz expressed a similar love of High Sierra’s collaborative spirit. “It’s the most wonderful time of the year. People sparkling and dancing and singing and prancing with parades scattered here and there. It really IS the most wonderful time of the year. Free hugs, no shrugs!” he said.
“One of my favorite things about HSMF is the wandering around part,” Poltz continued. “All the random smiles and laughter. It’s really good for my soul. ‘Oh look, there’s Lebo! Let’s grab a smoothie.’ All the gorgeous campsites full of bling with music wafting through the air. The lovely scents emanating from different kitchens making scrumptious treats. The excitement I feel when entering Plumas County Fairgrounds is palpable. I’m on high alert like a happy meerkat in search of friends. A spinning meerkat dancing and twirling through a crowd of festivarians. To say I’m stoked is an understatement. I can’t freakin wait. Bring it on. Let’s go jump in a river. See ya this summer. Best way to celebrate the 4th of July weekend. Let’s. Do. This.”
Tickets for High Sierra Music Festival 2025 are on sale now and selling fast. Visit the festival website for ticketing details and stay tuned for an official lineup announcement. Revisit L4LM‘s coverage of High Sierra Music Festival 2024 here.