High Sierra Music Festival has announced a new location for its 2026 edition. After 25 years at the Plumas County Fairgrounds in Quincy, CA, the beloved event, which has become a staple of the West Coast festival season, will debut at Nevada County Fairgrounds in Grass Valley, CA on July 2nd–5th, 2026.
The move to Grass Valley comes after the festival was nearly forced to cancel in 2025. In a new interview with The Plumas Sun, HSMF producer Dave Margulies explained that ticket sales declined following COVID’s shutdown of live music and never fully recovered.
“It’s been four losing years in a row,” he said. “We’ve just run out of rope.”
The Nevada County Fairgrounds offers a more convenient destination for attendees, with more hotel options, several RV park locations, and an array of Airbnb and other rental options. Located just one hour from Sacramento and Tahoe, approximately 90 minutes from Reno, and 2.5 hours from the Bay Area, Grass Valley will be more accessible for those wanting to spend a day at the fest without committing to a weekend of camping.
The relocated High Sierra Music Festival will maintain its signature offerings, including multiple outdoor stages, late-night shows at the High Sierra Music Hall, Artist Playshops, Troubadour Sessions, daily parades, the Family Village, Rockin’ Nannies, yoga and outdoor movement playshops, Silent Disco, High Sierra Swirl, and, of course, Sunrise Kickball.
Early bird general admission passes for HSMF 2026 are on sale now, along with a variety of VIP options. For those seeking a more exclusive experience, FestivALL VIP Experience Packages, FestivALL RV and Parking Packages, and new FestivALL VIP Hotel Packages with shuttle service are available for purchase. The 2026 festival will also introduce VIP Grass Valley Resort RV Family Packages and VIP viewing areas at all major stages.
Find more information and secure your tickets for High Sierra Music Festival here.
High Sierra Music Festival New Venue Announcement Video