Article Contributed by McGuckin Entertainment PR
Published on January 20, 2026
One of California’s longest-running and most beloved music gatherings is back. The California Bluegrass Association (CBA) has announced the lineup and ticket sales for the 51st Annual Father’s Day Bluegrass Festival, taking place June 18–21 at the Nevada County Fairgrounds in Grass Valley, California.
This year’s festival features a highly anticipated reunion of The Bluegrass Cardinals, along with performances by Sam Grisman Project, The Po’ Ramblin’ Boys, Bronwyn Keith-Hynes, Missy Raines & Allegheny, California Bluegrass Reunion, Bruce Molsky & Darol Anger, The Price Sisters, Caleb & Reeb and the Cali Cutups, Hard Drive, Broken Compass Bluegrass, The Jimmy Touzel Bluegrass Explosion, Deep Thicket Dwellers, Sweet Sally, Bay Area Special, and Critical Crass. An additional 15 California-based bands will be announced.
Spanning three stages and featuring more than 30 bands, the festival draws generations of bluegrass fans to the Sierra Foothills for four days of music, camping, jamming, square dancing, workshops, and family-friendly activities. Tickets are on sale now at fathersdayfestival.com.
“It was truly refreshing to spend a weekend listening to great music without the hassle of long lines, overcrowded stages, and nose-bleeding prices,” says Twangville.com.
Founded in California, The Bluegrass Cardinals toured and recorded extensively from 1974 to 1997 and were celebrated for their flawless harmonies, virtuoso musicianship, and original material. Formed by banjoist Don Parmley, guitarist David Parmley, and mandolinist Randy Graham, the band debuted with a 15-week engagement at Busch Gardens and was inducted into the Bluegrass Hall of Fame in 2025.
The Sam Grisman Project is a rotating acoustic collective led by bassist Sam Grisman, rooted in friendship, deep listening, and a shared love of great American acoustic music. Launched in early 2023, the project carries forward the spirit of the “Dawg and Jerry” musical kinship of David Grisman and Jerry Garcia, while carving out a sound uniquely its own.
Often billed as “the best jamming west of the Rockies,” the Father’s Day Bluegrass Festival is renowned for fostering lifelong friendships and musical collaborations through its vibrant jamming culture. That spirit extends to younger generations through robust kids’ programming, including an instructional Youth Academy, the KidFest children’s activity area, and Kids on Bluegrass, an audition-based training program that culminates in a mainstage performance.
Single-day tickets range from $25–$85, with four-day passes priced at $70 for ages 13–17, $240 for adults up to age 65, and $225 for ages 65 and up. New “Pinetree Partner” tickets—offering perks such as preferred seating, parking, and an exclusive hospitality lounge—are also available. Children 12 and under attend free, and CBA members receive ticket discounts. Tent, camper-van, and tent-trailer camping (without hookups) and parking for one car are included with full festival passes. RV hookups are available on a limited basis.
Founded in 1976, the family-friendly Father’s Day Bluegrass Festival has become a beloved annual celebration of roots music. Bluegrass fans converge to frolic amid the majestic pines on this nearly 90-acre spot in the Sierra Nevada foothills, swinging their partners during square-dancing sessions, learning from masters during workshops, joining in on or listening to impromptu jam sessions, enjoying food, beverage and craft offerings, and camping under the stars (lodging is also available in Grass Valley and Nevada City). KidFest, a major component of the event, offers crafts, games and music for younger attendees. The Kids on Bluegrass program gives musically skilled players up to age 18 an opportunity to perform on the festival mainstage. The CBA Youth Academy, for 8- to 16-year-olds, is a music camp for beginner and intermediate students.
About California Bluegrass Association
The nonprofit California Bluegrass Association, founded in 1975, encourages, fosters and cultivates the preservation, appreciation, understanding, enjoyment, support and performance of bluegrass, old-time, gospel, and traditional instrumental and vocal music of the United States. The organization and festival are operated by volunteers dedicated to presenting premier acoustic music in a community-based, family-friendly setting. For more information, visit californiabluegrass.org.
Tickets & Info: fathersdayfestival.com
Location: Nevada County Fairgrounds, 11228 McCourtney Road, Grass Valley, CA 95949.
