High Sierra Music Festival returns July 2-5, 2026 for its 34th annual edition, bringing one of Northern California’s longest-running independent music gatherings into a new chapter at the Nevada County Fairgrounds in Grass Valley.
This year’s festival will be headlined by legendary British reggae band Steel Pulse, adding a roots reggae anchor to a lineup that stretches across funk, jam, Americana, soul, bluegrass, singer-songwriter, psychedelic rock, global music, EDM and more. While High Sierra has never been a festival built around chasing headliners alone, Steel Pulse gives reggae fans a major reason to make the trip this summer.
The Grammy Award-winning band remains one of the most important groups in roots reggae history, carrying decades of politically conscious music, deep grooves and global influence to the High Sierra main stage. Their appearance sits alongside a 50-plus artist lineup that includes The Word, Don Was and the Pan-Detroit Ensemble, Dumpstaphunk, Karl Denson’s Tiny Universe, Cymande, Eggy, Lebo & Friends, Mountain Grass Unit, The Rumble, Anders Osborne, Judith Hill, Steve Poltz, BALTHVS, Big Something, Lespecial, Hot Buttered Rum, Pink Talking Fish, Steely Dead, Anna Moss, Dylan LeBlanc, Tijuana Cartel and many more.
A major piece of the High Sierra identity has always been collaboration, and that spirit comes through most clearly in the festival’s Artist Playshops. These one-of-a-kind performances, tribute sets and special collaborations are built specifically for High Sierra, often happening once and never again.
“Artist playshops are at the heart of what makes High Sierra special,” says High Sierra Music Festival producer Dave Margulies. “They’re where musicians get to stretch creatively, collaborate with artists they may never otherwise share a stage with, and pay tribute to the music and musicians that inspired them. Many of these performances happen once and never happen again.”
This year’s Playshop highlights include The Mothership Lands, a P-Funk tribute by The Rumble featuring RonKat Spearman; Love’s In Need of Love Today, a Stevie Wonder tribute by The Heeters and Friends; Good Vibrations, with Anna Moss & Friends celebrating the music of The Beach Boys; The Royal Scam, with Steely Dead recreating Steely Dan’s classic album on its 50th anniversary; and Guitarmageddon, a tribute to the guitar heroes of the Bay Area scene.
Other Playshops will explore bluegrass history, Miles Davis’ electric era, Dylan LeBlanc’s Cautionary Tale, and interactive participation sets where attendees can bring instruments and join in. All Playshops take place in the High Sierra Music Hall unless otherwise noted.
The move to Grass Valley marks a new home for High Sierra, but organizers emphasize that the core of the festival remains the same. The Nevada County Fairgrounds offers a shaded 90-acre setting with expanded camping, RV options, nearby lodging, on-site parking, day parking, larger late-night and Troubadour Sessions venues, and easier access from the Bay Area, Sacramento and Reno.
Beyond the music, High Sierra continues to offer the community-driven experiences that have helped define the festival for decades, including daily parades, yoga, Family Village, late-night shows, silent disco, sunrise kickball, Troubadour Sessions, Rockin’ Nannies childcare, High Sierra Swirl, and an N/A Lounge.
“As we step into a new chapter, High Sierra continues to be about discovery, connection, and those moments you cannot find anywhere else,” Margulies says.
For reggae fans, Steel Pulse alone makes High Sierra worth watching. For longtime festivalgoers, the bigger draw is the same thing that has kept the event alive for more than three decades: collaboration, community and the chance to see music happen in ways it may never happen again.
Four-day, three-day, two-day and single-day passes are available now. For tickets and more information, visit highsierramusic.com.
