10 + 5 Music & Film Festivals in California in 2020

The Oscars 2020 nominations have just been announced and, as a film enthusiast, I’m already very excited about the 92nd Academy Awards ceremony, due on the 9th of February 2020. But, as much as I’d like to write about my favorite films this year, today I’m going to follow on from last week’s post and make a list of music, as well as of film, festivals due to take place in California in 2020. So, without further ado, here are my lists of upcoming music and film festivals in California:

Music Festivals in California in 2020

Most of the music festivals on my list are outdoors. This comes as no surprise, considering the rather Mediterranean climate of California.

San Jose Jazz Winter Fest (San Jose, from 14 to 29 February 2020)

Not far from San Francisco, there’s San Jose, home to two jazz festivals. San Jose Jazz Winter Fest takes place from the 14th to the 29th of February 2020. The line up includes the American jazz singer Stacey Kent, performing at Cafe Stritch on the 25th of February.

Coachella (near Palm Springs, from 10 to 19 April 2020)

The most famous music festival in California (and possibly in the US) is the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival, or simply Coachella. Featuring some of the biggest names in music, it is an outdoor festival taking place over two consecutive 3-day weekends in April. This year, it is due from the 10th to the 19th of April. It takes place in the Colorado Desert, in Southern California. The host city, Indio, is only a few miles east of the better-known city of Palm Springs. Getting there by public transport is not straightforward. You can either fly to Palm Springs, or simply drive there.

Stagecoach (near Palm Springs, from 24 to 26 April 2020)

Stagecoach also takes place in Indio, and also in April. This is a 3-day outdoor country music festival, and in 2020 it will be headlined by Thomas Rhett, Carrie Underwood, and Eric Church. The line-up also features Brett Young, Dan + Shay, and Bryan Adams. It is scheduled to take place from the 24th to the 26th of April 2020.

Outside Lands (San Francisco, from 7 to 9 August 2020)

Taking place in the Golden Gate Park in San Francisco, this is an annually held music festival. It is due to take place from the 7th to the 9th of August 2020. The line up is yet to be announced; in 2019, it featured some of my favorite artists, including Kacey Musgraves, Hozier, Santigold, and the Norwegians Kygo and Aurora.

Before you go, check out my tips for San Francisco.

San Jose Jazz Summer Fest (San Jose, from 7 to 9 August 2020)

Back to San Jose, and in case you have not managed to get there for the San Jose Jazz Winter Fest in February, there’s also the San Jose Jazz Summer Fest in August. In 2020, it celebrates its 31st year, and is scheduled to take place from the 7th to the 9th of August. There will be outdoors as well as indoors stages.

Kaaboo (San Diego, from 18 to 20 September 2020)

Previously held in Del Mar, not far from San Diego, Kaaboo is moving to Petco Park, in downtown San Diego, this year. It is due from the 18th to the 20th of September 2020. The line up is yet to be announced. In 2019, it featured American and international bands and solo artists, such as Kings of Leon, the Dave Matthews Band, the Black Eyed Peas, OneRepublic, Lifehouse, Bryan Adams and Sheryl Crow.

SLO Jazz Festival (San Luis Obispo, from 18 to 20 September 2020)

The SLO Jazz Festival takes place in San Luis Obispo, halfway between LA and San Francisco. Now in its 5th year, it is scheduled to take place from the 18th to the 20th of September 2020.

Monterey Jazz Festival (Monterey, from 25 to 27 September 2020)

Monterey is a small city south of San Francisco and close to Big Sur. It is home to the renowned Monterey Jazz Festival, which has been previously voted the World’s Best Jazz Festival. Now in its 63rd year, it is due from the 25th to the 27th of September 2020. The line up is yet to be announced. In 2019, it featured jazz superstars Diana Krall and Chris Botti.

JazzTrax (Santa Catalina, from 8 to 18 October 2020)

The JazzTrax Festival takes place in Santa Catalina, a small island southwest of LA. Now in its 34th year, it is due from the 8th to the 18th of October 2020.

San Diego Jazz Fest (San Diego, November/December 2020)

Back in San Diego, there’s also the San Diego Jazz Fest, which celebrated its 40th year in 2019. It took place from the 27th of November to the 1st of December. For 2020, the exact dates are yet to be announced.

Film Festivals in California in 2020

With such a rich cinematic history, it is no wonder that California is home to quite a few film festivals.

Palm Springs International Film Festival (Palm Springs, from 2 to 13 January 2020)

This is the only festival on my list that has already taken place. But, don’t worry, for this is an annually held festival. If you can’t wait for the 32nd Palm Springs International Film Festival to return in January 2021, then continue reading.

Santa Barbara International Film Festival (Santa Barbara, from 15 to 25 January 2020)

Currently taking place in the city of Santa Barbara, SBIFF is held annually and is now in its 35th year.

Before you go, check out my tips for Santa Barbara.

San Francisco International Film Festival (San Fransisco, from 8 to 21 April 2020)

Founded in 1957, SFIFF is the longest-running film festival in the US. It often features music/film pairings combining live music with film screenings. It is due to take place from the 8th to the 20th of April 2020.

Before you go, check out my tips for San Francisco.

Santa Barbara Surf Film Festival (Santa Barbara, dates to be announced)

Also taking place in Santa Barbara, this two-day annual event was inaugurated in 2019. It took place on the 8th and 9th of November. The dates for this year are yet to be announced.

Before you go, check out my tips for Santa Barbara.

Napa Valley Film Festival (Napa, from 11 to 15 November 2020)

The 10th Napa Valley Film Festival is scheduled to take place from the 11th to the 15th of November 2020. In 2019, the schedule featured over 50 films (including short, feature and documentary films). Considering the pivotal role that wine and gastronomy play in Napa Valley, it came as no surprise that the menu (sorry, schedule) also featured a delicious selection of mouth-watering ‘culinary films’.

Before you go, check out my tips for Napa Valley.

Further reading

If you’re unlikely to visit California this year, you may want to go on ‘A musical journey to California‘ instead.

Alex

(the Traveling Psychiatrist)