California earns its Golden reputation every year with larger‑than‑life experiences, and camping music festivals are no exception. From sun‑drenched coastlines to desert valleys, the state’s wild mix of cultures, sounds, and scenery creates the perfect backdrop for all‑out festival adventures.
With year‑round sunshine, artists and fans from around the world treat California like a second home, turning it into a nonstop playground for tent‑camping, late‑night sets, and sunrise jams. If you are ready to dive into the chaos and magic of festival tent camping, here are the California camping music festivals to watch for this season.
Coachella Music Festival
Apr. 10-12 and Apr. 17-19, 2026 atEmpire Polo Club in Indio, California
image source: @calder via @coachella
2026 passes are sold out, but you can still explore official waitlists, hotel bundles, and verified resale options directly through the Coachella site. Spanning two weekends in April at the Empire Polo Club in Indio, this desert icon brings massive headliners, cutting‑edge art installations, and a global crowd that turns the valley into a temporary city of music and lights.
On‑site camping ranges from car and tent camping to more premium options, with plenty of shuttle and local lodging packages if you prefer to crash off‑site. Expect everything from pop and hip‑hop to indie and electronic, with international superstars sharing the bill with rising artists getting their first shot at the Coachella stage.
Untz Festival
May 8-10, 2026 at Sycamore Ranch in Browns Valley, Northern California.
Image source: Daniella Hughes at Festivalsquad.com
The Untz Festival has grown into a true underground bass pilgrimage, with three days of heavy‑hitting sound systems and late‑night dancefloor energy in the Northern California hills. Tucked away in Browns Valley, it leans into an intimate, community‑driven vibe where fans get up close with forward‑thinking producers, experimental sets, and deep-cut collabs
Beyond the music, the festival highlights immersive art, workshops, and eye‑popping stage production that keep things engaging between sets. On‑site walk‑in camping stays simple and first‑come, first‑served, but there is plenty of room to upgrade your home base with a comfy glamping tent setup if you want a little more desert‑style luxury in the woods.
High Sierra Music Festival
July 2 - July 5, 2026 at Nevada County Fairgrounds in Grass Valley, California.
Image Source: @highsierramusic
High Sierra keeps its rootsy, family‑friendly jam vibe, but 2026 brings a big change: the festival is moving to the Nevada County Fairgrounds in Grass Valley, California, running July 2–5 over the holiday week. The new foothills location offers multiple outdoor stages, late‑night shows, parades, and all the quirky extras High Sierra is known for, from Artist Playshops and Troubadour Sessions to yoga, kids’ activities, and the legendary Sunrise Kickball games
Expect a mix of jam, funk, rock, soul, and improv‑heavy sets, with a lineup that continues the festival’s 30‑plus‑year tradition of spotlighting both beloved veterans and adventurous newer acts. You can still build a homey campsite for the crew—whether that is simple car camping, RV options, or upgrading to a roomy canvas tent setup to turn your patch of Grass Valley into a cozy festival village.
Northern Nights
July 17-19, 2026 at Cook’s Valley Campground in Piercy, California.
Image Source: @_peter_the_creator
Dirtybird Campout x Northern Nights turns Cook’s Valley Campground into a summer‑camp‑for-adults mashup of bass, house, and left‑field electronic sounds under the redwoods. Set along the Eel River with deep swimming holes and a shady camping grove, it is an 18+ weekender that blends river floats, games, and daytime hangs with six stages of music, including a late‑night silent disco.
On site, you can bounce between hammock lounges, quirky camp activities, and specialty bars before crashing just a short walk from the action. Lodging ranges from general and vehicle camping to more premium options, so new and seasoned campers alike can dial in their ideal festival basecamp—whether that is a simple setup or a full glamping‑style spread.
Nocturnal Wonderland
Sept 19-20, 2026 - TBA
Image Source: www.nocturnalwonderland.com
Nocturnal Wonderland keeps its longstanding focus on inclusivity, self‑expression, and those signature storybook‑style stages, pairing whimsical art and performers with a broad spectrum of electronic sounds. Since launching in the mid‑90s, it has evolved into a Southern California institution where ravers are celebrated as the true “Headliners,” encouraged to bring creativity, color, and good vibes to every corner of the festival.
The 2026 edition returns September 19–20 with GA and VIP options, plus free water refill stations, food and beverage vendors, and dedicated viewing, bar, and fast‑entry perks for VIP. Lakeside camping keeps you close to the action, making it easy to bounce between scenic waterfront hangs by day and immersive night‑time production before a short stroll back to your tent. Location is TBA, so sign up on the site to be notified.
Final Words
There just isn't enough time in the year to hit them all, but see what you can do. And if you need a fancy the best festival camping tent to sleep in then check out our Life inTents bell tent options for a comfortable place to recharge.
Feel free to leave a comment if we’ve missed any or if you have tips to share!
