The 17th Annual Carlsbad Music Festival is Back – and its Music to Our Ears

In 2020, we took a break from some of our favorite events. Indoor concerts, movies, and social gatherings were all off the table. Even large outdoor events were hit by the effects of the pandemic. Virtual events took their place with new ways to get big groups of people together to celebrate. Still, virtual events couldn’t take the place of our favorite gatherings. Ticketmaster offered rainchecks for high-profile gigs but many events on the local scene had to be canceled. In Carlsbad, summertime is a hotbed for embracing the open air and gathering community. Our love of the arts and music plays a big role in our community and for that reason, one of our favorite summertime events is the Carlsbad Music Festival. Music is an art form that is a unique expression of personality, creativity, and talent. It can elevate your mood, reduce stress, improve memory, and even increase cognition. And, live music does all of that and more. Live music gives listeners a way to share an experience and feel inspired. 

For 16 years leading up to the pandemic, the Carlsbad Music Festival served the community with an event that the Los Angeles Times called ‘magnificently enlightening’. The San Diego Union-Tribune has called it ‘phenomenal’. Unfortunately, the event was canceled last year due to the pandemic. But, there is good news – the Festival is back this month and for the first time, it will be completely outdoors!  

This year, the 17th annual Music Festival will be delivering live music from artists across the world. The Carlsbad Music Festival is a 501c(3) that was created to establish Carlsbad as a cultural center in Southern California. In the pursuit to find and recruit musicians who create compelling music for a diverse set of audiences, the Carlsbad Music Festival has quickly become a world-class gathering of performances that can’t be found anywhere else. Local music defines the culture of a community and the Carlsbad Music Festival is constantly on the lookout for new and emerging talent. It has grown to be one of the largest and most diverse gatherings of avant-garde musicians in the state. We couldn’t be happier that it will be live and in-person August 27th-29th. 

This year’s event is being advertised as ‘adventurous music by the beach. The Festival will be taking all the precautions to keep visitors safe while providing best-in-class entertainment. You can purchase a General Admission 3-day pass for the low price of $49, or one-day passes starting at just $18. Performances will take place in multiple outdoor venues throughout the Village of Carlsbad and the hub will be located on the lawn at St. Michael’s by-the-Sea. There will be plenty of room to spread out as well as a playground for kids with shaded seating. Guests are encouraged to bring blankets and beach chairs, as well as sunscreen and hats. Small dogs are allowed and visitors can bring outside food and non-alcoholic beverages. The outdoor Food Court and Beer Garden will provide all sorts of food and beverages for purchase and proceeds from bottled water sales will go directly back to the 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that hosts the event. 

On the stage, artists will range from acoustic to eclectic and everything in between. There will be indie music, jazz, strings, and brass. The Mattson 2, Amadou Fall, Shane Hall, and Art of Elan are just a few of the artists making appearances. 

Throughout the past year, music has become a life force for many of us. We’ve gained a new appreciation for what it can bring to our lives, and now that the end of summer is near, it’s time to get outside and enjoy music in real life. Parking will be limited, so consider using alternate forms of transportation or carpooling. Tickets can be purchased here in advance.

Grab a ticket and tune in to the 17th Annual Carlsbad Music Festival – you’ll be glad you did.