Davis Music Fest brings 40+ acts across 7 venues this weekend

The following is the June 18 edition of Cultural Capital, an arts and entertainment newsletter written by Abridged contributor Chris Macias. Want it sent directly to your inbox? Sign up here.

Hope you’re staying hydrated and have those Hallmark cards on standby. We’re heading into an especially busy week of arts and entertainment that kicks off Friday with one of my favorite local music festivals.

On top of that, Father’s Day is on deck with related activities all weekend, including live music and family-friendly activities. We’ve got all that in this week’s edition of Cultural Capital, and some bonus picks as well.

We’re also onto the third collaborative concert between Abridged by PBS KVIE and Amatoria Fine Art Books, this one featuring local psych-rock band The Snares on June 25. Tickets, which are quite limited given the Midtown bookstore’s intimate setting, are on sale now.

We’ve got lots of ground to cover, so pack your best dad jokes and let’s go!

Want to discover more events across the Sacramento region? Check out Abridged by PBS KVIE’s new searchable events calendar.

Davis Music Fest livens college town in summer

The details: 

• Various venues in and near downtown Davis
• 4:30 p.m., June 19 (Friday); 2:45 p.m., June 20 (Saturday); 12 p.m., June 21 (Sunday)
• $40 for presale pass (expires today, June 18), $50 day-of festival (June 19); $20 single-day admission sold on site for June 19 (Friday) and June 21 (Sunday)

Downtown Davis normally quiets down in mid-June as UC Davis students head off for summer break. That is, until the Davis Music Fest takes over with three days of music across seven venues. Now in its 14th year, the 2026 version of the festival kicks off Friday at Sudwerk Brewing with Wet Wreckless, the Davis-based funky rock band. More than 40 acts later, it culminates Sunday with an action-packed afternoon at Delta of Venus.

The festival primarily draws bands from Davis and the greater Sacramento area. The festival also doubles as a kind of pulse check of the local scene and its many sounds found within.

You’ll find return appearances from pop-punkers Dog Party and the sizzling Latin funk band Sol Peligro. The jazz-fusion sensation known as LabRats will be especially busy, from backing Rituals of Mine on Saturday at Odd Fellows Hall to playing with Alicia Huff, Jakhari Smith and a set of their own Sunday at Delta of Venus.

Festivals like these are a ripe opportunity to discover your new favorite bands. In terms of newer acts, festival director Kyle Monhollen suggests checking out Nineteenth Operator, an indie-pop duo comprised of UC Davis students, Home by 5:30, the festival’s youth band contest and Davis’ own Megan Claire.

“The thing that keeps me going personally is seeing people discover something new and allowing themselves to celebrate in the moment,” Monhollen wrote in an email. “We’re trying to make a space where guests feel open to give everyone a listen without judgement and find beauty in not only what they’re seeing and hearing, but in the people around them.”

Father’s Day festivities far and wide

Whether dad likes to rock, take a cruise or simply spend some quality time with the family, here are Cultural Capital’s picks for Father’s Day weekend excursions.

If dad is a card-carrying member of Gen X, Labricks are on deck June 19 at Woodland’s Blue Note Brewing Company with cover tunes from the likes of Talking Heads, the Pixies, the Replacements and other alt-rock icons. Prizes will be given for best dad costumes as well, so don’t forget those Crocs with socks.

For the dads who love classic cars and memories of boulevard nights, head to The Homecoming Broadway Cruise on June 20. Check the procession on Broadway between Riverside Boulevard and 19th Street, or join the cruise with your own ride.

Did dad ever rock a sweet mullet, or simply love FM rock radio? If so, Night Ranger at Hard Rock Live June 20 in Wheatland and a mighty sing-along to “Sister Christian” are calling your names.

If dad was more of a flower power kind of guy, watch the excellent Woodstock documentary on PBS’ “American Experience.” Then, head to The Center for the Arts in Grass Valley on June 19 for the opening of the “Ripple Effect: Art + Music + Psychedelia” multimedia exhibit. We must be in heaven, man!

If you and dad enjoy a bit of friendly competition, post up at Rockyaad Jamaican Restaurant on June 21 for “Father’s Day Dominoes and Beer” in Carmichael.

If dad likes pickin’ and grinnin’ (in a musical sense), treat him to passes for the 51st annual Father’s Day Bluegrass Festival at the Nevada County Fairgrounds from June 18 through June 21.

Here’s a perfect family-friendly option for a pops with young kids. “You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown” kicks off its run Friday evening at Woodland Opera House, with matinees on June 20 and 21 as well.

More events you won’t want to miss

• Rock out at the reunion of Simon Says and new album release from Foreign Cinema at Goldfield Trading Post in Roseville on June 19.
• Dive into horror cinema via the Sinister Creature Con at the Scottish Rite Center in East Sacramento on June 19 and 20.
• Celebrate with community at The People’s Juneteenth Kick Back at the South Natomas Community Center on June 19.

Before I go,

I’ve been thinking of my late dad while writing this week’s newsletter and all its Father’s Day festivities. When I was a young trumpet player, he never missed any of my band performances. He even spent a chunk of time on the road in 1987, driving me from Sacramento to rehearsals near San Jose so I could fulfill my dream of marching with the Santa Clara Vanguard Drum and Bugle Corps. He tolerated the too-loud Mesa/Boogie amplifier in my room when I started playing guitar and took me to Tower Records on Broadway so many times to blow my allowance.

Thanks for everything, pops. Wherever you are, I hope you’re enjoying a tallboy of Coors and Gordon Lightfoot records on the hi-fi.

Chris Macias is a regular contributor, writing Cultural Capital for Abridged.