SACRAMENTO AREA BLUEGRASS & DANCE EVENTS

1/12 - 3/14

Everything on this list is worth recommending. Starred items are editor picks.
If you've got an event or comment on this list email joel@letsjambg.com

📚 CLASSES & WORKSHOPS
Learn a Fiddle Tune w/ Forrest Allen
Date: 2/7/2026
Time: 2:30-3:30pm
Venue: Watermelon Music, Davis
Special fiddle tune workshop with Forrest Allen of Deep Thicket Dwellers. We will learn one complete fiddle tune together, from start to finish. The tune will be taught slowly and clearly so everyone can follow along. All levels and instruments welcome! Suggested donation $10.
Info: https://letsjambg.com/classes.html#fiddle-tune
Learn a Fiddle Tune Workshop Flyer
Let's Jam Bluegrass - Student Jam @ Watermelon Music
Date: Every Tuesday 7-9pm
Venue: Watermelon Music, Davis
A drop-in jam class for people who want to learn how to play in bluegrass and old time jams.
Info: https://letsjambg.com/classes.html#jam-class
🎵 SHOWS & CONCERTS
The Bayside Rounders
Date: 1/23/2026
Venue: The Side Door, Sacramento
Folk and acoustic music group bringing traditional and original songs with rich harmonies and skilled instrumentation.
Info: https://www.thesidedoor.net/event-details/the-bayside-rounders
★AJ Lee & Blue Summit
Date: 1/30/2026
Venue: Harlow's, Sacramento
Award-winning progressive bluegrass band featuring AJ Lee's distinctive vocals and innovative arrangements. High-energy performance not to be missed!
Info: https://www.harlows.com/
Broken Compass Bluegrass
Date: 2/5/2026
Time: 7:30pm
Venue: Davis Odd Fellows Hall, Davis
Bootstomping Bluegrass with Broken Compass! Make a donation at the door. All door proceeds go to the band.
Info: https://www.brokencompassbluegrass.com/tour
Deep Thicket Dwellers
Date: 2/7/2026
Venue: The Side Door, Sacramento
High energy Americana and folk music ensemble exploring the depths of traditional and contemporary acoustic sounds.
Info: https://www.thesidedoor.net/event-details/deep-ticket-dwellers-2
Irishpalooza
Date: 2/7/2026
Venue: Harlow's, Sacramento
Annual celebration of Irish music and culture featuring traditional and contemporary Irish bands.
Info: https://www.harlows.com/
★★Sierra Ferrell with Chris Stapleton
Date: 2/7/2026
Venue: Bill Graham Civic Auditorium, San Francisco
Super Bowl week concert featuring roots music sensation Sierra Ferrell and country superstar Chris Stapleton. Part of the BAHC Live! Concert Series. Eclectic Americana style meets soulful country. About 90 minutes from Sacramento. (A hard ticket to come by because it's a Super Bowl event, but definitely watch for her regular tour shows. She's a super star.)
Info: Ticketmaster
Rita Hosking
Date: 2/20/2026
Venue: The Side Door, Sacramento
California folk and Americana singer-songwriter known for her powerful storytelling and authentic mountain music roots.
Info: https://www.thesidedoor.net/event-details/rita-hosking-6
★John Reischman Bluegrass
Date: 2/28/2026
Venue: Fiddletown Community Center, Fiddletown
Bluegrass Unlimited calls John Reischman "one of the world's undisputed masters" of the mandolin. Acclaimed for his technical virtuosity and critically-acclaimed compositions, including work on a Grammy-winning project. About 60 minutes from Sacramento.
Info: https://fiddletowncc.org/musicseriesfiddlersjam/
★Bruce Molsky
Date: 3/7/2026
Venue: Fiddletown Community Center, Fiddletown
Grammy-nominated performer and absolute master of fiddle, banjo, guitar, and vocals. Known for his technical virtuosity and relaxed conversational wit. A true legend of American roots music. About 60 minutes from Sacramento.
Info: https://fiddletowncc.org/musicseriesfiddlersjam/
🎪 FESTIVALS
★The Great 48 Jam
Date: 1/15-18/2026
Venue: Bakersfield Marriott Convention Center, Bakersfield
Four-day bluegrass jamming event with 24/7 jamming workshops open mic sessions and concerts. FREE admission. Features AJ Lee & Blue Summit concert on Saturday.
Info: https://californiabluegrass.org/cbaevent/great48/
Sonoma County Bluegrass & Folk Festival
Date: 3/14/2026
Venue: Sebastopol Center for the Arts, Sebastopol
Annual festival featuring great bluegrass bands, workshops, and jamming. A wonderful Northern California tradition celebrating acoustic music. About 90 minutes from Sacramento.
Info: https://californiabluegrass.org/cbaevent/sonoma-festival/
💃 DANCES
Sacramento Contra Dance
Date: 1/24/2026
Venue: Coloma Community Center, Sacramento
Contra dance at 7:00-10:00pm with newcomer orientation at 6:30pm. Mark Goodwin calling The Seeds playing. $15 adults; $10 students; $5 under 18; $30 family max.
Info: https://sactocds.wordpress.com/
Sacramento Contra Dance
Date: 2/14/2026
Venue: Coloma Community Center, Sacramento
Contra dance at 7:00-10:00pm with newcomer orientation at 6:30pm. Live music and calling. $15 adults; $10 students; $5 under 18; $30 family max.
Info: https://sactocds.wordpress.com/
Sacramento Contra Dance
Date: 2/28/2026
Venue: Coloma Community Center, Sacramento
Contra dance at 7:00-10:00pm with newcomer orientation at 6:30pm. Live music and calling. $15 adults; $10 students; $5 under 18; $30 family max.
Info: https://sactocds.wordpress.com/
Sacramento English Country Dance
Date: 1st & 3rd Sundays 2-5pm
Venue: Masonic Lodge / YLI Hall, Roseville & Sacramento
English Country Dance with live music. 1st Sundays at Masonic Lodge (235 Vernon St Roseville) 3rd Sundays at YLI Hall (1400 27th St Sacramento). Free intro class at 1:30pm. $15 adults; $10 students; $5 under 18; $30 family max.
Info: https://sactocds.wordpress.com/
Sacramento Contra Dance
Date: 2nd & 4th Saturdays 7-10pm
Venue: Coloma Community Center, Sacramento
Regular contra dances with live music and calling. Newcomer orientation at 6:30pm. $15 adults; $10 students; $5 under 18; $30 family max.
Info: https://sactocds.wordpress.com/
🎸 JAM SESSIONS
Martinez Bluegrass Jam
Date: Sundays 11am
Venue: Market & Main (upstairs), Martinez
Regular bluegrass jam session.
Info: https://www.bgsignal.com/jams--instruction.html
Lucky Horseshoe Performance Jam
Date: Sundays 4pm
Venue: The Lucky Horseshoe, San Francisco
Intermediate-level performance bluegrass jam (on stage playing into a mic). Must be able to lead a vocal or instrumental song. Ages 21+.
Info: https://www.bgsignal.com/jams--instruction.html
East Bay Bluegrassers Jam
Date: Wednesdays
Venue: Music Works, El Cerrito
Free bluegrass jam. All ages and skill levels welcome. Guitar mandolin banjo bass violin and other bluegrass instruments.
Info: https://www.bgsignal.com/jams--instruction.html
Napa Bluegrass Jam
Date: Tuesdays 7-9pm
Venue: Meadows of Napa, Napa
Friendly bluegrass jam hosted by Vern Flock at the Meadows of Napa retirement home.
Info: https://californiabluegrass.org/calendar/category/jam/
Two Rivers - Old Time Jam
Date: Every Sunday 6-8pm
Venue: Roving over Winter
Old Time jam is roving over winter. Contact [email protected] for details on current location. All ages welcome.
Info: [email protected]
Uncle Sonny's - Bluegrass Jam
Date: Every Wednesday 6-8pm
Venue: Uncle Sonny's, Colfax
Bluegrass jam at Uncle Sonny's in Colfax. High activity as of 10/12/25. Ages 21+.
Info: https://www.facebook.com/UNCLESONNYSBAR/
Third Friday Irish Session
Date: Third Friday 7-9pm
Venue: The Fox and Goose, Sacramento
Mostly Irish session at Fox and Goose.
Info: https://sacramento365.com/event/third-friday-irish-session/
North Bay Old Time Music Sessions
Date: 1st Sundays 3-5pm
Venue: Church of the Oaks, Cotati
Old time music jam session.
Info: https://www.bgsignal.com/jams--instruction.html
Sebastopol Bluegrass Jam
Date: 3rd Sundays 2:30pm
Venue: Sebastopol Center For the Arts, Sebastopol
Bluegrass jam for various skill levels.
Info: https://www.bgsignal.com/jams--instruction.html

For the latest updates, visit the event websites listed above