Coachella Has Nothing On These Fall Favorite Festivals
Written By: Rina Magsombol
Just when you thought the summer fun had reached its imminent conclusion, fall rolls in, bringing in SoCal’s best music festivals. Whether it’s jazz that gets you groovin’ or hip-hop that speaks to you, September and October presents you a variety of the most revered, highly-discussed festivals you ought to see. Mark your calendars and request your PTO to see your favorite bands perform. From well-known musicians who’ve saturated our radio stations to intriguing underground artists on the cusps of their musical careers, be among the first people to witness talent—front row, right now!
KAABOO
September 15-17
If you plan on losing a weekend near the Pacific shores where the climate is just right and where your beloved musicians will most likely be, then revel in some fun at KAABOO. This year, the Del Mar Racetrack will be drawing in devout music fans. Find yourself cackling and singing with a stranger to Weezer’s “Buddy Holly” on Friday or doing a body roll to a Jason Derulo song on Sunday. The lineup is pretty inviting. The public art show is deeply immersive, and the food—an integral component of music festivals—will have you salivating. With well-maintained restrooms on site, a boundless number of seating and a crowd with tasteful music choices just like you, KAABOO invites you to more than a music festival—it welcomes you to an experience!
October 5-8
Why scour the neighborhood for a babysitter this year to enjoy good music? At the Joshua Tree Music Festival, the creators summon the community of all ages. Debuted in 2003, this culturally-driven, community-minded music celebration will ensue in the Mojave Desert when temps will be dancing in the ‘80s! The roster of up-and-coming musicians is a must see and hear! If you’re up to explore the Mojave and camp beneath the astronomical beauty of the stars with your family, head to this convivial charm where exciting events like the Kidsville, Live Painting and Auction, and Yoga and Healing are enough to draw your attention. Purchase your early bird passes!
September 30-October 1
Okay, what is this CRSSD and how can I be involved? If you enjoy electronic music blaring tumultuously into your headphones, but prefer to experience it all in the flesh, then what better way to do it than at CRSSD? This San Diego music festival mimics the genius productions of those behind Electric Daisy Carnival and Nocturnal Wonderland. Whether you speak in electro-funk or alternative dance, converse with other loyal techno and house music enthusiasts and “funk” things up together. There is a motley of highly desirable musicians playing this year at the Waterfront Park and lockers are available for purchase. Opt for a one-day general admission or a weekend pass.
October 12-15 & 19-22
Catapult your weekend prematurely starting Thursday at The Catalina Jazz Festival! Engage in an island setting with talented jazz performers stealing the show with their saxophones and trumpets. Although over a century old, Jazz is still not dead and this year’s lineup will prove you wrong. Relish renowned saxophonist, Marcus Anderson, and Jazz singer, Lindsey Webster, while relaxing on chaise lounges right on the sandy beaches or enjoying the concert indoors at the Avalon Casino Ballroom. There is plenty of dashing hotels on the island, but we suggest you book early!
September 8-10
Brought to you by the brains behind the Observatory in Santa Ana, Day N Night Fest 2017 returns for round two and a replenished roster of hip-hop musicians. While this year’s suspected headliners—Chance the Rapper, Kendrick Lamar and Travis Scott—will be driving the festival, patrons will be awarded an array of performances by new wave rap talents and some names you most likely heard of. Day N Night Fest will unfold in the Angels Stadium in Anaheim this year. Purchase your three-day early bird tickets starting at $299.
October 31
Slip your best costume on and celebrate this year’s Halloween at West Hollywood Carnaval. This annual event will be pervading Santa Monica Boulevard between Doheny Drive and La Cienega Boulevard, where you and 500,000 others will delight in some freaky fun. While many will dress in their most petrifying costumes that will awaken your childhood fears of clowns and ghouls, others will boogie down to the music on stage. The lineup remains a mystery as of late, but that’s just a pinch of the suspense you’ll experience here. With a smorgasbord of bars on Santa Monica Boulevard and their attractive “boos” specials and a horde of parked food trucks doling out taste-bud dancing vittles, this year’s event packs a lot of fun for attendees who are just trying to “creep” it real.
October 7-8
When choosing between relaxing at home for the weekend or hanging with affable strangers and your closest cronies at Desert Oasis Music Festival, we hope you have your priorities straight. Watch your favorite performers such as Damian “Jr. Gong” Marley, Rebelution, E-40
Warren G who’ll demonstrate more than just reggae at Empire Polo Fields. Whether you’d like to haul your own Casita or set up shop with your makeshift tent, there are many sites available! Nourish your insatiable appetite with some savory tacos, juicy sliders, and palatable lobster rolls if you go hungry. If you’re up for a solid reggae lineup and mouthwatering food, yet don’t mind the dry heat among the company of cacti, then check it out!
Watch Out Coachella: These Fall Festivals Are Ready to Rock
