January - Orange County Register

January

iHeartRadio ALTer EGO Fest: Hosted by Los Angeles alternative station Alt 98.7 (KYSR FM) and its longtime morning show personalities, the event has built a reputation on bringing together some of the biggest names in alternative, rock and indie music on one stage. The lineup this year includes Green Day, Good Charlotte, Cage the Elephant, Sublime, Myles Smith and more. When: Jan. 17 Where: Kia Forum, 3900 W. Manchester Blvd., Inglewood Tickets: Sold out, but verified resale tickets are still available at Ticketmaster.com. February Skyline Festival: The gathering brings Insomniac Events’ techno-forward Factory 93 brand together once again with its house-focused Day Trip counterpart. The 21-and-over event will feature a stacked lineup spanning techno, house and underground dance music, with artists including Marco Carola, I Hate Models, Eli Brown, DJ Gigola, Dennis Cruz, Ben UFO, Richie Hawtin, Avalon Emerson, DJ Seinfeld and Honey Dijon collaborator The Blessed Madonna, among many others. When: Feb. 28-March 1 Where: Ace Mission Studios, 516 S. Mission Road, Los Angeles Tickets: Two-day general admission passes start at $159 at skylinela.com. March Boots in the Park — Norco: The traveling country music festival’s lineup will be led by Jon Pardi, Koe Wetzel and Jo Dee Messina alongside additional artists to be announced. Known for its outdoor format, the festival blends modern country with ’90s and early 2000s favorites, offering fans a laid-back experience that combines live music, food and beverage activations. Boots in the Park has continued to expand its presence across Southern California in recent years, becoming a reliable stop for country fans looking for a one-day festival option. When: March 7 Where: SilverLakes Equestrian and Sports Park, 5555 Hamner Ave., Norco Tickets: General admission tickets start at $104; VIP passes start at $249; additional experiences available at bootsinthepark.com. April Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival: The desert’s biggest party returns for two weekends of music, art and large-scale production. This year’s headliners are Sabrina Carpenter, Justin Bieber and Karol G. Additional performers include The xx, Nine Inch Noize, Disclosure, Turnstile, Ethel Cain, Teddy Swims, Giveon, David Byrne, Interpol, Kaskade, Young Thug, FKA twigs, Wet Leg, Little Simz, Iggy Pop, Armin van Buuren and more. There will also be a world premiere performance by Anyma, continuing Coachella’s tradition of pairing major headliners with genre-spanning depth across its stages. When: April 10-12 and 17-19 Where: Empire Polo Club, 81800 51st Ave., Indio Tickets: Pricing and waitlist options available at coachella.com. May BeachLife Festival: Rock, Americana and reggae will once again be performed against an oceanfront backdrop. The festival is known for its laid-back coastal atmosphere, featuring two main stages and the popular SpeakEasy stage, which provides more intimate, stripped-down sets. While the lineup has yet to be announced, BeachLife has consistently delivered genre-spanning bills that pair legacy acts with contemporary favorites. Details will arrive in the coming months. When: May 1-3 Where: 239 N. Harbor Drive, Redondo Beach Tickets: Three-day general passes start at $399; three-day General Admission Plus starts at $494; three-day VIP passes start at $949; three-day Captain Passes start at $3,299 at beachlifefestival.com. June Apocalypse: Zombieland: Heavy bass and post-apocalyptic theatrics take over with the return of Bassrush’s fest. The 18-and-over event leans into the darker edges of dubstep and bass music, pairing large-scale production with immersive visuals and themed environments. Promoted as “Summer of the Living Dead,” the 2026 edition has begun teasing its next chapter, with lineup details, set times and ticket information expected the months ahead. When: June 19-20 Where: Queen Mary Waterfront, Long Beach Tickets: Ticket information has not yet been released; fans can sign up for updates at apocalypsefest.com. July Warped Tour: Long known as a rite of passage for punk, alternative and emo fans, the all-ages festival has historically blended emerging acts with established names across rock-adjacent genres while maintaining its DIY spirit and community-driven ethos. The lineup has yet to be announced, and fans are encouraged to check back on Warped Tour’s socials in the coming months. When: July 25-26 Where: Marina Green, 386 E. Shoreline Drive, Long Beach Tickets: Two-day general admission passes start at $179.98 at warpedtourlongbeach.com. August Rhymefest: Hip-hop fans can mark their calendars for this returning gathering, with organizers opening early sign-ups. While details remain limited, the festival has positioned itself as a platform for lyric-driven hip-hop and performances, with further announcements expected in the coming months. When: Aug. 15 Where: Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, 3911 S. Figueroa St., Los Angeles Tickets: Ticket details have not been released; early bird presale sign-ups are available at rhymefestla.com. September Nocturnal Wonderland: The Insomniac Events festival is known for its glowing art installations, forest-style layouts and wide-ranging electronic programming that spans house, techno, bass and trance. Ticket sales are underway, with details of the lineup expected in the lead-up to September. When: Sept. 19-20 Where: Glen Helen Regional Park, 2555 Glen Helen Parkway, San Bernardino Tickets: Two-day general admission passes start at $169.98; two-day GA passes with a 3D collectible magnet start at $179.98; VIP passes start at $319 at nocturnalwonderland.com. October ComplexCon: Part music festival, part fashion showcase and part cultural convention, this event blends performances with streetwear drops, art installations and conversations around youth culture. The Los Angeles edition has previously featured performances and appearances from artists such as Travis Scott, Kendrick Lamar, Playboi Carti, Kid Cudi and Ye. This year’s details remain to be announced. When: Oct. 3-4 Where: Los Angeles (venue to be announced) Tickets: Ticket information has not been released; fans can sign up for updates through complexcon.com. Here’s an early look at Coachella, Stagecoach, Calibash and the rest of the festival year in Southern California

The Stagecoach Country Music Festival is set to return to the Empire Polo Club in Indio on April 24-26 with Cody Johnson, Lainey Wilson and Post Malone headlining. Will Lester — staff photographer

The BeachLife Festival will bring its laid-back vibe to Redondo Beach on May 1-3. Drew A. Kelley — staff photographer

Country fans will pull up their chairs for Boots in the Park in Norco on March 7. photo by Nick Koon

Image

Southern California’s festival calendar is beginning to take shape for 2026, offering a wide-ranging mix of music, culture and other events across the region.

From massive, multigenre gatherings in the desert and along the coast to events centered on hip-hop, electronic music and country, the year ahead reflects the scale and diversity that have long defined the area’s live music scene.

After several unpredictable seasons marked by rising production costs, shifting touring strategies and weather-related disruptions, many festivals are moving forward with a more measured approach. Some lineups and details remain under wraps, while others are rolling out early ticket options and teaser announcements ahead of full reveals. Together, these events signal a steady recalibration rather than a full reset, one shaped by audience demand, evolving formats and a renewed focus on sustainability.

Here’s a look at the local festival calendar so far.

Calibash: Hosted by Mega 96.3 FM (KXOL), the event rooted in reggaeton and Latin urban classics has long been a staple of the region’s concert calendar, bringing together influential artists from across generations. The 2026 edition will feature performances by Yandel, Chencho Corleone, Ivy Queen, Tito El Bambino, Randy Nota Loca, De La Ghetto, Ken-Y and Baby Rasta y Gringo, offering fans a night dedicated to some of the genre’s most recognizable voices.

When: Jan. 17

Where: Crypto.com Arena, 1111 S. Figueroa St., Los Angeles

Tickets: $70-$228 at AXS.com

CRSSD Fest: Its signature blend of house, techno and electronic acts this year has Amelie Lens, Dom Dolla, Lane 8, The Martinez Brothers, Polo & Pan, Vintage Culture, Richie Hawtin collaborator Cirez D, Tycho, Tokimonsta, La Roux, Cut Copy and Ben Sterling, among many others, continuing the festival’s genre-spanning approach across multiple stages.

When: March 14-15

Where: Waterfront Park, 1600 Pacific Highway, San Diego

Tickets: Two-day general admission passes start at $339 at showclix.com.

Beyond Wonderland: Insomniac Events brings back its Alice in Wonderland-inspired world known for its immersive stage designs, whimsical visuals and genre-spanning electronic music programming. While the lineup has yet to be announced, organizers have teased the event’s return with its familiar “journey down the rabbit hole” theme, with additional details, including artist announcements and ticket information, expected in coming months.

When: March 27-28

Where: NOS Events Center, 689 S. E St., San Bernardino

Tickets: Sale date and pricing to be announced; updates available at beyondwonderland.com. 18 or older only.

Stagecoach: The Coachella fest’s annual country counterpart returns with a lineup that blends modern hitmakers, legends and crossover appeal. Headliners will be Cody Johnson, Lainey Wilson and Post Malone. Additional performers include Bailey Zimmerman, Red Clay Strays, Counting Crows, Brooks & Dunn, Hootie & the Blowfish, Teddy Swims, Zach Bryan, Wynonna Judd, Third Eye Blind and Diplo, alongside late-night programming, other experiences and returning fan favorites like Guy Fieri’s Stagecoach Smokehouse.

When: April 24-26

Where: Empire Polo Club, 81800 51st Ave., Indio

Tickets: Three-day general admission passes start at $549; general admission and shuttle combo packages start at $669; Rhinestone Saloon admission passes start at $974; Corral reserved seating starts at $1,199; Corral standing pit access starts at $1,899. Various VIP packages and bundle options are also available at stagecoachfestival.com.

Joshua Tree Music Festival: This family-friendly, twice-a-year gathering in the Mojave Desert blends live music with wellness and community programming. Known for its eclectic, genre-spanning lineups, the festival also offers yoga classes, workshops and creative activities.

When: May 14-17

Where: Joshua Tree Lake Campground, 2780 Sunfair Road, Joshua Tree

Tickets: Four-day passes start at $289; Super Supporter four-day passes start at $516; junior passes (ages 11-17) start at $93; children’s passes (ages 5-10) start at $61; kids 4 and under get in free. Camping and vehicle passes are sold separately at joshuatreemusicfestival.com.

Newport Beach Jazz Festival: Expect established and rising acts for the fest’s 30th edition. The full lineup will be announced in the coming months, so make sure to check its website for updates.

When: July 31-Aug. 2

Where: Hyatt Regency Newport Beach, 1107 Jamboree Road, Newport Beach

Tickets: Fans can sign up for more information on ticketing at newportjazz.org.

Same Same but Different: The waterfront music, art and wellness festival is returning to Lake Perris. The lineup has yet to be set, but fans can expect electronic DJs, funk and indie acts in the mix.

When: Sept. 26-28

Where: Lake Perris State Recreation Area, 17801 Lake Perris Drive, Perris

Tickets: Fans can sign up for the waitlist at ssbdfest.com.

Escape Halloween: The Insomniac gathering will return with its signature production, spooky-themed activations and elaborate stages. The lineup has yet to be announced.

When: Oct. 31-Nov. 1

Where: NOS Events Center 689 S. E St., San Bernardino

Tickets: Two-day general admission passes start at $229; two-day General Admission Plus passes start at $269; two-day VIP passes start at $349; shuttle passes start at $83 at escapehalloween.com.