🎷 Red, White, and BLUES: The Fillmore Jazz Festival is Back! San Francisco!🎺

 


Looking for the ultimate way to celebrate the 4th of July weekend in San Francisco? Skip the traditional barbecue and head to the historic Fillmore District for the largest free jazz festival on the West Coast!

From sunrise to sunset, the streets are coming alive with world-class live music, incredible local art, gourmet food trucks, and open-air bars. Whether you’re a die-hard jazz head or just looking for the best summer street party in SF, this is where you want to be.

 

📋 The Quick Details

 

  • 📅 When: Saturday, July 4 & Sunday, July 5, 2026 | 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM daily
  • 📍 Where: Fillmore Street (spanning 12 massive blocks between Jackson and Eddy Streets), San Francisco, CA
  • 💰 Cost: 100% FREE admission! (Just bring wallet support for the incredible local food, craft beer, and artisan vendors).

 

🎶 Who Will Be There & This Year's Highlights

 

With 3 main outdoor stages—the Tony Bennett Stage (California St), the Miles Davis Stage (Sutter St), and the John Coltrane Stage (Eddy St)—plus indoor venues like Calvary Presbyterian, there are over 25+ incredible acts performing.

 

Don't-Miss Sets for 2026:

  • Kim Nalley: The ultimate Bay Area jazz vocal legend headlining the California Stage.
  • Contemporary Jazz Orchestra: A massive 16-piece ensemble performing powerful tributes to Miles Davis and John Coltrane.
  • RealTime Collective: An incredible showcase of the region's top tier jazz musicians, featuring Kristen Strom, Tammy Hall, Ruth Davies, and Sylvia Cuenca.
  • Roger Glenn Latin Jazz Ensemble: Bringing infectious Latin rhythms and legendary vibraphone jazz to the Sutter Stage.
  • The Curtis Family C-Notes: The nationally acclaimed local family band bringing massive energy, funk, and soul.

 

🍔 Beyond the Music

 

When you aren't dancing, you can browse rows of unique local artisan crafts, photography, and jewelry, or grab a bite from legendary local eateries and food pop-ups like Minnie Bell’s Soul Movement, Bao Bao Express, and Sheba Piano Lounge.

Pack your sunglasses, bring a light jacket (just in case the SF fog rolls in), and come celebrate community, culture, and incredible music.


The Cotati Accordion Festival 2026 – Your Ultimate Guide

Dust off your dancing shoes and polish your perceptions, because the legendary Cotati Accordion Festival is officially locked in for 2026! Promising another unforgettable weekend of bellows, buttons, and pure musical bliss, this vibrant Sonoma County staple is gearing up to deliver its signature blend of eclectic music, local food, and incredible community spirit.

Known affectionately as the "biggest little accordion festival in the world," this multi-cultural, multi-generational extravaganza is a must-attend summer staple. Whether you're a lifelong squeezebox enthusiast, a curious newcomer, or simply looking for a fun and quirky weekend getaway, here is everything you need to know.

 

The Quick Facts

 

  • When: Saturday & Sunday, August 15 – 16, 2026 (Gates open at 9:30 AM, music runs until roughly 7:40 PM)
  • Where: La Plaza Park, Cotati, CA (One La Plaza Street)
  • Official Website: cotatifest.com


 

What Makes the Cotati Accordion Festival So Special?

 

For 35 years, the Cotati Accordion Festival has defied old-fashioned stereotypes by showcasing the mind-bending versatility of the accordion. Far from being just a polka party (though there is plenty of that to love!), this non-profit festival highlights a global array of genres: from Cumbia and Conjunto to jazz, Irish folk, classical, rock, gypsy jazz, and high-energy zydeco.

The event acts as a critical fundraiser, with proceeds directly supporting local youth service organizations. It is an intimate, highly walkable experience centered around an octagon-shaped park where world-class talent mixes seamlessly with spontaneous lawn jams.

 

Ticket Pricing & Admission Structure

 

There is no need to guess on costs—the official 2026 pricing model has been finalized. Buying your tickets online in advance saves you money and cuts down your time spent waiting at the gate.

Ticket Type

Advance Purchase

Purchased at the Gate

One-Day General Admission

$23.00

$27.00

One-Day Senior (65+)

$20.00

$24.00

Two-Day Weekend Pass

$35.00

$40.00

Children (15 and Under)

FREE

FREE

💡 Bonus Event: Keep an eye out for the festival's traditional Friday night kick-off event held at the nearby Church of the Oaks. Admission is by donation only!

 

2026 Lineup Highlights & Festival Stages

 

Instead of standard predictions, the official 2026 performance roster features a stellar lineup spread across five distinct performance zones, including the Main Stage, the Jam Tent, the Student Stage, and the Accordion Apocalypse Stage.

🌟 Confirmed Headliners & Fan Favorites

  • Cory Pesaturo with Leah Zeger: World-champion accordion innovation fused with stunning violin mastery.
  • International Virtuosos: Featuring classical and folk sensations like Marta Cubas Hondal traveling all the way from Spain and Julia Masnicova from Poland.
  • Those Darn Accordions & Royal Jelly Jive: Delivering crowd-pleasing, accordion-fronted rock, soul, and swing.
  • USAF Band "Galaxy": Bringing powerful, high-energy arrangements from the United States Air Force.
  • The Famous "Lady of Spain-A-Ring": The festival's signature daily event where dozens of accordionists gather en masse in a giant circle to play the classic tune simultaneously.


 

💃 Non-Stop Dance Tents

 

  • The Polka Tent: Keeping the traditional energy alive all day long with The Steve Balich Polka Band and Sheri Mignano & Steve Hanson.
  • The Zydeco Party: Hosted over at Spanky's and the Big Tent, featuring heavy hitters like Mark St. Mary, California Blue Runners, and Les Amis Zydeco.

 

Insider Tips for Planning Your Visit

 

  • Book Accommodations Early: August is peak tourism season in Sonoma County. Look for hotel options or bed-and-breakfasts in Cotati or neighboring hubs like Rohnert Park, Petaluma, or Santa Rosa well in advance.
  • Parking & Logistics: Downtown parking fills up fast, but the festival provides free parking with a complimentary shuttle service from designated satellite lots.
  • What to Pack: Bring sunscreen, a wide-brimmed hat, comfortable walking shoes, and a lawn chair or blanket to claim your spot on the grass.
  • Food and Drink: Over 60 artisan craft and food vendors will be on-site, serving up incredible regional food alongside a curated selection of Sonoma County craft beers and local wines. Cash and cards are widely accepted.

 

Grab your friends, round up the family, and prepare to be enchanted by the undeniably joyful world of the squeezebox. See you at the plaza!


🌿 Step Into the Village: NCDC Summer Dance Camp 2026

 

Imagine a week where your main objective is to connect, move, and express yourself in a beautiful forest sanctuary. That is the essence of the Northern California Dance Collective (NCDC) Summer Dance Camp.

 

Rather than a rigid, technique-focused convention, NCDC is a self-described "village of dancers." It is a multigenerational, substance-free gathering built around creative self-expression, conscious movement, and community. Whether you are a seasoned contact improv dancer or someone who just loves to groove in the living room, there is a place for you here.


 

💫 What to Expect

 

The daytime is packed with an eclectic mix of movement modalities, yoga, music, and art. In the evenings, the camp transitions into live performances and dynamic DJ-led dances.

Something for Every Movement Style

  • Conscious & Inner-Directed: Authentic Movement, Contact Improvisation, Soul Motion, and 5Rhythms.
  • High-Energy Rhythms: African Dance and Capoeira.
  • Partner & Social Connection: Fusion, Tango, and more.
  • No Experience Needed: The focus is entirely on connection and expression, not flawless technique.

🚫 A Conscious Container: To keep the container safe, clear, and grounded, this is a strictly substance-free event (no alcohol or non-prescription drugs). It is also a scent-free camp—please leave perfumes, colognes, essential oils, and heavily scented products at home.

 

🌲 The Venue: Cedar Springs Retreat Center

 

Located in North Fork, CA, this 92-acre sanctuary sits beautifully in the Sierra Nevada foothills, right near the gateway to Yosemite National Park.

Feature

Details

Dance Spaces

Dedicated halls equipped with professional, joint-friendly sprung floors.

Nature & Relaxation

Open meadows, shaded hiking trails, and a peaceful lake for swimming.

Waterfront Note

The waterfront area is clothing-optional.

EV Travel Tip

There is no EV charging on site. Make sure to charge your vehicle fully before heading up into the foothills!

 

🗓️ Dates & Flexible Scheduling

 

You can dive in for the full, immersive 9-day experience, or choose a 4-day block that fits your schedule.

Full Camp / First Block Arrival

Saturday, June 13 @ 2:00 PM

Camp officially kicks off. Settle into your cabin or pitch your tent, explore the grounds, and join the opening gatherings.

Block Switch-Over

Wednesday, June 17

The transition day. First 4-day block wraps up, and the second 4-day block participants arrive to join the village.

Final Departures

Sunday, June 21 @ 3:00 PM

Closing integration, packing up, and saying farewell to the community.

 

👥 Who Is This For?

 

The community is intentionally multigenerational, welcoming everyone from infants to elders. Most participants land in their 30s to 50s and travel from across California.

  • Families Welcome: A separate, dedicated Kids Camp (ages 4–12) runs during the day, giving parents plenty of time to take classes and dance.
  • All Relationship Statuses: Singles, couples, and families thrive here. Non-dancing partners looking to enjoy nature and community are also entirely welcome.
  • Intimate Scale: The event is strictly capped at approximately 220 participants to ensure a close-knit, village feel.

 

 

💰 All-Inclusive Sliding Scale Pricing

 

Your registration covers absolutely everything: all meals, accommodations (cabin bunk, tent space, or vehicle camping), parking, and access to every single class, dance, and performance.

Rates below reflect the early "Can't Wait" discount (limited availability; rates may increase after May 20).

Adult Daily Rates (Based on Income)

  • Higher Income (Over $80K/year): $220 / day
  • Middle Income ($40K–$80K/year): $195 / day
  • Low Income (Under $40K/year): $170 / day

Youth Daily Rates

  • Teens (Ages 13–19): $85 / day
  • Children (Ages 4–12): $60 / day
  • Toddlers & Infants (Under 4): Free

 

🤝 Work Exchange & Financial Aid: Want to exchange energy for tuition? Work-exchange positions are available, but you must apply at forms.gle/yREmLekh2TwMJP4A8 before registering. Partial scholarships are also available for those who need extra support.

 

📝 The Fine Print

 

  • Arrival/Departure: Out of respect for the container and camp logistics, arrival and departure must strictly align with the scheduled times.
  • Agreements: All attendees are required to sign a Camp Release Form and Behavioral Agreement upon registering.
  • Cancellation Policy:
    • Before May 15: $50 fee per block.
    • May 15 – June 1: $175 fee per block.
    • After June 1: No refunds available, except in cases of verified illness notified prior to arrival (subject to a flat $50 fee).

 

🌐 Ready to Join the Village?

 

Spaces fill up quickly due to the camp cap. For full details, registration forms, and community updates: