California Worldfest Music Festival

Each summer in mid-July, The Center for the Arts in Grass Valley, California presents California Worldfest. This four-day celebration of global music at the Nevada County Fairgrounds plays out on eight different stages, encompassing music from around the world, and includes activities and workshops for both kids and adults. Past headliners at this festival include Lucinda Williams, Richard Thompson, Buffy Sainte-Maire, Ani DiFranco, Ziggy Marley, Cake, Michael Franti, and Los Lobos, and has been the launching pad for previously unknown bands.

In addition to the music, there are artisans and vendors displaying handcrafted goods from around the world, selling everything from jewelry to clothes, kids toys, henna tattoos, musical instruments, paintings, woodwork, home décor, soaps, and candles, just to name a few of the many items on display. There are also several food and beverage options with selections covering all tastes and preferences.

Festival goers can come for the day, or stay in the campground for 1-3 nights for a totally immersive experience. Dan and I have been attending this festival off and on for the past 20 years, sometimes for a day, sometimes for the whole weekend, and have been lucky enough to share the good times with both friends and family. Since we were in Sacramento in July this year (which doesn’t happen too often these days), we bought one day tickets to Worldfest and once again enjoyed the awesome vibes.