I love live music! Festivals like the annual Holo Holo Music Festival San Diego in July and the Adams Avenue Street Fair in September are a few I look forward to attending each year.
I can say that for a one-day event, the 2026 North Park Music Fest is looking like it will be an incredible experience or as the event says, 'One Epic Day'!
Local Band at Pretzels and Pints During the North Park Music Fest
What are the Top Performances Set for the Event?
Picking the best performers is really a matter of preference. If the 2026 event is anything like years past, there will be no lack of talent!
The performers I'm personally most looking forward to seeing this year are Frankie & The Witch Fingers, Chris Cutz, Sugar Candy Mountain, Elizabeth Bowersox, and Gypsy Sally.
Let's have a look at the venues and complete music lineup set for this year's event.
Venues Requiring a Ticket
Seven premium venues in 2026 will require a ticket to attend. With 30+ acts set to perform at these venues, I personally think the entry fee is well worth the experience.
Queen Bee's
- Address: 3925 Ohio St (between University Ave. and Lincoln Ave.)
- Age Requirement: All Ages Welcome
Queen Bee's Art and Cultural Center is designed for special events like corporate gatherings and weddings. Depending on how it's set up for the music festival, there could be a large stage and plenty of space for dancing!
Frankie & the Witch Fingers is set to perform at Queen Bee's and as the headliner of this year's festival, they are one I'd highly recommend. Honestly though, I think all of these performers could really put on a show!
- Tigers in Cairo: 2:00pm - 2:45pm
- Lion Cut: 3:15pm - 4:00pm
- Mistress 77: 4:30pm - 5:15pm
- Miniaturized: 5:45pm - 6:45pm
- Wild Wild Wets: 7:15pm - 8:15pm
- Frankie & the Witch Fingers: 8:45pm - 10:00pm
True North Tavern
- Address: 3815 30th St (between University Ave. and N. Park Way)
- Age Requirement: Must be 21+
A casual bar offering food, drinks and a dance floor, True North Tavern will be getting in on the action for the first time in 2026, offering 4 DJs spinning onsite from 4:00pm until 9:00pm.
My personal favorite here is Chris Cutz. I like how he blends classics right into the hits of today!
- DJ Syko: 4:00pm - 5:00pm
- DJ Rags: 5:00pm - 6:00pm
- Chris Cutz: 6:00pm - 7:30pm
- Mr. Hek: 7:30pm - 9:00pm
U-31
- Address: 3112 University Ave (between Illinois St. and Iowa St.)
- Age Requirement: Must be 21+
U-31 is unique in that it's more than just a bar. It has TVs, a pool table, and I can say some pretty tasty food as well. It has an outdoor patio and a stage which they'll surely use for the event.
When I think of U-31, I think of DJs, so the highlights here for me are DJ Greyboy and Cut Chemist.
- Ohmega Watts & QSTN: 4:00pm - 6:45pm
- DJ Greyboy: 6:45pm - 8:45pm
- 18 Scales: 8:45pm - 9:45pm
- Gaslamp Killer: 9:45pm - 11:45pm
- Cut Chemist: 11:45pm - 1:45am
The Office Bar
- Address: 3936 30th St (between University Ave. and Lincoln St.)
- Age Requirement: Must be 21+
The Office Bar is a laidback local favorite with a long bar, plenty of seating, and an area for live music. I really like the high-top tables, especially if I can snag one near the stage at the back of the bar.
Most of these artists will be new to me with Los Pinche Pinches starting off the event at 2:00pm.
- Los Pinche Pinches: 2:00pm - 2:45pm
- The Microblades: 3:15pm - 4:15pm
- Cloud Types: 4:45pm - 5:45pm
- Scary Pierre: 6:15pm - 7:15pm
- Sugar Candy Mountain: 7:45pm - 9:00pm
NP Community Park
- Address: Howard Ave (between Howard Ave. and Lincoln Ave.)
- Age Requirement: All Ages Welcome
When I saw that some of the performances would take place in NP Community Park, I was intrigued. North Park Community Park, a beautiful green space between Howard Ave and Lincoln Ave spans a good two blocks right in the heart of North Park.
It looks like the park will offer an eclectic mix of jazz, funk and perhaps even some rock!
- Julian Esparza Band: 12:00pm - 12:45pm
- Los Paisanos: 1:15pm - 2:15pm
- Cozmos: 2:45pm - 3:45pm
- Spacehall Sound Machine: 4:15pm - 5:15pm
- Brainstory: 5:45pm - 7:00pm
Bivouac Adventure Lodge
- Address: 3980 30th St. (between University Ave. and Lincoln Ave.)
- Age Requirement: All Ages Welcome
The Bivouac Adventure Lodge: Cider Bar, Coffee Shop, & General Store, located directly adjacent to Biovac Ciderworks is a swanky restaurant and bar serving delicious food, fun drinks, and their very own San Diego ciders.
Our founder Todd, a 2025 North Park Music Fest attendee, said he really enjoyed the Bivouac Adventure Lodge. He said the music was really good and the ciders were delicious.
I personally have my eye on Elizabeth Bowersox's 8:00pm performance. A 2026 San Diego Music Award winner, Elizabeth has a pop country sound that is really on the rise and worth checking out!
- Gayle Skidmore: 5:15pm - 6:00pm
- Clinton Davis: 6:30pm - 7:30pm
- Elizabeth Bowersox: 8:00pm - 9:00pm
Pretzels and Pints
- Address: 3812 Ray St. (between University Ave. and N. Park Way)
- Age Requirement: All Ages Welcome
Pretzels and Pints is your corner bar serving a variety of incredibly tasty pretzels and a wide selection of craft beers. They also have sandwiches and the pretzel pizza which is not to be missed.
Another venue Todd mentioned by name as one he and his wife really enjoyed, for me, this might be my favorite venue on the list!
- Jesus Gonzalez: 2:00pm - 3:00pm
- Mochilero: 3:30pm - 4:30pm
- Avino & The Dwells: 5:00pm - 6:00pm
- Gypsy Sally: 6:30pm - 7:30pm
- Lady Dottie & The Diamonds: 8:00pm - 9:00pm
VIP Location
One very special location in 2026 will offer an all-new lounge space for VIP guests only.
Granada House
- Address: 3855 Granada Avenue (between University Ave. and N. Park Way)
- Age Requirement: Must be 21+
An intimate event venue with a beautiful rooftop area perfect for a summer evening, the Granada House will play host to a series of DJs from 1:00pm until 8:00pm. I'm expecting a relaxed electric house music style feel throughout the afternoon.
A new offering in 2026, VIP ticket holders will also get a complimentary drink and a delicious selection of appetizers to choose from here as well.
- Sarayu
- DJ Black Gas
- Jesus Gonzalez
- DJ Lili
- Le Venado
Venues Open to the Public
In addition to the seven venues requiring a general admission ticket to attend and the one VIP location, four additional venues will feature live music and not require a ticket to attend!
Pure Pawsh
- Address: 4045 30th St. (between Polk Ave. and Lincoln Ave.)
- Age Requirement: All Ages Welcome
Another venue welcoming guests of all ages, Pure Pawsh is a pet store with awesome art work that holds special events and serves beer. I feel like that's all that needs to be said for this very unique establishment!
Their performances are free and no ticket is needed to attend.
- Rowan Lektorich: 3:00pm - 3:50pm
- Supper Club String: 4:00pm - 4:50pm
- Jonas Brand: 5:00pm - 5:50pm
- Russ Blvd: 6:00pm - 6:50pm
- Art Motel: 7:00pm - 7:50pm
- Beatle Trax: 8:00pm - 8:50pm
Overload
- Address: 3043 University Ave. (between University Ave. and N. Park Way)
- Age Requirement: All Ages Welcome
Overload, a locally owned skate shop offering skateboards, footwear and a wide selection of apparel, will be getting in on the action for the first time in 2026.
They will be welcoming three very talented groups from 5:00pm until 8:00pm which should add an interesting, free addition to the day's lineup.
- Palace of Mourning: 5:00pm - 6:00pm
- Get Pieced: 6:00pm - 7:00pm
- Hauntu: 7:00pm - 8:00pm
Visual Art + Supply
- Address: 3776 30th St. (between N. Park Way and Gunn St.)
- Age Requirement: All Ages Welcome
Visual Art + Supply has been known to get involved in community events such as live art battles and workshops. This year they will join the North Park Music Fest welcoming two groups set to perform onsite from 1:00pm until 5:00pm.
Known for their art supplies and friendly owner, if you can find a few free minutes in the afternoon, I'd suggest that you stop in for one of these free performances!
- Freestyle Beats by Lord Dru: 1:00pm - 3:00pm
- Atari Cloud: 3:00pm - 5:00pm
Playground Art + Coffee
- Address: 4045 30th St. (between University Ave. and N. Park Way)
- Age Requirement: All Ages Welcome
I know Playground Art + Coffee as a relaxed location to grab a warm beverage, pastry, and maybe even a delicious bar of chocolate. The place definitely has an authentic North Park San Diego vibe!
So when I saw they were joining in on the North Park Music Fest fun, as a free to attend venue, I was really excited. Saint Misty will be there performing from 6:00pm until 8:00pm which could make for a great place for a coffee and a little more live music.
- Saint Misty: 6:00pm - 8:00pm