Frequently Asked Questions

• The Parkfield Bluegrass Festival is a four-day bluegrass/music gathering held every Mother’s Day weekend in Parkfield, California.

• Expect live bands during the day, late-night sets at the café, jam sessions, workshops, camping, and a friendly festival community.

The festival takes place in Parkfield, a tiny rural town on California’s Central Coast.

• Multi-day tickets are available (and often preferred by festival-goers), many of whom also camp onsite.

• Single-day admissions are also offered for those who prefer a shorter visit and not camp.

• Early Bird, BMSCC Member, Senior (62 years and older), and Military Active Duty discounts apply. Early Bird Discount on Multiple day tickets ends March 9th, 2025

• One discount per ticket, discounts apply to Multiple Day Tickets Only

• KIDS 18 and under FREE when accompanied by an adult ticket holder!

Yes! Many festival-goers camp. There are 2 types of camping at Parkfield:

• Reserved campsites with electricity (fee required)

• Non-reserved, ‘open’, dry camping

Learn more about camping here.

• Workshops for various instruments and skill levels, suitable for beginners through advanced players.

• Geology walk to the San Andreas Fault lead by UC Northridge professor Julian Lozos.

• A barn dance in the historic Parkfield Community Hall.

• Family and kids’ activities, including opportunities for children to learn music, participate in jams, and perform on the main stage.

• Around-the-clock jam sessions in campgrounds. Music doesn’t stop when the stage lights go down, expect pickin’ and singing under the stars.

• Food booths and vendors, making it easy to grab a meal or snack during the festival without leaving the grounds.

Absolutely. The festival includes a Kids & Teens music program, instrument workshops, and child-friendly activities making it a great outing for families.

As an added bonus, admission is FREE for kids under 18 when accompanied by a ticket-holding adult.

Well-behaved pets are welcome at the festival, but not in the audience area. They must be kept on a leash, quiet & under the owners control at all times. Festival staff reserves discretion to have unruly or uncontrolled pets removed from site.

Please perform P.P.P.U. (Pet Poop Pick-Up).

• For camping: bring a tent or RV, and supplies including water, food, camping gear.

• For concerts: Bring your own lawn chairs for the audience area

We’d love to have you on the team!

• Volunteering: Apply and learn more here.

• Sponsorship: Inquire here.

• Vendors: Apply and learn more here.

• Band submissions: 2026 submissions are now closed.

Chairs

• Please don’t set up your chairs until 8:00 am, Thursday. Only low back chairs (30’’ max) will be allowed in the front few rows, with high back chairs allowed further back. If your chair is vacant, it is OK for others to sit in it. If your chair is occupied upon your return, kindly ask the person to give it up. You may leave your chair for the entire festival.

Wristbands

• Wear your festival wristband at all times & show it to security personnel at both the gate & in the camping area. If no wristband is seen you will be escorted to the gate to purchase one immediately.

Audience Area

• No glass containers. Take your own trash away when you leave your seats. Please respect the folks sitting around you by refraining from loud conversations during the performances. Dancing is great but don’t block anyone’s view. No smoking or vaping in the audience area. Anyone displaying unruly or drug/alcohol influenced behavior will be escorted from the premises. No drones are permitted in the audience area or festival grounds.

Comfort Facilities

• There are restrooms across the street from the gate, behind the message board, at the Rodeo Grounds, & in the Parkfield Cafe. There are rustic hot showers available behind the Lodge.

Pets

• No pets in the audience area (Service dogs OK). Service animals must be under the owners control at all times. All animals must be on a leash. Please perform P.P.P.U. (Pet Poop Pick-Up).

Campgrounds

• No parking in chalk marked designated fire lanes. Due to high fire hazard, no open fires, campfires, charcoal or cooking fires are allowed. Propane heaters & stoves are ok. Please be careful when smoking, fire danger is high. Please pick up & remove your own camp trash.

RV Electrical

• RV spaces with hookup are limited & available by reservation only. No sharing of electrical service via extensions. Limit electrical use (use your RV's own generator, batteries or propane to run appliances). Generators may be used but only between 9am & 9pm.

The photos on this site were taken by Robin Frenette and John G. Woodworth

You can contact us directly here.