Country Summer Music Festival

The Country Summer Music Festival returns to Santa Rosa, California, from June 19 through June 29, 2026, bringing eleven days of top-tier country performances to the historic Sonoma County Fairgrounds in the heart of Wine Country. This beloved gathering draws families, couples, and groups of friends to one of Northern California’s most scenic regions, where vineyard-covered hills roll toward the Pacific and the warm June sun stretches well into evening. With headliners spanning contemporary chart-toppers and beloved legends, dedicated kids’ zones for young festivalgoers, and pet-friendly areas throughout the grounds, Country Summer has earned its reputation as a celebration designed for every kind of traveler.

Beyond the main stages, the festival grounds come alive with local food vendors showcasing Sonoma County’s farm-to-table bounty and craft beverage stations pouring wines from nearby estates and ales from the region’s acclaimed breweries. The spacious layout encourages lingering, with shaded areas perfect for spreading a blanket between sets and open-air sections where larger groups can gather for shared meals and spontaneous dancing. Couples will find quiet corners ideal for sunset photos against the backdrop of golden California hills, while families can take advantage of interactive activities that keep children engaged throughout the day.

What makes this festival particularly rewarding is its location at the crossroads of so much worth exploring. Santa Rosa itself pulses with small-town warmth and big-city culture, and a few days before or after the music gives you time to discover why this corner of California inspires such devotion. Start at Railroad Square Historic District, where century-old brick buildings now house boutiques, antique shops, and some of the region’s most celebrated restaurants. The Spinster Sisters serves farm-to-table fare sourced almost entirely from Sonoma County producers, while Bird and The Bottle draws crowds for creative comfort food and weekend brunches that feel like occasions. For evening drinks, Russian River Brewing Company pours its legendary craft beers, including seasonal releases that draw enthusiasts from across the country.

Families traveling with children should carve out time for the Charles M. Schulz Museum, a heartfelt tribute to the Peanuts creator who called Santa Rosa home, complete with original comic art, a recreation of his studio, and gardens featuring a labyrinth shaped like Snoopy’s head. The Children’s Museum of Sonoma County offers interactive exhibits designed to exhaust curious minds, while Snoopy’s Home Ice provides a refreshing afternoon escape with public skating sessions inside what many consider the world’s most charming ice arena.

For those craving outdoor adventure between festival days, Spring Lake Regional Park sits just east of downtown, offering a lifeguard-equipped swimming lagoon, boat rentals, and miles of trails circling a 72-acre reservoir. The water here stays calm and inviting through June, perfect for kayaking or simply floating away an afternoon. Safari West, meanwhile, transports visitors to the African savanna without leaving Sonoma County, with nearly 900 animals roaming a 400-acre preserve where giraffes, rhinos, and zebras graze against a backdrop of California oaks.

Wine lovers will find no shortage of tasting rooms within easy reach. Matanzas Creek Winery welcomes June visitors with its aromatic lavender fields in full bloom, while St. Francis Winery and Vineyards offers culinary pairings that showcase the symbiosis between Sonoma’s wines and its exceptional local ingredients. Paradise Ridge Winery combines tastings with striking outdoor sculpture gardens where art and vineyard views compete for your attention.

A vacation rental on Lake.com gives you the space to return each evening to your own kitchen, your own porch, and your own pace. Book a property near one of the region’s waterways and extend your stay into a full exploration of Wine Country’s quieter corners. The music ends, but the memories of warm nights and Sonoma sunsets linger far longer.