Love summer music festivals that double as camping getaways? You can’t miss the High Sierra Music Festival in California. The annual family-friendly festival is back for a long weekend at Plumas Sierra County Fairgrounds. Here’s all you need to know about music and more at HSMF 2023.
High Sierra Music Festivals is one of those multi-day camping experiences that earns a permanent place in your annual summer plans. It’s kid-friendly and outdoors – perfect for kicking off summer vacations with the family. While the Sierra Nevada has so much to offer, events like these have something for all ages. Get the best of camping and music rolled into one!
Every year since 2012 (HSFM 2023 is the event’s 9th edition), the High Sierra festival brings together an impressive lineup of artists and bands from various music genres. But there’s more than live music stages and campgrounds. Vendors serve food and drinks that suit every palate, emphasizing organic ingredients. And if you are in the mood for shopping, High Sierra Art & Craft Fair has everything from clothing and jewelry to musical instruments and handicrafts. Don’t miss the Family Zone if you have kids in tow – parades, circuses, games, arts, and fun activities await!
Never been to High Sierra Music Festival or Plumas Sierra County Fairgrounds? Let’s help you plan the trip with all the details you need to know about the multi-day event. You can get single-day passes too, but don’t pass up on the camping experience. Either way, parking should be on your priority list while getting your tickets – because the only way to the HSFM venue is by road. Check out these tips and answers to all your questions about the summer music festival.
Where is the High Sierra Music Festival?
Easy to guess from the name – in northeastern California, close to Nevada. The festival grounds are near Quincy in Plumas County – 250 miles northwest of San Francisco.
The Cascade Mountains and Sierra Nevada meet in Plumas County, setting the perfect backdrop for a long weekend summer music festival. The drive to the fairgrounds offers scenic views of rugged canyons and pine forests. You won’t miss starry skies, meadows, streams, and lakes that dot the county.
When is High Sierra Music Festival 2023?
High Sierra Music Festival 2023 dates are Thursday, Jun 29 – Sunday, Jul 2.
HSMF FestivALL VIP pass holders have early entry access to the festival on Wednesday. Entry to the fairgrounds for other 4-day pass holders starts at 8 am on Thursday.
What kind of music is at High Sierra Music Festival?
The annual multi-day event is well-known for bringing together world-class acts from varied music genres. Past lineups have featured everything from bluegrass and newgrass to jam bands and jazz. Rock has a special place in the festival’s history and covers southern rock, roots rock, folk rock, country rock, blues rock, and more.
2023 is no different, as the festival has announced over 50 artists and bands for its 9th edition. Check out the lineup below:
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Who are the topliners on the High Sierra Music Festival 2023 lineup?
Bluegrass singer/songwriter Sierra Hull is the artist-at-large at HSMF 2023. Other top liners on the final lineup include jam rock band moe., grammy-winner Jason Isabell and his band, The 400 Unit, electronic duo Thievery Corporation, and country rocker Marcus King.
Here’s the full list of artists performing at the High Sierra Music Festival 2023 in Quincy, CA.
Who’s performing at the new HSFM Late Night Shows?
Overall, 10+ artists will take the stage at High Sierra Music Festival’s new Late Night Shows in 2023. The limited-access shows will be at two venues within the festival grounds: High Sierra Music Hall and Funk’n Jamhouse. There will be shows on all four festival days, starting Thursday night. See the daily lineup below:
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Note: Only limited tickets for the HSMF 2023 Late Night Shows are available. You must have multi-day festival passes to add on Late Night Show tickets. Book online and pick up your tickets at the Late Night Box Office when you arrive.
Check out the HSFM 2023 playlist and find out what type of music to expect at the festival:
How much do High Sierra Music Festival tickets cost?
- 4-Day Festival Admission Pass (Thursday – Sunday): $65.00 – $350.50
- 3-Day Pass Festival Admission (Friday – Sunday): $55.00 – $335.50
- 2-Day Pass Festival Admission (Saturday – Sunday): $50.00 – $250.50
- Single-Day Festival Admission: $30.00 – $125.00
- FestivALL VIP Packages: $175.00 – $1,099.00
- Late Night Shows: $22.50 – $40.50
What are the FestivALL perks?
An $899 4-day VIP pass includes access to all the Late Night Shows at the Quincy Music Festival 2023. Elevated viewing at the exclusive Lounge, main stage pit access, and Sunday Bloody Mary bar access are the other perks, along with eight drink tickets.
FestivALL pass holders can also enter the festival grounds before everyone else on Wednesday – June 28, 2023. But you’ll need an RV Package, Shady Grove Parking Package, or an Off-site parking pass.
Get FestivAll passes with Shady Grove Parking Package for $1099 or the RV Package for $2999.
Are there separate tickets for kids and teens?
Kids four and under can attend the festival free of charge with ticketed adults. Separate passes are available for ages 5 – 12 and 13 – 16. All attendees 17 and older must have a regular festival pass.
- Teen FestivALL Pass (Lounge+pit access only): $275
- Kids FestivALL Pass (Lounge+pit access only): $175
Note: Only a 4-Day option is available for teens; you can purchase the regular pass for other options.
What are the camping rules at High Sierra Music Festival 2023?
- Camping at HSMF 2023 is only included with multi-day festival passes
- All campers must have a festival admission pass
- Parking passes are not included; you can purchase them separately
- General tent camping is first-come, first-served
- Event staff will direct you to off-site campgrounds when on-site camping reaches capacity
- 24-hour shuttles will run between off-site camping sites and the festival grounds
- The festival grounds have permanent showers and restrooms, plus additional facilities
Learn more about HSMF 2023 camping guidelines and options here.
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Where are the family campgrounds?
The eastern end of the Shady Grove at Plumas Sierra County Fairgrounds will be a kid-friendly zone. You’ll need an on-site parking pass to access the High Sierra Music Festival family campgrounds.
Where are the off-site camps?
Off-site High Sierra Music Festival 2023 camping is at Camp 70, Camp Panorama, Sierra Skies, and Grandview campgrounds. Camp Panorama is a mile from the festival Gate 3. 24-hr shuttles will be available to these campgrounds and back, starting from 11 am on Thursday.
What to wear to the High Sierra festival in Quincy?
The festival encourages attendees to have fun with quirky costumes and festive wear; they also announce daily costume themes soon.
The weather in Quincy can get as warm as the 80s during the day or as low as the 50s at night. But each summer varies, and though rainfall is rare, keep the light rain gear handy. Pack warm clothes for the night, especially for the campgrounds. Layering is a great way to go from day to night at the Californian summer festival.
Where is the High Sierra Music Festival venue?
Plumas Sierra County Fairgrounds near the small town of Quincy, in Plumas Country, has hosted High Sierra Music Festival since its first edition in 2012. The fairgrounds are at 204 Fairground Rd., Quincy, CA.
It is about 80 miles northwest of Reno, Nevada, while Sacramento is a 130-mile drive or three hours away. Driving from San Jose or San Francisco will take 4 – 5 hours to reach Plumas Sierra County Fairgrounds.
How to reach Plumas Sierra County Fairgrounds?
The closest airports are in Reno and Sacramento, followed by Oakland and San Francisco. Reno also has Amtrak and Greyhound stations. Another option is Chico, CA (102 miles southwest of Plumas Sierra County Fairgrounds).
Plumas Transit local bus service is available; it stops in downtown Quincy. From the festival, the buses depart every 30 minutes – the boarding point is just outside the main entrance on Fairgrounds Rd. Shuttle services to the festival will also be available from Reno Airport.
Most fans driving to HSMF from south or west (Sacramento/Bay Area) usually take Hwy 70 for a scenic drive through the Feather River Canyon. Keep in mind that this route has plenty of turns, upgrades, and downgrades.
If you need an alternative route, take the I-80 to State Rt 89 in Truckee. It’ll add about 15 minutes to your travel time. But if there is one-way traffic control on Hwy 70 due to the post-burn slide, the alternative route will save you an hour stuck in backed-up traffic.
How much is parking at High Sierra Music Festival 2023?
- Vehicle Parking Passes (18 ft or shorter): $40.00 – $175.50
- RV Parking Passes (18 ft or longer): $100.00 – $275.00
HSFM 2023 parking passes are valid from 8 am on June 29, Thursday, to 11 am on July 3, Monday. If you need a Plumas County Fairgrounds parking spot outside these hours, look for alternative Quincy Parking garages and lots online before you head to the festival.
What are the festival parking rules?
- On-site Vehicle Pass with tent camping at Plumas County Fairgrounds is at Shady Grove Parking, Hillside Parking, and Corral.
- You can park at Camp Panorama, Camp 70 Vehicle Parking, and Lee Road Annex with off-site Vehicle Parking passes.
- Off-site parking without camping is at Express Lot near the festival box office. Only vehicles 18 feet or shorter can park. This lot allows in/out privileges.
- ADA/Accessible parking spots are at Hillside; get an on-site parking pass
- The RV parking pass is for vehicles and vehicle/trailer/camper combinations of 18 – 35 feet in length. If it’s more than 35 feet, you’ll need a Jumbo RV Annex pass.
Find out more about HSMF 2023 parking pass types and rules here.
See: How to Book City Parking on Way.com: A Step-by-Step Guide
*Lineup, set times, dates, and event rules are subject to change. Check the official website and social media feed for up-to-date details.
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