Downtown Ventura to Host Free Summer Solstice Music Festival

Ventura transforms into a sprawling open-air concert hall on June 21, 2026, as the Ventura Music Festival and Downtown Ventura Partners launch Make Music Ventura. The eight-hour event, running from noon to 8 PM, turns Main Street into a hub of live performances, interactive art, and community-driven music workshops.

Part of the global Make Music Day tradition, the festival leverages the summer solstice to bring regional artists and residents together across multiple activation zones. The program features diverse stages, including the MMV Main Stage on California Street and The Grape Community Stage on Figueroa Street, showcasing acts ranging from the Ray Jaurique Big Band to the genre-bending collective Victoria Avenue.

Beyond traditional concerts, the event emphasizes participation through the LAERZ interactive music station, where attendees can collaborate on song creation, and the Burch Studio Stage. Families can utilize the Downtown Mini Park, which hosts the Oxnard Performing Arts Center-led Family Fun Zone, complete with drum circles led by percussionist Ronnie Gutierrez and an instrument zoo. Adding a visual element to the soundscape, artist MB Hanrahan will document the atmosphere by painting a live mural throughout the afternoon. Admission remains free for all ages, with additional resources like the 805 Record Fair providing a secondary market for vinyl enthusiasts.