The California State Fair returns to Cal Expo Friday, July 11-Sunday, July 27, 2025. | Photo via California State Fair
The California State Fair will return to Cal Expo Friday, July 11-Sunday, July 27 with exhibits, rides, competitions, fried fair food, and live music. Organizers have been unveiling the fair’s big summer concert lineup little by little and, of course, we’re taking notes to keep you tuned into every show.
Sound up — here’s what we know so far about the Toyota Concert Series on the Main Stage for 2025:
Ludacris | Friday, July 11 | It’s Ludaaaa. The rapper and actor will kick off the fair’s concert series — stand up, get back, but don’t act a fool.
Bret Michaels | Saturday, July 12 | The Poison frontman is ready to rock and have “Nothing But a Good Time.”
Air Supply | Sunday, July 13 | Prep your power ballad pipes to sing along with the soft rock duo.
Pro tip: All concerts start at 8 p.m. and are free with fair admission. If you’d rather have reserved seats, those tickets cost $45 a pop, separate from fair admission.
“The Sound of Music” | 7-10 p.m. | Crest Theatre | $11+ | The hills are alive — rewatch the 1965 Julie Andrews classic on the big screen.
Damian “Jr. Gong” Marley with J Boog + Fiji | Thunder Valley Casino, Lincoln | $150+ | It’s all love — the reggae vibes will be strong at this show ~35 minutes northeast of Sac.
Saturday, April 5
Dogs With Jobs | 10 a.m. | Sacramento Children’s Museum, Rancho Cordova | Free | Meet working dogs from across our region, from K9s to service and comfort dogs — surely they each have a tail to tell.
Elk Grove Music Festival | Saturday, April 5-Sunday, April 6 | 12-8 p.m. | Old Town Plaza, Elk Grove | $40+ | Head to the plaza to hear reggae, funk, alternative, rock, Latin, and cover bands while enjoying food + craft vendors
Paula Poundstone | 7:30 p.m. | Harris Center, Folsom | $49+ | The comedy icon, podcast host, and NPR’s “Wait, Wait... Don’t Tell Me” panelist brings the funny to Folsom.
Sunday, April 6
The Credit Union SACTOWN Run | 7:30 a.m. | Capitol Mall | $75+ | Lace up and run in the heart of Sac to raise money for Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals across the US.
Tuesday, April 8
Festival of the Arts | Through Sunday, April 13 | 9 a.m.-9 p.m. | Sacramento State | Free | The university’s annual fest includes creative performances, exhibits, and guest lectures.
Wednesday, April 9
April Wednesday Open Garden | 9 a.m.-12 p.m. | Horticulture Center, Fair Oaks | Free | Listen to “mini talks” focused on topics like fruit thinning, summer pruning, planting ornamentals, and growing potatoes and herbs.
City council approved the Limited Entertainment Permit to help boost Sac’s nightlife at smaller venues. The permit allows restaurants, bars, and venues to host live music and entertainment with less paperwork and lower fees. Shows must end by 10 p.m. on weekdays and 11 p.m. on weekends. (ABC10)
Trending
Shaq, meet Sac.Shaqir O’Neal — the son of NBA legend Shaquille O’Neal — verbally committed to joining Sacramento State’s basketball team. The college baller is leaving Florida A&M to become a Hornet and said he’s grateful to be joining Coach Mike Bibby’s team. (ABC10)
Opening
A new indoor pickleball facility dubbedThe Picklr will debut on Trade Center Drive in Rancho Cordova on Saturday, April 12 with 10 fully-fenced courts. Swing by the grand opening celebration, 11 a.m.-4 p.m., to enjoy food trucks, a DJ, raffles, and open play on the courts.
Coming Soon
Concerts in the Park will announce its 2025 lineup tomorrow, April 4, at three 21+ launch parties around Sacramento. Head to Malt & Mash, Clayton Club, or Legend Has It from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. to find out who’s performing at César Chávez Plaza this summer.
Traffic
The city will begin construction this month on the Franklin Boulevard Complete Street Project to improve safety and connectivity along the corridor. The project will aim to calm traffic and improve access for pedestrians and bicyclists with new protected bike lanes and enhanced crosswalks set to be completed by 2026.
Watch
Love is in the air. For the past eight years, Friends of Lakes Folsom and Natomas have been tracking a pair of nesting bald eagles — Mama and Papa — and their eaglets live on the “FOLFAN Nest Cam”. The protective parents have raised 21 eaglets in the Folsom Lake State Recreation Area. (KCRA)
Seasonal
All aboard. The Western Railway Museum will launch its weekend Spring Trains beginning this month that include scenic views of the seasonal wildflower bloom. The Coach Car is designed for family fun and the Parlor Car includes wine tasting — get your tickets.
Plan Ahead
Tickets are now on sale for the 25th annual East Sac Garden Tour on Saturday, May 10 + Sunday, May 11. The self-guided walking tour, which is a fundraiser for David Lubin Elementary School, will showcase East Sac’s beautiful outdoor spaces and gorgeous gardens.
Concert
Hard Rock Sacramento added new shows to its events lineup. Lyle Lovett and His Large Band will headline on Thursday, June 26, SoCal reggae group Iration will perform on Saturday, July 19, and comedy legend Eddie Griffin will take the mic on Friday, Sept. 19. Tickets are available now.
Feel Good
A lucky Powerball ticket sold at the Rocklin Mini Mart roughly 30 miles northeast of Sacramento is worth $5.7+ million. The California Lottery said the ticket matched five numbers in the Powerball drawing on March 26, missing only the Powerball number. The winner has 180 days to claim the prize. (NBC Bay Area)
Sports
The Kings’ on-court chemistry is seriously lacking, so what’s going on? Hear from the local experts on the Sacramento Kings with Locked On’s daily, team-focused podcasts.
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City Guide
City Guide
🥃 A neat guide to happy hours
The house cocktails at Juju Kitchen & Cocktails are perfection. | Photo via @jujusactown
For our glass half fullkinda people, happy hours in Sacramento are where it’s at. Whether you’re looking to try out a new spot on the cheap or decompress after work, these discounts on beer, wine, cocktails, and snacks will turn thatfrown upside down.
Keeping spirits up
The Snug | Sunday-Thursday, 4-6 p.m. and 12 a.m.-2 a.m. | Snug’s “Golden Hour” offers $10 cocktails, $5 beers, and a $2 house lager. Truly golden.
Hungry for meal deals
The Porch | Wednesday-Friday, 3-6 p.m. | Pair a duo of beef Porch Sliders for $11 with a $6 glass of Black Station Cab for a truly delectable experience.
Biggest bargains
Juju Kitchen & Cocktails | Daily, 4-6 p.m. | Choose from $3 off house cocktails, beer, and wines by the glass. Pair your drink with $5 small plates like roasted potatoes with spicy aioli or the rotating dip of the week.
Chic drawstring denim pants. The roomy, straight-leg design keeps these jeans comfortable and casual, while the drawstring cinch ensures they fit snugly around your waist. Bonus: Shop this Madewell version.
OK, between the nationwide theatrical release of “Sacramento” on Friday, April 11 and the newly-released trailer for Leonardo DiCaprio’s “One Battle After Another,”Sactown is giving Tinseltown.
Parts of “One Battle After Another” were filmed in Sacramento in early 2024 and the trailer features several local spots, including La Superior Market, the Railyards, and downtown. According to the city, the production brought an economic boost of $5.3 million to our region. The movie comes out on Sept. 26.
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