The long-running Strawberry Music Festival is hitting pause on its fall weekend, scrapping the Oct. 15–18 event that had been slated for the Nevada County Fairgrounds in Grass Valley. New organizers, who describe themselves as family members of the festival’s founder, say the break will give them room to regroup and protect the festival’s legacy. Ticket holders are being given a choice to roll their passes over to a spring event or request full refunds.
The organizers shared the announcement on the festival’s website, calling the cancellation a “necessary step to come back better than ever” and saying they are “working with the Strawberry Music team to recharge, reinvigorate, and carry on the magic that Strawberry has always been known for.” The full statement is posted on Strawberry Music's website.
Organizers Cite Founder’s Death
According to The Sacramento Bee, organizers said the decision was heavily influenced by the recent death of founder Charlie Cran and by an ongoing leadership transition. Identifying themselves as members of his family, they said they want to keep his original vision intact. The announcement, as reported by the outlet, pointed to Cran’s passing and the new ownership structure as key reasons to sit out this fall.
Tickets And Refunds
For those who already bought in, the festival is offering two paths: Fall 2026 ticket-holders can transfer their passes to the Spring 2027 Strawberry Music Festival or opt for a full refund, with shipping and handling fees excluded. RV site reservations will be refunded as well, and organizers are asking attendees to allow two to four weeks for processing, according to the notice on Strawberry Music's website.
Decades Of Bluegrass And Campouts
Launched in 1982, Strawberry grew into a twice-yearly campout that mixed bluegrass, folk and roots music with food vendors, artisan booths and family programming. In recent years it shifted from a longtime site near Yosemite to its current home at the Nevada County Fairgrounds, The Sacramento Bee reports. Over the decades, the festival’s stages have hosted the likes of John Prine, David Wilcox and the Thunder Mountain Boys, helping nurture a loyal community of Strawberrians.
What’s Next For Fans And Vendors
Organizers say the pause is meant to give them time to shore up operations and map out a strong return in the spring. They are directing ticket-holders and vendors to use the festival’s online form or contact the office directly with any questions. For now, fans are being told to keep an eye on the festival’s channels for lineup news and camping details as the family-led team figures out its next move.
