Savor summer’s final stretch with high-energy gatherings, cultural pride and live musical performances that span generations.
Don’t miss Chalk It Up!’s colorful return to Fremont Park, a skater-fueled documentary bash at The Starlet Room, a decade’s worth of doom metal with Chrome Ghost’s anniversary show and an anime fandom takeover of downtown with all of its cosplay-clad energy. From burlesque and punk to KPop dance battles, Sacramento’s late-summer scene is a kaleidoscope of possibilities.
Here are eight ways you can dive into the season’s biggest festivals and most unforgettable shows.
Music
Doo-wop dreamscape
Monday, Aug. 4: California rock ’n’ roll at its finest: The McCharmlys bring their retro shimmer and loveworn reverb to Goldfield Trading Post in Midtown to liven up your Monday evening plans. The Santa Ana quartet delivers the kind of set that feels like prom night in a David Lynch dream. With doo-wop harmonies, surfy riffs and an undeniable rock ’n’ soul rhythm, The McCharmlys have found themselves lighting up some of the biggest stages across the country.
One of their standout songs featured on their 2023 self-titled debut, “Awful Thing,” pulls at listeners’ heartstrings with singer/guitarist Angie Monroy’s wispy, sultry vocals — a smoky throwback to the heartbreak queens of the ’60s: “Baby you’re a mess and I’m depressed / You don’t deserve me at my Sunday best.” Their newest single released in February, “You’ll Be Fine,” hints at even more golden-era heartache and harmonies to come from this stylish SoCal group. L.A.’s SadGirl is also on tour with The McCharmlys, adding their moody, lo-fi garage rock to the lineup. Goldfield Trading Post, Midtown, 1630 J St.; doors at 7 p.m., music at 8 p.m.; $33.66; all ages.
Summertime cumbia
Wednesday, Aug. 13: Didn’t make it out to the California State Fair this year? No worries! The Yolo County Fair has all the summertime magic you need: twinkly lights, fried treats, spinning carnival rides, and best of all, admission is free and so is the live entertainment. Add a little cumbia to your mid-week plans with Sacramento’s own Sol Peligro, bringing their big-band energy and Latin-alternative vibes to the Community Stage starting at 6:30 p.m.
Celebrating 20 years together, the band blends cumbia, salsa, reggaeton and rock into a joyful, dance-worthy set with a message of unity and resilience. Whether you’re swaying with your sweetheart or grabbing an agua fresca between rides, this is your chance to catch one of the region’s busiest bands against a colorful backdrop of neon lights. Yolo County Fair, 1250 Gum Ave., in Woodland; 6:30 p.m.-8:30 p.m.; free; all ages.
Built to shred
Saturday, Aug. 23: Before skateboarding hit the X-Games or the Olympics, there were the N-Men — a fearless, diverse crew who carved up a NorCal freeway embankment in 1975 and unknowingly launched a global movement. Now, their story finally gets the spotlight in “The N-Men,” an award-winning documentary packed with never-before-seen footage and interviews with legends like Tony Hawk and Christian Hosoi.
Cheers to this local underground legacy with a live music bash featuring ska, reggae and rocksteady staples the Sacto Storytellers, blues-rock torchbearers Matt Rainey and the Dippin’ Sauce and the heavy rock stylings of Sac Religious. It’s a night of gratitude for the skaters who paved the way (literally) under the freeway. Don’t miss this tribute to the original rebels of the ramp. The Starlet Room, 2708 J St., above Harlow’s; 7 p.m.; all ages.
A decade of doom
Friday, Aug. 29: Mark a decade of darkness with Sacramento’s loudest triad of doom, Chrome Ghost, as they unleash their “10 Years of Tears” gathering at Harlow’s. Since forming in 2015, Jake Kilgore, Joe Cooper and Jacob Hurst have forged a sound steeped in crushing riffs, haunting melodies and introspective themes — often using water as a powerful allegory for anxiety, isolation and the uneasy balance between calm and chaos. When they first met, the group instantly bonded over their love of heavy music and a deep reverence for metal legends like Black Sabbath (rest in peace, Ozzy), Sleep and the Melvins.
Known for flipping genre expectations, Chrome Ghost blends ethereal harmonies with guttural growls and massive walls of reverb to create a truly immersive experience. Joining them are longtime friends Chrch — whose relentless energy challenges Chrome Ghost to new heights — and Renewer, a band whose songwriting prowess quickly earned the trio’s respect. Expect devastating grooves, a rare live debut of a new Chrome Ghost track and a night that will raise the bar for doom metal’s future. Harlow’s, 2708 J St.; doors at 7 p.m., music at 8 p.m.; $18 in advance, $20 at the door; all ages.
Culture
Beachside after dark
Thursday, Aug. 14: Bask in the beachy glow of ArtMix: Endless Summer, the Crocker Art Museum’s lively after-hours soiree. Chill out to the hypnotic sounds of San Kazakgascar as they blend art-punk, surf and psychedelic flourishes with Central Asian and Eastern European folk influences. The evening also features a sizzling burlesque performance by none other than Indiana Bones and a DJ set from Soulsauce to keep the courtyard grooving.
Savor summer bites from Zintzuni Cocina Mexicana, India Jones and Phat Jerry’s Phillies, or sip cold brew from Tribu Coffee. Explore docent-led tours of tropical-inspired works that conjure far-off places. With hands-on art activities and festive flair, this 18-and-over party is a summer night well spent. Crocker Art Museum, 216 O St.; 6 p.m.; $25 for non-members, free for members; 18 and over.
Anime all day
Friday, Aug. 29- Sunday, Aug. 31: SacAnime returns as Northern California’s largest pop culture celebration, bringing anime, animation and gaming fans to Sacramento over Labor Day weekend. Attendees can meet legendary voice actor Jim Cummings — Disney’s most prolific voice with roles like Winnie the Pooh and Darkwing Duck. He’s also an award-winning singer and podcast host.
Other celebrity guests include Khary Payton, known as King Ezekiel on “The Walking Dead,” and Greg Cipes, the voice of Beast Boy in “Teen Titans” and “Young Justice.” This family friendly event features a massive artist alley, exhibitor hall, cosplay masquerade and free gaming rooms for video, arcade and board games. Highlights over the weekend also include KPop and JPop dance battles and engaging panels and workshops, making SacAnime the ultimate pop culture playground. SAFE Credit Union Convention Center, 1400 J St.; times vary daily; $20-$65; all ages.
Midtown in color
Saturday, Aug. 30-Monday, Sept. 1: Sacramento’s beloved 35th Annual Chalk It Up! Chalk Art & Music Festival returns over Labor Day weekend with three days of vibrant creativity and free fun for all ages. Since 1991, this festival has empowered local artists and fueled equitable access to arts education through its Youth Arts Grant program. Surrounding Midtown’s Fremont Park, hundreds of chalk artists transform sidewalks into colorful murals while live music keeps the crowds entertained all afternoon.
This year’s lineup features punk legend Kepi Ghoulie, the chillwave sounds of Inner Nature, all-girl rockers from G.I.R.L.S Rock Sacramento, the gritty rock stylings of The Ghost Town Rebellion and more. Attendees can expect an array of food and craft vendors, and a “Drink It Up” tent serving craft beer and local wine during this Sactown celebration. John C. Fremont Park, 16th and Q streets; 10 a.m.-6 p.m., daily; free; all ages.
This story is part of the Solving Sacramento journalism collaborative. This story was funded by the City of Sacramento’s Arts and Creative Economy Journalism Grant to Solving Sacramento. Following our journalism code of ethics, the city had no editorial influence over this story. Our partners include California Groundbreakers, Capital Public Radio, Hmong Daily News, Outword, Russian America Media, Sacramento Business Journal, Sacramento News & Review and Sacramento Observer. Sign up for our “Sac Art Pulse” newsletter here.