Eliza Gilkyson is a twice GRAMMY-nominated singer-songwriter and activist who is one of the most respected musicians in folk, roots and Americana circles.

“A combination of gravity and grace…her writing is poetry, something that most songwriters strive for but not many actually achieve. The strength of her lyrics and music help set the work apart.” — Buddy Magazine

Eliza’s current release Dark Ages is a surprisingly upbeat collection of songs, although she pulls no punches in terms of the times in which we find ourselves and her sentiments regarding the dismantling of the U.S. constitution by the current president. Working in collaboration with Don Richmond, the album showcases Eliza in her strongest and most compelling voice. She remains true to the convictions and sensibilities for which she is known, covering the wide range of human experience from political to personal, following the threads of darkness and light, reminding us of the hope and beauty still to be found even in the frightening scenarios of today’s current events. 

Eliza Gilkyson will be joined by Nina Gerber at Strawberry. The two haven’t performed together at Strawberry since Fall 2014, and we are excited to welcome them back! Don’t miss Gilkyson with Gerber on the Main Stage on Saturday, May 23rd. Listen and learn more here.

Featuring cuisines from around the world, we are sure you’ll find something to satisfy any craving with the Strawberry Food Concessionaires. 

We have many returning favorites, several vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options, and a new kettle corn vendor this year. Learn more here!

TICKETS ARE ON SALE NOW! Tickets can be ordered online 24/7 or by calling us at 209.984.8630, M-Th, 10am-3pm.

Happy Earth Day! In celebration, we are highlighting the Banana Slug String Band — Strawberry’s favorite environmental music educators! 🍓 🍌 🌎 🎶

The Slugs met teaching Outdoor Education in San Mateo County, deep in the redwood forests. Doug Dirt, Airy Larry, Marine Mark, and Solar Steve (their names representing sun, soil, water and air) are the “real deal.”

With the deep sense of purpose to promote positive environmental messages, these impassioned musicians, songwriters, performers, educators, and eco-warriors have an extraordinary ability to connect with children as they change the world one child at a time!

Don’t miss the Banana Slug String Band on the Play Stage on Saturday, May 23.

Abby Posner is a genre-defying multi-instrumentalist, singer-songwriter, and producer originally from the mountains of Colorado. Recently featured on NPR’s Mountain Stage, Posner captivates audiences with a dynamic sound that blends haunting folk with high-energy Americana and infectious, foot-stomping anthems. Think Chris Thile meets The Lumineers—raw, powerful, and irresistibly engaging. Posner will be joined at Strawberry by Paula Fong (harmony), Philip Glenn (fiddle), Elissa Linowes (upright bass), and Joel Domantay (drums) as The Big Fall. 

Abby Posner & The Big Fall will perform on the Strawberry Main Stage on Thursday, May 21. Listen & learn more here.

Award-winning Singer/Songwriter Keith Greeninger and legendary guitarist Nina Gerber share deep roots in the rich California music scene and are well known for their dynamic, improvisational performances and collaborations.

Guitarist Nina Gerber started her music career playing alongside the iconic singer songwriter Kate Wolf and has since gone on to establish herself as one of the finest guitarists on the planet. Keith Greeninger is a compelling singer songwriter and performer who paints intricate portraits of the human condition with powerful melodic images, deep engaging guitar rhythms and compelling, heart-wrenching vocals. 

Keith Greeninger and Nina Gerber will perform on the Strawberry Main Stage on Thursday, May 21. Listen and learn more here.

Larry & Joe were destined to make music together.

Larry Bellorín hails from Monagas, Venezuela and is a legend of Llanera music. Joe Troop is from North Carolina and is a GRAMMY-nominated bluegrass and oldtime musician. Larry was forced into exile and is an asylum seeker in North Carolina. Joe, after a decade in South America, got stranded back in his stomping grounds in the pandemic. Larry worked construction to make ends meet. Joe’s acclaimed “latingrass” band Che Apalache was forced into hiatus, and he shifted into action working with asylum-seeking migrants. Then Larry met Joe.

Currently based in the Triangle of North Carolina, both men are versatile multi-instrumentalists and singer-songwriters on a mission to show that music has no borders. As a duo they perform a fusion of Venezuelan and Appalachian folk music on harp, banjo, cuatro, fiddle, maracas, guitar, upright bass, and whatever else they decide to throw in the van. The program they offer features a distinct blend of their musical inheritances and traditions as well as storytelling about the ways that music and social movements coalesce.

Don’t miss Larry & Joe on the Strawberry Main Stage on Sunday, May 24th. Listen & learn more here!

Gorgeous jewelry, unique ceramics, stylish clothing, stunning woodwork, fine art prints, and more! The Strawberry Artisans Tent has a wide range of beautiful handmade arts and crafts. Check out the list of Spring 2026 Artisans here.

Phot Credit Kate Skogen

Every spring, Strawberry’s Brush Crew works at the Nevada County Fairgrounds to clear the forest of debris for the season of events ahead. That tradition continued last month when Brush Crew cleared camping areas, burned hundreds of pine cones and fallen branches, and fell dead trees over two weekends in March. We are super grateful to these skilled and hardworking volunteers and to the staff at fairgrounds for supporting this effort!

In a year of firsts without our founding father, Charlie Cran, this particular Brush Crew was bittersweet. Charlie personally organized and supervised Brush Crew for many decades until this year, and it was one of his favorite Strawberry customs. His legacy was beautifully honored by the work and camaraderie of this thriving crew—family and friends, young and old, longtimers alongside first-timers all camped together and shared the same goal. Another wonderful example of The Strawberry Way! Thank you, Charlie, and thank you to the members of Brush Crew, past, present, and future!

Widely recognized as one of the most exciting young bands in acoustic music, Crying Uncle Bluegrass Band plays a unique mix of bluegrass, Dawg (David Grisman music), jazz, and modern originals. Brothers Miles and Teo Quale are joined by bassist Andrew Osborn and 2023 National Flat Pick Guitar Champion Ian Ly, all outstanding musicians of the vibrant California bluegrass scene. 

Crying Uncle Bluegrass Band will perform on the Strawberry Main Stage on Saturday, May 23rd. Listen & learn more here.

Family & Friends Invite You to a Memorial Second Line Stroll Celebrating Steve LaVine

Saturday
May 9, 2026
2:00 pm

We will gather at Burns Garden and stroll down Main Street Columbia, led by Cactus Bob & Prairie Flower, for stories, refreshments, & to commemorate his life as a musician and poet.

Berets, parasols, & wild costumes encouraged! (Think Sergeant Pepper meets Mardi Gras!) Bring any and all instruments, including tambourines, kazoos, trumpets, or whatever noise and music makers you have! Bring a dish to share and camp chairs too!

Contact BZ Smith for information or to volunteer for Setup and Teardown (bzsmith@me.com| 209.559.7697)