Spring is here, and Sacramento is ready to turn up the volume with music, art and community celebrations that will fill your calendar from pulsating indie shows to immersive exhibitions and centuries‑old beer traditions. First up: Sac JestFest Vol. 3 at The Red Museum brings Rituals of Mine, LabRats, Animals in the Attic, Grumpster, Fugitive Color and more together for a full day of local sounds supporting NorCal Resist.
Next, Diciembre Gris returns to hypnotize audiences at The Stag alongside Las Cruxes, Pets and ghostplay. Meanwhile, the “Estamos Aquí” photography exhibition at Casa de Español pairs portraits with personal stories, inviting you to explore heritage, identity and the First Friday artisan market. Over at the Crocker Art Museum, “Rebels With La Causa: Royal Chicano Air Force Art and Activism, 1970‑1990” celebrates a legacy of creativity and community impact and Bockbierfest at the Turn Verein marks a century of tradition with authentic brews, hearty food and live German music.
Music
Sacramento gets loud
Saturday, April 4: Sac JestFest Vol. 3 returns with an all-day lineup showcasing the city’s talented musicians and artists in one space, with proceeds benefiting NorCal Resist. Hosted by Mechanical Bull Records, this edition highlights the diversity and creativity of Northern California’s DIY music scene. Attendees can catch regional artists and bands across two stages including Animals in the Attic, Grumpster, Pacing and Youthanasia delivering energetic indie and alternative sets, while Rituals of Mine, joined by LabRats, add an atmospheric fusion of electronic, jazz and trip-hop. Quinkana and Roni Jean bring raw, punk-infused angst to the festival, and Loose Choir, Get the Wall, Uneasy and Fugitive Color round out the day with garage, psych and genre-blending arrangements.
Sac JestFest Vol. 3 is more than a festival — it’s a snapshot of Sacramento’s underground music scene. From high-energy punk to experimental sets, the day offers a chance to experience artists who are shaping the local music community while supporting a meaningful cause. The Red Museum, 212 15th St.; 3 p.m.-10 p.m.; $20-$25; all ages.
Small-scene magic
Friday, April 10: Rocketship has always sounded like a daydream you can’t shake. Sacramento’s beloved indie pop outfit returns with shimmering, reverb-soaked songs that drift between heartbreak, nostalgia and quiet reflection. Formed in 1993, Rocketship carved out a delicate niche in ’90s twee pop with “A Certain Smile, A Certain Sadness,” a record drenched in ringing guitars, droning organs and wistful melodies. Thirty years later, the album has been lovingly reissued on Slumberland Records, and the band is hitting the stage to remind everyone why this music still clings to the heart.
Led by Dustin Reske, Rocketship feels both intimately personal and impossibly cinematic — the kind of sound that lingers like a half-forgotten memory. Bay Area songwriter Tony Molina joins the lineup, bringing sharp bursts of guitar pop that sound like a 1960s AM radio filtered through a bedroom recording rig — it’s brief, heartfelt and impossible to ignore. Opening the night, Sacramento’s own The Frenchmen bring their high-energy indie pop with bright guitars, punchy rhythms and catchy melodies. It’s a night that promises the kind of small-scene magic that makes you glad you showed up. The Starlet Room, 2708 J St.; doors at 7 p.m., music at 8 p.m.; $26.40; all ages.
Fuzz and reverie
Friday, April 10: Rock ’n’ roll that soothes the soul, indeed. Diciembre Gris return to the stage, hypnotizing audiences with their lo-fi, dreamy, goth-tinged sound that channels the underground ’80s scene drenched in black. Los Angeles/Omaha collective Las Cruxes join the lineup with their new single “El Ultimo” and a self-titled album dropping April 24, blending post-sunflower-punk-psychedelic pop en Español.
Sacramento favorites Pets bring fuzz, volume and hooks in spades with their December release “Dig the Skull,” while local dream-pop outfit ghostplay adds lush, shimmering layers from their decade-in-the-making album “Zelpha.” Together, these four bands deliver a night of bold, genre-blurring indie rock you won’t want to miss. The Stag Bar, 506 Main St., in Woodland; 7 p.m.; no cover; 21 and over.
Sound beyond limits
Thursday, April 23: Some nights, you walk into a jazz show expecting cocktails and polite solos — April 23 at The Sofia isn’t one of those nights. LabRats, Sacramento’s forward‑thinking quartet of multi‑instrumentalists, hit the stage with a mix of jazz, hip‑hop and experimental sounds. Over the past few years, they’ve captivated local audiences with syncopated drums, textured synths and bold improvisation. The group has built a reputation in the city’s music scene for their adventurous, genre‑blending approach.
Drummer and bandleader Jacob Swedlow anchors the ensemble, while Miguel Recendez lays down groove‑heavy bass and synth lines. Zach Martin expands the sound palette on lead guitar, and Joey Archie shifts seamlessly between lush harmonies and improvisational flights, creating a dynamic sonic landscape. Joining them for the night is Jacam Manricks, the Australian-born alto saxophonist and composer. With a doctorate in musical arts and extensive experience performing and collaborating in New York’s jazz community, Manricks adds depth and improvisational mastery to the ensemble’s performance. Expect a night of energetic, exploratory music — a celebration of improvisation, collaboration and Sacramento’s vibrant jazz scene. The Sofia, Home of the B Street Theatre, 2700 Capitol Ave.; 6:30 p.m. and 8 p.m. show times; $35; all ages.
Culture
Historias in focus
Friday, April 3-Friday, May 29: “Estamos Aquí” at Casa de Español is a powerful community photography and storytelling exhibition celebrating identity, heritage and presence within Sacramento’s Latino community. Each photograph is paired with a personal story, offering insight into lived experiences shaped by culture, memory, migration and belonging.
Together, the works create a collective narrative that honors both individual voices and shared histories. Visitors can walk through the exhibit, reflect on the stories and connect with the depth and diversity of the community. The opening coincides with the monthly First Friday artisan market, featuring local art, music and, of course, food. The exhibit is part of Photography Month and also supports NorCal Resist, providing legal defense and resources for immigrant communities. Photographers include Janine Mapurunga, Jorge Quintana, Esti Sánchez, Tomás Montoya and more. Casa de Español, 1101 R St.; 6 p.m.-9 p.m.; free; all ages.
Rebels with a cause
Saturday, April 11: “Royal Chicano Air Force’s Graphic Legacy: A Symposium” shines a spotlight on one of Sacramento’s most influential artist collectives. Since forming in 1970, the RCAF has fused visual art, activism and community engagement using murals, prints, posters and public projects to amplify Chicano voices and cultural identity. Their work is both political and celebratory, rooted in social justice but alive with color, humor and bold design.
This symposium brings together artists, scholars and members of the collective for a day of presentations, panel discussions, film screenings, conversations and more. Attendees can explore how the RCAF used graphic arts to document and shape history, support grassroots movements and create a visual language that resonated across communities. Framed by the exhibition “Rebels With La Causa: Royal Chicano Air Force Art and Activism, 1970-1990,” the event offers an immersive look at the collective’s lasting influence. From the vibrancy of their prints to the energy of their murals, the RCAF’s work continues to inspire contemporary artists and activists alike. This is a chance to experience the legacy of a group that didn’t just make art, they built a community, challenged conventions and helped define Sacramento’s creative and cultural landscape. The Crocker Art Museum, 216 O St.; 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; $10-$40; all ages.
Raise your stein!
Saturday, April 18: Prost! The Sacramento Turn Verein’s 56th Annual Bockbierfest is back, celebrating authentic German Bockbier imported from Germany, hearty traditional foods and festive fun. Savor currywurst, specialty desserts from the Kaffeehaus and a variety of German favorites while enjoying three stages of music — The Gruber Family Band in the Main Hall, the Alpenmeisters in the outdoor Biergarten and AKAlive! upstairs in the Banquet Hall.
Don’t miss performances of traditional German dances by the Alpentänzer Schuhplattler. This year’s celebration is extra special as the Turn Verein marks 100 years in its historic building. Kid admission is just $5. Raise a stein and join the ultimate Bockbier celebration! Sacramento Turn Verein, 3349 J St.; 3 p.m.-11 p.m.; $25 in advance, $30 at the door; all ages.
Bookworms, unite!
Sunday, April 19: The Sacramento Book Festival is back and bigger than ever, celebrating the joy of reading and writing. Now in its 26th year, the festival brings together more than 200 authors across genres — from mystery and sci-fi to romance, historical fiction and poetry — alongside eight local bookstores. Visitors can explore panels, book signings, interactive sessions, and the kids’ zone, plus enjoy live Street Reads outside.
Food trucks and coffee vendors will keep festivalgoers fueled while a passport prize hunt offers chances to win theater tickets, dinner out on the town and more. Whether you’re meeting your favorite authors, discovering new voices or enjoying hands-on activities with the family, this is a day-long literary celebration for the books. Scottish Rite Masonic Center, 6151 H St.; 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; 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 Capital Public Radio, Hmong Daily News, Russian America Media, Sacramento Business Journal, Sacramento News & Review and Sacramento Observer. Sign up for our “Sac Art Pulse” newsletter here.
