Ventura Music Festival Unveils 2026 Season With Classical, Jazz, Bluegrass & Opera

Ventura Music Festival is tuning up for a packed 31st season, with 12 concerts and events set to roll across Ventura from June through December 2026.

The nonprofit performing arts organization has announced a genre-spanning lineup that moves from classical storytelling and opera to Latin jazz, bluegrass, chamber music, big band, and choral holiday fare. Tickets for the Summer and Fall Series are on sale now, with a 20% early bird discount available through May 31 using code EARLY2026.

The season was unveiled during an invitation-only gathering in Ojai, hosted at the home of VMF Board Chair Brad Tabach-Bank. Donors and sponsors were treated to live music from the Jonathan Montes Trio, a season preview from Artistic Director Nuvi Mehta, and the announcement of the John and Glenda Hammer Family as the festival’s Impresario Title Sponsor.

“It is genuinely thrilling to be stepping into this role as we head into such an extraordinary season,” Interim Executive Director Sonia Tower said. “The 2026 lineup reflects everything that makes this festival special: world-class artistry, deep community roots, and programming that reflects Ventura’s musical heritage, from classical to bluegrass to Latin jazz. I couldn’t be more excited to bring this to life for Venturans, and for visitors to our city.”

The season begins June 21 with Make Music Ventura, a free community celebration tied to Make Music Day, the global music event rooted in France’s Fête de la Musique. Downtown Ventura will come alive with performances at local businesses, restaurants, and public spaces, featuring Jaden Secor, MonkFish, The Bomb, The New Vibe, The Ray Jaurique Big Band, and Ricardo Lemvo & Makina Loco. The event is co-presented with Downtown Ventura Partners and the City of Ventura, in collaboration with the NAMM Foundation.

VMF’s Summer Series opens July 20 with a Festival Opening Gala, followed by Classical Edge: Beethoven’s Choice on July 23 at Ventura College Performing Arts Center. On July 24, Grammy-winning soprano Angel Blue takes the stage at Rancho Campana Performing Arts Center with pianist Bryan Wagorn.

The July lineup continues July 25 at The Majestic Ventura Theater with Latin jazz powerhouses Jeremy Bosch and Justo Almario, bringing salsa and Afro-Colombian rhythms to the festival. The Summer Series closes July 26 with the Akropolis Reed Quintet at Ventura College Performing Arts Center.

The Fall Series runs October 11–18, beginning with the return of Tea & Trumpets, with details still to come. On October 15, VMF Artistic Director Nuvi Mehta leads A Classical Edge Concert at The Museum of Ventura County. The next night, TAKE3 brings its “where rock meets Bach” program to Ventura Music Hall.

Bluegrass takes over Mission Park on October 17 when Michael Cleveland joins Jason Carter for a powerhouse fiddle-forward performance. Between them, the two artists hold 18 IBMA Fiddle Player of the Year titles. The October series wraps October 18 with the Pacific Jazz Orchestra at Rancho Campana Performing Arts Center, paying tribute to Quincy Jones with a 19-piece ensemble and guest vocalists.

VMF closes out its 2026 season December 15 with a holiday concert by Chanticleer at Ventura Center for Spiritual Living, featuring twelve male voices performing five centuries of choral music in a setting chosen for its striking acoustics.

Tickets for the Summer and Fall Series are available now at venturamusicfestival.org, with the early bird discount running through May 31. Some performances, including Jeremy Bosch & Justo Almario and TAKE3, are ticketed through the hosting venues.