Where Can I see Live Bluegrass in San Diego?

Bluegrass music at Duck Foot Brewery in Miramar.

You’re in luck, because there’s lots of great live bluegrass in San Diego. Here’s a quick rundown of only some:

Duck Foot Brewery in Leucadia and Miramar

• Leucadia every Monday evening from 6:30-8:30pm. Details here: Duck Foot Leucadia
• Miramar every 2nd Monday evening 6:30-9 pm and every 4^th Sunday 1-3pm. Details here: San Diego Bluegrass Society (SDBS) Official Site

Thursday Night Pickers: Every Thursday from 6-8:30pm. Roundtable Pizza in Encinitas. Details here: Thursday Night Pickers | Facebook

First Tuesday in Escondido at the Roundtable Pizza . Details here: North County Bluegrass & Folk Club | Bluegrass Music

There are also special events held by:

• The San Diego Bluegrass Society including concerts in a number of libraries, special concerts, and more. Details here: San Diego Bluegrass Society (SDBS) Official Site.
• The NCBFC also holds special concerts and events, including a bluegrass campout. Details here: North County Bluegrass & Folk Club | Bluegrass Music
• Likewise, San Diego Folk Heritage holds occasional bluegrass events. Details here: San Diego Folk Heritage – non-profit organization dedicated to preserving and promoting the folk arts in Southern California
• Bluegrass Day at the Fair jointly presented by the SDBS and NCBFC and the San Diego County Fair. This year’s event will be held Sunday July 5, 2026 from 11am to 5pm featuring bands, a band scramble open to all, and more.
• Summergrass is a three-day bluegrass festival in Vista, held from August 14-16, 2026 with camping, concerts, jamming, and lots more. Details here: Summergrass San Diego Bluegrass Festival – The best of bluegrass in the heart of San Diego County
• Emma’s Gut Bucket Band, sponsored by the SDBS meets every Friday from 11am-1pm at Mission Bay RV Park. Details here: San Diego Bluegrass Society (SDBS) Official Site

If you know you already love bluegrass music, we hope you will find time to attend one or more of these events. You will be welcomed and rewarded! If you are new to bluegrass but curious, check one or more of these activities. You will find yourself having fun and welcomed by the bluegrass community.

What Instruments are welcome at these bluegrass music jam sessions?
Here are the core instruments that are always welcome:

• Acoustic guitar
• Mandolin
• Fiddle
• Bass
• Banjo
• Dobro

Here are some instruments that may be welcome in some jams, but not in others. Ask if you are not sure before joining in:

• Dulcimer
• Harmonica
• Cello
• Viola
• Accordions of all types
• Spoons

Here are some instruments usually not appropriate for a bluegrass jam:

• Drums
• Electric guitars (except bass)
• Wind instruments (except maybe penny whistle)
• Pianos

I hope this outline is helpful in motivating you to get out there and join in the fun of jamming or if you are not a player, just listening to local bluegrass music. You won’t regret it!

Dwight Worden, who has been writing a bluegrass column for the Troubadour since its beginning, plays guitar, fiddle, mandolin, and bass and is active in several bluegrass bands. He is a board member of the San Diego Bluegrass Society, a prior board member of the International Bluegrass Music Association, a recovering lawyer, a Del Mar council member for 10 years, and mayor of the City of Del Mar for two years.