GoldenSky Festival Cancels 2025 Event, Plans 2026 Return

The GoldenSky Country Music Festival in Sacramento will not take place in 2025, as organizers announced a one-year hiatus after three successful years of the event. Visit Sacramento's CEO Mike Testa stated that the decision aims to allow for a more significant and improved festival experience in 2026, as the festival has faced challenges in securing top-tier talent amidst a saturated market for country music festivals. The festival previously drew approximately 60,000 attendees and contributed nearly $10 million to the local economy each year. Organizers expressed disappointment over the hiatus but emphasized their commitment to returning with a festival that has been two years in the making. Despite the cancellation, they reassured fans that this pause is not a goodbye but rather a temporary break before a more ambitious comeback. The Aftershock Festival will proceed as planned in October 2025, highlighting the competitive landscape of live music events in the region.