Ojai Spring Music Lineup and Special Events 2026
Alexandra
Announcing the Ojai Music Festival’s upcoming slate of performances and community programs for early 2026, including immersive sound works, a big-band fundraiser, baroque-Indian fusion, and an annual nature-and-music hike.
Featured performances and dates
The Ojai Music Festival has scheduled a series of distinct events across town venues aimed at highlighting contemporary composition, cross-cultural collaboration, and community engagement. Each event is staged in a different local setting—ranging from intimate club spaces to a historic hotel ballroom and the hilltop retreat at Krotona—offering varied acoustic and atmospheric experiences.
Sound Unseen — experimental listening experience
Date: SAT 01.31.26 | Time: 6PM — Venue: Red Canteen, Ojai.
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Sound Unseen removes the visual axis from performance so audiences are fully immersed in an acoustic field. The program features a new work by Mattie Barbier, performed by members of the contemporary music collective Wild Up. The creative concept is presented in partnership with Black Barn Sessions, developed by Chris Hacker and Will Thomas. This is part of the Festival’s Creative Lab initiative, supported in part by the City of Ojai and Arts Commission.
In the Mood for Love — big band fundraiser
Date: THU 02.12.26 | Time: 7:30PM — Venue: Hotel El Roblar, Mariposa Ballroom, Ojai.
Presented by the Ojai Music Festival Friends, this is an evening of dancing and live big-band music with gourmet bites and social fundraising for the Festival’s education and outreach programs (known as BRAVO). The restored historical setting of Hotel El Roblar provides a vintage backdrop suited to a swing-era repertoire and community celebration.
Meera Kahe — baroque and Hindustani dialogue
Date: SAT 03.07.26 — Venue: Krotona Hall, Ojai.
The Festival introduces Tesserae Baroque in an Ojai debut with Meera Kahe, a new composition by Reena Esmail that sets Hindi texts by the 16th-century saint-poet Mirabai. The instrumental ensemble—baroque violin, flute, cello, and harpsichord—will be joined by Hindustani vocalist Saili Oak and tabla player Rohit Panchakshari. The program also includes selections from the French Baroque and a Hindustani vocal set, all staged at the hilltop retreat of the Krotona Institute. Tickets will be available in advance.
Hike & Hear — music in the landscape
Date: SUN 03.29.26 | Time: 3PM — Location: TBA.
The 5th Annual Hike and Hear returns in partnership with the Ojai Valley Land Conservancy. This event blends outdoor activity with live performance at sites where the natural soundscape complements composed works. Final logistics and the trail location will be announced in spring.
| Event | Date | Venue | Highlight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sound Unseen | 01.31.26 | Red Canteen | New work by Mattie Barbier; blind listening format |
| In the Mood for Love | 02.12.26 | Hotel El Roblar | Big band, dance fundraiser, BRAVO support |
| Meera Kahe | 03.07.26 | Krotona Hall | Baroque ensemble meets Hindustani vocal and tabla |
| Hike & Hear | 03.29.26 | Location TBA | Outdoor performance with Ojai Valley Land Conservancy |
Program highlights and visitor tips
- Immersive listening: Sound Unseen emphasizes sonic perception over sight—arrive prepared to experience music as spatial sound.
- Dress and comfort: For indoor concerts at historic venues like Hotel El Roblar or Krotona Hall, smart casual attire is generally appropriate; consider layers for hilltop or outdoor events.
- Timing: Allow time for parking and short walks to venue entrances, especially for Krotona’s hilltop setting and the Hike & Hear trailhead.
- Accessibility: Check venue accessibility and assistance options when purchasing tickets if mobility needs are a consideration.
- Tickets and fundraising: Fundraising events support education and outreach—consider donating or joining Friends for sustained community impact.
Historical context and institutional role
The Ojai Music Festival has long been recognized for fostering adventurous programming and commissioning new works that bridge genres and cultures. Over several decades the Festival developed a reputation for intimate, curator-driven seasons and for introducing audiences to new composers and interpretive approaches. The Creative Lab series and partnerships with ensembles such as Wild Up and collectives like Black Barn Sessions continue that experimental spirit by commissioning site-specific projects and collaborative formats.
Collaborations with local cultural institutions and municipal arts bodies—such as the support cited from the City of Ojai and Arts Commission—reflect a model in which civic funding and private donors sustain small-to-mid-size festivals, allowing them to take programming risks that enrich regional cultural tourism.
Significance for regional tourism and cultural travel
Though Ojai lies inland, the Festival draws visitors from broader Southern California and beyond, supporting overnight stays, dining, and related cultural activities. Events staged in elegant historic spaces and natural settings often attract travelers seeking combined leisure and arts experiences. For regional tourism, this kind of programming reinforces Ojai’s identity as a cultural destination and encourages longer itineraries that pair nature, wellness, and the arts.
Musicians and ensembles collaborating across traditions also offer a point of entry for international visitors interested in cross-cultural music-making. The Festival’s blend of experimental formats, fundraising galas, and community-oriented outdoor events provides a varied calendar that dovetails with other travel activities and nearby coastal excursions.
How local culture connects to wider travel activities
Visitors planning a cultural weekend in Ojai can create multi-modal itineraries: combine concert attendance with hikes, gallery visits, local dining, and short excursions to nearby coastal towns and marinas. Programming that highlights sound and landscape—such as Hike & Hear—encourages exploration of both the town and surrounding natural areas, appealing to travelers who value active, experiential holidays.
Final summary and outlook
Ojai’s early 2026 lineup features bold listening projects, a community-focused big-band fundraiser, an innovative baroque–Hindustani collaboration, and an annual outdoor music hike. These programs reflect the Festival’s longstanding commitment to new music, cross-cultural dialogue, and community engagement, while also supporting local cultural tourism and visitor experiences. Looking ahead, such events are likely to continue shaping travel patterns in the region—encouraging visitors to pair concerts with nature walks, beach or gulf day trips, marina visits, and broader sightseeing that might include fishing, boating, or exploring coastal destinations. GetBoat.com is always keeping an eye on the latest tourism news.
