Aftershock Festival
Aftershock Festival began in 2012 as a single-day hard rock show in Sacramento, California, headlined by Stone Temple Pilots and Deftones. Produced by Danny Wimmer Presents, it has since grown into the West Coast’s largest rock, punk and metal festival, expanding from one day to a full four-day takeover and now drawing well over 160,000 fans from all 50 states and dozens of countries each year.Held annually each fall at Discovery Park, a 302-acre riverside park where the American and Sacramento Rivers meet, Aftershock spreads more than 100 bands across five stages, mixing legacy metal acts with modern radio rock, hardcore, nu-metal, emo and punk on a single bill.
Rock & Metal Festival Highlights:
- Five Stages, One Riverside Park: Discovery Park’s open grounds host simultaneous sets ranging from arena-scale headliners to up-and-coming punk and hardcore acts.
- Genre-Spanning Lineup: the bill runs from decades-old metal institutions to today’s nu-metal, emo and hard rock names, giving fans of different eras a shared weekend.
- Capital Club & VIP Upgrades: elevated viewing areas, dedicated bars and re-entry privileges are available for fans who want a more comfortable festival experience.
- On-Site Camping at Cal Expo: car-and-tent and RV camping (with power hookups) is offered nearby, complete with shuttle service to Discovery Park and a Wednesday-night pre-party.
Tips for Visitors & Trip Planning:
- Tickets: General Admission, Single-Day and Capital Club SVIP passes are sold in advance, with hotel-and-ticket packages also available for out-of-town fans.
- Security & Bag Policy: expect elevated security screening at the gates, so arrive early and check the festival’s current prohibited-items list before packing.
- Getting There: Discovery Park sits just off I-5 in downtown Sacramento; festival camping at Cal Expo runs on a dedicated shuttle, while day visitors typically rideshare or drive in.
- What to Wear: October afternoons in Sacramento can still run warm, so pack non-aerosol sunscreen, a hat and sunglasses, with earplugs recommended for anyone spending the day near the stages.
- Accommodation: hotel rooms across Sacramento book out fast for festival weekend, so booking well in advance is strongly recommended.
- Explore Sacramento: Old Sacramento’s Gold Rush-era waterfront, the State Capitol and the American River Trail are all a short trip from Discovery Park — browse top Sacramento tours and activities here.
Full lineup, stage times and camping details are published on the festival’s own site closer to the event. See details below, under “Event Related Information” section.
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