THE STORY OF REDDING ROOTS REVIVAL: MUSIC, COMMUNITY, AND DOWNTOWN REDDING
Downtown Redding will ring with guitars, harmonies, and the buzz of community as the Redding Roots Revival Music Festival returns September 26–28, 2025.
Now in its sixth year, this homegrown event has become a cornerstone of the Redding Cultural District, offering three days of live music, local food, and the contagious energy of downtown.
From Local Hospitality to Thriving Music Festival
The story begins in 2008, when Janis Logan, owner of what is now Vintage Public House, started booking traveling musicians who needed a stop between gigs.
Knowing the musicians would need a welcoming place to stay, Janis connected with Janelle Pierson, who opened her bed and breakfast to them and made sure they felt right at home.
“We became like moms to these musicians,” Janelle recalls. “We fed them, gave them a place to rest, and treated them like family. They loved coming through Redding because they felt cared for.”
That spirit of hospitality became the foundation for something bigger.
Inspired by the Sisters Folk Festival in Oregon, and with the help of Pete Angwin of The Oaksong Society for Preservation of Way Cool Music and local musician Jonathan Foster, Janis and Janelle launched the first Redding Roots Revival in 2019.
Growing with Downtown Redding
The early festivals were intimate, featuring a couple of stages and about 15 acts. Even during the pandemic years, organizers found ways to keep the tradition alive. As downtown Redding has evolved with new gathering spaces and a revitalized cultural district, the festival has grown alongside it.
In 2025, Redding Roots Revival presents 19 regional and national artists across three stages: Whistle Stop Park, The Paseo, and the Cascade Theatre. What began as a grassroots idea has become a downtown tradition, bringing original voices and passionate performances to the heart of the city.
What to Expect at Redding Roots Revival in 2025
Redding Roots Revival continues to evolve each year, and 2025 brings new experiences alongside returning favorites.
Here’s what festivalgoers can look forward to:
- Three stages of live music featuring 19 acts from near and far
- Local food and drink, with food trucks on site and the option to grab takeout from downtown restaurants to enjoy inside the festival
- The return of Folkin’ Haze, a special festival brew created with Woody’s Brewing Co.
- Free face painting and family-friendly activities throughout the weekend
- Community Day on Sunday, highlighting local bands with $10 admission at the gate
- VIP access with shaded lounge seating, a specialty cocktail, swag bag, and an exclusive after-party at The Dip
- Affordable pricing with free admission for kids 10 and under and discounted teen tickets
[ GET YOUR REDDING ROOTS REVIVAL TICKETS TODAY ]
A Music Festival with Purpose
From the beginning, Redding Roots Revival has been about more than music.
It’s about connection, culture, and giving musicians and audiences a platform to share something real.
“These are original musicians with stories to tell,” Janelle explains. “They bring passion to the stage, and that energy inspires our whole community.”
Keeping Redding Roots Revival Green
At Redding Roots Revival, music and community care go hand in hand.
Thanks to the festival’s Green Team, reusable steel cups were introduced in 2024 to reduce single-use waste.
That effort continues in 2025, with souvenir cups for beverage purchases that double as keepsakes and reduce trash.
Making Redding Roots Revival Accessible for All
Redding Roots Revival is committed to being accessible and welcoming to everyone:
- All three stages are within a two-block radius of each other, with accessible restrooms available at every venue.
- Wheelchairs, power wheelchairs, and scooters are welcome (although the festival does not provide rentals or golf cart rides).
- Service animals are permitted.
- Volunteers in blue shirts are available at each venue entrance to assist with seating and access.
- Accessible parking is available on city streets and in the downtown garage.
Guests with questions can reach the festival team at [email protected].
The Heart of Redding Roots
With affordable pricing, a lineup of passionate musicians, and deep ties to downtown businesses, Redding Roots Revival has evolved into more than just an event.
It’s a gathering that reflects Redding’s identity: a community that values hospitality, celebrates originality, and believes in the power of music to bring people together.