Aftershock Festival
Are you ready for three days of music and fun? The Aftershock Festival in Sacramento waits for no one. Plan your RV trip and book your tickets today.
Event information
Aftershock Festival returned to Discovery Park in Sacramento for its 13th year on October 2-5, 2025, establishing itself as the West Coast's largest rock and metal music celebration. This four-day event features 115+ bands across multiple stages, drawing over 160,000 attendees annually from all 50 states and 30+ countries. Running Thursday through Sunday with gates opening between 11 AM and 12 PM daily, the all-ages festival showcases legendary headliners alongside emerging artists in a 302-acre riverside setting adjacent to I-5. No onsite camping is available, but Sacramento's extensive RV park network and convenient Park & Ride shuttle system from Cal Expo make festival attendance seamless for RV travelers. Whether you're securing a full-hookup site minutes from the venue or combining your festival weekend with Northern California exploration, an RV rental transforms Aftershock into the ultimate rock 'n' roll road trip.
What is Aftershock Festival?
Aftershock Festival is the West Coast's largest rock and metal music celebration, featuring over 115 bands performing across four days and multiple stages at Discovery Park in Sacramento. Since its inception in 2012, the festival has grown from a single-day event into a multi-day rock pilgrimage that attracts devoted fans from across the globe.
The festival takes place at Discovery Park, where the American River meets the Sacramento River in this beautiful 302-acre riverside setting located adjacent to I-5 in downtown Sacramento. Multiple stages host performances throughout each day, creating an immersive experience where music lovers can discover everything from legendary pioneers who defined rock and metal to cutting-edge underground acts pushing genre boundaries.
Beyond the music, Aftershock features food vendors, beverage stations, art installations, and a marketplace where fans can purchase official merchandise. The festival provides complimentary water refill stations throughout the grounds, encouraging fans to bring empty refillable bottles to stay hydrated during the multi-day event.
For Sacramento-area festival-goers, explore Sacramento RV rentals perfect for your Aftershock adventure, or browse Rancho Cordova RV rentals just minutes from Discovery Park.
When and Where is Aftershock Festival Held?
- Dates: October every year
- Location: Discovery Park, 1000 Garden Highway, Sacramento, CA 95833
- Gates: Open between 11:00 AM and 12:00 PM daily
- Final Sets: Around 10:30 - 11:00 PM nightly
- Attendance: 160,000+ visitors annually across all days
- Age: All ages welcome (every person needs a full-price ticket)
Fans can enter the festival on the north side of Discovery Park at the Garden Highway entrance or via the Jibboom Street entrance from the south.
Tickets
How Much Does Aftershock Festival Cost?
Pass options include 4-Day General Admission, Single Day GA, 4-Day VIP, Single Day VIP, and the premium Capital Club SVIP experience. Pricing follows a tiered system where early purchasers secure the lowest rates, with prices increasing as the event approaches.
Festival passes can be purchased online via Front Gate Tickets or through Jampack hotel + admission bundles. Military personnel, nurses, firefighters, and police can check GOVX for exclusively-priced passes in limited quantities.
Payment plans are available, allowing you to lock in passes with just $10 down and pay over time. If you miss a payment, you'll have up to a 30-day grace period before your order faces cancellation with a non-refundable $100 fee plus $10 termination fee.
Visit the official Aftershock Festival tickets page for current pricing.
How Do I Rent an RV Near Sacramento for the Festival?
Sacramento serves as an ideal hub for RV rentals, offering everything from compact campervans perfect for couples to spacious Class A motorhomes ideal for larger groups attending the festival together.
Most Sacramento RV rental locations sit strategically positioned within 10-20 minutes of both Sacramento International Airport and Discovery Park, with convenient access via I-5 and Highway 50. This means you can fly in, pick up your RV, and be at your campground or the festival grounds within an hour.
For maximum festival convenience, consider West Sacramento RV rentals or Folsom RV rentals, both offering quick highway access to Discovery Park. Roseville RV rentals provide another excellent option just north of the festival.
RV Type Recommendations for Aftershock:
Camper vans and Class B RVs offer excellent maneuverability for navigating Sacramento's urban RV parks while providing comfortable sleeping quarters for couples or small groups.
Travel trailers work wonderfully for festival-goers who want to detach their tow vehicle and drive separately to Discovery Park each day, saving fuel and parking hassle.
Explore Aftershock Festival RV Rentals
Transportation
Driving
Discovery Park is located where the American River meets the Sacramento River, adjacent to I-5 in downtown Sacramento, making it easily accessible from multiple directions. From the north, take I-5 South to the Richards Boulevard exit. From the south, use I-5 North to the same exit. Highway 50 provides convenient access from the east through the Eldorado National Forest.
Park & Ride Shuttle Service
The most convenient way to reach Discovery Park for Aftershock is the Park & Ride Shuttle program operating from Cal Expo at 1600 Exposition Boulevard. Each Park & Ride Shuttle Pass includes free parking for your vehicle at Cal Expo and nonstop shuttle service to and from the festival site.
Shuttles begin service approximately 60 minutes before gate opening time each day and run continuously throughout the day, with limited service between 5:30-8:30 PM on Thursday and Sunday, and 6:30-9:30 PM on Friday and Saturday. Service continues approximately 75 minutes after the festival ends each night. Accessible shuttle services are available at all times for paid pass holders.
Park & Ride Shuttle Passes are sold for single days or the full weekend. Purchase yours here.
Parking areas
Park & Ride Shuttle Service
The most convenient way to reach Discovery Park for Aftershock is the Park & Ride Shuttle program operating from Cal Expo at 1600 Exposition Boulevard. Each Park & Ride Shuttle Pass includes free parking for your vehicle at Cal Expo and nonstop shuttle service to and from the festival site.
Shuttles begin service approximately 60 minutes before gate opening time each day and run continuously throughout the day, with limited service between 5:30-8:30 PM on Thursday and Sunday, and 6:30-9:30 PM on Friday and Saturday. Service continues approximately 75 minutes after the festival ends each night. Accessible shuttle services are available at all times for paid pass holders.
Park & Ride Shuttle Passes are sold for single days or the full weekend. Purchase yours here.
Parking
With the exception of ADA parking, there is no parking on-site at Aftershock. Limited paid parking in designated lots surrounding the park is available in advance and on a day-of-show until sold out. Lots are accessible via Truxel Road & Mill Creek Drive or West El Camino Avenue & Natomas Park Drive intersections—approximately a 20-minute walk to the festival.
Important: All lots open at 10 AM daily. The festival does not manage these lots, and all parking is at your own risk. Overnight parking is prohibited.
Due to pedestrian traffic egress at the end of each event, vehicles parked in the accessible lot will be held in place until pedestrian traffic clears—potentially up to 45 minutes after the festival ends.
Public Transportation
SacRT light rail offers convenient travel to and from downtown Sacramento. The system operates 53 light rail stations and 21 park-and-ride lots across a 43-mile service area, with trains running every 15 minutes during peak hours and every 30 minutes off-peak.
SacRT provides supplemental bus service from downtown Sacramento (8th and K bus stop) to Discovery Park, dropping off on Jibboom Street near the south entrance. Return service operates at the same location, with the last bus departing approximately one hour after the scheduled concert end each night.
Bicycle
Discovery Park sits along the Jedediah Smith Bike Trail, making cycling to the festival fun, convenient, and encouraged. Aftershock partners with Sacramento Area Bicycle Advocates to provide a complimentary bike valet onsite, accepting all active transportation vehicles, including bikes, skateboards, and scooters. The valet opens approximately 90 minutes before the gates each day.
Where to stay
Onsite
Camping is prohibited in all areas of Discovery Park. RV travelers must secure accommodations at nearby campgrounds and RV parks.
Nearby
Sacramento's well-established RV infrastructure ensures comfortable stays with convenient festival access. Several excellent options sit within 10-20 minutes of Discovery Park:
Sac-West RV Park and Campground is situated in Yolo County on Sacramento's western edge. The campground is easily accessed from the highway and offers a peaceful setting near historical and cultural attractions. Amenities include laundry facilities, free cable & Wi-Fi, a heated swimming pool, and a recreation room. Pet-friendly sites welcome your four-legged festival companions.
American River Resort welcomes visitors on the banks of the American River near Sacramento. Located in the heart of historic Gold Rush country, the resort offers 30-amp electrical service, full hookup sites with easy access to hiking trails and river excursions. On-site restroom and shower houses provide modern conveniences.
Placerville KOA sits between the Sacramento Valley and the scenic Sierra Nevada mountains, about 45 minutes east of Discovery Park. This location gives you opportunities to explore California's Gold Country, the American River, and Old Town Sacramento between festival days. The KOA offers full amenities and is ideal for extended stays, combining festival attendance with regional exploration.
Coloma Resort features family-friendly amenities, including a swimming pool, children's playground, fishing, and rafting opportunities. The resort provides water and electric hookups at every site, with sewer connections available. Wi-Fi access throughout the park, plus an on-site cafe and general store, make extended stays comfortable.
For additional camping options, explore our comprehensive guide to RV parks and campgrounds near Sacramento.
Getting around
You'll spend considerable time on your feet throughout the festival days. Wear comfortable, broken-in shoes and dress in layers for Sacramento's October weather. Wheelchair-accessible pathways are provided throughout the grounds, though some areas may be grass or dirt-covered, which can be challenging to navigate, especially if it rains.
What to pack
Clothing
October in Sacramento typically brings ideal festival weather, but conditions can vary significantly between day and night. Dress for daytime temperatures around 75-80°F and cool evenings near 55-60°F. Layer your clothing so you can adjust throughout the day.
The festival is rain-or-shine, though severe weather, including thunderstorms, lightning, excessive wind, hail, or flooding, may pause, evacuate, or cancel the event as directed by local emergency personnel.
Festival fashion runs the gamut from casual tees and shorts to full rock regalia—band shirts, leather jackets, and festival merch are all common sights. Comfortable, closed-toe shoes are essential for standing and walking all day.
Gear
What You Can Bring
Permitted items include one factory-sealed bottle of water (20 oz max) or one empty plastic refillable water bottle (no metal or glass like Hydroflasks or Yetis), sunscreen, light blankets, and towels.
Note: Blankets won't be permitted in certain festival areas for safety reasons.
Prohibited Items
Outside food and beverages, pets, lawn chairs, and weapons are not permitted. All entrances feature metal detectors, so arrive early to allow extra screening time. The festival does not provide storage for prohibited items.
Health & Safety
Protect yourself from the October sun with SPF 30+ sunscreen—reapply every two hours. Free water refill stations are located throughout the festival grounds, so bring an empty refillable bottle and stay hydrated. Pack any necessary medications with proper documentation (ID, prescription, doctor's note for medical food requirements).
Where to eat
Cooking
Campgrounds in the Sacramento area typically allow portable grills. You can also prepare meals using your RV's kitchen appliances. Convenience stores and full-service grocery stores sit within a few miles of most RV parks, making it easy to stock up on supplies.
Restaurants
Sacramento's renowned farm-to-table restaurant scene offers incredible dining options throughout the city. The capital city is packed with diverse cuisines, from casual eateries near the festival to fine dining establishments downtown.
Old Sacramento, just minutes from Discovery Park, features numerous restaurants with river views and historic ambiance. The Midtown district offers trendy cafes, breweries, and international cuisine perfect for pre-festival meals or post-show wind-downs.
Vendors
Expect a wide selection of food vendors throughout the festival grounds offering everything from classic festival fare to specialized dietary options. Beer and cocktails are available for guests 21+ with a valid ID. Cashless payment systems typically operate, though some vendors may accept cash.
Safety
Security
Elevated security measures are in place for Aftershock, with metal detectors at all entrances. Carefully check the list of prohibited items and arrive very early to allow extra time for screening. Security personnel conduct bag checks at entrances and patrol the grounds throughout the event.
Secure valuables in your RV rather than bringing them to the festival. The event is not responsible for lost or stolen property.
Weather
Aftershock is a rain-or-shine outdoor event. The festival may be paused, evacuated, or canceled due to inclement weather, including severe thunderstorms, lightning in the festival radius, excessive wind, hail, flooding, or as directed by local emergency personnel.
October weather in Sacramento typically brings warm, sunny days with cooler evenings. Review the Health & Safety page before attending to prepare for potential weather-related safety protocols.
Medical
First aid stations are located throughout the festival venue, staffed by medical professionals ready to provide assistance. Info Booths and Access Centers are positioned near the main entrance, providing information and accommodations, including a space for breastfeeding mothers.
For serious emergencies, Sacramento hospitals are located within a short drive of Discovery Park.
