Magic in the Mojave

Joshua Tree Music Festival Returns to the High Desert May 16-19

The desert comes alive at Joshua Tree Music Festival. (Joshua Avanzato)

As a music fan and journalist, I’ve been fortunate to attend (and frequently cover) many music festivals, particularly those near San Diego. I’ve been to Coachella, Bottlerock, Outside Lands, Austin City Limits and, of course, Wonderfront and KAABOO (which is expected to return to the Del Mar Fairgrounds this September).

While I still have Lollapalooza, Bonnaroo, and others on my bucket list, there’s one fest in the Mojave Desert I’ve had my eye on for years, and I look forward to attending for the first time when it returns for its twenty-second spring fling May 16-19.

If you live in Southern California, you may have heard of it, but perhaps never attended. If in another state, chances are you’ve never been and likely know little about it. And yet, the Joshua Tree Music Festival – an eclectic, immersive music, art, and community event held just outside the otherworldly Joshua Tree National Park – was recently recognized by USA Today as the No. 1 music festival in the nation.