Since its inception, the Ojai Music Festival has invited engaged and curious audiences to experience the performing arts in a picturesque setting, featuring distinguished soloists, prominent chamber ensembles, and world-class orchestras along with artists in dance, theater, and more.
For eight decades, the Ojai Music Festival has delivered adventurous programming that embraces and celebrates artistic experimentation and freedom for curious audiences seeking thought-provoking musical experiences enhanced by the natural beauty of Ojai, California, located 80 miles from Los Angeles.
Each year, festival organizers appoint a different music director to formulate the programming. Past directors include an impressive list of artists, most recently Mitsuko Uchida, Rhiannon Giddens, American Modern Opera Company, Vijay Iyer, Patricia Kopatchinskaja, and Barbara Hannigan. Other notable directors throughout the years included Aaron Copland, Igor Stravinsky, Michael Tilson Thomas, Kent Nagano, Pierre Boulez, John Adams, Robert Spano, Pierre-Laurent Aimard, David Robertson, Eighth Blackbird, George Benjamin, Dawn Upshaw, Leif Ove Andsnes, Mark Morris, Jeremy Denk, Steven Schick, Matthias Pintscher, and Peter Sellars. This year marks Esa-Pekka Salonen’s third time as music director. Salonen is head of the Colburn Conservatory’s Negaunee Conducting Program and Maestro Ernst H. Katz Chair of Conducting Studies
Bringing in a new director’s perspective each year keeps the musical offerings unique, showcasing multiple genres from jazz and improvisation to electronics and computers as well as legendary repertory and new voices in classical music. What’s been true year after year is that directors invite distinguished soloists, prominent chamber ensembles, and world-class orchestras to perform. There’s also a tradition of incorporating other forms of the performing arts, such as dance, theater, and experimental staging.
Patrons attending the 2026 Ojai Music Festival, June 11–14, will enjoy concerts at the Libbey Bowl spotlighting several premieres by Salonen and Adams’s Iron Jig with the Attacca Quartet. Symposia, free community events, and social gatherings will take place at sites “Beyond the Bowl.” Audiences worldwide also can enjoy the musical offerings through livestreaming and broadcasts available throughout the year.
Outside of the annual event, the Ojai Music Festival contributes to Southern California’s cultural landscape with in-person and online programming as well as educational offerings that serve thousands of public-school students and seniors.
Click here to read more about the history of the Ojai Music Festival. Also see the schedule of events for a complete roster of artists and performances.