Blues, Brews & BBQ
Join us for our 9th annual celebration of world-class Blues musicians, a myriad of local craft breweries, and smoking BBQ vendors.
Date
Sunday, Sept. 20, 2026
Time
12:00-6:00pm PST
Where
Washington Park
740 Central Avenue, Alameda
Price
FREE!
Featured Artists on the Blues Stage
Chris Cain
5-6pm
According to Kid Andersen, there’s no better blues player working today. “Chris Cain is the rarity whose blues prowess is so undeniable that he has gained everyone’s approval. Ask any of your favorite guitar players who they think are the greatest living masters of the instrument, chances are they will all have Chris Cain at the very top of their list.”
Terrie Odabi
3:30-4:30pm
“Terrie Odabi is easily the most dynamic blues and soul woman to have emerged in the Bay Area since Etta James came out of San Francisco’s Fillmore District in the Fifties. Terrie has a powerful set of pipes, writes terrific tunes, leads a kicking band and has onstage movements that perfectly match the rhythms of her material. Surely stardom awaits her.” - Lee Hildebrand
Aki Kumar Blues Jam
12:30-3pm
Hosted by Aki Kumar
"Kumar is on the cutting-edge of blues today." - Michael Kinsman, San Diego Blues Festival
Family-Friendly Activities
In addition to the festivities, attendees will have the opportunity to peruse locally-crafted wares from Bay Area vendors. Kids can get crafty and stay engaged at the Family Zone hosted by Ozzy's Music Academy.
The BBQ & Bites
Local pitmasters have included Tante’s Catering, Evergood, T&S Extreme, Smoking Woods, Speer, Pearsons, Stackhouse BBQ–along with Alameda locals C’era Una Volta and Calafia–serving up smoky barbecue and sides, while craft breweries showcase their best seasonal brews.
Featured Craft Beverages
from 2025 Included:
2025 Sponsors & Partners Included
![Evergood_Logo_Final[2848] -22.png](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6625bdd69ef97e19e4dcd2fd/1722008524542-FAPXSPR9KUW5Z2MVY34P/Evergood_Logo_Final%5B2848%5D+-22.png){kind=logo}
We're green!
We're green!
Join WEAD in our commitment to sustainability! In line with Alameda's Disposable Food Ware ordinance and in partnership with Race to Waste Zero, we've banned single-use plastics at our events and have bins to sort recycling and composting!
All food orders come in compostable-fiber service ware for added eco-friendliness! in partnership with Race to Waste Zero
Location
Washington Park
740 Central, Alameda, CA 94501
With acres of green space, easy access, and great facilities, the whole family will love this community park turned live music festival. Want to escape the crowds at the stage? Bring a blanket or lawn chair, take the kids to the playground, or even go take in a view of the breathtaking San Francisco Bay.
Festival FAQs
-
Parking around Washington Park is limited. Where possible, we recommend coming by bike (drop it at our on site Bike Valet). Or take the bus (AC transit line 30 stops 1 block away at 8th and Portola and the line 51 is 2 blocks away). Plan your bus trip here; your destination is 740 Central Avenue, Alameda.
-
No, the festival is free and open to all. We encourage you to RSVP so that we can send you festival updates and you can be automatically entered to win prizes!
-
Parking around the Washington Park is very limited, especially while construction work is going on in the area. We will have eight ADA parking spaces reserved along 8th Avenue between Central Avenue and Taylor Avenue between 12pm and 6pm.
Pathways around the park are accessible. If you need any assistance crossing the grass, then one of our volunteers can assist you. They will be wearing a blue festival T-shirt.
We encourage you to reach out to us at info@westendartsdistrict.org if you have specific access requirements and/or questions.
-
There will be some seating at the event and some shaded areas. Feel free to bring a lawn chair as this is also a public park.
-
Well-behaved dogs are welcome, in accordance with park regulations they must be kept on a leash. Should they need a bit of exercise, there is a dog park in lower Washington Park.
