Bayou Beats in California – Simi Valley Cajun & Blues Festival
Once a year, the laid-back hills of Southern California get a little dirtier, a little louder, and a whole lot funkier — when the Simi Valley Cajun & Blues Festival rolls into town. It’s a Memorial Day weekend celebration that turns quiet Simi Valley into a vibrant crossroads of Louisiana soul, Mississippi grit, and West Coast swagger.
Where the Bayou Meets the Pacific
Held at Rancho Santa Susana Community Park, this festival has been a blues-and-zydeco institution for decades. Equal parts family-friendly fun and roots revival, the Simi Valley Cajun & Blues Festival brings together a melting pot of musical styles, flavors, and communities.
- Two full days of live music across multiple stages
- Past performers include legends like Taj Mahal, Booker T., and Elvin Bishop
- Cajun, zydeco, blues, and roots rock all in one space
“The blues is the roots, the rest is the fruits.”
— Willie Dixon
Attendees move from stage to stage, dance barefoot in the grass, and eat everything from crawfish étouffée to tri-tip barbecue — all while soaking in the sweet sound of soul-soaked guitar riffs and accordion-fueled bayou stomp.
A Festival for the People, by the People
What sets Simi Valley apart is its vibe. There’s no pretense here — just music, food, and the joy of community.
- All-ages welcome, with kid zones and crafts
- Local vendors and artisans alongside Louisiana food trucks
- Proceeds benefit the Rotary Club of Simi Sunrise, giving back to the community
Whether you're two-stepping to zydeco or swaying to a deep 12-bar groove, this festival delivers the kind of soulful, sunlit magic that makes the blues feel eternal.
For tickets and the latest lineup, visit simicajun.org.
"Simi Valley Cajun & Blues Music Festival 2014" by Clotee Pridgen Allochuku is licensed under CC BY 2.0 
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