New 10-year agreement keeps Aftershock and return of GoldenSky in Sacramento while funding park improvements and boosting regional tourism
Two of Northern California’s largest music festivals will continue calling Discovery Park home for at least another decade after the Sacramento County Board of Supervisors approved a new long-term agreement with festival producer Danny Wimmer Presents.
The board on Tuesday approved a 10-year agreement authorizing Danny Wimmer Presents to host up to three multi-day festivals annually at Discovery Park through 2035. County officials said the agreement secures the future of major events including Aftershock and GoldenSky while generating economic benefits, tourism revenue and funding for park improvements.
“Discovery Park sits at the confluence of two rivers, but it’s also a place where community, culture and art come together,” Sacramento County First District Supervisor Phil Serna said. “These festivals showcase Sacramento County and our broader region to a global audience. They create opportunities for local businesses and workers and generate resources that can be reinvested back into one of our most cherished public spaces – the American River Parkway. It’s a powerful example of how thoughtful stewardship and creative public-private partnership creates lasting benefit for both people and place.”
Founded by music industry entrepreneur Danny Wimmer, Danny Wimmer Presents produces some of the nation’s largest destination music festivals, attracting visitors from across the United States and around the world. The company has hosted the Aftershock rock festival at Discovery Park since 2012 and launched the GoldenSky country music festival at the venue in 2022.
Both festivals have become major economic drivers for the Sacramento region. According to Sacramento County, Aftershock generated an estimated $35 million in local economic impact in 2025 while drawing more than 164,000 attendees from all 50 states and more than 30 countries. GoldenSky generated an estimated $14.1 million in economic impact in 2024 and attracted approximately 75,000 attendees.
The agreement comes shortly after Danny Wimmer Presents and Visit Sacramento announced that GoldenSky will return to Discovery Park beginning in 2027 under a separate three-year commitment. County officials said the agreements demonstrate a strong partnership among Sacramento County, Visit Sacramento, Danny Wimmer Presents and regional stakeholders to retain and grow major destination events that benefit the local economy.
The Sacramento County Office of Economic Development led negotiations on the agreement, which was designed to maximize economic and community benefits generated by the festivals. Under the terms, Sacramento County will receive attendance-based permit revenue, reimbursement for all event-related county costs and funding that will be reinvested into Discovery Park, the American River Parkway and community programs.
The agreement also includes a commitment to prioritize Sacramento County-based vendors, service providers and local food and beverage businesses.
“When thousands of people come to Sacramento County for these festivals, they stay in our hotels, eat at our restaurants, shop at local businesses and experience everything our community has to offer,” said Crystal Bethke, director of the Sacramento County Office of Economic Development. “Behind every festival is a network of local vendors, food providers, service businesses and workers who help make these events possible. This agreement helps create opportunities for those businesses and residents and turns visitor spending into benefits that continue long after the stages come down.”
In addition to revenue generated through the events, the agreement includes up to $300,000 in Sacramento County Economic Development Targeted Support funding for initial site improvements. Planned projects include upgrades to the parking area beneath Interstate 5 and enhancements to open space areas within Discovery Park.
Sacramento County Regional Parks will oversee improvement projects funded through the agreement to ensure investments align with long-term plans for Discovery Park and the American River Parkway while protecting natural and recreational resources.
“Discovery Park is one of those places that people remember,” said Sacramento County Regional Parks Director Liz Bellas. “Whether you’re spending the day on the river, attending a festival with friends or simply enjoying the outdoors, the park is part of what makes Sacramento County unique. This agreement helps us share that experience with visitors from around the world and it allows us to reinvest in a park our community takes great pride in.”
County leaders said the festivals have helped introduce visitors to Sacramento’s music scene, outdoor recreation opportunities and local businesses while showcasing the region to a global audience. The new agreement ensures Discovery Park will remain one of the West Coast’s premier music festival destinations through at least 2035.
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