BajaWonderGrass 2025 Review: Music, Culture, Adventure in Baja California Sur

The third BajaGrass took place May 1 – 5 in El Sargento, Baja California Sur, Mexico at La Tuna BCS.   The lineup featured Kitchen Dwellers, Pixie and the Partygrass Boys, Pickin on the Dead, Bonfire Dub, Little Moon Travelers,  artist-at-large Emma Rose and more. 

The Festy GoNuts team is a big fan of musical adventures, as many of you know.  As avid travelers who fell in love with music festivals, nothing gives us more joy than a destination festival experience.   When the first BajaGrass was announced in 2023, we jumped on tickets immediately.  We had never been to Baja California Sur, and this was the perfect excuse to go on a new adventure. 

BajaWonderGrass 2023 REVIEW

It was with little hesitation that we decided to return to BajaGrass this year, and we were pleased to learn that many of our fest friends had also decided to buy the ticket and take the ride. 

From the beautiful landscapes to the incredible jams, BajaGrass is a destination music festival that should be on the top of your bucket list.

BajaWonderGrass 2025: THE MUSIC

There are only a few select bands who get booked each year at BajaGrass, so get ready to be spoiled with multiple performances from your favorite artists. 

This year’s lineup included Kitchen Dwellers, Pixie and the Partygrass Boys, Pickin on the Dead, Bonfire Dub, Little Moon Travelers, Emma Rose (artist-at-large), The Bo Show featuring Adam Frehm;  plus local bands Americojone, Apache O’Raspi, and The New Bajamians.

New to the schedule this year was the Welcome Party at Pólvora on Wednesday night.  Since most of us arrived a day early, it was nice to get to see so many familiar faces while enjoying music from the festival artists.  (Andy Frasco even made a surprise guest appearance!)

For the main festival performances, the music bounces around the 3 stages (no overlapping tunes!):  Main Stage (upper level of the restaurant); Beach Stage (lower level, right in the sand); and La Fuente Pop Up Stage (across the street from La Tuna).

Each stage holds a unique vibe, and the bands seemed to embrace that energy.  Kitchen Dwellers brought the heat on night one, and got us all warmed up with their closing main stage set.  They flipped the switch on the beach stage the next day, and had us singing our favorite ’90s tunes and yacht-rock classics as we danced with our feet in the sand to their chill covers set. 

Pixie and the Partygrass Boys brought bundles of positive energy and blissful performances to their first BajaGrass. With the recent addition of their drummer, Chris Petty, their sound has been elevated to a different level.  Throughout the weekend, the band members seemed to find a deep connection with the attendees, even taking time to step off the stage and perform in the crowd as we all sang and danced along.  These moments truly embraced the Bonfire culture, in true Kumbaya-style, a connection to the community. 

Pickin’ on the Dead, back for their 3rd BajaGrass, was definitely a crowd favorite.  Each band member (Tyler Grant, Michael Kirkpatrick, Zach Johnson, Mark Levy) perfectly harnessed the energy of their Grateful Dead protégés.  A favorite moment was Amanda Grapes Dillinger (fiddle; Pixie and the Partygrass Boys) sitting in for a high-energy Scarlet Begonias / Fire on the Mountain during their closing set on the second night.  

Bonfire Dub, the host band fronted by festival-founder Scotty Staughton, welcomed festival-goers into the local El Sargento community with a powerful welcome party performance on Wednesday.  They continued to deliver their message of love and light to the crowd from the La Tuna festival stages.  We were all treated to the band’s eclectic covers and energized originals, supported by a variety of memorable sit-ins throughout the weekend. 

New to us, Little Moon Travelers created a festival buzz with their performances.  Out of Steamboat Springs, CO, their live roots tunes perfectly paired to the seaside views.

BajaWonderGrass 2025: THE CULTURE

BajaGrass was created by Scotty Stoughton and Bonfire Entertainment.  Famously known for their ski-slope-side WinterWonderGrass festivals and their multi-night floating RiverWonderGrass festivals, festival attendees can feel confident that this beachside festival will surely not disappoint.  

As with all of Scotty’s festivals, there is a focus on the experience beyond the stages.  BajaGrass is no exception.  Since investing in the area, Scotty has embraced the local community and incorporated it into the festival experience.  Local artisans, food vendors, performers, and staff members were all an active part of the festival.

By attending this destination festival, you are invited to give back and be a part of the community for your stay.  It’s important to appreciate what this part of the Baja peninsula has to offer.  Go kitesurfing or snorkeling. Visit the farmer’s market. Hike the cactus forest. Soak in the natural hot springs. Volunteer with the beach cleanup. Attend the beach yoga classes.  Be present, and truly connect.

BajaWonderGrass 2025: THE ADVENTURE

As we discovered in year one, BajaGrass is the type of festival that can be customized to fit your budget and your level of adventure.  While our initial visit to Baja California Sur focused on more exploration, we chose to take a more relaxing approach for our shorter 5-day visit to the peninsula this year. 

The start of your adventure begins with most flights arriving in Cabo San Lucas airport.  

Renting a car isn’t required, but highly suggested.  

Pro tip: Know exactly what your car insurance includes, or you may get hit with extra fees when you arrive.  We recommend Cactus Rental Car – they will pick you up / drop you off at the airport, and offer very reasonable rates. Also, local company Seahorse Car Rental was a great option for us this year!  We liked that we were supporting a smaller company, and the car was waiting for us in the parking lot when we arrived.  Both companies include all the necessary insurance, so no surprise fees!

It’s about a 2- 3 hour windy drive from the airport to El Sargento.  So, buckle up and watch out for the cows.  We decided to grab lunch and find an ATM, so we made a pit stop in Los Barriles. (NOTE: We don’t recommend the ATM at Baco BBVA.  We ended up paying almost $40 to take out $200 worth of pesos.  Get what you need from your bank at home, and avoid the extra fees.)

It didn’t take us long to take a wrong turn and get our rental car stuck in the sand.  Luckily, a local family was quick to give us a push and get us on our way.   Let the adventures begin!

Randomly picking a waterfront restaurant from Google Maps, we ended up eating lunch at Bay View Bar and Grill, and just wish we had more time and a bigger appetite to try more on the menu!  Homemade salsa was made right at our table with fresh roasted tomatoes, garlic, and chilis.  The tuna ceviche was stacked high on a bed of crispy cucumbers and creamy avocado, and our first of many fish tacos would be some of the best. The expansive views of the sea and sand were exactly what we needed after a long winter in Colorado. 

BajaGrass is a “Choose-your-own-adventure” type of festival.  While we enjoy the luxury of an all-inclusive destination festival, the flexibility of BajaGrass allows for attendees of all budgets and travel styles.   There’s a wide selection of Airbnb and VRBO rental accommodations, as well as hotels ranging from budget to luxury.   We shared a compound with 3 other friends, which included a swimming pool and hot tub, rooftop views and plenty of space for us all to spread out. Lounging poolside with frozen pineapple margaritas was a great way to start our day.  

The festival takes place at La Tuna BCS, a beachfront restaurant and mini-hotel.  They have delicious hand-crafted cocktails and a fresh menu with local ingredients.  It’s located near the north end of town, and a bit far from a lot of the accommodation options.  But don’t let that hinder you – the addition of festival shuttles this year meant more flexibility with your lodging options.  We had a stop right by our casa, but it seemed like the drivers were happy to pick you up and drop you off wherever.  However, if you miss the last shuttle, be prepared to hitch a ride or make the long walk home.  Luckily, the town of El Sargento is incredibly safe.  

If you’re looking for a vacation tied into your festival, BajaGrass might be just what you need.  With music happening from 4PM – 11PM, there’s plenty of time during the day to explore the area.  Grab tacos and margaritas at a local restaurant.  Go kayaking and snorkeling to see mobula rays. Book an extra travel day, so you can squeeze in a full day of fishing or SCUBA diving.  Drive to the other side of the peninsula to visit Todos Santos or surf at Los Cerritos. 

However you prefer to vacation, there are plenty of options to fit your level of adventure.

Baja Bound Again

BajaGrass truly is a music festival experience of a lifetime.  We forged new friendships while deepening existing relationships.  We soaked in the sea, the sun, and the springs. We dove deep into the music and the community.  

We left feeling refreshed and renewed – and ready to return in 2026.  

By the way, tickets are on sale on May 6th.  With only a few hundred spots available, you may want to have faith and grab them before they announce the lineup. 

INFO: https://winterwondergrass.com/baja

We’ll be Baja-bound again – hope to see you there!

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