Mendocino is a region famous for cannabis. The climate is ideal for growing the plant and the birthplace of many talented cultivators. Over the last decade, it has also become a primary summer stop on the festival circuit thanks to Northern Nights and the Dirtybird Campout. The fest made waves in 2019 as the first event to allow on-site cannabis sales and consumption in California in the Tree Lounge.
The Tree Lounge held multiple cannabis vendors and was separated from the main space, offering stoners their first taste of sanctioned weed at festivals. Cannabis lounges and sales have become the norm at festivals and events thanks to pioneers like Northern Nights–and the tradition continues this year. The three-day festival is set to feature some of its best headliners yet among 50 performers. Not to mention, the Tree Lounge is still going strong.
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Northern Nights is back with an epic lineup
Northern Nights is planned for July 18th to 20th at Cooks Valley Campground, a site that is friendly for camping beginners. The Northern Mendocino County sits on the South Fork Eel River, where festival goers can cool off for a dip or lie back for a float. Between acts, guests can enjoy various intentional experience. The staff holds daily yoga sessions and Craftopia is open for creating.
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Those looking to lay back for a minute will appreciate the cannabis lounge before getting back to the beats.
This year, the lineup is topped by electronic dance music stars Jungle and Zeds Dead with support from Aluna, Justin Martin, Levity, and Walker & Royce. These artists offer something for everyone, from the heavy-hitting Zeds Dead to the groovy house duo that is Walker & Royce. And that is only a tiny peek at what the well-known EDM campout has scheduled.
Drum & Bass icons Ed Rush & Optical should be on everyone’s short list of sets to see. Add experimental bass producer Super Future, along with Life on Planets, Wreckno, and Mz Worthy to that group. The musical offerings of Northern Nights run deep, and a vibey weed lounge is the cherry on top.
The Tree Lounge at Northern Nights
The Tree Lounge offers a place to stop and relax before heading back to one of the seven hyped-up stages. This area has featured comfortable seating, cooling misters, live music, and fun but chill energy at past events.
Iconic Northern California cannabis brands like Ridgeline and Sonoma Hills Farm have previously engaged in festival-wide experiences. Northern Nights even dropped a strain for the occasion in 2023. The event coordinators have not announced how weed will be incorporated into the party this year. Something exciting is surely in the works.
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Tickets start at over $300 and include general, first-come, first-served camping spots. Those who want to can upgrade to car camping or even glamping setups for more cash. The campsite and festival grounds are listed as rocky. However, those who use motorized chairs and scooters that can traverse them are welcome to use them on the land. Those with additional accessibility needs are directed to contact the festival organizers.
Groovy tunes, dank buds, and good times ahead
Northern Nights has become a classic California summer festival among the EDM crowd–and in the weed world. This intersection of communities has stirred up a joyous vibe over the last few years, and 2025 is gearing up to be no different.
