Placer Ukulele Festival
featuring Julie Holloman
Saturday, September 26, 2026
William Jessup University, Rocklin, CA
Get ready to strum, sing, laugh, and connect at the 2026 16th Annual Placer Uke Fest! Whether you’re picking up a ukulele for the very first time or you’ve been playing for years, this fun-filled festival has something for everyone. Enjoy hands-on workshops for all skill levels, jam with fellow music lovers, and soak in the welcoming community spirit that makes Uke Fest such a favorite annual tradition.
This year’s featured concert artist is Julie Holloman, bringing her talent, energy, and love of music to an unforgettable live performance. Festival attendees can also look forward to exciting raffle and door prizes throughout the day, plus convenient lunch options available with ticket purchase. Click here to learn more about the Friday night concert featuring Julie Holloman and Aria 51.
The 2026 festival will be held at William Jessup University in Rocklin. Due to venue and event policies, attendance is limited to guests who are 18 and older.
Come for the music, stay for the community, and celebrate the joy of the ukulele at Placer Uke Fest 2026!
Schedule to be posted soon!
Workshops
The 2026 Placer Uke Fest offers numerous workshops for ALL levels. (Due to venue and event policies, attendance is limited to guests who are 18 and older.) We have a great lineup of instructors offering their insights and sharing their fundamental techniques to make you a better ukulele player. Whether you are just starting out or have been playing for a while, you'll find our workshops informational and fun!
Ukulele Q&A Jam: Ask Me Anything! - John Sandoval (all levels)
Got questions about chords, strumming, fingerpicking, practice habits, performance nerves, music theory, or how to make your playing sound smoother and more musical? Bring them all to this lively, interactive “Ask Me Anything” workshop designed especially for beginning to intermediate ukulele players (including baritone)!
Led by an experienced teacher and performer, this relaxed and fun session is part mini-lesson, part group jam, and part musical hangout. No question is too basic or too advanced - we’ll explore real-world playing tips, common challenges, creative techniques, and practical shortcuts that help you grow as a musician. Expect live demonstrations, audience participation, play-along moments, and spontaneous musical discoveries along the way.
Whether you want to improve your strumming, understand chords, learn songs faster, or simply gain confidence playing with others, this workshop is all about learning together in an encouraging and supportive environment. Bring your ukulele, your curiosity, and your favorite questions!
Chord Melody Ukulele Workshop - John Sandoval (all levels)
Discover how to make your ukulele sound like a whole band in one instrument! In this fun, hands-on workshop, you’ll learn the art of chord melody playing — combining chords, melody, rhythm, and musical expression all at once. Whether you’re a total beginner or a seasoned strummer looking for fresh inspiration, this interactive session will give you practical techniques you can use right away.
We’ll explore easy arranging tricks, movable chord shapes, melodic embellishments, and playful jam exercises designed for all skill levels. Expect group play-alongs, creative challenges, and plenty of opportunities to ask questions and try things together in real time. Bring any ukulele — soprano, concert, tenor, or baritone — and get ready to turn simple songs into rich, beautiful solo arrangements while having a great time with fellow uke lovers!
What Strum Do I Use? - Steve Kritzer (levels 1 & 2)
Exploring the mechanics of the right hand, and how to take some basic strums up a notch or two, including mutes, chucks, and a few fingers as well.
We Be Shredding - Steve Kritzer (levels 2 & 3)
How to add fills, licks, and leads using some basic major and pentatonic scales.
More Workshops to be listed shortly... stay tuned!
What’s your level?
These ukulele workshop levels have been taken from a magazine article by Heidi Swedberg.
Level 1: Beginner
Welcome! You are a new uke player and have already played with others or taken a few lessons.
The beginning player is new to the uke (1-3 months), knows some basic, first position chords.
You are fluent with (at least) your C, F, and G7, can make chord changes easily as well as keep a beat.
Level 2: Intermediate
Now you’re a player, but chord diagrams over the words are still a must. Your job here is to master B-flat,
get some strums under your belt and grow into your instrument—this is when you truly learn how to practice.
Level 3: Experienced Intermediate
You know a bunch of chords and are ready to use them. Challenge yourself with some exciting techniques,
and maybe venture further up the neck. Be proud of yourself, this is a fine plateau to reach.
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