If you grew up with flip phones, burned CDs, MTV countdowns, low-rise jeans, and the unforgettable music of the late 1990s and early 2000s, get ready to dial it back.
Dial Up Festival 2026 is coming to Castaic Lake, California, on Saturday, November 7, 2026, bringing a full day of throwback music, Y2K nostalgia, food, drinks, entertainment, and the artists who helped define a generation.
For music fans throughout Ventura County, Los Angeles County, and the greater 805 region, this new festival is shaping up to be one of the most anticipated throwback music events of fall 2026.
Photo by Tim Toomey on Unsplash
When Is Dial Up Festival 2026 at Castaic Lake?
Dial Up Festival Castaic Lake 2026 takes place on Saturday, November 7, 2026, at Castaic Lake Recreation Area in Castaic, California.
Dial Up Festival 2026 Event Details
- Date: Saturday, November 7, 2026
- Location: Castaic Lake Recreation Area, Castaic, California
- Event type: Outdoor music festival
- Doors: 12:00 p.m.
- Age requirement: All ages
If you're searching for things to do in Castaic in November 2026, concerts near Ventura County, or music festivals near Los Angeles, Dial Up Festival is one event to put on your calendar.
Dial Up Festival 2026 Lineup
The biggest attraction is, of course, the music.
The Castaic Lake edition brings together several artists strongly associated with the sound and culture of the late 1990s and early 2000s.
Nelly
Grammy-winning rapper Nelly headlines the nostalgia trip with the hits that helped define early-2000s hip-hop and pop culture.
Fans can expect the energy of songs such as "Hot in Herre," "Ride Wit Me," "Country Grammar," and "Dilemma" as Nelly brings his catalog of crossover hits to Castaic Lake.
Sugar Ray
California's own Sugar Ray is another major draw for fans of 1990s and early-2000s music.
Known for radio favorites including "Fly," "Someday," and "Every Morning," Sugar Ray brings a distinctly California flavor to the Dial Up Festival lineup.
Lit
Rock fans will have plenty to look forward to with Lit, the Orange County band behind the massive late-1990s hit "My Own Worst Enemy."
Their inclusion makes Dial Up Festival more than just a pop or hip-hop nostalgia show. The festival is designed to capture the broader musical culture of the era, from alternative rock and pop-punk to hip-hop and crossover radio hits.
Alien Ant Farm
Alien Ant Farm adds another recognizable name from the early-2000s alternative scene. The band became a major part of the era's soundtrack with its distinctive blend of alternative rock and its hugely popular cover of Michael Jackson's "Smooth Criminal."
Unwritten Law
San Diego punk-rock favorites Unwritten Law round out the Castaic lineup with another dose of California rock nostalgia.
The festival's combination of hip-hop, pop, alternative rock, punk, and radio favorites is what makes the Dial Up concept particularly appealing to anyone who remembers the soundtrack of the Y2K era.
What Is Dial Up Festival?
Dial Up Festival is built around the music, fashion, technology, and pop-culture nostalgia of the late 1990s and early 2000s.
Think of the period before smartphones took over everything.
Think flip phones, instant messaging, mix CDs, video stores, MTV, ringtone downloads, digital cameras, oversized headphones, and the songs you knew by heart.
The festival takes that nostalgia and turns it into a live event.
Dial Up Festival isn't simply a concert. It's a throwback to an era that made a lasting impact on music and pop culture.
Why Castaic Lake Is a Great Location for Dial Up Festival
Castaic Lake provides a unique Southern California setting for an outdoor music festival.
Located just north of Los Angeles, Castaic is also within reach of communities throughout the Santa Clarita Valley, Ventura County, and the 805 region.
That makes Dial Up Festival particularly interesting for residents looking for a music festival near Ventura, concerts near Santa Clarita, or a fun weekend event near the 805 without traveling several hours away.
The lake setting also gives the event a different atmosphere from a traditional indoor concert venue.
Instead of spending the day inside an arena, festivalgoers can enjoy an outdoor environment while experiencing live music and the nostalgia of the Y2K era.
What to Expect at Dial Up Festival Castaic Lake
The Castaic Lake event is planned as a full-day festival experience rather than a single-performance concert.
Festival Attractions
Event information currently lists a variety of entertainment and festival experiences, including:
- Live music
- VIP packages
- Food vendors and food trucks
- Curated bars
- Vendor Village
- Photo opportunities
- Festival attractions
- An all-ages environment
The event is scheduled to open at noon, giving visitors plenty of time to explore the festival grounds, check out vendors, grab something to eat, and get ready for an afternoon and evening of throwback music.
For anyone searching for Castaic events in November 2026, Castaic Lake concerts, or Y2K music festivals in California, Dial Up Festival is an event worth watching.
Dial Up Festival Is a Trip Back to the Y2K Era
Part of the appeal of Dial Up Festival is that the music represents much more than a particular decade.
For people who experienced the era firsthand, these songs are connected to memories of high school, college, first cars, first concerts, summer road trips, parties, and the early days of the internet.
For younger fans, the festival offers a chance to experience the music and culture that shaped one of the most recognizable periods in recent pop culture.
The festival celebrates the music, fashion, and culture associated with the Y2K generation, making it a natural destination for fans of 1990s and early-2000s music.
Who Should Go to Dial Up Festival 2026?
1990s Music Fans
Relive the alternative, pop, punk, and hip-hop hits you grew up with and experience the music in a live festival setting.
Y2K Fans
If you love the fashion, technology, movies, music, and culture of the early 2000s, Dial Up Festival offers an entire day built around that nostalgia.
Nostalgia Seekers
Bring your friends and revisit the songs, artists, and memories that defined your younger years.
Families
The Castaic event is currently listed as an all-ages event, making it an option for families looking for an outdoor music experience.
Concert Lovers
With multiple established artists on one bill, there are plenty of reasons to make the trip to Castaic Lake.
Planning Your Dial Up Festival Castaic Lake Trip
If you're planning to attend from Ventura County or elsewhere in the 805, consider making a day of it.
Arrive early, explore the festival grounds, check out the vendors, grab something to eat, and get ready for an afternoon and evening of throwback music.
Because this is a new festival, visitors should check the official Dial Up Festival website before heading out for the latest information about tickets, schedules, parking, festival policies, VIP packages, and lineup updates. Checkout more at Dial Up Festival's official website.
Get Tickets to the Dial Up Festival Now
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Get Ready to Dial Up the Nostalgia
Whether you were making mix CDs, downloading songs one at a time, waiting for your favorite video to appear on MTV, or simply discovering the music of the early 2000s, Dial Up Festival 2026 at Castaic Lake is designed to bring that era back for one unforgettable day.
With Nelly, Sugar Ray, Lit, Alien Ant Farm, Unwritten Law, and more, the Castaic Lake event offers a soundtrack spanning hip-hop, rock, punk, pop, and alternative music.
So grab your friends, break out the Y2K nostalgia, and get ready to dial up the memories on November 7, 2026.
For residents of the 805 region, Castaic Lake could be one of the most fun destinations for a throwback concert weekend this fall.
Dial Up Festival 2026 at Castaic Lake
Saturday, November 7, 2026
Castaic Lake Recreation Area
Castaic, California
Turn up the music. Turn back the clock. Dial it up.
Published September 4, 2026, In 805 Media (in805.com)