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The Benicia Waterfront Rocks Music Festival, continuing a run that started in 1994, reached a whole new level of entertainment and good old-fashioned toe-tapping fun this weekend.
By bringing together internationally touring musicians, the event “creates a whole different theme and feel by this cast,” said Benicia Main Street Board of Directors President Christina Strawbridge. Among its improved lineup are an added spa pavilion, Lil’ Rockers Alley, expanded food vendors, and a sailboat regatta on Sunday.
But even with added bells and whistles, above all, “the focus is still the music,” said Strawbridge. The goal, as always, is to bring Benicia’s music-loving community for a weekend of bonding over tunes.
This year, six musical performances include Headliner Pablo Cruise, Australian musician Lachy Doley, Carolyn Wonderland, Super Diamond, Eric Lindell, and 26-year-old Ally Venable.
Formerly dubbed the “Seafood Celebration,” the festival has always been designed to “showcase our greatest asset,” said Strawbridge, pointing to the waterfront. Despite some cosmetic changes this year, that’s still the same.
Carolyn Wonderland performs during the Benicia Waterfront Rocks Weekend event on Saturday in downtown Benicia.(Chris Riley/Times-Herald)
On opening day, the sunny weather invited dozens of local and not-so-local music lovers. While some were first-time attendees traveling from nearby cities like Lafayette and Concord, others were quite acquainted with the fest from its previous years.
“They upped the level of entertainment, so before it was more local, and this is more nationwide and well known,” said Benicia Rotary Club President Darrell Doihe. “The whole closing down First Street to do a whole food court.”
Improved entrance fees are among the changes. And although increased fees were not-so-popular among a handful of attendees, the verdict is still out.
“Time will tell,” explained first-time attendee Louanne Morro. Though not thrilled by the roughly $45 per day fee, the Lafayette resident was still enjoying the music alongside her friend Hellen Demarco.
“We just wanted to do something different, and get out of our own towns, and Benicia is a really nice place,” said Demarco. “We got great views here and we knew that there would be good bands here.”
Regarding the festival’s changes, Demarco suggested bringing back arts and crafts vendors. “Whether I buy them or not,” she chuckled, “that would be nice because it gives you something to do other than just sitting here.”
Morro wondered whether reduced entrance fees would invite a larger crowd of attendees and perhaps mean more sales for the festival organizers and vendors
.“I wonder if it was free, or maybe $10-15 if they could double the number of people that come,” she said. “It’s music, you know? Someone’s gotta pay for all that.”
Regardless, like the rest of the attendees at the two-day event, the two were focused on making the most out of their time. Pointing to the children’s activities and face painting booth, “We’re going to go do that later,” laughed the two. “Life’s too short.”
Sunday’s lineup includes Lachy Dole, Ally Venable, headliner Pablo Cruise, and the much-anticipated Waterfront Regatta sailboat race featuring racers from Benicia’s Yacht Club.
Originally Published: July 26, 2025 at 2:23 PM PDT
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