Festivalgoers relax beneath colorful canopy installations during a live set at the Untz Festival at Sycamore Ranch in 2023. The three-day event blends music, art and camping in the Yuba County foothills. Photo by Shamaya Sutton

BROWNS VALLEY, CA (MPG) - A three-day electronic music gathering known for its immersive atmosphere and late-night performances is set to return to Yuba County next month.

Running May 8 to 10 at Sycamore Ranch, the Untz Festival is expected to draw thousands of underground bass and electronic music fans from across California and beyond. Now several years into its run at the Browns Valley venue, the festival has grown into a staple event in the region, known for its immersive atmosphere, late-night sets and community-driven feel.

“I had gone to a lot of music festivals growing up and they really changed my life in a positive way,” executive producer Avi Gallant said in a previous interview. “I wanted to create something similar where the community could come together each year and celebrate their specific type of music.”

Originally launched in 2016 in Mariposa County, the festival was created as an extension of the fan base behind The Untz, a website dedicated to electronic dance music culture. After several years in Mariposa, organizers relocated the event to Yuba County, citing the natural landscape and camping-friendly layout of Sycamore Ranch as a major draw.

“We were really going for a more Northern California outdoor vibe,” Gallant said. “Having the river right there and the greenery and the trees and camping, it just seemed meant to be.”

Set along the Yuba River, the venue offers open fields, shaded camping areas and access to water, helping shape what many attendees describe as a festival experience that blends music with nature. While music remains the central focus, the event also features live art installations, workshops and wellness activities such as yoga, along with food and craft vendors throughout the weekend.

Organizers have historically emphasized emerging and lesser-known artists, building a lineup that reflects the evolving underground bass scene while also bringing back returning performers whose careers have grown alongside the festival.

Over the years, festival organizers have worked closely with local agencies, including Cal Fire and the Yuba County Sheriff’s Office, to address safety concerns ranging from fire prevention to emergency access and sanitation. County officials have previously noted that organizers implemented detailed mitigation plans and coordinated staffing, including security and medical personnel, to help ensure attendee safety.

The festival has also maintained ties to the local community through nonprofit partnerships. In past years, alcohol sales have been staffed by volunteers from the Dobbins-Oregon House Improvement Foundation, with proceeds benefiting the organization’s efforts to support community services, emergency preparedness and local development in the foothill region. Organizers said continuing those partnerships remains an important part of the event’s mission.

Beyond entertainment, the festival has also contributed to the local economy. In 2021, Yuba County estimated an economic impact of approximately $81,000 tied to the event, with organizers expressing interest in continuing to grow its regional footprint. With hundreds of attendees expected to return this year, the festival continues to bring increased activity to local businesses and greater visibility to Yuba County foothill communities.

Tickets and additional event information are available at theuntzfestival.com.