Summer Fun on the 101 is a musical celebration taking place just a block from Beacon’s Beach in beautiful Encinitas, California at the Leucadia Roadside Park (860 N. Coast Hwy 101). Summer Fun on the 101 is Encinitas’ most epic music festival and is free and open to the whole community! June 20th 2026!
Activities: Live Music + Amazing Giveways + Fun Local Vendors + Kids Hula Hoop Contest + Adult Beverage Garden
This annual festival is presented by Leucadia 101 Main Street Association, in collaboration with our local community partners and an annual fundraiser to support Music Scholarships given each year to exceptional graduating San Dieguito Academy Seniors pursuing continuing education and future careers in music.
Leucadia’s Battle of the Bands champions. Yes they’re all siblings and yes they rock! Enjoy the Long View’s take on classic rock ‘n roll, rockabilly, folk and country as reimagined by this self-taught family band. The future of the local music scene is bright!
Lee Wilder
The solo project of the front man of local rockers, The Paragraphs. Lee Wilder’s debut album Sound Emporium is true to its title, channeling not only myriad music genres, but also influences from film, literature, and just life itself. Its ten songs of impassioned, gospel-flecked Americana are infused with danceable, sometimes bombastic grunge and pop sensibilities.
SUNBENDR
SUNBENDR is a hard hitting power trio hailing from Leucadia. Chris Cote is on bass and vocals, Brandon Parkhurst plays guitar and sings and while Frank Dixon holds it down on the drums. These standard bearers of the local music scene bring a fresh and energetic sound while maintaining familiar influences from their earlier acts such as Yovee and Kut U Up.
Brawley
Brawley has a whole batch of hits you’re sure to enjoy, either via the internets or at one of their exciting live performances. Mixed in with those are plenty of country classics by honky-tonk heroes like Faron Young, Buck Owens, Merle Haggard and all the rest. Don’t get me wrong…while Brawley is reminiscent of the great country artists of our time, they take plenty of liberties to let their modern musical influences shine through. And those songs are not only for your listening pleasure; Brawley shows are a dancer’s delight! Whether you want to freestyle, two-step, waltz, or jitterbug, they’ve got you covered.
Brawley has been featured on KPBS TV series “Live at The Belly Up” and has shared stages with modern heroes Lucinda Williams, Dave Alvin, Albert Lee, and many others. If you know anything about country music, you know about Brawley. And if you like country music, you like Brawley. It’s as simple as that.
Jared Mattson
Jared Mattson is a guitarist from Encinitas, CA and one half of the Mattson 2. Known for bending surf, jazz, and punk into something stranger. He’s played with Toro y Moi, Money Mark, Tommy Guerrero, and Ray Barbee. Lately he’s been digging deep into fuzzed-out electronics and acoustic raw, stripped songwriting.
The Tourmaliners
The Tourmaliners, San Diego’s best Surf Guitar Band. They’re the proud winners of “Best Local Recording” 2025 and “Best Rock Album” 2023 at the San Diego Music Awards and Pipeline Instrumental Reviews’ (UK) 2023 “Album of the Year.” Their sound is a far-out blend of Dick Dale, Link Wray, and The Ventures, mixed with some seriously fun, dance-able tiki beats and spy action… all set to the backdrop of a wildly cool Spaghetti Western from outer space.
Darius
Darius Degher is a maker of both music and poetry. He’s a singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, and producer. His poetry has been published widely. He’s released thirteen albums and performed at venues like the Troubadour, Whiskey, and CBGB. He’s opened shows for Don McLean, Lucinda Williams, Dr. John, and many others. His songs and videos have aired on radio and TV. He’s been nominated for three San Diego Music Awards, been included on two San Diego Homegrown albums, and played sitar on a classic Warren Zevon song.
He’s released five critically-lauded folk/Americana albums under the names Darius and Darius Degher. His latest album Rhyme in the Wreckage will be out this summer. Darius is eclectic. He’s also released three albums as the Westwatcher. These instrumental, surf-centric guitar albums are inspired by his love of surfing.
Darius will be joined by a local all-star band, Kyre Wilcox on bass, Kyle Merril on organ and accordion, Carson Ford on drums, and vocalist Ramona Ault.
Thee Barracudas
Thee Barracudas, America’s #1 Surf Band south of Ponto and north of Stone Steps, began their musical journey in 1993 as a San Dieguito High School (not Academy) party band.
Thirty years later, Thee Barracudas are back playing the same songs from the same set list to the same crowd!
This Flag Day, they return to their hometown of Leucadia, CA, to bring their signature brand of lo-fi, low-brow surf tunes to a new generation of Groms.
Kimmi Bitter
Kimmi Bitter is San Diego’s fast rising country songstress. She and her masterful band, The Westside Twang, won Song of the Year and Best Country or Americana Album at the 2025 San Diego Music Awards
Dubbed “the future of classic country” by Saving Country Music, Kimmi Bitter is painting a whole new tapestry that drapes golden-era Countrypolitan over the desert twang of the American Southwest.
Imagine the sun-soaked charm of Palm Springs circa ‘62 mixed with a dash of California coastal weirdness in a mod-inspired dreamscape. Kimmi Bitter is a paradox that echoes the traditions of classic country, yet feels like it’s breaking all the rules at once. A rising force in the underground Americana scene she’s mixing the old school with the new cool by capturing the attention of music fans and critics alike.
The stage is set for the young musicians of Encinitas to compete for a spot at this year’s Summer Fun on the 101: Leucadia’s Music Festival.
On Sunday May 6th 2018 at Seaweed & Gravel, each band will have twenty minutes on stage to impress the judges and audience. At the end of the concert, our expert panel of judges will choose the winner! The winning band will receive a prize pack and get the opportunity to play at this year’s Summer Fun on the 101: Leucadia’s Music Festivalon Saturday June 23!
If you would like to participate in 2018, pleaase read the following info. includes how to apply and requirements for participants:
– Your band’s name, band members’ names, ages and school of your band members (at least one member of your band must show proof of living in the City of Encinitas and no band members may be older than high school age).
– An email address, phone number and mailing address so we can contact your band.
– A recording of your band in one of the following formats: a link to a streaming video or recording on the web; an Mp3 or other universal digital format; or a physical CD recording. (These items can also be mailed or hand delivered to the L101 office at 386 N Coast Hwy 101 Encinitas 92024)
– If any band member is in elementary school, please include written consent from a parent or guardian
Please send all the required information and music no later than April 30, 2018 to both: ruthlesshippies@gmail.com and info@leucadia101.com. Please wait one day for confirmation reply.
Info regarding equipment and set times for the day of the event will be sent out to all participating bands on May 1st. Call (760) 436-2320 or email info@leucadia101.com if you have any questions regarding the event.
Entries will be accepted on a first come, first served basis. ROOM IS LIMITED, so send us your application materials and details ASAP!
Due to inclement weather forecast for Sunday, the Battle of the Bands has been moved to UNIV Studio at 1057 S Coast Hwy 101 in downtown Encinitas. We are very grateful to keep the show going at the same time this Sunday May 7th from noon-3. See previous post for schedule.
Don’t miss all the good times at our 2017 Battle for the Bands for Summer Fun at Seaweed and Gravel (1144 N coast Hwy 101 Leucadia) this Saturday May 7th from noon-3PM! The judges will choose one young band to play on June 24th at Leucadia Roadside Park. See below for our talent packed schedule.
We’ll also be raising money for the Summer Fun Music Scholarship Fund and revealing this year’s Summer Fun lineup so grab your cruiser and come check it out!
Summer Fun on the 101 