The Sacramento County Board of Supervisors today approved a 10-year agreement between Sacramento County and Danny Wimmer Presents (DWP), authorizing the company to host up to three multi-day festivals annually at Discovery Park through 2035. The agreement keeps long-standing beloved festivals at Discovery Park and supports continued economic growth and future park improvements.
"Discovery Park sits at the confluence of two rivers, but it’s also a place where community, culture and art come together," said Sacramento County First District Supervisor Phil Serna. "These festivals showcase Sacramento County and our broader region to a global audience. They create opportunities for local businesses and workers and generate resources that can be reinvested back into one of our most cherished public spaces – the American River Parkway. It's a powerful example of how thoughtful stewardship and creative public-private partnership creates lasting benefit for both people and place."
Founded by music industry entrepreneur Danny Wimmer, Danny Wimmer Presents produces some of the country's largest destination music festivals, attracting attendees from across the United States and around the world. The company has hosted Aftershock at Discovery Park since 2012 and launched GoldenSky at the venue in 2022.
“As Aftershock enters its 15th year, we’re grateful for the continued partnership with Sacramento County, Visit Sacramento and the local community,” said Danny Wimmer, founder of Danny Wimmer Presents. “This long-term commitment allows DWP to continue investing in Sacramento, strengthening its position as a premier music destination and creating experiences that draw fans from around the world to Discovery Park. We’re excited to continue growing the region’s music and cultural landscape through 2035 and beyond.”
Aftershock and GoldenSky attract hundreds of thousands of visitors to Sacramento County each year. Aftershock generated an estimated $35 million in local economic impact in 2025 and drew more than 164,000 attendees from all 50 states and more than 30 countries. GoldenSky delivered an estimated $14.1 million in economic impact and brought in roughly 75,000 attendees in 2024.
This agreement comes on the heels of the recent announcement by Danny Wimmer Presents and Visit Sacramento that GoldenSky will return to Discovery Park beginning in 2027 under a separate three-year commitment. Combined, these efforts reflect the strong collaboration between Sacramento County, Visit Sacramento, Danny Wimmer Presents and regional partners to retain and grow major destination events that generate significant economic and community benefits throughout the region.
The Sacramento County Office of Economic Development led negotiations on the agreement to maximize the economic and community benefits generated by these festivals, which range from supporting local businesses to investing in Discovery Park.
Under the agreement, Sacramento County will receive attendance-based permit revenue, reimbursement for all event-related County costs and funding that will be reinvested into Discovery Park, the American River Parkway and community programs. The agreement includes a commitment to prioritize Sacramento County-based vendors, service providers and local food and beverage businesses.
"When thousands of people come to Sacramento County for these festivals, they stay in our hotels, eat at our restaurants, shop at local businesses and experience everything our community has to offer," said Director of the Sacramento County Office of Economic Development Crystal Bethke. "Behind every festival is a network of local vendors, food providers, service businesses and workers who help make these events possible. This agreement helps create opportunities for those businesses and residents and turns visitor spending into benefits that continue long after the stages come down."
The agreement also includes up to $300,000 in Sacramento County Economic Development Targeted Support funding for initial site improvements, including upgrades to the parking area beneath Interstate 5 and enhancements to park open space.
Sacramento County Regional Parks will oversee and steward Regional Parks improvement projects funded through the agreement to align investments with long-term plans for Discovery Park and the American River Parkway while protecting the County’s natural and recreational resources.
"Discovery Park is one of those places that people remember," said Director of Sacramento County Regional Parks Liz Bellas. "Whether you're spending the day on the river, attending a festival with friends or simply enjoying the outdoors, the park is part of what makes Sacramento County unique. This agreement helps us share that experience with visitors from around the world and it allows us to reinvesting in a park our community takes great pride in."
The festivals at Discovery Park have brought people together to experience the music, culture, natural beauty and hospitality that define Sacramento County. This agreement celebrates that success and lays the foundation to share the best of what the region has to offer for years to come.
*The Discovery Park festival photos used in the header graphic of this news story were taken by Phil Serna and DWP.