GramFest: Cosmic American Music Festival

The spirit of Cosmic American Music returns to the Joshua Tree desert this fall with the revival of GramFest: A Cosmic American Music Festival, taking place Saturday, November 22, 2025, from 3:00 PM to 10:30 PM at the Joshua Tree Cultural Center’s Blak Box Theater (formerly the Hi-Desert Cultural Center).

Founded in the 1990s by musician and cultural organizer Jon McKinney, GramFest began as a grassroots celebration of Gram Parsons, the pioneering artist who helped forge a timeless fusion of rock, folk, soul, and country. Over the years, the festival became a beloved tradition in Joshua Tree, drawing fans from across the country. Now, under the leadership of Jeff LeGore and in co-production with the Joshua Tree Cultural Center, GramFest returns with a renewed vision while honoring its roots. “GramFest has always been more than just a concert — it’s a gathering of community in the desert to honor the spirit of Gram Parsons and the music he inspired,” said Jeff LeGore, a producer of GramFest 2025. “By bringing the festival back to Joshua Tree and partnering with the Joshua Tree Cultural Center, we’re not only celebrating a musical legacy, we’re creating space for new generations to experience Cosmic American Music in the place where it belongs.”

The 2025 edition of GramFest will feature performances by:
- Sin City All Stars w/ Special Guests
- Jonny Kaplan & Friends feat. Miranda Lee Richards, Rick Parker, Christopher Thorn
- The Doohickeys
- Chris Laterzo & Buffalo Robe
- The Prickly Pair (from Nashville)
- Bob Woodruff
- Teddy Quinn’s The Paredoliacs
- Paul Inman’s Delivery
- Brad Byrd
- Lisa Lynn & the Broken Hallelujahs
- Austin Vellejo
- Joe City & Urban Desert Cabaret

GramFest 2025 offers more than music. Guests will enjoy a full bar with craft cocktails, mocktails, and a wide selection of both alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, creating a festival-style social experience that complements the music. With performances scheduled through the afternoon and evening, audiences will experience a journey from desert sunset to starlit sky.

The Joshua Tree Cultural Center (formerly the Hi-Desert Cultural Center) has long been the region’s premier performing arts and cultural institution. Hosting GramFest at its Blak Box Theater continues its mission of fostering world-class performance, community connection, and artistic innovation in the Joshua Tree desert.

Event Details:
What: GramFest 2025: A Cosmic American Music Festival
When: Saturday, November 22, 2025 — 3:00 PM to 10:30 PM
Where: Joshua Tree Cultural Center – Blak Box Theater
Address: 61231 CA-62, Joshua Tree, CA
Tickets: jtarts.org

Also check out other Entertainment events in Joshua Tree, Festivals in Joshua Tree, Music events in Joshua Tree.