King Gillette Ranch
King Gillette Ranch is parkland of lawns, a pond, bridges and courtyards on Mulholland Highway in Calabasas, in the Santa Monica Mountains, and it is the home of the Topanga Banjo Fiddle Contest and Folk Festival, which dates to 1961. On festival day parking is free, where the park's usual charge is $7, and a shuttle cart runs from the general lot to the Tiny Porch Stage with a stop near the Family Stage. Most of the event area is grass, though the food court has paved access and golf carts wait at the entrance for anyone who needs help.
Before you go
- Indoor or outdoor
- Mostly outdoor: lawns, a pond, bridges, courtyards and terraces, plus the Anthony C. Beilenson Visitor Center
- Official site
- mrca.ca.gov
- Next festival here
- Topanga Banjo Fiddle Contest and Folk Festival, May 16, 2027
Worth knowing before you go
- Parking is free on festival day, but the park charges $7 on other days.
- Beyond the paved food court, the event area is grass.
- Dogs are not allowed in the park.
- Contests start at 9am, three hours before the featured performances at 12pm.
- It is a day festival; there is no camping on site.
Festivals here
Venue basics: Free parking on festival day, $7 otherwise · Shuttle cart from the general lot to the stages · ADA park, but the event area is mostly grass.
Is it for you
Choose it if
- You want an all-day acoustic festival with contests, workshops and open jamming.
- You like to picnic on a lawn with mountain views.
Think twice if
- You need paved ground everywhere: beyond the food court, the event area is mostly grass.
- You want to camp on site: this is a day festival.
- You would be bringing a dog: the park does not allow them.
Getting there and parking
The ranch is on Mulholland Highway in Calabasas. On an ordinary day the park charges $7 for parking.
Festival-specific · Topanga Banjo Fiddle Contest and Folk FestivalParking is free for the festival. A shuttle cart takes you from the general parking lot to the Tiny Porch Stage, and there is a shuttle stop near the Family Stage. Contests start at 9am, the featured performances at 12pm, and jamming goes on all day.
Accessibility
The park is ADA accessible. During the festival there are golf carts at the entrance for anyone who needs help, a shuttle cart from the general parking lot, and paved access to the food court. The rest of the event area is mostly grass, so the ground is still a factor.
Confirm your specific needs with the venue before you travel (parking_and_access).
Camping
We don't yet have confirmed information about camping at King Gillette Ranch. The venue's own pages are the place to check: mrca.ca.gov.
Food, water and what you can bring
Festival-specific · Topanga Banjo Fiddle Contest and Folk FestivalFood at the festival is simple and flexible: bring a picnic or a cooler, or buy from the food trucks on site, which include vegan options. Craft beer is sold at the festival.
Sound and sensory
This is a scenic mountain ranch with lawns and views, and the festival has a strong acoustic tradition, with five stages, contests, workshops and jamming all day.
Recently at King Gillette Ranch
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Quick answers
Is parking free at King Gillette Ranch?
Yes, on festival day. The park's usual parking charge is $7, but the festival makes parking free, with a shuttle cart from the general lot to the Tiny Porch Stage.
Is King Gillette Ranch wheelchair accessible?
Partly. The park is ADA accessible, the food court has paved access, and golf carts at the entrance and a shuttle cart from the parking lot help anyone who needs it, but most of the event area is grass.
Can I bring my own food to the festival?
Yes. Bring a picnic or a cooler, or buy from the food trucks on site, which include vegan options. Craft beer is sold at the festival.
Can I camp at King Gillette Ranch?
We don't yet have confirmed information about camping at King Gillette Ranch. The venue's own pages at mrca.ca.gov are the place to check. The festival is a day event.
Can I bring my dog?
No. The park does not allow dogs.
What time does the festival start?
Contests start at 9:00 am and the featured performances at 12:00 pm, with jamming all day.
A little history
The Topanga Banjo Fiddle Contest and Folk Festival dates to 1961 and is held at King Gillette Ranch in the Santa Monica Mountains, which makes the ranch one of the region's longest-running folk festival grounds.