Entertainment venues keep packing Fresno-area calendar. 10 (more) shows to watch
Among the big announcements in the entertainment world this week, was the addition of a dozen U.S. dates on Shakria’s “Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran” world tour.
That’s worth note because:
- These are smaller, more intimates arena shows and not the massive stadium tour the singer did last year.
- It’s a rare example of “we got it first.”
Shakira’s California dates for 2026 include stops in Inglewood, Palm Desert and San Jose. Not Fresno. But that’s only because we go the full-stadium experience last August.
Related: There’s been no indication Fresno State has any additional concerts in the works, though the university is conducting market and feasibility studies on Valley Children’s Stadium, part of which will no doubt include its further use as a live music venue.
That said, there’s no shortage of entertainment stopping through the Central Valley in 2026 as local venues continue to book out their calendars for this summer and beyond.
In late March, Broadway in Fresno announced its upcoming season. The touring theater series brings four shows, all musicals, to the Saroyan Theater for 2026-27. They include: “Water for Elephants” (Nov. 3-4), “Jersey Boys” (Feb. 2-4), “The Bodyguard” (March 15-16) and “A Beautiful Noise: the Neil Diamond Musical” (June 8-19, 2027). New season subscriptions are available in June starting at $205.
Here’s a look at other recent announcements (with dates and ticket prices).
- Boots in the Park is back at Fresno’s Woodward Park on April 18. This is the country version of the musical festival series with a lineup of six artists and headlined by Jon Pardi. Tickets for the day-long event are $104 with fees, but will eventually increase to $124.
- Songwriter/producer/DJ Dillion Francis is making a return to Fresno, performing on a co-headling tour with Flosstradamus. The aptly titled “Dillstradamus” tour plays May 1 at the Rainbow Ballroom, which is becoming the go-to spot for the EMD scene. See: Sold-out shows from Steve Aoki, Pauly D. Tickets are $29, plus fees.
- The Fresno Grizzlies are bringing in “Hot in Herre” rapper Nelly to headline Tequilla Fest on May 2 at Chukchansi Park. He’ll be joined by Elvis Crespo (who helped introduce the world to merengue with the 1998 hit “Suavemente”) and Twista (who was once the fastest rapper alive). Tickets run from $60 to $200.
- On the nightclub scene, the Tower District brewery/venue Summer Fox will host Ultrabomb, the new punk-project from Hüsker Dü bassist/singer Greg Norton with Ryan Smith of Soul Asylum and Derek O’Brien of Social Distortion fame. The band plays 7 p.m. May 30. Tickets are $17, plus fees.
- Texas county singer Vincent Neil Emerson plays June 11 at Strummer’s. Tickets go on sale 10 a.m. Friday. To get a sense of his music, Emerson has had songs featured on the TV shows “Big Sky,” “Reservation Dogs,” “Landman” and “Yellowstone.”
- There are two opportunities to see Los Lobos and Los Lonely Boys as they swing through the area on ”The Brotherhood” tour. The bands play Aug. 1 at Vina Robles Amphitheater in Paso Robles and then Warnors Theater in downtown Fresno the following night. Tickets for both show are available 10 a.m. Friday via Ticketmaster.
- Country upstart Nico Moon closes out the concert season at the Adventist Health Amphitheater in downtown Tulare. Tickets for the Sept. 6 concert start at $28. Also performing at the amphitheater this season: Steven Pearcy of Ratt (May 9), “I Love the 90s” tour with Vanilla Ice, Colour Me Badd and Black Sheep (June 27), comedians Howie Mandel and Jay Pharoah (Aug. 8) and Rooted in Harmony with Common Kings and Steel Pulse (Aug. 15).
- Comedian/actor and podcast personality Bert Kreischer announced new dates on his “Permission to Party” world tour. It includes a Sept. 18 stop at Tachi Palace Casino in Lempore followed by a Sept. 20 stop at Vina Robles. Tickets for both shows ar on sale 10 a.m. Friday via Ticketmaster.
- New Orleans hip-hop duo $uicideboy$ announced a Fresno date on their “Grey Day” tour, which includes a lineup of multiple openers (Destroy Lonely, Shoreline Mafia, Shakewell, DRAIN, Black Kray and $lim Gucci). The tour stops Oct. 6 at the Save Mart Center. Tickets start at $79.80 with fees.
This story was originally published April 11, 2026 at 10:00 AM with the headline "Entertainment venues keep packing Fresno-area calendar. 10 (more) shows to watch."