The Bowl Opens, Theatre Under the Stars, & Your Redlands Weekend

ELO tribute Friday night. Two opening nights at Prospect Park. FC in first place. Let's go.

Redlands Bowl drops its full 2026 season (Frozen, ELO, Yacht Rock, Navy Band, every night free), FC opens at home Saturday at 7, and a fifth-generation citrus grower just put Redlands on the world stage. It's a good week to live here.

From the Groves
Why This Matters

The weekend is here, and it's a big one.

The Redlands Bowl opens its 103rd season Friday night with one of the best tribute acts in the country. The Redlands Theatre Festival lights up Prospect Park for the first time this summer.

Redlands FC is sitting in first place. And the farmers market is waiting for you Saturday morning.

It's been great being home this week after all those miles of driving we did to the Northwest!

But I'll be honest: after all those miles, nothing looked better than the San Bernardino Mountains coming into view on the 10. Redlands in the summer is something else. This weekend is a good reminder of that.

Let's get into it

Let's get into it.
Carlos Samaniego, EA

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🍊 GROVE STREET HEADLINES

The Redlands Bowl Summer Music Festival has been running since 1924.

No admission. No reservations. Just bring a blanket and a low-back chair. This Friday, the Bowl goes all-in on nostalgia with Ticket to the Moon — widely considered the best Electric Light Orchestra tribute in the world. After that, the schedule keeps rolling: Ashes & Arrows brings Appalachian bluegrass from Asheville on June 30, and the 4th of July Patriotic Pops are shaping up to be special with the debut of a commissioned piece honoring Redlands' own Lincoln Memorial Shrine. Disney's Frozen takes the stage July 23–26. The fireworks finale closes it out August 14. All of it, free. All of it, ours.

Full 2026 Season Lineup →

Redlands Theatre Festival Opens Its 54th Summer Season

Prospect Park's outdoor amphitheater lights up this weekend with two opening nights of the Redlands Theatre Festival's 2026 season. Friday brings One Man, Two Guvnors — a British farce that people are already calling the funniest thing they've seen under the stars. Saturday is opening night for The Drowsy Chaperone, the jazz-age musical comedy full of showgirls, tap dancing, and theatrical chaos. Five productions rotate through August 1. The lineup is comedy-forward and the setting — trees, open sky, that Prospect Park ridge — doesn't get old. Tickets start at $24.

Tickets and Show Schedule →

Redlands FC Moves Into First Place

Redlands FC thrashed the Southern California Eagles to move into first place in the Southwest Division. The offense exploded for three goals in the first half and never looked back. They're back at Dodge Stadium (840 E Central Ave ) this Saturday, June 27 at 7 PM to take on Stars FC. If you haven't been to a match yet this season, this is the one to catch.


⚽Local Sports

⚽ SOCCER

Redlands FC Grinds Out a Draw on the Road

Redlands FC took a trip out to Ventura on Wednesday night to face the Ventura County Fusion, one of the premier clubs in USL2. They didn't come back with a win, but they didn't come back empty-handed either. A hard-fought 0-0 draw earned them a point on the road and extended their unbeaten streak to four games.

Goalkeeper Tony Flores made a massive save in the 40th minute, tipping a free kick just over the bar to keep things level. The defense held strong through a late Fusion push in the 80th minute to secure the shutout. They're back in Redlands this Saturday, June 13, for a home friendly before hitting the road again next week.

Full story at Community Forward Redlands →

🎓 HIGH SCHOOL ATHLETICS

Local Seniors Honored by Ken Hubbs Foundation

The Ken Hubbs Foundation just handed out its annual awards, recognizing the top 50 high school senior athletes in the area for their work in sports, academics, and the community. Redlands showed up strong.

Redlands High's Ava Reyes (Volleyball ) and Micah Freimuth (Wrestling), REV's Isaac Vitella (Football) and Layla Robinson (Flag Football/Cheer), and Citrus Valley's Ahris Mayorga (Football/Track) and Monse Matute (Softball) all took home honors. Matute actually won the overall Ken Hubbs Female Athlete of the Year Award after hitting .459 with 13 home runs over her career. She's heading to UCLA next year.

Full story at Community Forward Redlands →


🌳 AROUND THE GROVES

🌳 Around the Groves

Free Summer Meals for Kids. Redlands Unified and the Family Services Association have launched summer meal sites throughout the city. Any child 18 or younger can get a free lunch this summer. No application, no paperwork — just show up. Multiple locations open Monday through Friday. Find a site near you at the RUSD website.

Fireworks Are Still Illegal in Redlands. The city wants everyone at the official celebrations, not in their driveway with a box from the stand on Redlands Blvd. Fines start at $1,000 and property owners can be held liable. The Bowl's Patriotic Pops on July 3 and the fireworks finale on August 14 are the move. Save your money. Keep the neighborhood safe.|

Prince Tribute Coming July 9. Mark your calendars. The Live & Loud Concert Series at Citrus Plaza kicks off with a massive Prince Tribute show at the Mountain Grove Lawn (27511 San Bernardino Ave). Details →


🎯 YOUR REDLANDS WEEKEND

🎯 Your Redlands Weekend

Redlands Bowl — Ticket to the Moon: ELO Experience

Friday, June 26 | 8:00 PM | Free

The group widely considered the world's best ELO tribute takes the Bowl stage for a summer Friday night. Expect "Mr. Blue Sky," "Don't Bring Me Down," and that big orchestral sound that made ELO impossible to forget. Bring your chair. The lawn fills up fast.

25 Grant St, Redlands, CA 92373 (Smiley Park)

Redlands Theatre Festival — "One Man, Two Guvnors"

Friday, June 26 | 8:00 PM | $24

Opening night for the RTF's 54th season. This British slapstick farce — one man, two bosses, zero chance anything goes right — runs fast and loud under the trees at Prospect Park. The RTF rotating season runs through August 1.

Prospect Park, 1170 Cajon St, Redlands, CA 92373 | rtfseason.com

Redlands Theatre Festival — "The Drowsy Chaperone"

Saturday, June 27 | 8:00 PM | $24

Jazz-age musical comedy with showgirls, tap dancing, and the kind of chaos that makes outdoor theater in Redlands so good. "The Drowsy Chaperone" is the season's Tony Award-winning anchor production. Opening night Saturday.

Prospect Park, 1170 Cajon St, Redlands, CA 92373 | rtfseason.com

Saturday Certified Farmers Market

Saturday, June 27 | 8:00 AM – 11:00 AM | Free

Locally grown, locally made. The best Saturday morning ritual in Redlands. Year-round, every week. Fresh produce, small vendors, and the kind of easy Saturday energy that makes this city feel like home.

5th St & State St, Redlands, CA 92373

Redlands FC vs Stars FC

Saturday, June 27 | 7:00 PM

First place on the line. Redlands FC comes in hot after thrashing the Eagles. Don't miss it.

Dodge Stadium, 840 E Central Ave, Redlands, CA 92374

Redlands Bowl — Ashes & Arrows (America's Got Talent Finalists )

Tuesday, June 30 | 8:00 PM | Free

Bluegrass trio out of Asheville, NC. 2024 finalists on America's Got Talent. Raw harmonies, roots authenticity, and the kind of performance that earns its place at the Bowl. Free, open air, no reservations needed.

25 Grant St, Redlands, CA 92373 (Smiley Park)

IE Big Show — Worth the Drive

Gabriel "Fluffy" Iglesias — Live Stand-Up Comedy

Sunday, June 28 | 8:00 PM | Tickets from ~$83

One of the biggest names in stand-up comedy brings his 1976 Tour to the Yaamava Theater for a Sunday night show. Theater setting — intimate by his standards. If you've never seen Fluffy live, this is the one. Tickets are moving fast.

Yaamava Theater, 777 San Manuel Blvd S, Highland, CA 92346


🎯 Live Music & Entertainment

🎸 Live Music in Redlands
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Thursday, June 25

Three Stags Irish Pub — Live Music Night, 8:00 PM | 328 Orange St. Check their socials for the performer.

Friday, June 26

Redlands Bowl — Ticket to the Moon: The ELO Experience, 8:00 PM | 25 Grant St (Smiley Park ). Free. No tickets. Bring a chair and a blanket.

Three Stags Irish Pub — Live Music Night, 8:00 PM | 328 Orange St.

Tartan of Redlands — Friday Night Live Music | 1 Redlands Blvd. Steakhouse setting, live acts most Fridays. Check their events page for the performer.

September's Restaurant — Live Music, 8:30 PM | 1495 W Renaissance Pkwy. Reservations recommended.

Saturday, June 27

Three Stags Irish Pub — Live Music Night, 8:00 PM | 328 Orange St.

Ritual Brewing Co. — Live Music Showcase, 7:00–9:00 PM | 1315 Research Dr. Food trucks on-site. Dog-friendly.

Hangar 24 Craft Brewing — Weekend Vibes, check their calendar | 1710 Sessums Dr. Open until 11 PM Saturdays.

Tartan of Redlands — Saturday Night Live Music | 1 Redlands Blvd.

Sunday, June 28

Three Stags Irish Pub — Sunday Sessions, 4:00 PM | 328 Orange St. The Sunday afternoon show is a local tradition.

Ritual Brewing Co. — Sunday Open Mic / Community Evening | 1315 Research Dr. Sign-ups at 4 PM. Comedy, music, poetry — all welcome.

📣 WE'RE LOOKING FOR A SOCIAL MEDIA INTERN

RedlandsNow is hiring (well — sort of). We're looking for a college student to help us launch and grow our social media presence.

If you love Redlands, live on Instagram and TikTok, and want real hands-on experience building a community-driven local media brand from the ground up, we want to talk to you.

What you'd do:

Help create, schedule, and post content across our social platforms. Capture short-form video around town. Build engagement with our growing readership. Bring fresh ideas to the table.

What you'd get:

This is an unpaid position — but it's a real one. You'll get hands-on experience launching a social media platform, a portfolio of published work, behind-the-scenes access to local news and events, professional mentorship, and a strong resume builder with a real reference at the end of it.

Who we're looking for:

A college student (preferred) who's reliable, creative, and excited about Redlands. Marketing, journalism, communications, or media majors are a natural fit — but if you've got the eye and the energy, the major doesn't matter.

Interested? Email info@redlandsnow.com with a quick note about yourself, your school, and a couple of links to social content you've created or accounts you've helped grow.

Help us tell the story of Redlands.

GRATITUDE & COMMUNITY

From One Neighbor to Another

I grew up watching this city take care of its own. The Bowl is free because people believe music belongs to everyone.

The Theatre Festival comes back every summer because the community keeps showing up for it.

The farmers market is still here because Redlands residents choose local first.

That's not an accident. That's who we are.

This week, let someone know what you love about living here. It might be the orange blossoms in the morning.

It might be the way the mountains look from Prospect Park after dark. It might be a neighbor who's been here longer than you have and knows the history behind every corner.

This week's prompt: What's your favorite thing about a Redlands summer evening? Reply to this email and tell me. I read every one.

See you out there,
Carlos Samaniego, EA

Sponsorship Opportunities

Ready to connect with engaged Redlands residents? Our newsletter reaches dedicated community members who support local businesses.

Contact us at info@redlandsnow.com to learn about sponsorship opportunities and tell us about your upcoming events, or next nominee for Inland Legend!

That's all for this week! Thanks for reading, and we'll see you around the groves.

Stay connected, stay local,
Carlos Samaniego, EA

The RedlandsNow.com Team