Some weekends are worth the drive, and this is one of them. Same Same But Different started in 2018 with a couple of friends and a few hundred people, and it has grown every year since as an independent festival with no institutional backing.

The 2026 daily lineups just landed, and they make the case on their own.

Tiger Fox Runs the Thursday Pre-Party

San Diego’s own Tiger Fox presents the official opening night, which means the weekend has a local fingerprint on it before anyone leaves town. The collective built its name on immersive music and dance experiences.

Opening night brings Saturna, Thought Process, Burnsun b2b KiLO, Fiendi, Furtha, Hypho, PANDO!, Shortcvke, and Ursa Major.

Of The Trees, LSDREAM, and Gramatik Lead the Same Stage

Friday belongs to Of The Trees, who closes the Same Stage alongside Effin, Steller, and Vincent Antone. Over on the But Stage: Big Sis, Les Greene & The Swayzees, Helix Moon, and Tone Ranger.

Saturday puts LSDREAM and Gramatik on one bill, joined by Kasablanca and Koastle. Sunday hands the close to Tape B, Andy Frasco & The U.N., and TRUTH.

Good Society programs the Inner Bass Stage all three days, with KLO, Bass Temple, Hyperlight, Kaipora, Mocha, and BabyKush on Saturday.

Late Nights Run Until 5 AM at the Tiki Stage

Friday’s after-hours sit with Lee Reynolds, Nariman, Peace Control, Danny Grisa, Grace Seymour, Gkat, JustJoe & Friends, and Novodor, who keep it going until 5 AM.

Saturday moves to Ship Wrek, Twin Diplomacy, CONRXD, Geo Smith, Juush, Lumi, Marta, and Trés Mortimer. Sunday closes with LuSiD, Mishell, Yamagucci, Izzy Wise, MNTRA, and The Botanist.

Take the Ferry to Nakey Island

Nakey Island is boat access only, produced with Southern California collective Almost Nakey, and it runs as its own world across the weekend. Hidden beaches, open-air dance floors, cabanas, hiking trails, kayak races, and treasure hunts.

Its stage plays nothing that repeats on the main grounds, and Machinedrum lands there Saturday. A Nakey Island Passport covers unlimited ferry rides all weekend, and Limitless passholders already have it included.

Floatopia, a Hot Air Balloon, and 75 Workshops

More than 75 workshops and experiences fill the hours between sets, including wellness programming, interactive art, and LSDREAM’s Lightcode. The Family Garden and Groove Cove are in the mix too.

Floatopia and a hot air balloon experience round it out. Pack a swimsuit alongside everything else.

See you there!

Three days on the beach, a ferry ride to a private island, and sets that run long past midnight. Round up your people and point the car north.

📆 Thursday, September 24 – Sunday, September 27
📍 18095 Lake Perris Dr, Perris
🎟️ View ticket options here
ℹ️ Take a closer look here

See you there, San Diego!