MENDOCINO CO., 7/21/26 — Around 1 a.m. Sunday morning, French DJ CloZee took the main stage of the Dirtybird Campout x Northern Nights music festival with beats and mixes that shook the crowd of more than a thousand, causing collective movement made of individual dance styles.
CloZee built up the music and when the bass dropped and reverberated throughout the valley of a campground in Piercy, chaos erupted in the crowd with some swaying and bobbing and others doing more creative moves. Hand-crafted, unique and often glowing totems with different objects and themes raised to the sky, held by festivalgoers in eye-catching, expressive outfits.
This was the second year for Dirtybird Campout x Northern Nights since the campout joined the festival in 2025. Northern Nights has been happening annually since 2013.
Several thousand music fans camped out at Dirtybird Campout x Northern Nights music festival over the weekend and danced in the woods and along the river. Festivalgoer Justin Haughton said he has been to five music festivals in the past few years before coming to Dirtybird Campout x Northern Nights this July. He said his favorite part of coming to music festivals– especially this venue which he had been to before in 2022– is meeting new people.
“I feel like we all like lost that art of just talking to strangers and being chill about it, so I think just putting yourself out there and attracting what you attract and meeting the most unexpected people-that’s like my favorite part of it all,” Haughton said.
Lasers from the main stage could be seen half a mile away on the trees in the distance at Cook’s Valley Campground. Music also came from several other stages tucked into various spots on the property off U.S. Route 101 in Piercy, playing house, electronic and dubstep music each night of the festival.
During the day, the river had hundreds of campers on different themed floaties, large and small, dotting the river. From the evening into the early morning, attendees danced at five stages — Main, River, Birdbath, Grove and the Bunker. After dancing all night, eventgoers made their way back to their camps they had set up when they got to the festival.
The festival also featured games, yoga, bars, vendors selling attire fit for the festival as well as food, including Spyros Gyros from Ukiah.
Milagros “Millie” Orozco Valencia shared similar sentiments while taking a break from the dance floor in front of the main stage. She said she was there for the connection.
“I want to feel close to people. I just want to feel close to nature, myself, everyone, strangers. I just want to reignite that spark between community,” Orozco Valencia said. “I’m tired of not saying hi to people on the street or saying hey you look great. I just want to do that more naturally.”
Orozco Valencia said she enjoyed the rejuvenating happiness and fun throughout the festival.
“The good vibes. Everyone here is having a good time,” Orozco Valencia said. “They just want to relax, refresh, and it’s like a start over. It’s a new rebirth for them.”
Haughton said he likes that music festivals like this one bring people together. He said the way everyone camps together, and shares resources is a wholesome thing to see.
“It’s dope seeing everyone come from such different places. Especially in these times, everything seems to be so divisive. But here it doesn’t matter,” Haughton said. “We’re all just weirdos dancing in the woods.”
That’s the spirit!
I would like to see some other things documented in regards to this event such as wastewater and human waste, river protection, trash cleanup, noise enforcement, wildlife impact, fire evacuation, emergency response, etc. What measures are being taken to mitigate environmental impact? What is the emergency evacuation plan if there is a wildfire? What is the impact on the Eel river and the surrounding redwoods ecosystem? How much noise and light pollution is reaching neighboring properties and wildlife? Are the activities on the Humboldt side covered by valid current permits? Why did our county only make an addendum on the environmental review rather than a new comprehensive review given the scale of the event?
This is temporary and fleeting, where as global industrial culture is permanent. Everything you mentioned is everday in every city. How can you not see that? Why not say everything you said about any city or about agriculture. Let the people dance once a year.
Buzzkill much? Jeez.
Well it’s certainly not Reggae on the river, there are significantly less people for approximately 3 days. I have lived here in Mendocino county since 1979 and from what ive seen of pollution and destruction of land and water as well as animals and human suffering comes from the grape vineyards. Of course there has been significant pollution and trash from the marijuana grows but nothing compares to the greedy and wealthy winemakers, that’s what ive witnessed in almost 50 years. Also this Northern Nights festival is also pretty elitist and artsy, they sell paintings for 20$ Grand and more, i personally have never gone to a Reggae or other festival, im not into crowds, and i certainly wouldn’t pay 1,000$ for a ticket. i do have a young loved one that works these gigs all over in SF, and other states, these people are pretty mellow and conscientious. This is my opinion and im sure you can research and find out what permits etc. They have to get if that is your interest.
It’s disturbing and sad to me that this kind of abuse to our river and it’s real authentic wildlife is not only accepted but applauded. Monetized for sure. Go take that crap to the city! Then come to the forests for peace and respect the natural world, camp under some stars and get a hit of the really real world. Instead of beating it up with your all- important human egos. I mean how disconnected can ya get?
Mami, I agree. The vineyards have destroyed the river and ecosystem permanently beyond repair. There’s no clean up and no rules and cultural destruction without ceremony or even a harvest festival. They’ve destroyed humanity
Thank God I was there the weekend before this ! The Redwoods were so peaceful !!
Glad to see people having fun in nature! To bad there are cry baby’s about everything
Very enjoyable story to read. As far from the other AI rubbish as one can get. I love when a reporter actually goes and experiences and makes us feel the vibe. Pollution and such are a follow up story but she did a great right now piece with lots of sources. Why complain? Write your own story! Just enjoy the fun of the moment.
Nice story Savana. It’s cool that you interviewed some of the people who enjoyed the festival. I really like the pictures too!