Fresno’s own Dog Daze Fest is making a bold return this September — and it’s bringing The Chainsmokers with it.

The 18+ music festival returns Saturday, Sept. 6, to Chukchansi Park in downtown Fresno, promising three high-production stages, a pool lounge, VIP access, a hookah lounge, and a lineup that ranges from EDM to Latin to hip-hop. The Chainsmokers will headline what the organizer hopes will be a record-breaking event for the Central Valley.

Founded by Fresno native Devin Everk, the festival was first launched in May 2025 as a passion project meant to give Fresno State students an affordable, high-energy music experience. “My goal was to make it a $25 ticket,” he said. “That’s the cost of two Dutch Bros coffees.”

He didn’t attend Fresno State himself but returned to Fresno after college. He said the project was originally designed as a love letter to the school and the city: “I wanted to give the regular kid, who doesn’t have much money in their pocket, something to look forward to.”

Thousands of Tickets Already Sold

He’s also raised the stakes for this Dog Daze Fest.

With thousands of tickets already sold and projections between 9,000 to 12,000 attendees, the 2025 festival is pulling in big names. Along with The Chainsmokers, the lineup includes other recognizable artists like Sommer Ray, Iann Dior, and Sage the Gemini.

Securing The Chainsmokers — one of the biggest names in pop-EDM — was, in the organizer’s words, “straight up God.” With no big connections or major sponsors behind him, he relied on persistence. “I emailed people until they said yes,” he said. He said tapped everyone he knew who might be connected.

“I was told no at least 85 times,” he said. “Fresno is usually considered too small. They say yes to L.A., San Diego, San Francisco. But Fresno? It’s always a no.”

This time, it was a yes — and a turning point. The first festival proved that he could pull off a major production with multiple stages, on-time sets, and no cancellations. That gave him the leverage to pitch something bigger.

Dog Daze Fest to Feature Multiple Themed Stages

Dog Daze Fest 2025 will feature three themed stages: the Dog Daze Stage for EDM, the Casamigos Stage with Latin music, and the Hyphy Stage featuring a mix of hip-hop and pop. The event will also include a clubhouse lounge, interactive games, vendor booths, and VIP options ranging from $90 access passes to $2,500 suite packages.

General admission is $50 for the seven-hour event, and the organizer says he’s kept prices as low as possible to stay accessible to young people. Attendees 21 and older can also purchase tickets that include the Hookah Heights lounge or the Clubhouse tequila tasting room. A limited number of poolside tickets will be available for an elevated experience, though capacity will be capped for safety.

Organizer Believes Fresno Can Be California’s Entertainment Capital

Despite growing momentum, he says this isn’t a quick cash-in — it’s a long-term mission to transform Fresno’s music scene. “This is a 10-year business plan. I want people to be blown away that this is happening in Fresno,” he said. “We are the center of California. Why can’t we be the capital of entertainment?”

The organizer says Dog Daze is part of a larger movement to bring more life — and more investment — to the city’s core.

He’s now calling on others to get involved — not just by buying tickets, but by joining the effort. “Once people get good at this, they leave Fresno,” he said. “I’m not going anywhere. I just need help. Help from the city, help from Fresno State, help from the people who believe in Fresno.”

He also hopes to eventually bring Dog Daze back to Fresno State, potentially at Valley Children’s Stadium.

For now, his eyes are on Chukchansi Park.

“If we sell out, I’ll reinvest right back into production,” he said said. “This isn’t about ego. I don’t want the spotlight. I want Fresno to be better. And I want the world to see what we can do here.”

Dog Daze Fest takes place Saturday, Sept. 6. Tickets are available now. For updates, Dog Daze Fest regularly posts on their Instagram.

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