Artists
Voices that move mantras.
Jai Uttal
Nina Rao
Govind Das
Visvambhar Sheth
Mr David
Prajna Vieira
Nat Kendall
Will Marsh
Outstanding artists
Devotional musicians who have dedicated their lives to the practice.
Organic cuisine
Nourishing vegetarian meals prepared with care.
Incredible sangha
Join our community of kirtan lovers and share your voice.
Just kirtan
One stage. No distractions. Chanting from dawn through late in the evening.
Comechant
with us
About
This festival was born from a simple truth: chanting changes lives.
We are friends and family who discovered the power of kirtan, not simply as music, but as a spiritual practice that opened our hearts, grounded our minds, and deepened our connection to something greater.
Moved by this transformation, we came together as volunteers to co-create a gathering in Northern California.
This festival is our offering. No salaries. No dividends. All proceeds go directly to the artists and toward nurturing a truly life-changing experience.
Schedule
Four days of chanting & community.
thuApr 22
Location
A sanctuary in the hills of Northern California.
Nestled above the Monterey Bay, in Santa Cruz, CA, Mount Madonna is home to a Hanuman Temple. Beautiful vistas, forested trails and mountain quiet make room for practice and transformation.
From San Francisco2 hours
From San Jose1 hour
Acres of forest355+
Reserve your place
One incredible weekend. Two simple steps.
To attend Kirtan Fest, every guest must purchase festival tuition and reserve either on-site accommodation or the commuter option through Mount Madonna.
Festival tuition
Buy your tuition ticket.
Purchase one tuition ticket for each attendee.
Mount Madonna accommodation
Book your accommodation.
Reserve either an on-site stay or the commuter option through Mount Madonna. All meals are included.
*Both steps are required for the festival weekend.
The accommodation booking link will also be included in your ticket confirmation email.
Staying at Mount Madonna
Rest up. Chant on.
Mount Madonna offers a welcoming range of comfortable stays, from private rooms and cozy cottages to yurts, camping, and commuter options.
Accommodation is booked separately through Mount Madonna after you purchase festival tuition. All meals are included with every on-site stay and commuter registration. Space is limited, so we encourage friends and family to share whenever possible.
Private & shared rooms
Choose a private queen room or a shared room with twin beds. Ensuite and nearby shared-bath options are available.
Cabins & cottages
Stay in a shared woodland cabin or choose a private or shared bedroom in a cottage with common spaces and a shared bath.
Yurts & glamping
Share a furnished yurt with beds and electricity, or choose a prepared glamping tent with a queen bed, linens, and towels.
Dormitories
Reserve a twin bed in a shared dormitory room for approximately four to nine guests, with communal space and shared bathrooms.
Camping & vehicle sites
Bring your own tent for a walk-up forest site, or stay in your car, camper, or RV at a personal vehicle site.
Commuter option
Stay off-site nearby and join us each day. This option includes festival meals without overnight lodging at Mount Madonna.
*Exact options, live availability, and current pricing are shown on Mount Madonna’s booking page.
Plan your stay early.
Mount Madonna has 136 beds on site, and Kirtan Fest will welcome up to 200 guests. On-site beds are expected to fill, so reserve your stay as soon as you purchase your festival ticket.
Book your accommodationStaying nearby
If on-site lodging is full, you’re welcome to stay nearby and drive up the mountain each day.
- Comfort Inn Watsonville · 6 miles
- CordeValle, San Martin · 7 miles · Luxury resort
- Holiday Inn Express & Suites Watsonville · 8 miles
- Best Western Rose Garden Inn, Watsonville · 8 miles
Mount Madonna is reached by a winding ridgetop road. Please allow approximately 20–25 minutes for the drive between nearby hotels and the retreat center.
Staying off site? Every off-site guest must reserve Mount Madonna’s commuter option. It includes access to the property and festival meals and is available through the accommodation booking page.
Do I need prior experience with kirtan?
Not at all. Whether you have chanted for decades or this is your first kirtan, you are welcome. The mantras are simple, call-and-response, and the room will carry you.
What do I need to purchase?
Every guest must complete both steps: purchase a festival tuition ticket and reserve either on-site accommodation or the commuter option through Mount Madonna. Both are required for the festival weekend.
How do I reserve accommodations?
Use the Mount Madonna booking page to see live availability and choose an on-site stay or commuter option. We’ll also include the link in your festival ticket confirmation email. All meals are included.
Can I stay off site?
Yes. If you stay nearby, you must reserve Mount Madonna’s commuter option in addition to purchasing festival tuition. The commuter option includes access to the property and festival meals.
What kind of food is served?
Nourishing vegetarian meals are served throughout the gathering and are included with your accommodation.
What should I bring?
Comfortable layers, a water bottle, a cushion if you like, and anything that helps you settle into a spacious weekend.