Summer Concerts – Most are FREE!
San Luis Obispo County is home to many talented singers and musicians. The active SLO County nightlife, with its many cafes, bars, restaurants and cruises offering live music, allows these talented musicans to earn a living during the year. In the summer, though, they are REALLY busy.
San Luis Obispo County has a free concert to enjoy almost every day of the week during the summer. Many families and couples bring a picnic dinner to enjoy while listening and dancing to the great music. Many of the locations have play areas for kids within earshot – and eyesight – of the concert. So you and your loved ones can have a fun and memorable evening for just the cost of a picnic dinner.
The concerts are performed by a mix of popular local professional jazz, country, salsa and rock groups. You might even see a popular central valley group performing. The usual summer concert schedule runs mid-June to the end of August. All are FREE and very popular with locals and visitors.
The tradition of free summer concerts started in the summer of 1995, when a few dozen people showed up for a free concert on a Friday evening in Mission Plaza in downtown SLO. Within two years, thousands were showing up every Friday night to enjoy the music and ambiance. Since then, most of the cities and towns in SLO County have joined in the fun.
Festival Mozaic
July 11 - 22, 2012
- Tuesday
* Atascadero's Tuesdays in the Park
Atascadero Lake Park, BBQ 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm, Music 7:00 pm - 8:00 pm
June 19 - August 30, 2012
Food & wine available for purchase. May bring own beer & wine.
Wednesday
* Templeton's Concerts in the Park
Templeton City Park, 6:30 pm - 8:30 pm
June 6 - July 25, 2012
Food available for purchase. May bring own beer & wine.
Thursday
* Free music at SLO Farmers Market Downtown- Downtown San Luis Obispo, Hguera St. 6:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Every Thursday! - Friday
* San Luis Obispo's Concerts in the Plaza - Mission Plaza, 5:30 pm - 7:30 pm
View Schedule
June 1- August 31, 2012
Food, wine & beer available for purchase.
May NOT bring outside alcohol.
* Paso Robles Concerts in the Park
Paso Robles City Park Gazebo, 5:30 pm - 7:30 pm
July 15 - August 31, 2012 - Food & wine available for purchase. May bring own beer & wine.
* Avila Beach Farmers Market & Summer Concerts
Avila Beach Promenade, 4:00 pm - 8:00 pm
View Schedule
April 6 - September 28, 2012 - Food sold by many vendors.
Alcohol may only be consumed at nearby restaurant & bar. - Saturday
* Atascadero's Concerts in the Park
Atascadero Lake Park, 6:30 pm - 8:30 pm
July 7 - August 11, 2012 - You may bring and/or buy food & wine. No cover charge.
* Los Osos BAREFOOT Concerts on the Green
Sea Pines Golf Resort, 2:00 pm - 6:00 pm
2012 Dates TBD
No outside alcohol or food. May buy food and wine on-site.
Sunday
* Arroyo Grande Village Summer Concert Series
Rotary Bandstand - Heritage Square Park, 1:00 pm
June 10, 24. July 4, 15, 29. August 12, 26. September 9.
May not consume alcohol.
Food available on site or from nearby delis.
* Avila Beach SchoolHouse Rock Concert Series
Salisbury Vineyards, 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm
2012 Dates TBD
$5 Cover Charge for adults.
Must purchase any food or alcohol on site.
* Cambria's Summer Nights in the Garden - Robin's Restaurant, 5:00 pm - 9:00 pm
2012 Dates TBD
No cover, but charge for wine and food.
Special winery tastings at each one.
* Grover Beach Sizzlin Summer Concerts & Farmers Market
Ramona Garden Park
June 2 - September 30, 2012, 3:00 pm - 6:00 pm
Food, wine and beer can be purchased on-site. Fun for the entire
family!
Summer Finale Concert - Pops by the Sea
Septmeber 2, 2012
The final concert of the summer is also the biggest. On the Sunday of Labor Day Weekend, enjoy “POPS by the Sea”. This is fun Concert of Popular music, performed by the SLO Symphony. Theme for 2012 will be Summer of Love.
This concert is held on the beautiful lawn of the Avila Beach Golf Resort, right next to the Pacific Ocean. There is a charge to attend the concert. Click here for ticket and event information.
Check out our "Summer Fun" YouTube video, which has brief clips of many of these concerts.
