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 14 - 24, 2011
- 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 24 - August 26, 2011
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
View Schedule
June 8 - July 20, 2011
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
- Friday
* San Luis Obispo's Concerts in the Plaza - Mission Plaza, 5:30 pm - 7:30 pm
June 10 - Septmeber 2, 2011 - 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
View Schedule
July 24 - August 28, 2011 - Food & wine available for purchase. May bring own beer & wine.
* Avila Beach Summer Concerts
Avila Beach Promenade, 4:00 pm - 8:00 pm
April 1 - September 30, 2011
Held in conjunction with Farmers Market. 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
View Schedule
July 9 - August 13, 2011 - You may bring / buy food & wine. No cover charge.
* Los Osos BAREFOOT Concerts on the Green
Sea Pines Golf Resort, 2:00 pm - 6:00 pm
May 14 - July 23, 2011
No outside alcohol or food. May buy food and wine on-site.
* Templeton's SLOFolks Concert Series
Castoro Cellars, 7:00 pm, Charge
Select Saturdays: June 5, July 23, August 20, September 24, 2011
May bring food. No outside alcohol. May buy on-site.
Sunday
* Arroyo Grande Village Summer Concert Series
View Schedule
Rotary Bandstand - Heritage Square Park, 1:00 pm
May not consume alcohol.
Food available on site or from nearby delis.
* Avila Beach SchoolHouse Rock Concert Series
Salisbury Vineyards
Series starts June 26, 2011, 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm
$5 Cover Charge for adults.
Must purchase any food or alcohol on site.
* Cambria's Summer Nights in the Garden- Robin's Restaurant
June 12 - August 28, 2011, 5:00 pm - 9:00 pm
No cover, but charge for wine and food.
Special winery tastings at each one.
* Grover Beach Sizzlin Summer Concerts & Farmers Market
View Schedule
Ramona Garden Park
June 5 - September 25, 2011 (except Aug 28), 3:00 pm - 6:00 pm
Food, wine and beer can be purchased on-site. Fun for the entire family with bounce houses for the kids and a great selection of vendors. Monthly silent auctions and prize drawings.
Part of their weekly Famers Market at same time and place.
- * Templeton's Lazy Locals Concert Series
Castoro Cellars, 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm
Select Sundays: June 19, July 10, August 7, September 4, 2011
May bring food. Must purchase any alcohol on site.
Summer Finale Concert - Pops by the Sea
Septmeber 4, 2011
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 2011 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.
