Midweek jams fill the summer air with free concerts across the Vail Valley
Here’s a list of concert series that don’t wait for the weekend
Vail Valley Foundation/Courtesy photo
There’s no need to wait until the weekend to get out and hear live music in Eagle County. In the summertime, several outdoor concert series happen during the week up and down the valley. These free shows go on rain or shine. If you hit each of these concerts during the week, you may need the weekend just to recover.
Moe’s Original BBQ Hot Summer Nights – Tuesdays
The Gerald R. Ford Amphitheater hosts the longest-running free summer concert series, Hot Summer Nights, scheduled most Tuesday nights from now until Sept. 10. The Gerald R. Ford Amphitheater opened in 1987 and Hot Summer Nights has been a part of the schedule ever since. The local concert series was just recognized by USA Today’s Best Reader’s Choice Travel Awards for the country’s top outdoor concert series. Concerts start at 6:30 p.m. New this year are giveaways during each concert, including Moe’s BBQ, swag from Pacifico, a $200 gift certificate to the venue and a Turtlebox speaker. Entry codes will be available around the venue, one entry per email sign up and you must be present to win.
- July 2: Blitzen Trapper
- July 16: The Springsteen Experience
- Aug. 13: Allen Stone
- Aug. 20: Karl Denson’s Tiny Universe
- Aug. 27: Lindsay Lou
- Sept. 10: Vail Valley Foundation’s Community Concert featuring JoJo and Friends
New this year are giveaways during each concert, including Moe’s BBQ, Swag from Pacifico, a $200 gift certificate to the venue and a Turtlebox speaker. Entry codes will be available around the venue, one entry per email sign up and you must be present to win.
AvonLIVE! – Wednesdays
The Harry A. Nottingham Park in Avon is known for its big Salute to the U.S.A. concerts in years past, but that same stage is hosting free, live music on Wednesdays throughout the summer. The Avon Performance Pavilion rocks the park with concerts featuring national and regional acts. It’s a whole evening of music starting at 5:30 p.m. with the opening act followed by the headlining act. Enjoy one of the best places to watch the sunset in the valley and gather your friends for this midweek offering that runs on Wednesdays from now until Aug. 28.
- June 26: Dragondeer with opening act O’Conner Brothers Band
- July 10: Joe Samba with opening act Kat Hall Band
- July 17: Ryan Montbleau Band with opening act Scott Rednor Band
- July 24: Tyler Bryant & The Shakedown with opening act Runaway Fire
- July 31: The Lil’ Smokies with opening act High Lonesome
- Aug. 7: Dumpstaphunk with opening act Nik Parr & The Selfless Lovers
- Aug. 14: Paul Benjamin Band with opening act The Johnny O Band
- Aug. 21: Cimafunk with opening act Atomga
- Aug. 28: Magic Beans with opening act Frisco Funk Collective
Downvalley Get Down – Wednesdays
Gypsum has a beautiful outdoor venue called the Lundgren Amphitheater, which will play host to the new Downvalley Get Down-Gypsum Community Concerts. Gather with your friends and neighbors on five Wednesdays throughout the summer. Showtimes run 6:30-8:30 p.m.
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- June 26: Elle Michelle’s Grateful Holler
- July 10: Scott Fowler
- July 31: The Evolution Live
- Aug. 7: Josefina Mendez
- Aug. 14: Babaux and the Peacemakers
ShowDown Town – Thursdays
As the population moved downvalley, the Vail Valley Foundation, who hosts Hot Summer Nights, realized they had a captive audience for a concert series and created ShowDown Town, the sister concert series to Hot Summer Nights. It didn’t take long for the downvalley locals to adopt this series in their backyard and on Thursday nights, Eagle Town Park is the place to be. The picnic spreads are elaborate and the vibes are strong. These downvalley shows even draw folks from Vail, Minturn, Avon and Edwards to mix and mingle with friends who live in Eagle and Gypsum. Showtimes start at 6:30 p.m.
- June 27: Erik Stucky
- July 11: Bourbon Brass Band
- July 18: Easy Honey
- July 25: Danger Mountain
- Aug. 1: Hand Turkey
- Aug. 8: The Jeremy Fracknitz Band
- Aug. 15: Wincester Road
Lionshead Live – Thursdays
New this year is Lionshead Live, a free summer concert series at the Arrabelle in Lionshead Village. The music continues weekly through Aug. 29, with the exception of July 4. The music starts at 6 p.m. and goes until 8 p.m. Then, the afterparty starts at The Tavern on the Square from 8:30 to 10 p.m. The bands will perform under the event tent, which is nice if any rain moves in.
- June 27: Tim & Taylor Country Music Duo
- July 12: Caitlin Krisko & The Broadcast
- July 18: The Margarita Brothers – A Jimmy Buffet Tribute Band
- July 25: Very Jerry Band – A Grateful Dead Tribute Band
- Aug. 1: Joey Gulizia
- Aug. 8: Johnny and the Mongrels
- Aug. 15: Familiar Strangers
- Aug. 22: Tim & Taylor Country Music Duo
- Aug. 29: Bill McKay Band
BC Unplugged – Thursdays
Beaver Creek brings in music mid-week with its Thursday night series called BC Unplugged. Listen to national musical acts on the “lawn” in Beaver Creek Village. The ice rink is swapped out for a lawn area and a stage is set up for the whole summer. Bring a picnic or grab something to eat from one of Beaver Creek’s restaurants. There is also a deal going on right now through June 30 that will get you 20% off food at Citrea and Beano’s Cabin for 2024-25 Epic Pass holders. On Thursdays prior to BC Unplugged, adult scenic lift rides are 50% off or buy one, get one free after 12 p.m., so come early and spend some time on the mountain before relaxing down by the stage from 5:30 to 7 p.m.
- June 27: A Flock of Seagulls
- July 11: Loudon Wainwright III
- July 18: Asia featuring John Payne
- July 25: Carrie Rodriguez
- Aug. 1: Richie Furay
- Aug. 8: Atlanta Rhythm Section
- Aug. 15: The Exile Follies
- Aug. 22: Animotion
- Sept. 5: TBD
- Sept. 12: Gary Puckett & The Union Gap
Minturn Concert Series – Thursdays
Not to be left out, Minturn has quite a crowd that turns out at the Little Beach Park and Amphitheater on Thursday nights for the Minturn Concert Series, which has been going on for 14 years. It’s run by volunteers of the Minturn Community Fund. The venue provides stunning views of the Minturn cliffs on one side and the Eagle River on the other side. You can watch the bands while the kids enjoy the playground near the stage area. Shows run from 6 to 8 p.m.
- June 27: Babaux and the Peacemakers
- July 11: Cass Clayton Band
- July 18: ZiMBRiA Afro Fusion Band
- July 25: CHALA
- Aug. 1: Gasoline Lollipops
- Aug. 8: Floodgate Operators
- Aug. 15: Madeline Hawthorne
