If you love listening to live music, then you’re in luck. Steamboat Springs is hosting an array of concert series this summer and many of them are free! Check out the Strings Music Festival or snag tickets to any number of musicians rolling through town throughout the summer! Nothing beats grooving to your favorite artist live or experiencing a new sound for the first time.
Outdoor Summer Concert Series in Steamboat Springs
Steamboat Springs has multiple free music series occurring throughout the summer, which is a great way to save money and enjoy a fun outing with family, friends, and local community members. Take advantage of all that Steamboat Springs has to offer this summer by jamming out to your new favorite song on Howelsen Hill or at the Botanic Gardens on Wednesday mornings.
Stranahan’s Summer Concert Series
Where? 2305 Mount Werner Circle
Head on over to Steamboat Square this summer for free concerts with a striking view of the mountains. This year, Stranahan’s Summer Concert Series will feature six performances on the Steamboat Stage, with openers kicking things off around 5:30 PM and headliners taking the stage at 7:00 PM. The event includes convenient access to the Range Food & Drink Hall, where visitors will find plenty of options that suit a variety of taste buds. The summer concert series kicked off on June 28th with Apple Pie Order and Sweet Lillies’ and the next concert will be hosted on July 4th — with John Papa Gros headlining.
The remainder of the summer’s schedule features BoomBox, Pink Talking Fish, Diggin Dirt, and Mama Magnolia with the finale on August 16th. Whether you attend all the performances or just one, make sure to check out this iconic summer tradition. Don’t forget to invite your friends and family to help support the bands and musicians.
Free Live Music Fridays
📷 Photo courtesy of The Commons Food Hall and Bar
Where? 56 7th Street
The Commons Food Hall and Bar is hosting free live music Fridays this summer, kicking off on June 28th and running through September. The concerts begin at 5:00 PM and wrap up around 7:30 PM. A variety of local artists will take the stage and live music supporters can sip on a cocktail and enjoy the refreshing summer breeze while they take in views of Howelsen Hill and jam out to live tunes. The Commons is a go-to destination for unique dining and social activities. Enjoy a quick bite to eat or unwind with a leisurely meal with the family. The best news? The food hall has something for even the pickiest of eaters and a full service bar, The Common Bar! Snag your favorite spot and order food by scanning the QR code at the table for the most convenient dining experience. Vendors include Clyde’s Pies, Poke the Bear, Sizzlin Jamaican Cuisine, Yampa Yields, and LASA Steamboat, which serves up mouthwatering Filipino street food.
Music on the Green
📷 Photo courtesy of the Strings Musical Festival
Where? 1000 Pamela Lane
Strings Music Festival partners with the Yampa River Botanic Park to provide the local community with this free outdoor concert series. Music lovers of all ages are invited to come out to the gardens, enjoy a cup of coffee from the onsite shop, and take a relaxed stroll around the gardens while the tunes of live music fill the air. Each concert lasts around 45 minutes, making this the perfect way to kickstart your summer day without losing the attention span of the littlest attendees. Music on the Green is scheduled for Wednesday mornings from 10:00 AM to 10:45 AM and runs from June 26th through August 21st. The last two shows (August 14 & 21) will be in the evening at 5:30pm. Upcoming July performances include Chamberlin Birch, Trevor G. Potter, Erinys Quartet, and the Little Moon Travelers. The season finale (August 21) will feature music from the Deer Creek Sharp Shooters, along with food trucks.
Free Summer Concert Series
Where? Howelsen Parkway
Celebrating its 29th year, the free summer concert series at Howelsen Hill is sure to be one for the books! Nationally recognized artists are invited to Steamboat Springs to serenade audiences with pop, reggae, bluegrass, blues, and funk music. The series is open to all ages and has become one of the valley’s favorite signature events. The best news? It’s completely free! With rising concert ticket prices these days, you can’t beat a free show.
Getting to Howelsen Hill couldn’t be easier. Street parking is available downtown, as well as in the Howelsen Hill sports complex area. If you’d prefer, ditch your vehicle and hop aboard the Steamboat Springs City Bus. The transport system runs just about everywhere in town and makes frequent stops at each location every 20 minutes. The concert venue can be found at the downtown stop.
Strings Music Festival
📷 Photo courtesy of the Strings Musical Festival
Where? 900 Strings Road
Over three decades, the Strings Music Festival has featured more than 60 Grammy winners and musicians from 25 of the nation’s top orchestras. With over 60 performances each summer, including 34 evening concerts, Steamboat Springs residents can enjoy a range of chart-topping artists, nationally touring acts, and more as they perform at the award-winning Strings Pavilion. The pavilion seats 569 people and hosts acts throughout the summer, as well as a fall/winter/spring series. The popular summer festival includes orchestra and chamber music, soloists, world, blues, jazz, and rock tunes — as well as a youth and family series to get everyone involved. Over 60% of the programs are free! Upcoming performances include Jason Vieaux, the Busch Trio, the Steep Canyon Rangers, Asleep at the Wheel, and An Evening with Rickie Lee Jones.
Musicians and Tours Stopping by Steamboat Springs This Summer
Mark your calendars for these musicians and bands performing at Steamboat Springs venues this summer! Whether you’re into blues music, country tunes, or rock — there’s something for everyone in the lineup.
Brent Rowan & Friends Featuring Clay Walker
📷 Photo courtesy of the Strings Musical Festival
Where? Strings Music Pavilion
When? July 7th
Clay Walker is coming to Colorado this July, with dates on July 6th and 7th in Meeker and Steamboat Springs, respectively. In Steamboat Springs, Walker will be performing at the Strings Music Festival where he’ll play some of his chart-topping hits. There are only a handful of tickets left, so grab yours while they’re hot!
Caitlin Krisko & The Broadcast
📷 Photo courtesy of the Western Centers
Where? 2090 Snow Bowl Plaza
When? July 10th
This free concert is presented by The River 98.9 on the Snow Bowl lawn. Caitlin Krisko & The Broadcast have been touring America and Europe, performing their one-of-a-kind brand of roots-rock music with soaring vocals and powerful grooves. They’ve shared the bill with artists such as The Avett Brothers, Greta Van Fleet, and Margo Price. Happy hour and a live broadcast kicks off at 3:00 PM, with music set to begin at 6:30 PM. Give Snow Bowl a call and reserve a VIP pergola for you and your group for a truly once-in-a-lifetime experience.
The Sweet Lillies
Where? 821 Lincoln Avenue
When? July 13th
The heartfelt music performed by The Sweet Lillies, a quartet of musicians, combines the strengths of each individual in the band. Upright bass, viola, guitar, drums, and vocal harmonies create an experience for audiences that is truly unique. The quartet experiments with genres ranging from folk to rock, and all the way into the hip-hop sphere. General admission tickets are on sale for around $10 at Schmiggity’s Live Music and Dance Bar, so grab yours now!
Giant Walking Robots
Where? 821 Lincoln Avenue
When? July 27th
Giant Walking Robots has a one-of-a-kind sound, rooted in reggae and infused with jamtronica. Their forward-thinking music is made possibly by a dynamic four-piece out of Denver that blends melodic grooves with a heavyweight rhythm section. The band aims to bridge the gap between rock, reggae, jam, and electronica. Audiences are encouraged to dance as they enjoy the rhythmic sounds at Schmiggity’s. Tickets are on sale for an all-in price of just $5!
Illiterate Light
Where? 821 Lincoln Avenue
When? August 9th
Make plans to spend the evening at Schmiggity’s with Illiterate Light, a duo of singer-guitarist Jeff Gorman and drummer, Jake Cochran. Their unorthodox live show has continued to develop since the band’s inception in 2015, with both performers splitting songwriting duties and arrangement ideas. Their inventive bike-powdered stage has drawn attention for bringing fans into the live experience and presenting possibilities for a greener future of live shows.
Little Bird with Lemon’s
Where? 821 Lincoln Avenue
When? August 10th
This rising indie band hails from the East Coast and has gained recognition for their “bedroom psychedelic” genre-bending sound. The five-piece band consists of vocals, guitar, bass, drums and keys. Their recent 2022 national headlining tour featured stops at the Suwannee Hulaween in Florida and Summer Camp Music Festival in Illinois. General admission tickets are on sale for $5. All Schmiggity’s shows are 21 and up.
Shakey Graves
📷 Photo courtesy of the Strings Musical Festival
Where? Strings Music Pavilion
When? August 16th
Hailing from Austin, Texas — Shakey Graves is making his way to the Centennial State this summer. His Steamboat Springs show is on sale now, with a performance that fans and newcomers alike are sure to resonate with. He’ll also be performing in Dillon with support from Atta Boy and in Boulder as an opener for Tyler Childers.
Circles Around the Sun
Where? 600 Lincoln Avenue
When? August 23rd-24th
Old Town Pub is hosting Circles Around the Sun for two days in August, with doors at 8:00 PM and the show at 9:00 PM. The band features fresh psychedelic sounds and heavy rhythms. This first-of-its-kind band has been a trailblazer in the instrumental cosmic disco space for over a decade and boasts collaborations with Billy Strings, Joe Russo, and Mikaela Davis. This is a 21 and up event. General admission advance tickets are on sale for $31 and two-day passes are priced at $57.
The National Parks
📷 Photo courtesy of the Strings Musical Festival
Where? Strings Music Pavilion
When? September 6th
You won’t want to miss this end-of-summer performance by The National Parks, a Provo-based quarter known for its folk-pop harmonies and organic orchestration. Enjoy the sounds of violin, drums, keys, and guitar while the group captivates the audience with poetic lyrics and grunge chords.
Enjoy Your Summer of Live Music!
We hope you’ve found some shows that have piqued your interest! Help support local Steamboat Springs musicians or the venues that host touring acts throughout the summer by purchasing tickets. Take the opportunity to gather with the local community to listen to free live music at the various summer concert series happening around town.