It’s that time of year: longer days, warmer nights, and outdoor music options aplenty.
Spring allergies are here too but let’s not go there.
Twenty-five years ago, Central Coast concertgoers pretty much had one venue for big name, headliner entertainment: our signature Mid-State Fair. But it’s 2025 and those days are thankfully long gone.
Vina Robles Amphitheatre, Castoro Cellars, Barrelhouse Brewery, and Presquille Winery are just some of the many choices for those who relish the festive vibe of live outdoor entertainment. Vina has pushed back their season opener to late May to avoid our fickle spring weather. Chris Isaak has the honors on May 23, then several more shows are planned through October.
Shabang Music Festival—growing in popularity every year—kicked off the festival season May 2-3, while Whale Rock at Castoro wraps it up in September.
The Santa Barbara County Fair in mid-July also is booking some national bands post-COVID, and remains an under-the-radar but enjoyable, affordable venue. And of course, the venerable Santa Barbara Bowl has a full slate of concerts that resume with folk rock icon James Taylor on May 13-14.
With Live Oak Music Festival relocating to El Chorro Regional Park in 2019, most SLO County residents can now fall out of bed, hop in their car, and enjoy diverse, all-day musical offerings in a half-hour drive or less. The annual music celebration takes place on Father’s Day weekend June 13-15.
And don’t sleep on the plethora of shows featuring local bands at various community parks. Paso Robles, Templeton, Atascadero, Nipomo, Grover Beach, Arroyo Grande, Los Osos, and Santa Maria have each announced live music schedules that happen several days a week all summer long. The signature Friday Concerts in the Plaza in downtown SLO always gets the weekend off to a rocking start with twilight events that begin on June 20.
One of our most unique venues offering outdoor shows is the Port San Luis Lighthouse, which again offers summer concerts in one of the Central Coast’s most beautiful settings. And getting there is half the fun, either by comfy shuttle van or by kayaking from the pier.
Central Coast raconteur Paul Irving, who helps plan the Lighthouse concerts, believes there’s nothing like communal entertainment there—or at any of the multiple scenic locales we’re blessed with. “With so many stellar summer shows here, it’s often tough deciding who to see and where to go,” Irving says. “But that’s a good problem to have.”
He’s certainly not alone in his sentiments.
Another cool, natural setting with ambience galore is Sensorio, the east Paso Robles creative lights attraction that hosts live music from local bands like Ultra, Surfeza, and Joy Bonner from Thursday to Sunday.
If local wineries are your thing, dozens of places from San Miguel to Buellton have bands and food trucks on weekends from late spring to early fall.
For those who prefer traditional, climate-controlled theatres, don’t fret: Check out SLO Brew Rock, the Siren, Fremont Theater, the Performing Arts Center SLO and the Clark Center. Their year-round schedules continue with many interesting shows on tap.
Another great spot to enjoy live music is The Pour House in Paso Robles, which shifts from indoors to patio stage as temps warm up. It offers a fun mix of tribute bands, local favorites and the occasional headliner.
So—if you can’t seem to find a live groove near you, just drive around the corner and it will be there. Trust me.