Downtown SLO, along with title sponsor Sunset Honda and partners at the City of San Luis Obispo, is proud to announce the lineup for the 2026 30th Anniversary Season of Concerts in the Plaza. This summer, the community is invited to gather every Friday for twelve weeks of free live music in San Luis
Obispo’s Mission Plaza. Concerts in the Plaza is the largest free concert series on the Central Coast. This
beloved community event features live local music, dancing, and drinks in the heart of downtown San
Luis Obispo. All concerts are free to the public and family-friendly.
Concerts in the Plaza began in 1995, hosting about one small-scale free concert per month in Mission
Plaza. Since then, the operations have expanded to include a full stage, two bars, weekly shows, and two
acts per event. Throughout the 31 years of operation (skipping 2020 due to the pandemic), one thing
has remained the same, all concerts are free to attend, with a love of community and local music at
the core of the event’s mission.
Event Details
Dates: Every Friday, June 19–September 4, 2026
Times: 5–8 p.m.
● Opening Act: 5 p.m.
● Main Act: 6–8 p.m.
Block Parties
To celebrate the anniversary season, Downtown SLO is planning two expanded “block parties” at
Concerts in the Plaza. Block parties will include the closure of Broad Street (from Monterey to Palm)
adjacent to Mission Plaza. This expanded space will include street vendors, photo opportunities and a
second stage with live entertainment.
July 3, 2026: Concerts in the Plaza 30th Anniversary Block Party
This Fourth of July weekend, Concerts in the Plaza plans to celebrate its 30th Anniversary Celebration
with an evening of Americana, featuring Moonshiner Collective and Max MacLaury & The Compromisers.
August 14, 2026: Concerts in the Plaza Family Night Block Party
On August 14, Concerts in the Plaza invites local families to celebrate the end of summer in downtown
San Luis Obispo, ahead of the back-to-school season! This Family Night Block Party will feature fun,
interactive children’s activities on Broad Street, as well as entertainment from local duo Holding Pattern
and instrumental pop group Brass Mash.
Official Lineup
June 19 Opening Act: Ras Danny // authentic Jamaican reggae
Main Act: The Loving Mosh // funk, rock, r&b
June 26 Opening Act: Colleen Rhatigan // r&b, pop
Main Act: Manuel the Band // pop, rock
July 3 30th Anniversary Block Party!
Opening Act: Max MacLaury & The Compromisers // folk, rock
Main Act: Moonshiner Collective // Americana rock
July 10 Opening Act: Kenny Taylor // rock, singer-songwriter
Main Act: B & The Hive // indie-rock
July 17 Opening Act: The Rivalry // acoustic duo
Main Act: The Vibe Setters // funk, soul
July 24 Opening Act: Jineanne Coderre // r&b, pop fusion
Main Act: Resination // reggae
July 31 Opening Act: Graybill // coastal folk
Main Act: The Molly Ringwald Project // 80s pop, rock, and dance
August 7 Opening Act: Noach Tangeras // Americana
Main Act: The Mother Corn Shuckers // Americana, country
August 14 Family Night Block Party!
Opening Act: Holding Pattern // acoustic indie
Main Act: Brass Mash // instrumental pop
August 21 Opening Act: Jamie Pennelly // pop
Main Act: Damon Castillo Band // rock, soul
August 28 Opening Act: Sami Rouissi // pop, folk
Main Act: IMVA // r&b, soul
September 4 Opening Act: Forever Green // soft rock
Main Act: Hot 45 // r&b, soul, pop
Performers are chosen through a committee of local industry peers, media groups, community
partners, and sponsors. With so much local talent to choose from, the selection process was not easy,
and Downtown SLO wants to thank all of the artists who took the time to apply.
Food & Drink
Food and drink will be available, and guests are welcome to bring outside food; outside alcohol is not
allowed. The bar will be serving beer from Firestone Walker Brewing Company, cider from SLO Cider,
and three wine options from new wine partner Talley Vineyards. Non-alcoholic energy drinks will be
offered from new Concerts in the Plaza partner Red Bull. Eats from Woodstock’s Pizza and Quesadilla
Gorilla will be available.
All beverages are sold in reusable cups or aluminum cans. Attendees are strongly encouraged to bring
their own non-glass reusable cups. Souvenir cups will be available for purchase.
Sponsors & Partners
Downtown SLO wants to thank all of the sponsors and partners who make this event possible.
● Presenting Sponsor: Sunset Honda
● In Partnership With: City of San Luis Obispo
● Opening Act Sponsor: San Luis Obispo Collection
● Stage Sponsor: Wilde Wealth Management
● Bike Valet Sponsor: Covelop, Inc.
● Family Night Block Party Sponsor: Adventist Health
● Silver Level Sponsors: Thoma Electric, Eighty20 Group, SLO Piercing, Ashley & Vance Engineering,
American Riviera Bank, Sunrun, Corvus Wealth, Poor Richard’s Press, SLO CAL Roots, San Luis
Ambulance
● Band Sponsors: Rate, Megan’s Organic Market, Quesadilla Gorilla, Woodstock’s Pizza, Luna Red
& Novo Restaurant
● Kid Zone Sponsor: City Wide Facility Solutions
● Beverage Partners: Talley Vineyards, Firestone Walker Brewing Company, SLO Cider & Red Bull
● Media Partners: KSBY, New Times Media Group, Krush 92.5, Coast 104.5, 93.3 KZOZ, Big Big SLO
A handful of sponsorship opportunities remain, visit DowntownSLO.com/Sponsor to learn more.
Promotional artwork for the 2026 season of Concerts in the Plaza was created by local artist Vienna Laughlin.