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Community » Basalt Summer Concert Series

Basalt Summer Concert Series

For three decades, the Wednesday night Basalt Summer Concert Series was established and run under the stewardship of the Basalt Chamber of Commerce. In 2023, this beloved tradition’s ownership transitioned to the Town of Basalt who now manages and produces the series, adding its own flair to this cherished community event!

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2026 Concert Series

It is a milestone year as Basalt celebrates its 125th anniversary of its incorporation, along with Colorado’s 150th and the nations 250th anniversary. This year the Town of Basalt is hosting nine concerts as part of its summer Wednesday night free concert series, in addition to 13 Friday night Local’s Vocals concerts at Triangle Park in Willits.

A long-standing Basalt tradition, the Wednesday concert series continues to showcase a wide variety of musical genres against the backdrop of the Roaring Fork River. Concerts are held on Wednesday evenings in Historic Downtown Basalt. Bring your blanket, chairs, and a picnic, and enjoy free live music all summer long. Be sure to support area businesses by stopping in for dinner or happy hour before or after the show!

Join the Basalt community from June 17 through August 12, 2026, for a fantastic lineup (details below). Additional details are posted at basalt.net/concerts. The concerts begin at 6 p.m. and run to 9:30 p.m. All supporting acts will perform from 6-7 p.m. with a half hour break. The headliner act begins at 7:30 p.m. 

  • 6–7 p.m – Supporting Act
  • 7 p.m. – Break
  • 7:30–9 p.m. – Headliner

Bring your blanket, chairs, and a picnic, and enjoy free live music all summer long. Be sure to support area businesses by stopping in for dinner or happy hour.

Looking for more free live music? Don’t miss the Town of Basalt’s Local Vocals series at Triangle Park in Willits! These intimate concerts happen every Friday, starting at 5:30 p.m., from June 5 through August 28, 2026. The lineup can be found at basalt.net/concerts.

Learn more

All concert series booking and sponsorship inquiries should be directed to Brent Compton at the Town of Basalt: brent.compton@basalt.net.

The full 2026 Basalt Summer Concert series lineup

Listed in order of appearance. Keep scrolling to learn more about each band!

About the bands

FAQs

How can I get to the concerts without driving?
A: Support Basalt’s climate action initiatives and use alternative transportation to get to the concerts:

  • Walk or bike: There will be ample bicycle parking available at the shows.
  • Use WE-cycle: It’s free for rides up to 30 minutes. Find stations in downtown Basalt, Willits, and at the Basalt RFTA Park and Ride by checking the map on WE-cycle’s homepage.
  • Take RFTA: Stops are conveniently located at the Basalt Park and Ride (for BRT) and directly in downtown Basalt (for local service). All RFTA rides within the Basalt Zone are free. A full schedule and stop locations are available on the RFTA website.
  • Utilize Basalt Connect (June-August): This on-demand ride service operates daily from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. within a designated service zone in Basalt. Learn more about the app and service area.

If I have to drive, where should I park for the Wednesday night concerts?
A: If driving is necessary, please park at the Basalt Elementary and Basalt Middle School parking lots. From there, you can walk or use WE-cycle to get to Basalt River Park.

What food and beverage options are available at the concert?
A: Drinks will be sold on site and proceeds will benefit a local nonprofit at each show. Alcoholic and nonalcoholic beverages will be available as well as food for sale provided by food trucks each week.

Can I bring my own food and drinks to the concert?
A: You may bring food and non-alcoholic beverages into the concert. No outside alcohol is permitted inside the concert venue. 

What should I bring for my comfort at Basalt River Park?
A: The venue is a perfect spot for a picnic! Feel free to bring coolers and meals from home, along with non-alcoholic. Consider bringing a blanket or low chairs and appropriate clothing for rain and colder evening temperatures. 

Are dogs allowed at the concerts?
A: Yes, dogs are permitted, but they must be on a leash at all times.

History of the Series

The traditional Wednesday night series has gone through several iterations over the years:

Beginning in the 1980s the Basalt Chamber of Commerce coordinated a series of summer concerts for the Basalt Community. In those early days, the concerts featured chamber music with artists from the Aspen Music Festival & School. Over the decades the series evolved to highlight a variety of genres and local talent on Wednesday nights during the summer months. 

In 2019, the chamber partnered with TACAW (The Arts Campus At Willits) for concert production and bookings. As a result, the quality of the concerts and the acts performing increased greatly and more people attended. In 2020 and 2021 it was necessary to pivot to a safer, disbursed entertainment alternative named Wednesday Night Live. In 2022, TACAW produced an end of summer concert.

In 2023 the series returned and leverage the brand new stage in the Basalt River Park, which officially opened with the July 7, 2023 concert. Beginning in 2023, the Town of Basalt took up the mantle for the summer concert series, adding its own twist for future iterations! The Basalt Chamber of Commerce continues to be involved in a supporting role, with Town staff executing the event in conjunction with a local event producer.