Applications for the 2025 season of Concerts in the Plaza are open now!

Downtown SLO is proud to bring back the 29th Annual Concerts in the Plaza series from June 20 – September 12, 2025. The 12-week season will take place every Friday evening from 5–8 PM in Mission Plaza, downtown San Luis Obispo. This is a free, family-friendly event beloved by tens of thousands of SLO County locals and visitors alike!

Every Friday, June 20 – September 12, 2025 (No Concert on the 4th of July)

Opening Act: 5:00–5:45 PM
Headlining Band: 6:00–8:00 PM

Established in 1996, Concerts in the Plaza is the largest free concert series in San Luis Obispo County! Concerts in the Plaza is operated by Downtown SLO, a 501c6 non-profit whose mission is to foster an economically vibrant downtown San Luis Obispo through business advocacy, iconic events, and Clean & Safe programming.

All applications will be reviewed by Downtown SLO and a Special Band Selection Committee made up of local media partners, music industry professionals, and downtown stakeholders. If you have any questions, please reach out to Events@DowntownSLO or call (805) 541-0286.

Application Deadline: Sunday, January 26, 2025 at 11:59 PM. No exceptions.

Apply Now

There is a $20 fee to apply for headlining band, and $10 fee to apply for opening act.

Why the application fee? Concerts in the Plaza is a free concert series hosted by Downtown SLO, a 501c6 nonprofit organization whose mission is to foster an economically vibrant downtown San Luis Obispo. The application fee helps support the administrative and operational costs of organizing this event. Before applying, we encourage applicants to self-assess whether their quality and style will fit our concert series. We want the process to be worth your time and guarantee that your application will be given the dedicated attention it deserves once submitted.