Concerts in the Plaza to Kick Off Summer in Downtown San Luis Obispo
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
SAN LUIS OBISPO, CA
Monday, June 9, 2025
Concerts in the Plaza to Kick Off Summer in Downtown San Luis Obispo
The Central Coast’s biggest free concert series begins on June 20, 2025, with a special Summer Solstice performance by Moonshiner Collective
Downtown SLO, alongside title sponsor Sunset Honda and in partnership with the City of San Luis Obispo, is excited to present the 29th season of San Luis Obispo Concerts in the Plaza. The 2025 series kicks off on the Summer Solstice (Friday, June 20, 2025) with a rare performance from local Americana group Moonshiner Collective and opening act Vintage Renegades.
“Concerts in the Plaza has always been our favorite celebration of the local community,” says Dan Curcio of Moonshiner Collective. “ . . . Our music is rooted in inspiration from the Central Coast, and this concert series feels like the best way to honor that love with the people who make this community vibrant.”
Recently named Best Community Event in San Luis Obispo County in the New Times’ annual readers poll, Concerts in the Plaza is celebrating its 29th season this summer.
Every concert features a Main Act and an Opening Act comprised of musicians from SLO or Santa Barbara Counties. The Opening Act was initially introduced to the series in 2022 as a Singer-Songwriter Showcase but expanded to include small acoustic groups and duos in 2023.
The series will span 13 weeks, with twelve concerts and over 50 local musicians.
Lineup & Dates
Every Friday, June 20–September 12, 2025*
*No Concert on July 4
Opening Act: 5–5:45 PM
Main Act: 6–8 PM
June 20 | Moonshiner Collective & Vintage Renegades
Sponsored by Luna Red Restaurant
June 27 | Vince Cimo’s Hot Fire & Holding Pattern
Sponsored by Harvey’s Honey Huts
No Concert on July 4
July 11 | Hot 45 & Ras Danny
Sponsored by Miller Event Management
July 18 | The Vibe Setters & Sadie Jasper
Sponsored by SLO Cider
July 25 | The Molly Ringwald Project & About Time
Sponsored by Woodstock’s Pizza
August 1 | Josh Rosenblum Band & Jineanne Coderre
Sponsored by The Villages of San Luis Obispo
August 8 | Resination & ghost\monster duo
Sponsored by Rate
August 15 | Damon Castillo Band & Colleen Rhatigan
Sponsored by Ronca & Associates
August 22 | B & The Hive & TwoPaperSquares
Sponsored by Megan’s Organic Market
August 29 | IMVA & Emily Smith
Sponsored by Nick the Greek
September 5 | Carbon City Lights & Cate Armstrong
Sponsored by Bill Gaines Audio
September 12 | Brass Mash & Dave Tate
Sponsored by Novo Restaurant
Food & Beverage
Two bars will be operating in Mission Plaza this summer — the Main Plaza Bar will offer wine, beer, and cider, and the Beer/Cider Bar (located underneath the pergola adjacent to the stage) will offer beer and cider.
Water will be provided for free at stations located throughout the Plaza. La Croix will be available for purchase at either bar.
Beer: Beer options from Firestone-Walker Brewing will include the classic 805, 805 Cerveza, Cali Squeeze, Mind Haze, and (new this year) Mind Haze Lemonade Rage and 8Zero5, a nonalcoholic beer option. All beer is served by the can.
Cider: Every week, three signature flavors from SLO Cider will be available: Dry, Tropical, and Rosé. Alongside these favorites, seasonal specials will rotate throughout the season, including Watermelon, “Ciderita,” and “Bluesberry.” All cider is served in cans.
Wine: Wine selections for the 2025 season are provided by Region Wine Bar, located at Hotel SLO in downtown San Luis Obispo. Wines offered include Avenales Ranch 2022 Rosé, Ancient Peaks 2023 Chardonnay, and Tolosa Estate 2022 Pinot Noir.
In an effort to eliminate single-use plastics, wine is served in reusable cups only. Guests are encouraged to bring their own cup. Alternatively, 12oz souvenir cups are available for purchase for $4.
Food: Woodstock’s Pizza will be serving up slices adjacent to the Main Plaza Bar, and Nick the Greek will be offering chicken skewers, hummus, Greek salad, and falafels adjacent to the Beer/Cider Bar.
Guests are welcome to bring outside food into the concert, but outside alcohol is strictly prohibited.
Things To Know
Downtown SLO is working closely with the City of SLO so that Concerts in the Plaza can be uninterrupted by the ongoing Mission Plaza Enhancement Project. No noisy construction will occur during the concerts, and the Broad Street pathway will remain open for concert entry.
All available restrooms are portable toilets. Access around the Adobe lawn will be restricted, but the grassy amphitheatre and Kid Zone will remain open. Downtown SLO wants to encourage parents and guardians to keep an eye on their little ones as they play.
Pets are not allowed at Concerts in the Plaza, with the exception of ADA service animals.
A limited number of folding chairs will be set up below the Mission Plaza steps in front of the stage. Downtown SLO asks that people with disabilities and children be given priority access to these chairs. Guests are welcome to bring their own blankets or chairs to set up on the lawn or below the Mission steps. Downtown SLO is not responsible for lost, damaged, or stolen items, and encourages attendees to refrain from setting up before 11:30 AM.
Bike SLO County will be offering free bike valet at every concert. Guests can park their bikes securely for free along the Chorro entrance of the Plaza.
All bags will be checked upon concert entry. Prohibited items include glassware, tobacco products, vapes, outside alcohol, and weapons. Smoking is not allowed at Concerts in the Plaza.
Afterparties at Libertine Brewing Co.
The music doesn’t stop when Concerts in the Plaza ends! Libertine Brewing Co. is hosting the official Concerts in the Plaza afterparty at their venue (1234 Broad Street) every Friday evening after the concerts in Mission Plaza end. Afterparties will be 21+ events. Food and beverages, including special Concerts in the Plaza-themed cocktails, will be available for purchase, and there is no cover charge for entry.
2025 Afterparty Lineup
Doors 8 PM // Show 8:30 PM
- June 20 | Big Wheel Cobra
- June 27 | Club DV8
- No Afterparty on July 4
- July 11 | Funk Junket
- July 18 | The Groove Collective
- July 25 | Flannel 101
- August 1 | Manuel the Band
- August 8 | The Soda Crackers
- August 15 | The JD Project
- August 22 | MiniNova
- August 29 | Wilde Latin Jazz
- September 5 | Benny G & The Sweet Spots
- September 12 | Dave Tate & The Many Miles Band
Sponsors & Partners
Downtown SLO wants to thank all the sponsors and partners who make this event possible.
- Presenting Sponsor: Sunset Honda
- In Partnership With: City of San Luis Obispo
- Opening Act Sponsor: Libertine Brewing Co.
- Stage Sponsor: Wilde Wealth Management
- Bike Valet Sponsor: CoVelop
- Silver Level Sponsors: San Luis Obispo Collection, Eighty20 Group, SLO County Board of Supervisors, Thoma Electric, SLO CAL Roots, Sunrun, American Riviera Bank, Corvus Wealth Advisors, Ashley & Vance Engineering, Adventist Health, SLO Piercing
- Kid Zone Sponsors: City Wide Facility Solutions, Meathead Movers, First5 SLO County
- Food & Beverage Sponsors: Firestone Walker Brewing, Region, SLO Cider, Woodstock’s Pizza, Nick the Greek
- Media Partners: KSBY, New Times SLO, Santa Maria Sun, The Krush 92.5, Coast 104.5
- Special Thanks To: Bill Gaines Audio, Cuesta Springs Ice, Big Big SLO
For More Information
Press Kit | Website | Instagram | Facebook
About Downtown SLO
Founded in 1975, Downtown SLO is a 501c6 nonprofit organization whose mission is to foster an economically vibrant downtown San Luis Obispo. Representing businesses within the city's Business Improvement Area, as well as voluntary members and community partners, Downtown SLO collaborates closely with the City of San Luis Obispo to support a thriving, vibrant city center. The organization is known for producing beloved community events like the weekly Thursday Night Farmers’ Market, the Annual Holiday Parade, and Concerts in the Plaza.
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