Every Thursday evening from late June through mid-August, free live music plays on the SteamPlant lawn at the south end of F Street, along the Arkansas River. Local and regional bands, families on blankets, brewery patios within walking distance, and one of the great summer-Thursday experiences in Colorado.
What to expect
The riverside concert series is exactly what it sounds like: a stage set up by the river, a wide grassy lawn for blankets and low chairs, and a rotating lineup of regional bands across the summer. The crowd is families, retirees, dogs, river guides off shift, and a steady current of people walking down from the brewery row with full pint glasses. It's the most consistent free music event in town.
How to do it like a local
Bring a low chair (sight lines from a folding chair are better than a blanket if the lawn gets full), a sweater for after sundown, and dinner — either pack-in or grab takeout from F Street before you arrive. Arrive 30 minutes before music to claim space; weekend headliner-equivalent nights fill up. Stay through the end — the lights coming up over the river is the moment.
Where it fits the week
Riverside Concerts pair beautifully with a Thursday-evening brewery stop and a late dinner downtown — make it your standing weekly Salida ritual in summer. Pair with a morning rafting trip earlier in the day if you want the maximally Salida summer Thursday.
Local insider tips
- →Bring a low chair, blanket, and a jacket — it cools fast after sunset.
- →Food trucks on-site or walk to the breweries for dinner.
- →Music typically runs early evening — check the local arts council's posted schedule for the night's start time.
- →Dogs welcome — keep them leashed and aware of the crowd.
- →Free parking fills fast on Thursdays — walk or bike if you're staying within a mile.
Frequently asked
When is the riverside concert series?+
Thursday evenings during the summer season, roughly late June through mid-August. The local arts council publishes the full schedule each year.
Is it free?+
Yes — bring a chair, a blanket and a few dollars for food trucks. The music itself is free.
Last reviewed: May 2026