It’s that time of year again…when the weather warms and music takes to the parks, vineyards and streets of Salem. Live outdoor music is a sign that summer is here so it's time to get out and play (or listen). Here’s a look at some of the places you can catch a concert under the stars this season. We hope to see you there! (Updated June 1, 2024)
4th of July Spectacular brings a day of entertainment to the Oregon State Fairgrounds which includes live music from McKayla Marie, Radical Revolution, and Foxhole 234th Army Band in the Spirit of Oregon VIP Party Zone where admission is $7 to $12. Get access to all Spectacular activities, which also include a demolition derby and Bounce N’ Battle Fun Zone, for $37 adults, $17 ages 10 and younger. The night will conclude with a free fireworks show brought to you by the City of Salem. Note: For every ticket purchased, $2 will go to the Family YMCA of Marion and Polk Counties veterans housing project called Courtney Place, which provides affordable housing for veterans. Get tickets here.
Ankeny Vineyard, 2565 Riverside Dr. S, hosts live music most weekends during the summer. And if you don’t go for the music, go for a taste of estate-grown wines and wood-fired pizzas, plus a glorious sunset. The cost is $5 per person. Reservations are recommended and can be made by calling 503-378-1498 or going to ankenyvineyard.com
Here’s the lineup (so far) —
- June 1: Mark Seymour & Friends: acoustic, electric and bass guitar, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.
- June 2: Rebecca Hardiman Trio: jazz, 3 to 5 p.m. (no cover)
- June 7: Leanne McClellan Band: eclectic blend of rock, blues, pop and jazz, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.
- June 8: The Midnight Express Band: classic rock and country music covers, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.
- June 9: Jamila Maries & Nathan Olsen: vocals and keyboard, 3 to 5 p.m. (no cover)
- June 15: Orchard Drive: popular songs from the 60’s and 70’s including a variety of rock, pop, blues, and golden oldies, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.
- June 16: Manny Martinez Quartet: Jazz, 3 to 5 p.m. (no cover)
- June 21: Darci Carlson: country, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.
- June 22: Inner Limits Band, blues, funk and rock, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.
- June 23: Gail Gage Jazz Band: jazz, 3 to 5 p.m. (no cover)
- June 29: Diverseified: original rock, jazz and electric violin, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.
Bryn Mawr Vineyards, 5935 Bethel Heights Road NW, hosts Taco Tuesday which includes live music, 5 to 8 p.m. Tacos are from Ricky’s Tacos food truck, plus the vineyard offers a selection of Bryn Mawr wines by the glass and bottle. Make your reservations at brynmawrvineyards.com.
- June 4: Pachanga: Tropical Latin tunes
- June 11: Wil Kinky: singer/songwriter
- June 18: Love Lisa James: folk, country and R&B singer/songwriter
- June 25: Andrew Hussey: “the human jukebox”
- July 2: Roundhouse Band:
- July 9: McKayla Marie: blending country with modern
- July 16: Garrett Flemming: eclectic mix of acoustic
- July 23: Karyn Ann: soul and Americana singer/songwriter
- July 30: Ships to Roam: rock and indie rock, with shades of Motown, Nashville, and Manchester sound laced in
- August 6: Leanne McClellan Band: familiar classic rock, pop, jazz, and blues
- August 13: Tuesday String Band: Bluegrass
- August 20: Gabriel John: country singer/songwriter
- August 27: Beth Willis, rock vocalist
Chemeketa Cellars Tasting Room, 215 Doaks Ferry Road NW, is open 4 to 9 p.m. Thursdays and Fridays and 12 to 5 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays. They also host live music throughout the year. In the summer, music is on the patio except for on the first Saturday of the month, which has been dubbed Sunset Saturday, when the tasting room stays open late and the show moves to the lawn. Click here for more details.
Here’s what’s in store —
- June 1: Possibly Irish (with Kopitos Cocina and Dough on the Go food trucks), 6 to 8 p.m.
- June 6: Dante Zapata, self-taught singer/guitar player, 6 to 8 p.m.
- June 9: Kevin Welsh, singer/songwriter, 2 to 4 p.m.
- June 15: Brenna Larsen, singer/songwriter, 2 to 4 p.m.
- June 20: McKayla Marie, country, 6 to 8 p.m.
- July 6: Hit Machine (with Dough on the Go and So Cheesy food trucks), 6 to 8 p.m.
- July 7: Kevin Welsh, singer/songwriter, 2 to 4 p.m.
- July 18: Towse Band, folk/pop, 6 to 8 p.m.
- July 26: Mitch Lies
- August 1: Story & Tune Duo, Aussie singer-songwriter Ben Grace and Californian poet Karyn Thurston, 6 to 8 p.m.
- August 3: Clayton Eiberg Bluegrass Allstars (food trucks TBA), 6 to 8 p.m.
- August 4: Kevin Welsh, singer/songwriter, 2 to 4 p.m.
- August 15: Rich Swanger, Americana/folk/country, 6 to 8 p.m.
- August 24: Brenna Larsen, singer/songwriter, 2 to 4 p.m.
- September 5: Joanna Lee, singer/songwriter, 6 to 8 p.m.
- September 7: CJ Mickens Band (food trucks TBA), 6 to 8 p.m.
- September 19: Dante Zapata, self-taught singer/guitar player, 6 to 8 p.m.
- September 27: Mitch Lies
Coria Estate, 8252 Redstone Ave SE, hosts live music on some Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays throughout the summer. Shows are free, and reservations are recommended, especially for the sunset concerts. Watch for more events at www.coriaestates.com/happenings
- June 1: Jesse Meade, singer/songwriter with finger-style acoustic guitar, 3 to 5 p.m.
- June 5: Rich Swanger, Americana singer/songwriter, 6 to 8 p.m.
- June 8 Gail Gage Duo, jazz, 3 to 5 p.m.
- June 15: Garrett Fleming, eclectic mix of hit songs from all decades and genres, 3 to 5 p.m.
- June 16: Leo Moon, solo incarnation of actor, singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Brian Adrian Koch, 3 to 5 p.m.
- June 19: Mitch Lies, blend of Americana and folk rock, 6 to 8 p.m.
- June 28: Sunset Concert: Joanne Broh Band featuring Garry Meziere, blues, soul and jazz, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.
- June 29: Frankie Bronco, singer/songwriter, 3 to 5 p.m.
- August 23: Sunset Concert: Leanne McClellan Band, diverse range of familiar classic rock, jazz, pop, and blues, 6 to 9 p.m.
Cubanisimo Vineyards, 1754 Best Rd NW, hosts live music most Saturday and Sunday afternoons. No reservations are required. Info: 503-588-1763, https://cubanisimovineyards.com/
Here’s the upcoming lineup —
- July 7: Steve Adams, 1 to 4 p.m.
- July 13: Dylan Santiago, 1 to 4 p.m.
- July 14: David Rogers, 1 to 4 p.m.
- July 21: Sig Paulson, 1 to 4 p.m.
- August 10: Big Plans, 1 to 4 p.m.
- August 18: Sig Paulson, 1 to 4 p.m.
- August 24: DRTR, 1 to 4 p.m.
- August 25: Dylan Santiago, 1 to 4 p.m.
- September 7: Steve Adams, 1 to 4 p.m.
The Summer Uncorked Concert Series returns to Eola Hills Legacy Estate Vineyard, 1600 Oak Grove Road. Shows take place 6 to 8 p.m. Bring your own chair or blanket and grab a spot on the lawn. Tickets are $20 online or $25 at the door. Children 12 and under are free. Reserve a limited table on the VIP terrace for an additional cost. Doors open at 5 p.m. There will be rotating food trucks and a wine bar. No outside food or drinks are permitted. The shows are outdoor and happen rain or shine, so go prepared. Info: 503-623-2405, https://eolahillswinery.com/summer-uncorked-concert-series/
Here’s what you can hear —
- July 19: Hit Machine, favorite cover tunes
- July 26: Blue Wave Band, high energy cover band
- August 9: Hit Factory, top hits cover band
- August 16: Hans & the Wanted, top 40 covers
- September 13: Fox & Bones, Americana
- September 20: Dancehall Days, favorite cover tunes
Marion County Fair at the Oregon State Fairgrounds offers live music as a small part of its entertainment. The fair takes place July 11 through 14. Buy tickets in advance for a discount. Learn more at https://marioncountyfair.net/
- Friday, July 12: Eli Young Band, country
- Saturday, July 13: Ned LeDoux, country
MIG Fest, the punk and ska music fest at Minto Island Growers, 3394 Brown Island Road S, is happening on July 20. This year features Los Angeles-based, all-female punk Bad Cop/Bad Cop as headliner, plus Orange County ska band Half Past Two, SF ska band Sad Snack, Seattle indie ska band Simple Minded Symphony and Portland fun punk band The Wild Jumps. Food and drink are available for purchase. Tickets are $25 for ages 13 and older; $18 for ages 5 to 12 and free for ages 4 and younger. Get your tickets at migfestsalem.com
The Oregon State Fair is happening from August 23 through September 2. Reserved seat tickets range in price depending on seat location. A limited number of free seats are available with general fair admission on a first-come, first-served basis while space lasts. Tickets are available here. Info: https://oregonstatefair.org/
This year’s headliners include —
- Friday, Aug 23: Craig Morgan, country
- Saturday, Aug 24: Steel Pulse, reggae
- Monday, Aug 26: Goo Goo Dolls, rock
- Tuesday, Aug 27: Yung Gravy, hip-hop/modern trap
- Wednesday, Aug 28: Josh Turner, country
- Thursday, Aug 29: Ludacris, rap
- Friday, Aug 30: Daya, pop
- Saturday, Aug 31: Foreigner, classic rock
- Monday, Sept 2: Huntley with special guest Jacquie Roar, Winner of The Voice and Former Voice Contestants
Salem Saturday Market, 856 Marion St. SE, features live music 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., in addition to a large variety of fresh, local and handmade products from flowers and produce to artisan food and crafts. Info: salemcommunitymarkets.com.
Trinity Vineyards, 1031 Wahl Lane S, features a variety of live music all summer long. Plus wine, beer and food available for purchase. Bring a lawn chair as seating is limited, and a sweater to stay warm in the breeze. Music is free. Info: 503-371-6977, trinityvineyards.com/
Here’s the lineup so far —
- June 1: Muddy Creek, country music dance band, 2 to 5 p.m.
- June 2: Bailey Heidi, country singer/songwriter, 3 to 5 p.m.
- June 8: BlackSmith Neighbors, folk and country, 3 to 5 p.m.
- June 9: Skyylar Pelous, current and classic southern-style rock and country, 2 to 5 p.m.
- June 15: Eddyville, classic rock and country, 2 to 5 p.m.
- June 16: Sammy D, classic rock, 2 to 5 p.m.
- June 22: Inner Limits, funk, blues and classic rock, 2 to 5 p.m.
West Hills Vineyard, 4785 Salem Dallas Hwy NW, hosts free live music every Saturday night, plus a full menu and wine available for purchase. Music takes place 5 to 7 p.m. Keep an eye on https://www.westhillsvineyards.com/events-and-venues for future events.
Here’s what’s on the schedule, so far —
- June 1: Nathan Olsen
- June 8: Roundhouse Band @West Hills
- June 15: The Feel Good Ya-Ya’s
- June 22: Steve Hale
- June 29: Blacksmith Neighbors
- July 6: Greg Nestler, soulful vocals and mesmerizing guitar tunes
- July 13: Tracy Reynolds