Frequently Asked Questions
Gates open at 5:30pm. Concerts start with an opening band, followed by the main act. Concerts are usually finished around 9 or 9:15 pm.
From Lincoln Avenue (US HWY 40) in downtown Steamboat Springs, turn toward the Yampa River on 5th street, cross the bridge about two blocks down, turn right, and you’re pointing towards the Howelsen Hill parking area.
You can bring a chair or blanket to sit on, and all ages are welcome.
- There is a kid’s play area for burning off youthful energy.
- Many of our vendors have great options for kid friendly food and treats.
- Some kids like to have earmuffs or ear plugs because the music gets loud.
- Outside food & beverages are not allowed at the shows.
- Food and drinks, including beer and bottled alcoholic drinks, are available for sale at the show. Beer sales support the concert series and future series.
- We accept credit cards for Tokens. The tokens exchange for different price beverages. Most of our vendors also accept credit cards for food and soft drinks.
Yes! You can use a credit card to make purchases at all the food vendors, beer tents and the cocktail tent.
NO SMOKING in the concert site,
It’s a City of Steamboat Springs law.
Please leave your pets at home.
The shows are free, mostly covered by sponsorships from the local community and beverage sales at the events. We want to keep this free, and keep it going. Our shows cost upwards of $20,000 per act. Any donations help us make this possible.
Thanks!
History
The Steamboat Springs Free Summer Concert Series (SSFSCS/the Series) began in 1993 as a small concert series with several hundred in attendance and presented on the lawn of the Routt County Court House, the community gathering space in the heart of downtown Steamboat Springs. Started by a small record shop owner and friends, the Series now features 5 concerts per year with attendance averaging 3,500 to 7,000 per concert for an annual average of 25,000. The SSFSCS boasts nationally recognized artists in the area of pop-rock, reggae, bluegrass, blues, and funk. The series is a gathering for all ages and has become truly one of the signature family events in the valley. Audience sizes can fluctuate relative to the performer’s popularity or how the concert is schedule in relation to signature event weekends. With a great mix of locals and visitors the concerts are both a social event for those who call Steamboat home and an awesome addition to any vacation to the Yampa Valley. With the stratification of the haves and the have-nots in our rural resort community, the Series is supported by many businesses as a way for them to provide added benefit to their employees.