May 27
Alabama Shakes
BIG VENUE—Celebrate Memorial Day weekend with one of the best bands touring. Since the show is sold out, for those without tickets, the best way to catch this show will be on one of the Old Mill restaurant patios. Les Schwab Amphitheater, Bend. Sold Out. www.Bendconcerts.com
May 27 to 30
Sasquatch! Music Festival
CAMPING—Celebrate Memorial Day weekend and start out festival season with a bang at this annual festival that focuses on indie rock, but also includes a diverse lineup of hip-hop, EDM and folk. Highlights include The Cure, Disclosure, Florence & the Machine, Alabama Shakes, Major Lazer and A$AP Rocky. Gorge Amphitheatre, George, Wash. $350. www.sasquatchfestival.com
June 5 to July 24, Sundays
Les Schwab Amphitheater Free Summer Sunday Concerts
FAMILY FRIENDLY—Bend Memorial Clinic's Free Summer Sunday Concerts start June 5 and continue through July 24 on select Sundays at the Les Schwab Amphitheater, with food vendors, bouncy-houses and activities in addition to the music. Pets are welcome. 2:30 to 4:30 p.m., Bend, Free. www.theoldmill.com
June 16 to 19
4 Peaks Music Festival
CAMPING—Central Oregon's own family-friendly music festival with grand views of the Three Sisters, morning yoga, free camping and non-stop music. Sip on local brews while listening to talented musicians. Highlights include Chris Robinson Brotherhood, Jackie Greene, The Jeff Austin Band and Robben Ford. Rockin A Ranch, 19449 Tumalo Reservoir Rd., Bend. $70 to $190, Free for kids 10 and under. www.4peaksmusic.com
June 17 to 20
What the Festival
CAMPING—WTF, located 90 miles east of Portland, features eight stages (one with a wading pool in front of the stage) of electronic music plus art installations scattered throughout the forest. Listed as a great alternative to Burning Man, What The is sure to live up to its name. Highlights include Thievery Corporation, Lettuce, Claude Vonstroke, Bonobo and many more. Wolf Run Ranch, Durfur. $275+. www.whatthefestival.com
June 18
Slightly Stoopid
BIG VENUE—Slightly Stoopid is fun in its own right, but the opening acts are even better. Zion I, The Grouch & Eligh are three of the best MCs on the planet and catching them all together will be a delight. Les Schwab Amphitheater, Bend. $35, www.bendconcerts.com
June 17 to 19
Bite of Bend
SMALL VENUE—Music, food and alcohol, together again! This free event is the largest food festival in Central Oregon and will have the music of Corner Gospel, Precious Byrd, Coyote Willow, and many more. Downtown Bend. Free. www.biteofbend.com
June 22 and August 24
Pickin' and Paddlin'
FAMILY FRIENDLY—This fun event includes kayak, canoe and paddle board demos, followed by acoustic bluegrass in the evening, with microbrews, food carts and more. Expect 250 to 500 people. 4:30 to 9:30 p.m., Bend. Adults $10; free for kids 12 and under. www.tumalocreek.com
June 24
Smash Mouth
BIG VENUE—Smash Mouth exploded in the late '90s when the pop/ska craze hit. It was impossible to turn on the radio without hearing "All Star," so this is a good chance to hear more of what the band has to offer. Century Center, Bend. $25 www.bendticket.com
June 24 to 25
Paradiso Festival
CAMPING—An electronic dance festival that fuses technology with nature through non-stop EDM and dancing amongst views of the gorgeous Columbia River Gorge. Highlights include Bassnectar, Hucci, Dillion Francis, Alison Wonderland and many more. Gorge Amphitheatre, George, Wash. $179+. www.paradisofestival.com
June 25
Ben Harper and the Innocent Criminals
BIG VENUE—Ben Harper and Co. have come through Bend several times, and always puts on a memorable show. Harper is one of the best slide guitarists on the planet, so expect some legendary improvisation. Les Schwab Amphitheater, Bend. $47.50. www.bendcouncerts.com
July 1
La Pine Rodeo
SMALL VENUE—Friday, July 1, Lone Star will kick off the party at the La Pine Rodeo Grounds, featuring Brian McComas at 6 p.m. and Lonestar at 7:30 p.m., gates open at 4 p.m., General Admission, $25. www.lapinerodeo.com
July 2 & 3
Widespread Panic
BIG VENUE— Widespread Panic with openers Jerry Joseph and the Jackmormons promises to be a musical jamboree. Two days of constant picking and grinning should make for a memorable July 4th weekend. Les Schwab Amphitheater, Bend. $45 WWW.Bendconcerts.com
July 2 to Sept. 4
Sunriver Resort Concert Series
SMALL VENUE—There is something for everyone in this rich lineup that has a show each Thursday, Friday and Saturday from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Some highlights include High Street Band, Precious Byrd, and Billy Lund and the Whiskey Weekend. Sunriver Resort, Sunriver. Free. www.sunriver-resort.com
July 2 to 4
La Pine Frontier Days Music on the Green
FAMILY FRIENDLY—What a good, old-fashioned time waiting in La Pine! The Frontier Days includes a carnival, midway, fireworks, parade (10:30 a.m., July 4), fun run, quilt show, talent show and three bands on the Midway Stage: The Bad Cats and Highway 97 on July 2, and The Armadillos on July 4, 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. Country rock and blues. La Pine. www.lapinefrontierdays.org
July 5
Neko Case/k.d. Llng/ Laura Veirs
BIG VENUE—Just the chance to see Neko Case is exciting, let alone how incredible it will be to see her teamed up with Lang and Viers. These three women combined will make for a brilliant night of music. Athletic Club of Bend, Bend. $44, www.peaksummernights.com
July 6
Music in the Canyon
SMALL VENUE—Wednesdays from 5:30-8 p.m. this series is worth the short drive out to Redmond. Blankets and old-fashioned standing options apply. This nonprofit event lasts all summer, but don't wait until the end to join in the fun. Redmond. www.musicinthecanyon.org
July 8 to 10
Bend Summer Festival
SMALL VENUE—Bank of the Cascade's Bend Summer Musical Festival starts Friday at 5 p.m. with concerts on three stages in three different areas and many, many performers. This event lets everyone cruise downtown Bend in a delicious fashion with more than 30 food vendors to make each step an enticing one. Bend. Free. www.c3events.com
July 10 to August 21
Turf Tunes, Sunriver Style
SMALL VENUE—Held at SHARC this is a free music series held Sunday evenings from 5 to 7 p.m. This is one event where it is encouraged to bring in some outside food! Picnics are welcome. Pet Free Event, Sunriver. Free. www.sunriversharc.com
July 14 to 17
Northwest String Summit
CAMPING—Located 35 minutes west of Portland, NWSS is a bluegrass and newgrass lovers dream. Celebrating its 15th year, String Summit features three nights of Yonder Mountain String Band in a family-friendly atmosphere with shaded camping. Highlights include Greensky Bluegrass, Railroad Earth, Leftover Salmon and The Infamous Stringdusters. Horning's Hideout, North Plains. $225 to $250. www.stringsummit.com
July 15 to 17
Wildwood MusicFest
CAMPING—This fifth annual musical festival in rural Oregon promotes emerging artists, local food, plus regional beers. There are activities for kids, so everyone can play. Highlights include The Hill Dogs, McDougall, Jessica Hernandez and the Deltas, and Ben Caplan and the Casual Smokers. Roshambo Artfarm, Sheridan. $90 per person, $10 for camping, 12 and under, free. www.wildwoodmusicfest.com
July 20
Grace Potter
BIG VENUE—Grace Potter's electric vocals have never changed even when her band's sound has. Going from alt-country to experimental rock, every one of her shows is as unpredictable as she is. Century Center, Bend. $35 www.bendticket.com
July 20 to 24
4th Annual Newberry Event Music & Arts Festival
CAMPING—This four-day "Defeat MS" fundraiser festival is a hidden gem nestled in Newberry Country, 25 miles south of Bend. Features three stages and more than 25 acts in genres spanning rock, blues, funk, reggae, indie, folk, soul, Americana and more. La Pine. $75 to $100. www.newberryevent.com
July 29 to 31
Oregon Jamboree Music Festival
CAMPING—This country music festival, now in its 24th year, makes everyone feel like they're in the front row with two stages, 22 shows and three jumbo screens. Highlights include Carrie Underwood, Toby Keith, Aaron Lewis, Randy Houser, Chase Bryant and many more. Sweet Home. $140 to $160. www.oregonjamboree.com
August 1, 3, 7, 9, 10, 15, 16
Britt Free Children's Concerts in the Performance Garden
FAMILY FRIENDLY—The Britt Music Festival in Jacksonville, is world famous, and now it includes seven free kids concerts, each beginning at 10 a.m., created by Gabriel Globus-Hoenich and Jenifer Knippel. Jacksonville. Free. www.brittfest.org
August 5
Brandi Carlile
BIG VENUE—Grammy-nominated Brandi Carlile brings her trademark alt-country/folk sound to Central Oregon. Her singing and songwriting are unmatched in folk right now and her show should be beautiful. Les Schwab Amphitheater, Bend. $39+. www.bendconcerts.com
August 5 to 7
Broke Down Soakdown
CAMPING—The inaugural two-day festival hosted by local band Broken Down Guitars combines music, camping and hot spring soaking in beautiful Eastern Oregon. Highlights include Broken Down Guitars, Corner Gospel Explosion, Subliminal, DJ Raider Mystic and more. Summer Lake Hot Springs, Paisley. $60. See Broken Down Guitars Facebook for full lineup and to purchase tickets.
August 5 to 7
Watershed Festival
CAMPING—This two-weekend festival has already sold out the first weekend so country music fans should act quickly. Don't fear though, there are plenty of star-studded musicians the second weekend with highlights including Brothers Osborne, Jason Aldean, Keith Urban, Eric Church, Travis Tritt and many more. Gorge Amphitheatre, George, Wash. $199. www.watershedfest.com
August 5 to 7
Pickathon
CAMPING—This Oregon independent music festival has multiple stages featuring different styles of music from metal to country to worldbeat. It's famous for scouting contemporary artists of all genres and bringing them to Oregon to be discovered. Highlights include Jeff Tweedy, Yo La Tengo, Beach House, Ty Segall & The Muggers. Pendarvis Farm, Happy Valley. $110 to $290. www.pickathon.com
August 3 to 7
Deschutes County Fair
FAMILY FRIENDLY—Tracy Lawrence on August 3, Queensryche on August 4, Trace Adkins on August 5, and The Wallflowers on August 6. Free concert tickets are available from Central Oregon McDonald's from 2 to 7 p.m. on Wednesdays until July 5, while supplies last (no purchase necessary). Doors open at 5:30 p.m., shows at 7 p.m. Redmond. Adults $12; seniors $7; children 6 to 12, $7; children 5 and under, free.
August 12
Huey Lewis & The News
BIG VENUE—Huey Lewis and The News have played straight-forward pop music for 30 years and they haven't slowed down. Expect to hear all the classics like "The Power of Love," "Hip to be Square," and more. Les Schwab Amphitheater, Bend. $44+. www.bendconcerts.com
August 12 to 14
Willamette Country Music Festival
CAMPING—An outdoor music festival for country music lovers of the Pacific Northwest, plus festival-goers can begin each day with an all-you-can-eat breakfast. Highlights include Miranda Lambert, Brantley Gilbert, Chase Rice, Florida Georgia Line and many more. Brownsville. $60 to $175. www.willamettecountrymusicfestival.com
August 13
Christmas Valley Music Festival
SMALL VENUE—Saturday from 1 to 10 p.m., a day of music, food and fun featuring multiple bands, a beer garden and food and craft vendors. This event helps support the High Desert Brain Food Trust, providing meals to children from families needing help when school is not in session. It also benefits North Lake County Public Schools Music Program. Flowerer Amphitheater, Christmas Valley. $5 to $10 Donation, www.christmasvalleymusicfestival.com
July 7 to August 11
Drake Park Munch & Music
SMALL VENUE—This is a free concert series in Drake Park on Thursdays at 5:30 p.m. Each evening will include an opening band and a headlining band with the Deschutes Brewery Libation station for beer, wine and cocktails. Outside alcoholic beverages are not allowed this year, and this is a pet-free event. Bend. Free. www.c3events.com
August 21
Trampled by Turtles/Lord Huron
BIG VENUE—Lord Huron makes lo-fi heartbreak music, and Trampled By Turtles does progressive bluegrass. They're may not be as huge as some of the other summer bands listed, but they make a massive impression. Athletic Club of Bend, Bend. $37+. www.peaksummernights.com
August 26 to Sept. 5
Oregon State Fair
FAMILY FRIENDLY—The Oregon State Fair's L.B. Day Amphitheater welcomes Melissa Ethridge, Credence Clearwater Revisited, Foreigner, Pat Benatar and Neil Giraldo, Hunter Hayes, and more. VIP tickets: $35. www.oregonstatefair.org
September 1 to 4
Dave Matthews Caravan
CAMPING—The annual Labor Day weekend gathering of Dave Matthews Band fans takes place at the breathtaking Gorge Amphitheatre above the Columbia River in Washington. Other highlights of the weekend are Lake Street Dive and The Lone Bellow. Gorge Amphitheatre, George, Wash. $294+. www.davematthewsband.com
September 9 to 11
Sisters Folk Festival
FAMILY FRIENDLY—This three-day festival is held in September every year, the weekend after Labor Day. Just a few of the highlights include Shawn Mullins, Ruthie Foster, Ballroom Thieves, Sam Lewis, Laney Jones and the Spirits, Beth Wood, the Americans, and more. Sisters. Festival passes: Adult, $140; youth 18 and under: $75. www.sistersfolkfestival.org
