Three Great Ways to Enjoy Live Music Outdoors in Lake County

Summer’s the time when Lake County comes alive. People explore the lake, soak in the sun, and spend afternoons shopping and wine tasting. But if live music is your thing, there’s nothing better than Lake County. We’ve got live music every night of the week between Memorial Day and Labor Day. And by far, the best way to enjoy music is outdoors on a summer evening, when the day has cooled and the sky has turned purple, framing Mt. Konocti. Here are three of the best places to bring a picnic, spread out a blanket or lawn chair, and dance the night away.

1. Kelseyville’s Kickin’ it in The Country

   

   Every third Thursday of the months of June, July, August, and September, the small, country town of Kelseyville shuts down Main Street and transforms it into a giant dancefloor. A stage stretches across one end, and people come early to line the now-empty parking spaces with chairs. And there’s always a good reason to come early. You can grab a quick bite at Carmelita’s Cantina, a barbecued chicken burrito from John’s Market, or enjoy a sit-down dinner at the Saw Shop Public House, one of Lake County’s best restaurants. And there’s no lack of wine. Three different wineries and a brewpub stay open to serve during the music, so you’ll always have a fresh glass. This year’s music stretches from jazz to country to oldies, so you’ll always have a reason to dance.

2. Lakeport’s Concert in the Park

   

   Every Friday at 6:00 from mid-June through August, the gazebo in Lakeport’s Library Park hosts some of the best musicians around. It’s the perfect place for a picnic–spread out your blanket on the green lawn, watch the sun turn the lake orange, red, and purply-blue, and settle in for a relaxing evening. Downtown Lakeport’s a block away, so there’s plenty of food to choose from–grab some pizza from Pogos, a burger from the Gaslight Grill, or spectacular Mexican from Ali’s Kitchen. For an extra special night, sit on the patio at Park Place and enjoy your meal only a couple hundred feet from the stage. The concerts cover all kinds of music from Latin to Soul to Disco, so get ready to kick of your shoes and bust a move in the grass.

3. Austin Park’s Summer Concerts

   

   Austin Park in Clearlake recently put in a stage, and it’s beautiful. Three times over summer (June 10, July 1, and August 26), they’ve scheduled some great music. The Battle of the Bands, a competition between local bands, happens on June 10, followed by a Journey/Def Leppard cover band (come in your 80’s best), and ending with none other than Color Me Badd. It’s a great opportunity to sit in the park with a picnic, watching the bands rock out surrounded by the backdrop of North America’s oldest lake. If you’re looking to pick up food, grab some takeout at Kour Thai or Trejo’s Diner. And be sure to bring your kids–there’s an entirely new playground perfect for them to explore.

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