We are suckers for live music any time of year, but in the summer, live music feels easier to bring the whole family out to enjoy. The summer venues combine that fresh mountain air with ample space for kids to run out all that pent up energy in a fun, safe environment. While you can find live music in just about every corner of town on any given evening, the free weekly concert series at the Ponderosa Center Terrace, Brundage Mountain, and Tamarack Resort are our favorite picks for families.
Start a week of live music off with an evening at Tuesdays at the Terrace in downtown McCall. Hosted by the Ponderosa Center, this concert series runs every Tuesday evening from 7pm to 9pm in July, August, and September. With views of Payette Lake as the backdrop to the stage, concert-goers can kick back and relax while sipping a glass of wine and enjoying dinner from the Bandit Food Truck located inside the venue. The fenced area is great for kids who can get up and dance at the stage or play tag in the back when the urge to get up and move hits. Want to maximize your time downtown? Start early and grab dinner at Frenchies on Third to go or a pizza from Growlers, Toll Station, or Salmon River Brewery and picnic at Legacy Park ahead of the concert!
When Friday rolls around it’s time to head up to Brundage Mountain for the TGIF Concert Series. Each summer the base of the mountain is transformed into a terraced lawn that creates the perfect amphitheater for live music. There really is no bad seat in the house! Pack a lawn chair or a blanket and camp out under the Bluebird Express lift. Grab a drink or dinner from Smoky’s Bar and Grill or from the tents on the lawn. If you have little kids, pack a net and an extra change of clothes. There are several small pools on site with resident frogs kids can’t resist trying to catch. Don’t worry, the pools are shallow, but inevitably kids come back from frog chasing soaking wet!
Round out the week with live music every Saturday for the Tamarack Summer Concert Series running from June to September. The setting in the heart of the Tamarack Village is superb with food and cocktails close at hand. Before or after the concerts, grab dinner at any one of Tamarack’s eateries. We like the Seven Devil’s Taphouse for families. Here you can find delicious fare like brisket, pulled pork, wings burgers and more. And 40 self-pour regional beers, ciders, and wines.
Festival Kids
Weekly music is amplified by some amazing (and family-friendly) music festivals throughout the region. Two of our favorite outdoor festivals are the Roseberry Music Festival (July 18-20, 2024 | thesummermusicfestival.com) and the Yellowpine Harmonica Festival (August 1-3, 2024 | yellowpinefestival.org). We also love McCall MusicFest presented by the McCall Music Society. This classical and pops festival hosts events July 23, 25, and 27, 2024 including a FREE matinee concert on the 27th just for kids where they can experience the sights and sounds of a full 55-piece orchestra. Learn more at mccallmusicsociety.org.
