Few things are as synonymous with a Pacific Northwest summer as hitting the road for live music. Luckily, summer music festivals dot the calendar and landscape from Southern Oregon to Northern Idaho. Classical music lovers can appreciate orchestras from across the globe, while those looking to dance may find their favorite band performing on a main stage to accompany their steps.

Music lovers find festivals with nonstop music packed into one day or others with performances spread throughout the summer. Some festivals, such as Vanport Jazz Festival in Portland, Oregon, offer music in one location, while the Sisters Folk Festival declares, “all the town’s a stage.” Whether to find a favored genre or discover a diversity of artists, festivals offer a chance to get away and meet up with lifelong friends, and make some new ones along the way. A festival-goer needs only decide if they want to bring the children, and if they want to sleep in a tent, RV or hotel bed. Reviewing the day’s musical exploration at the end of a day or swapping stories in the sun is all that’s needed to make the most of a summer adventure. Plus, many festivals offer extracurricular activities to pair with the event, such as backstage VIP meet and greets, educational workshops or culinary tastings. There’s always plenty to keep everyone occupied on a musical getaway.

Here are some music festivals not to be missed in Oregon and Idaho.

Combining world-class orchestral performances with spectacular natural beauty gives the Sunriver Music Festival (SMF) an almost unfair advantage. Now in its 47th season, the SMF holds nine concerts and more than 14 rehearsals open to the public at venues in both Sunriver and Bend. In addition, they stay busy all year long with another nine concerts and an educational outreach initiative that includes an honored Young Artists Scholarship Program.

The two-week summer showcase includes four classical concerts, a pops concert, solo violin performance, and a “Discover the Symphony” concert. Arrive early to the Summer Concert Series and enjoy Bend’s Tower Theatre performance, complete with a family-friendly matinee and popular “Instrument Petting Zoo.” Stay late to experience the closing show at Sunriver Resort’s historic Great Hall. It’s no secret Central Oregon offers a landscape of natural entertainment with its lakes, rivers and trails, but the festival also overlaps with the nationally recognized Sunriver Art Fair. See sunrivermusic.org.

For those fostering a love for the traditional American music of jazz, big band swing and blues, the Sun Valley Jazz & Music Festival is the place to be each October. The festival takes visitors back to the days of Louis Armstrong and Ella Fitzgerald for four days and 38 shows in beautiful Central Idaho. Join attendees from around the globe for the 35th year of revisiting the big band sounds of yesteryear.

Make sure to catch the extremely popular Terry Myers Big Band Frank Sinatra Tribute for your dose of Ol’ Blue Eyes or the NOLA Rhythm & Blues set.

Park an RV at a designated dry-camping area or check in to the world famous Sun Valley Resort and visit the many restaurants, shops and spas that dot the area. After dancing amidst fall-colored aspens under blue skies, hit the trails or experience fly fishing in the Big Wood River. See sunvalleyjazz.com. 

Britt Music & Arts Festival
June to September | Jacksonville, OR | brittfest.org