Campbell River offers many opportunities to enjoy live music. Indoor venues host touring musicians and burgeoning local artists year-round, but its in the warmer spring and summer months that the live music scene really comes into its own with outdoor performances day and night.
Whether you’re looking for a little live music to accompany a night out or are feeling ready for a dance-filled evening, there’s something for everyone—from family-friendly events to bustling concert-style street events featuring a diverse spread of musical genres.
Live Performances at Spirit Square
Few spots are busier than the outdoor concert series held in Downtown’s Spirit Square. From June 4 to August 30 it is the host venue of a series of summertime music events, along with various other Live Street themed performance and art events. The evening events are on Wednesdays from 7 PM. Blues Night on July 24 will be supported by Luke Blue Guthrie. The series will culminate with three-time Western Canadian Music Award winners Five Alarm Funk bringing the street party spirit.
Daytime outdoor music performances will also take place every Tuesday at noon with the popular Lunch in the Square series spotlighting hyperlocal artists. This year’s artists include musicians from Quadra (fiddle virtuoso Jaron Freeman-Fox, now based in Toronto), Cortes (singer-songwriter Jemma & the Good Thing), and Campbell River (violinist Nadia Logist).
Grab a takeaway bite to bring with you from the abundant options nearby like sushi from Miki’s Sushi or Sushi Mong, Vietnamese dishes from Pho54 or Nhau Vietnamese Kitchen, sandwiches and salads from The Java Shack, coffee and croissants from Freyja, and pizza from Fratelli’s.
Touring Musicians and Tribute Bands
Beyond Spirit Square’s summer celebrations, there are many other live music events and venues across Campbell River, from free small-scale accompaniments to a beer at Beach Fire Brewing to ticketed full productions at the iconic Tidemark Theatre.
Enjoy being serenaded during a dinner of seafood, tapas, and salads at SoCal, South East Asian and global cuisine at Big Rock Garage, or appies, burgers, and classic entrees at the Riptide Marine Pub.
Highway 19 Concerts, who are behind many of the Spirit Square events, also produce live shows at Rivercity Players near Downtown on Hemlock Street, the Willow Point Lions Club further south, and the waterfront Anchor Inn and Suites throughout the year. Tribute bands, open jam sessions, and ticketed performances also take place at Eagles Hall, the Campbell River Legion, and the Campbell River Community Centre.
Stay up-to-date with the incredible diversity of live music events happening in Campbell River on our Events page. We look forward to celebrating musical talent and our community spirit with you.
