The summer in Bend, Oregon sizzles with live music and concerts on select Sundays at the Les Schwab Amphitheater in the Old Mill District. And did we mention the concerts are free?!?

So bust a move and round up the family, rally the friends, and load up the dog for an afternoon of dancing on the grass along the Deschutes River. Here are some tips for making the most of your Summer Sunday concert going experience in Bend:

Watch Chelsea #HowtoBend a Free Summer Sunday Concert:

 

1. Pack a picnic.

If you’re on the run all morning and don’t have time to make anything at home, there are several restaurants in the Old Mill District that have picnic perfect take-out food. Grab a couple of foot-long gourmet sandwiches from Jimmy John’s, or a wood-fired oven pizza from Flatbread. If you feel like pre-funk drinks, the Bacon Bloody Mary’s and mimosas are half off on Sundays when you show your server that you “checked-in” on Facebook.

Clink to a low-key summer day with a glass of Oregon vino from Naked Winery. Bottles of their tantalizing wines are ready to be toted off to a riverside show. Try the Outdoor Vino Wanderlust White or Rambling Red for goodness on the go in break-proof bottles.

2.Or not. You can eat here!

Let someone else do the cooking for a change. Café Yumm! features healthy wraps and their famous—and delish—Yumm! Bowls. Save room for a double-scoop cone from Ben & Jerry’s.

3. Bring a large blanket for stretching out.

Blankets are welcome and so are low-back lawn chairs. These concerts have a mellow vibe and you’ll have some room to spread out.

4. Bring the kids.

Save the sitter for another time because the Summer Sunday concerts have tons of activities to keep them busy like face painting, slippery slides and everyone’s favorite: a bounce house!

5. Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate.

All this dancing can make you thirsty. Check out the craft beer selection by the local award-winning brewery Boneyard Beer. Order up an RPM IPA or the Hop Venom that takes hoppy to a whole nother level. Oh, you thought we were talking about water. We have that, too! Bring your refillable water bottle for unlimited water refills. Unlike our ticketed shows, you can bring in any other beverages of your choice.

6. Enter to win some cool prizes and thank Bend Memorial Clinic for bringing the bands.

The free concerts are made possible by the kindness of Bend Memorial Clinic (BMC), a community-minded healthcare clinic and urgent care. Without their support, we couldn’t bring these bands to Bend. Pop by the BMC tent at the show and enter to win the weekly Fun in the Sun prize package giveaway, which includes some very cool prizes that you’d love to go home with.

7. Bring your swimsuit for a pre or post-concert dip.

The weather in Bend is pleasantly warm throughout the summer. And we think pleasant is around 85 degrees give or take. Some would disagree so we suggest cooling off in the Deschutes River pre or post show at Riverbend Park. You can also take a dip with your dog or toss the Wubba around at the nearby off-leash riverfront dog park.

 

Get the summer music line-up here then work on your Wiggle, nail your Nae Nae, and show the kids how the Cabbage Patch is done! And don’t forget to share your photos with us @oldmilldistrict and tagging #HowtoBend and #BendLove.