Summer Wednesday evenings in Soldotna are times that everyone looks forward to. That’s when the famous—and free!—Levitt AMP Soldotna Music Series takes place in the beautiful Soldotna Creek Park. It happens weekly from June through August, and on top of catching some great music, it’s a fantastic chance to meet locals.
And there will be plenty of locals! On a sunny day, up to 2,000 people might turn out for the show, coming in from as far away as Homer. Of course, plenty of visitors join in the fun as well. Each week, the music kicks off at 6 p.m. with an opening act—usually a local band; then there’s a headliner, who may be regional or national, who plays until 9 p.m. It’s 3 full hours of music! And there’s a thrilling diversity of genres. The full schedule is released each April, so you can see who’s playing when.
The music follows Soldotna’s Wednesday Market, where you can enjoy food and peruse crafts for sale from all over the state. Then transition into the evening. Adults can enjoy the lively beer garden, and kids can engage with activities on the lawn, which might include a drum session on buckets or an art project. Then get ready for the music! (And BYO lawn chair.)
This popular community gathering may feel like it has a long history, but it’s relatively new. It was a director of the Soldotna Chamber of Commerce—a music lover—who created this event in 2015, as the perfect add-on to the Wednesday Market. And since 2019, the music series has partnered with Levitt AMP through the Levitt Foundation to help build community with free, live music in public spaces.
The music series has been an amazing success. In addition to a wide variety of music, you’ll find a diverse group of people—from Alaskan old-timers to business professionals and families. The event is also a magnet, gathering people in the heart of town and giving everyone a common connection. And you can feel even more like a part of the community by volunteering to help out with things like set up/tear down, counting the crowds, or walking around with donation buckets. However you decide to experience this music fest, it’s an event not to be missed!
