Sip, Listen, and Enjoy: Guide to Alive After 5 in Billings!
Alive After 5 is Back
Summer in Billings, Montana, is here, bringing with it that wonderful feeling of anticipation for sunny days and outdoor adventures. That means longer days, warmer weather, and fantastic local events that bring our community together. We’re especially excited about one of our city’s most loved traditions, put on by Dowtown Billigns, the Alive After 5 summer concert series. It’s a wonderful way to enjoy our vibrant downtown community, and here at Rock Creek Coffee Roasters, we want to make sure you have all the details. After all, what’s better than starting your evening with a great cup of coffee from your favorite spot – maybe even the best coffee in Billings – before heading out for a fun evening of live music?
What is Alive After 5?
For those new to Billings or who haven't had the pleasure of experiencing it yet, Alive After 5 is a completely free outdoor concert series. It takes over different spots in downtown Billings on Thursday evenings throughout the summer months. This year is particularly special because it marks the 22nd Anniversary of these awesome community gatherings! Imagine strolling through our beautiful downtown area, hearing live music fill the air, and enjoying the cheerful company of friends, family, and neighbors. It’s a chance to unwind after a busy week, meet new people, and celebrate the unique character of our city. It’s truly a highlight for many of us here in Billings, Montana, and a perfect showcase of our local spirit.
When can you join in the fun?
Mark your calendars! The 2025 Alive After 5 series officially kicks off on Thursday, June 12, and will continue to bring the tunes every Thursday evening until July 31. The music and community fun happen from 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm, making it a perfect after-work activity. One of the really neat things about Alive After 5 is that it moves around to different locations each week! This means each concert is hosted by a different downtown Billings business, giving you a fantastic chance to explore various parts of our wonderful city center and discover new favorite spots. This fantastic series is brought to our community by the dedicated folks at the Downtown Billings Business Improvement District (BID) and the generous team at Western Security Bank. Their commitment helps make these events possible.
Concert Line Up
Now for the part many of you are probably most excited about – who’s playing this year? The 2025 Alive After 5 line-up is absolutely packed with incredible talent, featuring some beloved local Billings bands that you might already know and love, alongside some exciting first-timers making their debut. Here’s a rundown of where you can find the music each week in downtown Billings so you can plan your summer Thursdays:
First up, on June 12, the series starts with a bang! Head over to The Pub Station to hear the Tanner Laws Band with special guest Kyle Hunter. The Pub Station is a popular Billings venue known for great live music, so you know it'll be a lively and energetic start to the summer concert season in Billings! This is definitely one you won’t want to miss.
Next, on June 19, get ready for The Hellroaring! Their name alone suggests a good time, and you can catch their energetic performance at Thirsty Street Brewing Co. at the Garage.
Then, on June 26, Stranded by Choice will be taking the stage. You can head over to The Monte Bar & Casino for this mid-summer concert.
On July 3, celebrate an important milestone with John Roberts y Pan Blanco at the Rainbow Bar. This is a big one because the Rainbow Bar is celebrating its 90th Anniversary – an incredible milestone for any local business.
On July 10, the Repeat Offenders are set to play. You’ll find them performing at Montana Brewing Co., with the concert happening at the iconic Skypoint location.
Get ready for some great vibes on July 17 when you enjoy the soulful sounds of Paige & The People’s Band. Their show will be held at the Last Chance Pub & Cider Mill.
On July 24, Ryan Chrys & The Rough Cuts will be performing at Tiny’s Tavern.
Finally, wrapping up the 2025 Alive After 5 series with high energy on July 31 will be Exit 53. They’ll be playing at Hooligan’s Sports Bar, which is also conveniently located at the Skypoint location in downtown Billings.
It’s sure to be a memorable final concert to cap off a fantastic summer of music in Billings.
The Finer Details
One of the very best parts about the Alive After 5 concert series is that it’s completely free for everyone to attend! You can come on down to the designated downtown Billings location each week, enjoy the wonderful live music, and soak up the fantastic community atmosphere without needing to buy a ticket. If you are 21 years of age or older and would like to enjoy an alcoholic beverage from the host location, you’ll simply need to purchase a wristband for just $3.
It’s also really good to know that the money raised from these $3 wristband sales goes directly back into supporting and improving our Billings community. These funds help make important projects possible, such as downtown beautification efforts that keep our city looking great, cool public art installations that add character to our streets, and other community-focused Downtown Billings Signature Events throughout the year. So, when you buy that $3 wristband, it does more than just let you enjoy a drink; it actively helps keep downtown Billings vibrant, welcoming, and beautiful for residents and visitors alike.
Community events like Alive After 5 wouldn't be possible, or nearly as great, without the incredibly generous support of local Billings businesses and organizations. Their sponsorships are vital and help make these concerts a continued success year after year, importantly keeping them free and enjoyable for everyone in Billings and for visitors to our city. This support is a testament to the collaborative spirit of our local business community.
See you there!
This year’s Alive After 5 lineup is truly a fantastic mix of talent and venues. You’ll see some familiar local Billings bands that always draw a great crowd and know how to get people dancing, and you’ll also get the chance to experience some exciting debuts from artists new to the series.
We hope to see you there this summer!