Explore Albuquerque’s vibrant live music scene and acclaimed concert venues.
You don’t have to look far to find great live music in Albuquerque. Whether you are enjoying a beer at a local brewery or planning a weekend trip to see your favorite band, Albuquerque is New Mexico’s premier concert and live music destination. Find unique venues hosting local bands to internationally-recognized artists for the perfect live music experience.
Find some of the best places to watch music, and discover inspiration for planning the ultimate music experience in Albuquerque.
Annual Concerts and Live Music Events
Zoo and Garden Music
Enjoy bands from a variety of genres at the ABQ BioPark Zoo and Botanic Garden during the summer. It’s fun for the whole family spending an evening among the animals or the beautiful plants at the garden.
Albuquerque Summerfest
Albuquerque Summerfest is a series of concerts in neighborhoods around the city featuring local music, food and free activities. It’s a great way to support local businesses as well.
Festival Flamenco
Festival Flamenco Alburquerque celebrates the art of flamenco dancing. Every year, the National Institute of Flamenco brings international flamenco dancers to Albuquerque. Participate in over 30 workshops on the history and development of flamenco, the music or the rhythms. You can also enjoy world-class performances by some of the best flamenco dancers.
Albuquerque Blues and Brews
Every Memorial Day weekend, sip on the best beer Albuquerque has to offer while listening to local blues musicians at Albuquerque Blues and Brews. The event is a fundraiser for local charities.
Somos Albuquerque
Somos Albuquerque is an annual event held in May that features local food, art and music. Over the course of 10 days, a number of musical artists perform in a big community party. Most events are free!
Mariachi Spectacular
The Mariachi Spectacular de Albuquerque is a must-see event in the summer. World-renowned groups perform in a variety of mariachi styles. Hear new interpretations of classic mariachi songs. Conference students and the general public get the chance to experience the best mariachi has to offer.
Music Culture and History
Music has been an integral part of Albuquerque’s culture for centuries. As a form of sharing and storytelling, music is tightly interwoven in both Native American and Hispanic traditions. Together, these musical traditions play an important role in Albuquerque’s distinctly blended culture.
The sounds of traditional pueblo music contribute a unique beat to the sounds of Albuquerque.
To experience the unique rhythm of Albuquerque, exploring our vibrant live music scene is a must. The city boasts a wide variety of local bands as well as many outdoor and unique concert venues that are open year-round, thanks to our 310 days of sunshine. With big-name performers like the Backstreet Boys and Nick Jonas, there are larger venues that host popular artists along with smaller venues for a more intimate experience.
Throughout the year, Albuquerque is home to a variety of renowned, annual musical events. From national headliners to lowkey performances at our local breweries and wineries, we have something to satisfy all musical tastes.
Explore the city's art galleries, museum exhibitions, sporting events, eateries, fine dining, live music and cultural performances all in one place. The ABQ365 blog and calendar of events is the easiest way to discover the here and now.