Fast Facts:
Inception: 2008
Square Footage: 3 City Blocks
Organized by: All-Volunteer Board
Average Attendance: 8,000
Highest Attendance: 14,000
Volunteers: over 100 each event
Beverages available: we serve a wide array of beverages via our 3 beverage trailers which include: beer (including Craft), wine, water and soda.
Bands to see: 13+ different local and regional bands all summer!
No Bag Policy: At the request of the Rapid City Police Department and specifically for the Safety and Enjoyment of our guests Summer Nights has a no bag policy. The Board of Directors has recently made a few minor adjustments to this policy in that we do allow Clear Bags and the size limit of any bag that is not clear must be less than 8”x6”x3”. This policy is subject to change and any issue at Summer Nights can be addressed by a Board Member.
What does it cost? Summer Nights is free! We have adult beverages, Pepsi products, and water for purchase along with a variety of vendors selling food, drink, and special treats at affordable prices.
I’m old enough to be your mother! Does everyone need an ID to purchase alcohol? Yes. All patrons must have a positive ID with them to obtain a wristband in order to purchase alcohol. No exceptions.
I have kids. Can I bring them, and will they have fun? Yes! Summer Nights is an all-ages event and children are allowed in all areas. We have kid-friendly food and they love the music!
What kind of music do you have? All kinds! We bring in everything from classic rock, to 80s, to modern country and more! Click on the band’s link on the Schedule page to learn more about each week’s performers.
Can I bring my dog/cat/iguana/any other pets? Unfortunately our insurance policy does not allow pets inside our event area, with the exception of ADA service animals.
Who can I talk to if I have a question? Find anyone in red shirt marked Event Staff. That’s the Board of Directors—they can help you!
This looks fun—I want to volunteer with Summer Nights. What can I do? That’s another great question for the Board of Directors! Ask any of them to learn more about volunteer opportunities, or send us an email at info@rapidcitysummernights.com. If your company would like to volunteer as a corporate team to serve beer please see our Beer Captain Application of Interest page for details and an application.
I lost something! Do you have a lost and found? We have a lost and found bin in our trailer. Summer Nights Event Staff will assist with retrieving items from the bin.
I have the world’s best ________ and I want to be a Summer Nights food vendor! Great! Please fill out an application on our Food Vendor Application of Interest page. Current food vendors receive first right of refusal, and we have limited space, so an application is NOT a guarantee that you can vend at Summer Nights (and we have limitations on what can be sold at the event). However, we review all applications we receive.
Summer Nights is a weekly concert series that runs every Thursday evening from Memorial Day to Labor Day. It was established by the 2007 Leadership Rapid City class and has entertained Downtown Rapid City since 2008. Our board is made up of anywhere between 9 – 17 volunteer board members who you will find in red staff shirts on the street each event night. We also have a number of volunteer organizations that fill the needs that are required in order to pull off this fantastic event for Rapid City. Summer Nights is funded by the many fantastic sponsors as well as through beverage sales. All proceeds of the event are donated back to the event volunteer organizations or used to support the equipment and financial needs to prepare for future years.