LIVE at Asante 2026–27: Free Concert Dates & What to Bring | Surprise AZ Guide

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LIVE at Asante 2026–27: free concert dates and what to bring

Once a month, the lawn at Asante Library turns into a free outdoor concert. Here is the full season lineup from the City of Surprise and how to make a night of it.

Reviewed October 5, 2026. Dates and performers can change. Confirm on the Surprise Arts LIVE at Asante page before you go.

Surprise events

LIVE at Asante is a free outdoor performance series run by Surprise Arts, the City of Surprise’s arts and culture program. Shows happen on the third Thursday of each month at Asante Library, 16755 W. Vereda Solana Dr., in northwest Surprise. The 2026–27 season opened September 17 and runs through April 2027.

The basics

  • Cost: Free admission, open to all ages.
  • When: The third Thursday of each month, September through April. Most shows run 6 to 7:30 p.m.; the December and January shows start earlier, at 5:30 p.m.
  • Where: The Asante Library lawn, 16755 W. Vereda Solana Dr., Surprise.
  • Extras: A local food truck and free, hands-on arts activities. The Explore Surprise listing for the October show says the arts activities are provided by Surprise Library.
  • Weather: Shows are held rain or shine. In bad weather, the performance moves indoors.
  • RSVP: Recommended, though not described as required. Surprise Arts points to surpriseaz.gov/ArtsSignUp.

The 2026–27 lineup

The city’s season announcement, published by Signals AZ in August, lists these dates. The Surprise Arts page currently shows the October through February dates with the same times.

  • Sept. 17, 2026: The Thomas James Band, 6:30–8 p.m. (season opener, already held)
  • Oct. 15, 2026: Bad Cactus Brass Band, 6–7:30 p.m.
  • Nov. 19, 2026: Jacob Acosta and the Golden Hearts, 6–7:30 p.m.
  • Dec. 17, 2026: Groove Providers Band, 5:30–7 p.m. (listed by Surprise Arts as the Groove Providers Holiday Band)
  • Jan. 21, 2027: The Steady Kind, 5:30–7 p.m.
  • Feb. 18, 2027: Traveler Trio, 6–7:30 p.m.
  • Mar. 18, 2027: The Michael Scott Band, 6–7:30 p.m.
  • Apr. 15, 2027: The Taide Band, 6:30–8 p.m.

The city describes the season as a mix of New Orleans-style brass, Southwest-rooted songwriting, holiday jazz, Americana, world fusion, Arizona country and reggae-inspired dance music.

This month: Bad Cactus Brass Band (Oct. 15)

October’s show is the loud, danceable one. The event listing describes Bad Cactus Brass Band as a mix of New Orleans street jazz, second line rhythms and funk, with trumpets, saxophone, trombones, sousaphone and marching drums. The listing says the band has played the Phoenix metro since 2009, has toured the Southwest and has released four albums. Expect an interactive set that gets people out of their chairs.

Next up: Jacob Acosta and the Golden Hearts (Nov. 19)

Surprise Arts describes Jacob Acosta as an Arizona-born singer-songwriter whose music is rooted in the culture and sound of the Southwest. The event page says he has been featured on NPR, has released 17 records across many genres, and performs both as a looping soloist and with his band, The Golden Hearts.

What to bring

The city suggests bringing a lawn chair or a blanket, since the shows are on the library lawn. A few other things worth packing:

  • Cash or a card for the food truck, since a food truck is part of each show.
  • Water, especially for the early-season and spring shows.
  • A light jacket for the winter dates. The December and January shows start at 5:30 p.m. and end after dark.
  • Something for the kids to do before the music starts. The free arts activities help, and the park next door has playgrounds.

Make it an evening at Asante

Asante Library sits next to Asante Community Park, which the City of Surprise lists at 16763 W. Vereda Solana Dr. and open 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. The city’s park sheet lists two playground units, lighted basketball courts, soccer and softball fields, restrooms and a veterans memorial. Arriving early lets kids burn off energy before the show.

If you are curious about the area around the library, our Asante neighborhood guide covers the master-planned community, its builders and its schools. For other free and family-friendly outings, see Things to Do in Surprise and the latest Surprise events. Baseball fans can also start planning with our Spring Training 2027 guide.

Frequently asked questions

Is LIVE at Asante free?

Yes. The City of Surprise lists it as a free outdoor performance series for all ages.

When is LIVE at Asante?

On the third Thursday of each month from September 2026 through April 2027. Most shows run 6 to 7:30 p.m., and the December and January shows start at 5:30 p.m.

What happens if it rains?

Shows are held rain or shine. In bad weather, the city says the performance moves indoors.

Sources

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