Alive After 5 Outdoor Concerts Return Downtown in August 2021

We (The Downtown Billings Alliance) & Valley Credit Union are happy to announce the return of Alive After 5 after the much-anticipated outdoor concert series was cancelled in 2020 due to the COVID-19 Pandemic.

We’ll be bringing the community four Alive After 5 summer concerts in 2021 instead of the typical eight dates. This small-batch series will have all the energy of past years, concentrated in a shorter and safer AA5 season. We along with eight other Billings performing arts and event producers recently came together and committed to bringing summer events back to the community safely and responsibly following local and state public health guidelines.

The 2021 Small Batch Alive After 5 series

Each of the Alive After 5 outdoor concerts takes place at a different downtown location Thursday evening from 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm. Admission to each Alive After 5 event is free to the public, however, those 21 and older wishing to consume alcohol will need to purchase a wristband for $2. 

The 2021 Small Batch Alive After 5 series kicks-off Thursday, August 5th, at McCormick Cafe on Montana Ave. The following locations and corresponding dates include Walkers Grill on August 12th, Montana Brewing Company on August 19th, and Tiny’s Tavern on August 26th.

The line-up of bands will be announced very soon.

Bringing Alive After 5 to Life is a Team Effort

Due to the nature and logistics of the Alive After 5 events, our organization sought guidance and support from our community partners and Public Health leaders to bring Alive After 5 back in the way the community knows it.

Our Events & Communications Director, Lindsay Richardson shares;

“These events don’t come together overnight. Typically, we start the process of planning Alive After 5 planning in November. It’s a big undertaking for our non-profit organization taking months to piece together hosts, bands, sponsors, sound techs, stages, street closures, insurance, staff, and volunteers.” 

Our CEO Katy Easton adds; 

“The decision to bring the series back for four dates this August had everything to do with ensuring we could host outdoor concerts responsibly without any headcount limitations. We know these events draw thousands of concertgoers into downtown Billings and the health and safety of our community, while protecting the ability for our small businesses to stay open is our priority. We can’t wait to see everyone back at Alive After 5 in August.” 

The success of the concert series is due heavily to the host locations efforts, good community attendance, the help of the season sponsors, and volunteers to help the DBA team ID and wristband guests. Current sponsors include Valley Credit Union, Best Western Clocktower Inn, First Interstate Bank and Desert Mountain Broadcasting.

We are still confirming additional sponsors for this 2021 season to help cover the costs of hosting these highly anticipated summer concerts.

If you are interested in sponsoring or volunteering your time to help us bring these events to life please contact Lindsay at LRichardson@downtownbillings.com


Alive After 5 is a weekly outdoor summer concert series coordinated by our team here at the Downtown Billings Alliance. We are a non-profit organization that promotes and advocates for a vital city center through programmatic and place-making elements like event management, business development effort and projects, TIF district management, public art, green space development, and other downtown beautification projects. For more information on the DBA visit downtownbillings.com