Silver City Blues Festival
If you're a blues music lover, pack up your RV and head to the Silver City Blues Festival, a free for all music event in Southwest New Mexico.
Event information
The Silver City Blues Festival is an annual blues music event that takes place in Silver City, New Mexico. It is organized by the Mimbres Region Arts Council, a non-profit organization.
The festival takes place at Gough Park, a large public park in the historic downtown area. It is one of the biggest events of its kind in Southwest New Mexico and has been drawing blues music lovers to the region for over 24 years. Despite its growth, the festival continues to have an intimate, small-town feel.
Internationally acclaimed musicians, as well as local bands, bring their music and unique performance styles to Silver City. Artists like Guitar Shorty, the Chris Dracup Trio, Delgado Brothers, Walker Shellist Duo, Laurie Morvan Band, and The Rudy Boy Experiment have performed at Silver City Blues Festival in the past. Many of the musicians take the time to interact with fans after completing their sets.
Silver City Blues Festival has always been free to the public. Over 9,000 people attend the event every year. For three days, the venue comes alive with music, dancing, and laughter. There will be several attractions for visitors of all ages to enjoy, as well as plenty of good food.
Tickets
Concerts at the Silver City Blues Festival are free for everyone. This is made possible by the generous contributions of local businesses and individuals. The event is organized by volunteers and members of the Mimbres Region Arts Council. If you'd like to support the festival, you can make a donation online or offline.
Explore Silver City Blues Festival RV Rentals
Transportation
Driving
Silver City is about two and a half hours away from El Paso, Texas, and three hours away from Tucson, Arizona. I-10 or I-25 be part of your route to Southwest New Mexico. Depending on which direction you're driving from, you can get to the town via US Highway 180 or US Highway 90. Monitor road and weather conditions with New Mexico's 511 services online or by phone.
Parking areas
Free street parking is available for cars close to the festival grounds. Consider the size of your camper when planning your time in Silver City. While in New Mexico, you are likely to find that most places are fairly accessible with a large RV, but parking options may be limited near Gough Park during the festival. Park your RV at your campsite and carpool to the venue or use public transportation.
Public Transportation
If you're staying close to the downtown area, you can easily get around on foot. Bicycles are also available for rent. Frequent public buses operate in the area, and the closest bus stop is less than a mile away from the venue. You can also travel within the town using a ride-hailing service.
Where to stay
Onsite
Onsite camping is not available at the Silver City Blues Festival. You may want to look into one of the RV parks and campgrounds close to the Downtown Silver City area, where you can find sites for every budget. Make sure you book your spot in advance, as these tend to fill up early closer to the date of the event.
Nearby
Travelers to Silver City can look into a number of RV parks in the downtown area, and the closest one is less than a mile away. Silver City KOA Holiday is about 10 miles from the festival site and may already be on your route along US-180 to the area from the east. Further down the road, City of Rocks State Park has sites that come with partial hookups and are accessible with a large RV. The park has some unique rock formations that visitors can enjoy exploring.
Getting around
Gough Park is relatively small, and you can quickly traverse it on foot. It is also wheelchair accessible, and there are plenty of pathways throughout the grounds. Bikes are not allowed in and will need to be parked outside. Patrons with disabilities are welcome to use any mobility devices they need to get around.
What to pack
Clothing
Stay cool through the day in lightweight summer clothing. Fellow festival-goers will be dressed in jeans, t-shirts, shorts, or cotton dresses. Wear shoes that you can walk in comfortably. Be sure to take some warm outwear and extra blankets for the nights, which can be significantly colder than the days in New Mexico.
Gear
Carry a small day bag with essentials you'll need throughout the day like a portable charger, bug spray, and sunglasses. Consider taking a light blanket or a low backed chair for some form of seating. There is not much shade in the performance areas, and you will not be allowed to bring a tent or canopy. So, protect your skin with sunscreen, a hat, or lightweight clothing.
Health & Safety
Seating in the Gough Park area is available on a first-come, first-serve basis, so try to get there ahead of time. Non-service animals will not be permitted on the grounds. If you're traveling with a furry companion, drop them off at one of the local kennels for the day.
Where to eat
Cooking
A cast-iron skillet can be your best friend if you plan on cooking over a campfire. You can use it to make everything from breakfast pancakes to indulgent desserts. Before lighting an open fire, check with your camp manager if there is a burn ban in effect. You might be able to grab a few supplies at your campground, or stock up at one of the stores along US-180 in Silver City.
Restaurants
From restaurants offering healthy veggie-packed salads to pubs serving up deep-fried comfort food, you'll have a wide range of options near the festival site. You can't leave the area without trying some of the delicious and authentic Mexican Food like enchiladas, tamales, and burritos. Most restaurants have options available for vegans and vegetarians.
Vendors
Silver City Blues Festival includes a food court, where plenty of yummy food and drinks are sold. Guests can purchase their snacks or meals and enjoy them in the tented seating area. Plan to indulge in classic festival favorites or try something new if you're feeling adventurous.
Safety
Security
In recent years, security measures have been stepped up to meet the growing demands of the Silver City Blues Festival. Security officers check bags at the entrances. They will also be stationed at different parts of the grounds. You can reach out to them if you or someone you know needs assistance.
Weather
Visitors to the area are likely to enjoy pleasant sunny weather in New Mexico. May typically offers mild weather for much of the month, but spring showers can also be expected. The event's social media pages are updated regularly with weather information and road alerts. Be sure to check these and prepare accordingly before starting on your trip.
Medical
Basic first aid will be available on the festival grounds. The nearest medical center is less than three miles away, and guests might be taken there for more severe injuries. Medications that you need to carry in with you are best kept in their original packaging for clarity in an emergency. Pharmacy services are about the same distance away and may be along your route to some campgrounds.
