Eight-week spring concert series returns April 8 with 10,000 Maniacs and a lineup spanning alternative rock, pop, disco, funk and favorites from the ’60s to the ’90s
Tickets are now on sale for eight weeks of music under the stars for Mattie Kelly Arts Foundation’s 2027 Concerts in the Village series, returning Thursday evenings April 8, 2027 through May 27, 2027 at the Dugas Pavilion in Destin.
A spring tradition on the Emerald Coast, the family-friendly outdoor concert series brings premier national musicians and tribute bands to the Mattie Kelly Cultural Arts Village for evenings of live music, food and community — all while supporting MKAF’s mission to champion arts and culture for all.
The season kicks off April 8 with 10,000 Maniacs, the acclaimed alternative-rock band whose four-decade songbook includes favorites such as These Are Days, Because the Night and More Than This. Led by longtime vocalist and violinist Mary Ramsey, the band opens a season designed to offer something for nearly every musical taste.
On April 15, Black Jacket Symphony: The Music of Michael Jackson takes the stage to recreate Michael Jackson’s landmark Thriller album note for note, sound for sound, followed by more of the King of Pop’s greatest hits.
The music continues April 22 with The Beat Goes On: Cher Tribute, celebrating the songs and unmistakable style of one of pop music’s most enduring icons.
On April 29, Boogie Wonder Band turns the Village into a dance floor with a high-energy night of disco and funk.
May begins with So Good! The Neil Diamond Experience on May 6, bringing the singer-songwriter’s beloved catalog to life. On May 13, The Invaders: British Invasion turns back the clock to the music that swept across America in the 1960s.
The decade changes May 20 with 90s Mixtape Live!, a nostalgic trip through the songs and sounds that defined the ’90s.
Then, on May 27, A1A: Jimmy Buffett Tribute closes the season with an island-inspired celebration made for Parrot Heads and anyone ready to welcome summer.
“Concerts in the Village is about so much more than eight great nights of music,” says MKAF Chief Executive & Artistic Officer Demetrius Fuller. “It’s about bringing people together through the arts while helping us extend those experiences far beyond the Dugas Pavilion. Every ticket purchased and every membership supports our ability to champion arts and culture for all. We can’t wait to welcome our community back for another unforgettable season.”
Gates open at 6 p.m., with concerts beginning at 7 p.m. for this come-as-you-are, family-friendly outdoor concert series. Guests are encouraged to bring a lawn chair or blanket, pack a picnic or enjoy food and beverages available for purchase on-site from featured restaurants and food trucks.
General admission is $40 per adult ticket, including processing fee. Discounts are offered for active-duty military with ID, and children 12 and under are admitted free.
Tickets are available for purchase online at MKAF.org/events. A limited number of VIP Tables (seating eight) are available for purchase. To inquire, call Deb Nissley at (850) 650-2226.
For concertgoers planning to enjoy the entire eight-week season, an MKAF membership offers an added benefit. Members receive early entry and free admission to all eight Concerts in the Village, along with discounted pricing to other MKAF events. Memberships start at $75, with four membership categories offering something for everyone, and are valid for one year from the date of joining. For membership information, visit MKAF.org.
Concerts in the Village also help make MKAF’s community outreach possible. Proceeds support ArtsReach, MKAF’s community education initiative serving K-12 students, people with special needs and the military community along the Emerald Coast.
In 2026, MKAF celebrates the 10th anniversary of Warrior Arts, its groundbreaking ArtsReach initiative connecting active-duty military service members, veterans and their families with the transformative power of creative expression. Through visual art, Zentangle, painting, improv and other creative experiences, Warrior Arts fosters creativity, connection and community.
Whether you come for alternative rock, pop, disco, funk, the sounds of the ’60s and ’90s or an island-inspired finale, the 2027 Concerts in the Village offers eight reasons to spend Thursday nights under the stars.
2027 CONCERTS IN THE VILLAGE
Thursday, April 8 | 10,000 Maniacs
Thursday, April 15 | Black Jacket Symphony: The Music of Michael Jackson
Thursday, April 22 | The Beat Goes On: Cher Tribute
Thursday, April 29 | Boogie Wonder Band
Thursday, May 6 | So Good! The Neil Diamond Experience
Thursday, May 13 | The Invaders: British Invasion
Thursday, May 20 | 90s Mixtape Live!
Thursday, May 27 | A1A: Jimmy Buffett Tribute
Concert lineup is subject to change. All sales are final; sorry, no refunds. Pets, tables larger than 2 feet and drones are not permitted. Children 17 and under must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.
To learn more about sponsoring the 2027 MKAF season, call (850) 650-2226 or email info@mkaf.org.
For the latest news and information, visit MKAF.org to sign up for the free e-newsletter, and follow Mattie Kelly Arts Foundation on Facebook and Instagram.
ABOUT MATTIE KELLY ARTS FOUNDATION
Mattie Kelly Arts Foundation (MKAF) is a nonprofit arts organization with a mission to champion arts and culture for all. Since its inception in 1995, MKAF has inspired more than 424,000 children in more than 100 schools and partner agencies. Through its community education initiative ArtsReach, dynamic programming serves K-12 students, people with special needs and the military community along the Emerald Coast. As a presenting organization, MKAF’s Concerts in the Village series showcases performing artists and bands each spring, while more than 100 artists convene in Destin each fall for the Festival of the Arts, one of the preeminent arts festivals along the Gulf Coast.
