The 26th annual Downtown at Sundown concert series begins this Friday.

From 6-9 p.m. each Friday until June 14, the 1000 black of Ryan St will be filled with music, local shopping and high spirits.

Each year, the late spring festival brings together community members to foster a sense of togetherness. It is an opportunity to shop, socialize and connect with others through music in the heart of Downtown Lake Charles.

In a release, Mayor Nic Hunter called it “a staple event” that “showcases undeniable talent from local and regional musicians and artists.”

“I can’t thank our community enough for 26 years of love and support for the fantastic concert series that offers something exciting for our residents, businesses and visitors.”

The line-up is jam-packed with genre-spanning talent.

May 24 will highlight two female-led bands, Sunkissed and Nicki Needham & the People’s Victory.

Sunkissed will take the stage first. They are a new indie-rock band from Lafayette. Their first single “Fuzzy Feeling” comes out on Friday, just in time for their performance at Downtown at Sundown.

Nicki Needham & the People’s Victory will perform from 7 p.m. until 9 p.m. The band is also Lafayette-based, and their music is inspired by the Southern Americana tradition that was passed down by her family.

Deemed “Swamp Night,” May 31 will feature Zydeco and Cajun tunes from local bands Brandon Ledet & Creole Touch and Brandon Broussard & Chez De Bon Temps.

June 7 will feature more Lake Charles artists, Kris Harper and The Tugboats.

Closing out the 2024 concert series, Doc Wilder and Justin Martindale & the Backstabbers will perform. The Downtown at Sundown finale will be supported by McNeese State Univeristy for “Geaux Blue Friday.”

Throughout the concert series, a food truck zone, local art market and a kid’s zone will be set up.

Beverage sales will benefit the Literacy Council of SWLA.

The public is encouraged to bring lawn chairs and blankets, but coolers, pets, smoking, vaping and outside alcohol are not allowed on site.

The series is free and open to the public.