There's no better way to spend a summer evening in Athens than under an open sky at the Sunflower Concert Series, one of the season's most beloved traditions at the State Botanical Garden of Georgia. The setting alone is worth the trip: the Flower Garden, the prettiest natural amphitheater in town, where blooms spill across the hillside and the music drifts out over the crowd as the light turns golden.

Pack a blanket, fold up a few chairs, and bring along a picnic dinner to linger over as the band plays. Even better? Your admission includes snacks and beverages, so you can settle in and stay a while.

Should the weather refuse to cooperate, don't worry — concerts simply move indoors to the Visitor Center and Conservatory, so the music plays on, rain or shine.

2026 Sunflower Concert Series Lineup

June 16 — The Broken String Band Born and raised on the Athens, Georgia music scene, The Broken String Band draws deeply from the region's rich musical heritage. This gifted group breathes new life into the folk tradition, weaving together old-time folk, bluegrass, and country to create a sound entirely their own. At the heart of it are frontmen Sean Stephansen and Taylor Thompson, whose voices intertwine with a timeless allure, lending the band a sound that is at once gripping and wholly authentic.

July 21 — The Original Splitz Equal parts classic Motown, 1970s funk and disco, and a generous helping of old-school and contemporary R&B, The Original Splitz Band is a guaranteed good time. Famous for their high-energy, get-on-your-feet performances, they channel the greats — The Temptations, Marvin Gaye, Stevie Wonder — into a set that keeps the whole garden moving.

Aug. 18 — Abbey Road LIVE! Since 2002, Abbey Road LIVE! has been faithfully rocking the music of the Beatles. What began as a tribute to the Abbey Road album has grown into a sweeping celebration of the Fab Four, with nearly 150 songs spanning every era of their career. The band is renowned for its complete, start-to-finish album performances of masterpieces like Abbey Road, Magical Mystery Tour, Rubber Soul, Revolver, and Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band.

Sept. 15 — Classic City Jukebox Classic City Jukebox is a high-spirited party band serving up favorite hits from the '60s all the way through the 2000s. Based right here in Athens, the members of CCJ bring decades of collective experience to the stage, having played and worked at music venues across the Southeast and beyond.

2026 Sunflower Concert Series Ticket Prices

Season Pass — All Four Concerts

$80 adults

$40 children ages 5–16

Free for children under 5

Single Concert Tickets

$24 adults (advance) / $26 at the gate

$12 children ages 5–16

Free for children under 5

Please note: this is a cashless venue — credit cards only at the gate. Friends of the Garden members enjoy a 10% discount, and all ticket prices are subject to additional fees.