ASHEVILLE, N.C. (828newsNOW) — The annual outdoor music festival Downtown After 5 has announced its 2025 lineup for this summer alongside a location change.

Downtown After 5 has had a longtime presence on North Lexington Avenue near the I-240 overpass. This year, the concert series will shift to the stage at Pack Square Park in the center of downtown Asheville.

According to Hayden Plemmons, executive director of the Asheville Downtown Association, several factors contributed to the decision.

“One of the main reasons is Lexington Avenue, you may remember, even when we got the slightest amount of rain had significant flooding and we actually lost a lot of equipment,” Plemmons explained. “Then, you know, the reduced cost of having to build out event infrastructure and bring in power, water, stage and so on. Because we had so much weather trouble last year, we really needed to reduce the cost of the overhead of the event.”

Plemmons pointed to two-and-a-half rainouts that flooded Downtown After 5 even before Hurricane Helene.

The decision was also made in order to accommodate public feedback, especially calls to make the event more accessible to all ages.

“The biggest amount of feedback we received about Downtown After 5 is that folks would like it to be more family-friendly and to bring out their kids,” Plemmons said. “We feel like having the lawn at Pack Square will give folks a little bit more room to spread out, and then we’ll also have enough space to add a Kids Zone to the event.”

The new Kids Zone will be located on the terrace near the Pack Square Park public bathrooms.

Each of the three Downtown After 5 shows will partner with a local organization. Every show is free and begins at 5 p.m.

The Friday, April 18 show is called “Downtown in Bloom.”

Headliner Caitlin Krisko and the Broadcast and opener The Dirty French Broads will be presented by Asheville GreenWorks, featuring floral installations and highlighting sustainability and environmental awareness efforts.

The Friday, June 20 show is called “Juneteenth Celebration.”

Headliner Southern Avenue and opener DJ Phantom Pantone will be presented by the MLK Jr. Association and Black Wall Street AVL in celebration of African-American culture and heritage.

The Friday, August 15 show is called “90’s Country Night.”

Headliner Mustache the Band and opener Take the Wheel will be presented by Blue Ridge Pride and feature a Dolly Parton lookalike contest and line dancing with Steppin’ Out.

There will also be an opportunity for Downtown After 5 guests to support the organization and secure prime seating with a Patron Pass.

There are 200 Patron Passes available for $90 apiece.

“It’s $90 that gets you into the preferred seating area for the three events and a drink, a beverage of your choice,” Plemmons said. “It’s powered by Skyla Credit Union.”

The passes can be purchased here.

For more information about Downtown After 5, visit www.downtownasheville.org.