2026 Free Summer Concert Series in the Corridor & Cedar Valley

Nothing says "summer" quite like free, outdoor, live music! We've put together a list of concert series that are returning to the Corridor & Cedar Valley this year, with even more to be announced in the coming months. Check out some of the upcoming free concerts that are set for May through September of 2026!

*This list will be updated as more information becomes available*

Live to 9

River Place Plaza, Cedar Falls
Fridays from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Band Lineup
- May 29th - Tumblin' Dice
- June 5th - Sideshow Bob
- July 10th - Deja Blue
- July 24th - Jason Christensen Band
- August 7th - The Ice Breakers
- August 21st - Milk & Honey

Gallagher Bluedorn Block Parties

Parks in the Cedar Valley
7 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Band/Location Lineup
- Friday, June 5th at Cedar Terrace Park, Waterloo - The Snozzberries
- Friday, June 26th at Dike City Park, Dike - Milk and Honey
- Friday, July 10th at Orchard Hill Park, Cedar Falls - In Cahoots
- Friday, July 31st at Robinson-Dresser Sports Complex, Cedar Falls - Bob Dorr Band
- Friday, August 7th at Miller Park, Waterloo - Deja Blue
- Friday, August 14th at Highland Square Park, Waterloo - Kevin Burt
- Saturday, September 5th at Black Hawk Park, Cedar Falls - Dry Run Creek

Music at the Yard

Kingston Yard (behind Big Grove Brewery and Pickle Palace), Cedar Rapids
Saturdays (May through August) from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Band Lineup
- May 30th - Gypsy and The Ramblers
- June 6th - The Detour Band
- June 13th - Crooked Cactus Band
- June 20th - DMT-A Dave Matthews Tribute
- July 4th - Motley Scrue
- July 11th - Dirty $ Bills
- July 18th - Tony John and the Flatland Stringband
- July 25th - Blanket Fort
- August 1st - Rude Punch
- August 8th - The Taxmen
- August 15th - KAT Blue & The True Believers

Rock the Block

NewBo City Market, Cedar Rapids
Fridays (May through August) from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Band Lineup
- May 8th - Dogs on Skis
- May 15th - Alicia Monee
- May 22nd - Surf Zombies
- May 29th - Betty Calling
- June 5th - Funk Daddies
- June 12th - The King of Mars
- June 19th - Redemption
- June 26th - Jasper Tide (in collaboration with CR Pride)
- July 3rd - Matthew Kane and the Band Greenbrier
- July 10th - Star Trucker
- July 17th - Brett Newski Duo
- July 24th - The Dead Century
- July 31st - Vinyl Alibi
- August 7th - The Lily Schloss Band
- August 14th - Evan Stock Band
- August 21st - The Invisible Band
- August 28th - Fresh Fighters

Music in the Park

Hills City Park, Hills
Thursdays from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Band Lineup
- June 4th - Royce Johns
- June 11th - The Schmidt Brothers
- June 18th - pFat Back Boys
- June 26th - Detour Band
- Friday, July 3rd - The Hepperly Band (7 p.m. to 10 p.m.)

Friday Night Concert Series

Ped Mall Stage (210 S Dubuque St), Iowa City
Fridays (May through September) from 6:30 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Band Lineup
- May 8th - Bear Cat Hot Club
- May 15th - UI Black Pop Music Group
- May 22nd - West Liberty High and West High Jazz Bands
- May 29th - Clear Creek Amana and City High Jazz Ensembles
- June 12th - Big Begonias and The Feralings
- June 19th - MC Animosity & DJ Johnny Sixxx and CJ Parker and the Crew
- June 26th - Marc Janssen Trio and Slim Chance & the Can’t Hardly Playboys
- July 10th - Winterland
- July 17th - Dandelion Stompers
- July 24th - Blast Choir and The Wonderful Smiths
- July 31st - The Trollies
- August 7th - Silt Creek and Whiskey Fund
- August 14th - River Glen Band
- August 21st - Jumbies
- August 28th - The Beaker Brothers
- September 4th - StrumDrum and Jack Lion
- September 11th - Diplomats of Solid Sound
- September 18th - Stare Into The Night, Early Girl, and Lipstick Homicide
- September 25th - "Performers for this special night of entertainment will be announced as we get closer to the season"

Rhythms at Riverfront Crossings

Riverfront Crossings Park, Iowa City
Saturdays from 7 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.
Band Lineup
- June 13th - The Recliners
- July 11th - PhDJ and Afroband243
- August 8th - Dave Moore & Friends
- August 22nd - Noryli and Parranderos Latin Combo

Music on the Move

Parks in Johnson County
Wednesdays (June through August) from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Band/Location Lineup
- June 10th at Fairmeadows Park, Iowa City - Dave Zollo and Brian Cooper
- June 17th at S.T. Morrison Park, Coralville - The Soft & Low
- June 24th at Willow Creek Park, Iowa City - Blake Shaw Quartet
- July 1st at Mercer Park, Iowa City - Kevin Burt
- July 8th at Terry Trueblood Recreation Area, Iowa City - Hard Luck & the Troubles
- July 15th at Happy Hollow Park, Iowa City - Goat Hollow Boys
- July 22nd at James Alan McPherson Park, Iowa City - Stephanie Catlett with Dan Padley and Tara McGovern
- July 29th at City Park, Iowa City - Steve Grismore Trio
- August 5th at City Hall Plaza, North Liberty - Cedar County Cobras
- August 12th at Court Hill Park, Iowa City - Brick Street Ramblers
- August 19th in the Peninsula Neighborhood, Iowa City - Pigs & Clover
- August 26th at College Green Park, Iowa City - Ion & Friends

Summer Concert Series

Glovik Community Park, Maquoketa
Thursdays from 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m.
- May 28th - Awful Purdies with special guest Simon Cropp
- June 11th - Dandelion Stompers with special guest River Glen
- June 25th - Dogs on Skis with special guest Steve Kalmes
- July 16th - Crooked Cactus Band AKA Los Nopales Chuecos
- August 6th - The Fast Clydes with special guest Kristina Marie Castañeda
- August 20th - Funktastic 5
- September 3rd - The Matt Fuller Band with special guest Ron Tegeler
- September 17th - The Ridgerunners with special guest Lori Schnoor
Kick-Off Event on Saturday, May 23rd from 5:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. - Flatland Ridge with special guest Tangle Creek

Marion By Moonlight

Central Plaza, Uptown Marion
Thursdays in June from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Band Lineup
- June 4th - Crazy Delicious
- June 11th - 90's Kid
- June 18th - The Schmidt Brothers
- June 25th - Lonesome Road

Uptown Getdown

Central Plaza, Uptown Marion
Thursdays in August from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Band Lineup
- August 6th - Last Call
- August 13th - Matt Panek & the Electric Trio
- August 20th - Outlaw Band
- August 27th - Mill Creek Band

Pop-Up Acts in the Artway

Uptown Artway, Marion
Fridays from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Band Lineup
- June 5th - Beauty & the Beat
- June 12th - Day Ashworth
- June 19th - Kevin Moore
- June 26th - Hideaway Honey
- July 10th - Tangle Creek
- July 17th - Sam Day
- July 24th - Terry McCauley
- July 31st - Joelle
- August 7th - Sugar & Spice
- August 14th - Boot Jack Duo
- August 21st - Isaac Scott
- August 28th - Bovine Invasion

Music Under the Moon

Klopfenstein Amphitheater at Lowe Park, Marion
Saturdays from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Band Lineup
- June 20th - That Arena Rock Show
- July 18th - Beyond The Blonde
- August 15th - Vegas McGraw

Ranshaw House Concert Series

Ranshaw House Lawn (515 Community Dr), North Liberty
Fridays (June & July) from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Band Lineup
- June 5th - Rock Academy
- June 12th - Ingrid Streitz
- June 19th - The Poor Poor Rich
- June 26th - Youth Night (performers TBA)
- July 17th - Joe & Vicki Price
- July 24th - Steve Kalmes
- July 31st - The Regular Joes

Palo in the Park

Clymer Park, Palo
Thursdays from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Band Lineup
- June 11th - Kris Karr
- July 9th - Donnie Heffernan
- August 13th - TBA

Friday Loo

Lincoln Park, Waterloo
Fridays from 5:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.
Band Lineup
- May 22nd - Not Quite Brothers with special guest The Meanys
- June 12th - Southern Express
- July 17th - Jeni Grouws Band
- August 7th - 90's Kid
- August 21st - The Fabulous Trutones