Rochester, Minnesota is home to a vibrant live music scene, including many FREE concerts throughout the city. From intimate acoustic sets in cozy restaurants to electrifying concerts at Mayo Civic Center, here’s a sampling of locations to get your music fix in Rochester.
Riverside Music Series at Mayo Memorial Park | Photo Courtesy Rochester Public Music
RIVERSIDE MUSIC SERIES
The Riverside Music Series is returning once again, bringing five free nights of music to Mayo Memorial Park behind the Mayo Civic Center in downtown Rochester. This year's lineup features five weeks of live music on Sunday evenings, packed with legendary acts, emerging talent, and local favorites:
July 13: Blind Melon with Amateur
July 20: Caylee Hammack with Genevieve Heyward
July 27: The Wailin' Jennys with Molly Maher & Her Disbelievers
August 3: Tone Loc with Desdamona & The Orange Goodness
August 10: Hoobastank with John Forrest & The Model Citizens
Rochester Public Music’s Riverside Concert Series is a free, public outdoor music festival held on Sunday evenings in downtown Rochester along the banks of the Zumbro River. Be sure to bring a chair or blanket and grab your spot before the music starts at 7:00 p.m. Riverside Concert Series also features local food vendors, craft beer, and giveaways.
FORWARD Park Concert Series | Photo Courtesy Rochester Public Music
FORWARD PARK CONCERT SERIES
Another free concert series hosted by Rochester Public Music, the FORWARD Park Concerts on Wednesday evenings showcase local bands and regional emerging headliners. Concerts are held in six different walkable, pet friendly, and bike trail connected parks, one in each city ward. Local food trucks, craft beer, and family-friendly fun round out these must-attend community events.
June 4: Wild Horses with Tennesse Stiffs at Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Park
June 11: Clay Fulton & The Lost Forty with Poppa Bear Norton at Cascade Lake Park
June 18: Beth Bombara with Becky Schlegel at Allendale Park
August 13: Avery Grouws Band with Jake La Botz at John Withers Sports Complex
August 20: Nathan Graham with Mark Joseph and The American Soul at White Oaks Park
August 27: Space Monkey Mafia with The Reach Outs at Cook Park
Similarly to the Riverside Music Series, be sure to bring a chair or blanket and arrive with time to grab your spot.
Thursdays Downtown | Photo Courtesy Rochester Downtown Alliance
THURSDAYS DOWNTOWN
Thursdays; June 12-August 14, 2025 (Except July 3)
1st Avenue SW & 2nd Ave SW (From 2nd St. SW to 4th St. SW)
Thursdays Downtown is downtown Rochester’s weekly summer festival with food, a vendor market and live music. There’s no shortage of bands at Thursdays Downtown: Two stages on opposite ends of the festival each showcase three different bands every Thursday, which means you have plenty of opportunities to catch some free, outdoor live music in the heart of downtown Rochester.
Smooth Summer Nights
SMOOTH SUMMER NIGHTS
Smooth Summer Nights feature live entertainment at Sargent's Gardens North on the second Tuesday of the month during the summer from 5-8pm. Smooth Summer Nights are free to attend and include food and beverages for purchase from local vendors.
June 10: Push & Turn
July 8: The Walker Brothers Band
August 12: Clay Fulton & The Lost Forty
September 9: True North
MAYO CIVIC CENTER
This year, Mayo Civic Center in Rochester is hosting an exciting lineup of concerts featuring diverse artists:
August 19: A Special Evening with Kenny Wayne Shepherd Band and Bobby Rush
October 11: Michael W. Smith: Beyond the Far Horizon Tour
November 6: Randy Travis; More Life Tour
November 8: Dustin Lynch & Scotty McCreery: Two for the Road Tour
New shows are announced regularly. For the latest updates on live music and new shows at Mayo Civic Center, follow the Facebook, Instagram, or X accounts and subscribe to the Mayo Civic Center newsletter.
Forager Brewery
RESTAURANTS AND TAPROOMS
These taprooms are known to regularly have live music. Rochester is known for its amazing food and beverage scene, which also includes performances from many local musicians. Be sure to visit their websites to learn more about what events they have going on.
- Taco Jed
- Forager Brewery
- Thesis Beer Project
- Kinney Creek Brewery
- Little Thistle Brewing Co.
- 1928 Cocktails and Bites
- Workshop Food Hall & Bar
- Bleu Duck Kitchen
- Five West Kitchen + Bar
- The Redwood Room
- SMOAK BBQ
Check Experience Rochester’s Events Calendar for more information on these live music events and even more year-round concerts throughout the city.