Riverside Music Series

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Live Music. Big Names. No Tickets.

Est. 1992

Thank you to the thousands of fans, the musicians, and our partners who made the 2025 season unforgettable!

Save the dates - we'll be back in July and August 2026 with another five weeks of free concerts in the park. Lineup announcement coming spring 2026.

Riverside Music Series Logo - Dark Yellow

For more than 30 years, the Riverside Music Series has brought big-name bands and big summer energy to Mayo Park on Sunday nights.

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Planning Your Visit

At the Park

Activities & Extras

Getting Involved & Guidelines

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Highlights from 2025

  • Family activities: New in 2025, guests could stop by the Rochester Art Center’s patio for low-key, drop-in fun. Each week included a rotating mix of bubbles, sidewalk chalk, and other kid-friendly play items.
  • First-time performers: All five headliners were new to the Riverside stage this year, including Blind Melon, Caylee Hammack, and Hoobastank.

Follow @rochesterpublicmusic on Instagram or Rochester Public Music on Facebook for updates.

Elvie Shane

When: Sunday, July 21, 2024 | 7 - 9:30 p.m.

Where: Mayo Park | 30 Civic Center Drive SE, Rochester, MN 55094

ElvieShane

 

Schedule

6:00 pm | Get ready!

Come early to enjoy the space and to grab your spot before the show starts. Food and beverage vendors will be onsite. Lawn chairs, blankets, coolers and picnics are welcome.

7:00 pm | Aaron Simmons

Aaron Simmons is a seven-time nominee for awards in the Midwest Country Music Organization (including Male Vocalist in ’23 & ’22, Song in ’23 & ’22, Album in ’23, Music Video in ’22, and New Artist in ’21). Simmons is best known for his unique combination of high-energy stage presence and vulnerable songwriting. Nobody has more fun on stage, and nobody is more in touch with the emotions his music conveys about love, loss, family, community, and chasing dreams.

Learn more about Aaron Simmons on their website.

8:00 pm | Elvie Shane

Elvie Shane, a native of small-town Kentucky, blends influences from Dwight Yoakam and Steve Earle to rock, gospel, R&B and hip hop. With the Platinum certified hit "My Boy," he champions family values beyond bloodlines. His 2021 album "BACKSLIDER" garnered critical acclaim for its fusion of heartland rock and modern country. With over 265 million career streams, Shane’s rebellious energy and working-class pride make him a global favorite. He's toured extensively and earned a nomination for Best New Country Artist at the 2023 iHeartRadio Music Awards. Now, with his new track "Forgotten Man," Shane continues to embody the blue-collar spirit of a new generation. 

Learn more about Elvie Shane on their website.

Food & Beverage Vendors

  • Kinney Creek Brewery
  • Taco Lab
  • The Compadres
  • The Snack Shack
  • Mayo Civic Center Food & Beverage

About Riverside Music Series 

The Riverside Music Series, presented by Rochester Public Music, is the region’s longest running and most anticipated FREE outdoor concert series. Five weeks of live music on Sunday evenings, packed with legendary acts, emerging talent, and local favorites. The music starts at 7 PM in beautiful Mayo Park, located just behind the Civic Center in downtown Rochester, Minnesota. 

Come early to enjoy the space and to grab your spot before the show starts. Lawn chairs, blankets, coolers and picnics are welcome. Walk, bike, or roll to the park if you can, otherwise take advantage of the ample free parking downtown. These are all-ages events, and all are welcome!

Closed captioning will be available with your data-connected smart phone or tablet.

More about Riverside here.

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Listen and watch

Listen to the 2025 Season Sampler: Relive 2025's lineup with our curated Spotify playlist.

Alumni Playlist

Explore the artists who’ve helped shape Riverside over the years with our curated Spotify mix.

What is the Riverside Music Series?

This short video captures the spirit of the series.

Additional information

See below for answers to frequently asked questions.

Schedule & Start Times
Location
Directions & Parking
Cost & Tickets
What to Bring
Seating
Restrooms
Food & Drink
Weather Policy
Smoking
Accessibility & Guest Services
Family Activities
Giveaways
Meet & Greets
Soliciting & Campaigning
Vendor Opportunities

Supporters & Partners

The Riverside Music Series is funded primarily by the City of Rochester. Support from sponsors, funders, and community partners helps us grow the series, welcome more people, and keep the music free and accessible for all.

2026 sponsorship opportunities are now available. Visit our Supporters & Partners page or email publicmusic@rochestermn.gov to learn more.

2025 Funding Partners

Think Bank logo
Title Sponsor since 2008
Minnesota State Arts Board logo Clean Water Legacy logo
Grant Support
This activity is made possible by the voters of Minnesota through a Minnesota State Arts Board Operating Support grant, thanks to a legislative appropriation from the arts and cultural heritage fund.

2025 Media Partners

Minnesota 97.5 logo
Minnesota 97.5
Quick Country 96.5 logo
Quick Country 96.5
Y-105 FM logo
Y-105 FM

2025 Family Activity Partner

Rochester Art Center logo
Rochester Art Center

City Partners

We’re also grateful to Rochester Parks & Recreation, Rochester Public Works, the Rochester Police Department, and the Mayo Civic Center for their partnership and support.