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.

Vanessa Carlton

When: Sunday, July 28, 2024 | 7 - 9:30 p.m.

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

 

VannesaCarlton

 

 

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 | Madison Parish Ensemble

The Madison Parish Ensemble is a dynamic fusion of jazz, blues and soulful R&B. Founded in 2012, our love for jazz binds us together, infusing every performance with passion and energy. From timeless jazz standards to soul stirring blues and sultry R&B, we captivate audiences with our eclectic repertoire and irresistible groove. With a deep reverence for traditions of the past and an innovative spirit for the future. We invite you to experience the soulful journey of Madison Parish Ensemble.

8:00 pm | Vanessa Lee Carlton

Vanessa Lee Carlton is an American singer-songwriter and pianist. Her debut album, Be Not Nobody (2002), received a platinum certification in the United States, and her debut single "A Thousand Miles" spent 41 weeks on the Billboard Hot 100 and earned three Grammy nominations. Carlton has constantly challenged the belief in both herself and the expectations that surround her throughout her lengthy, accomplished career: she attended both the School of American Ballet and Columbia University and was discovered as a singer-songwriter/pianist when a cassette tape demo was given to legendary music impresario Ahmet Ertegun.

Learn more about Vanessa Carlton on their website.

Food & Beverage Vendors

  • The Compadres 
  • Kinney Creek Brewery
  • Mayo Civic Center Food & Beverage
  • Nautical Bowl
  • Popus Gourmet Popcorn
  • Taco Lab
  • True Smoke BBQ

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.