Rochester Public Music

Can I add your concerts to my calendar?

You can! Visit our Events page and click on any concert. At the top of the event listing, you’ll see an “Add to My Calendar” link.

Hover over the link to choose your platform: Outlook/iCalendar, Google Calendar, or Yahoo Calendar. Then follow the prompts to add the event.

How do I sign up for event updates?

You can sign up for email and/or SMS updates through GovDelivery. Once you create an account, you can choose what to receive — from concert announcements to Music Board updates.

How else can I stay in the loop?

Follow us on social media for real-time updates, photos, and behind-the-scenes content:

• Instagram
• Facebook

Want to be added to our print mailing list or have a question? Contact us here.

Where can I find updates on concert days?

Check our Event Updates page and follow us on social media:

Instagram: @rochesterpublicmusic
Facebook: Rochester Public Music

You can also sign up for email and SMS updates here to receive real-time notifications.

What are your events like?

Our YouTube channel features videos that give a great sense of what our events look and feel like, and offer a peek into what makes our programs unique.

Why don’t you move concerts indoors when it rains?

Great question. Putting on a Riverside show is an all-day effort. Our staff and production crew begin early in the morning, and it takes a large team to get everything ready.

By the time we make the difficult call to cancel (which we only do as a last resort), it’s simply not possible to tear down, relocate, and rebuild the entire show indoors on such short notice.

Want to see what setup looks like? Check out this video showing a full 12-hour build condensed into 60 seconds:

When do you cancel shows for weather?

Our events are outdoors and happen rain or shine, so a little drizzle won’t stop us. But we do cancel when conditions could make it unsafe for performers, staff, or the public.

Cancellations typically happen for:

• Sustained winds above 30 MPH
• Lightning or nearby storm cells
• Severe thunderstorms (hail, torrential rain)
• Extreme heat or unsafe air quality

We make these decisions in close consultation with the National Weather Service.

Do you photograph or record at events? How are images used?

Yes. Our events occur in public parks, and photography/video may take place. Rochester Public Music may use crowd and ambience images to promote and document our programs. We do not identify individuals by name without permission.

If you notice a photo of yourself in our materials and would like it removed from our channels, please contact us at publicmusic@rochestermn.gov.

Why are your events so loud?

Sound travels in unpredictable ways. Weather conditions like humidity, wind, and temperature all affect how far music carries. Sometimes that means our concerts can be heard from several blocks (or more) away.

We understand this may be disruptive for some and appreciate your patience as we work to balance great live sound with being good neighbors.

How can I get involved?

There are lots of ways to get involved, from volunteering to performing.

Opportunities include:

• Volunteering at concerts
• Partnering as a vendor or community organization
• Joining the Rochester Music Board
• Applying to perform (for artists and agents)

Looking to contribute, sponsor or volunteer? Visit the Supporters & Partners page to learn more.

Why do you ask for contributions if the concerts are free?

Rochester Public Music is a City department, and our events are publicly funded and free to attend. But contributions still matter.

Every dollar in the bucket shows that our community values music in our parks and wants to keep these events going strong. It signals support for accessible, welcoming programs that bring people together and make Rochester feel like home.

Even small contributions help us grow. They support new ideas, sustain beloved traditions, and show funders and sponsors that music matters in Rochester.

Click here to learn more or contribute.

Why don’t you book bands touring in the Twin Cities?

We get this a lot! The short answer is: we usually can’t.

Most national artists touring through Minneapolis or St. Paul have something in their contract called a radius clause. This clause prevents them from performing in nearby cities (like Rochester) for a certain period of time before or after their Twin Cities show. So even if we want to book them, we’re not allowed to.

What’s the difference between Rochester Public Music, the Rochester Civic Theatre, and the Mayo Civic Center?

We get this question a lot. Here's a quick overview:

• Rochester Public Music is a department of the City of Rochester. We create fun, welcoming music events in parks, neighborhoods, and other public spaces across the city.
• Rochester Civic Theatre is a nonprofit performing arts organization located inside the Mayo Civic Center. It presents live theater, music, and dance.
• Mayo Civic Center is a downtown event venue that hosts everything from national touring acts and conferences to local performances and rentals.