Rochester Public Music Announces 2026 FORWARD Concert Series
Rochester Public Music announces the 2026 FORWARD Concert Series, a free summer series bringing live music to neighborhood parks across Rochester. FORWARD returns on select Wednesday evenings in June and August, with performances rotating through parks in different parts of the city.
FORWARD concerts are casual outdoor events built to bring people together. Bring a chair or blanket, settle in, and enjoy live music with neighbors, family, and friends in a relaxed park setting.
Each event offers more than music. Attendees can purchase food from local vendors, explore the Rochester Public Library Bookmobile, take part in activities at the Parks & Recreation Mobile Rec Trailer, and visit The Art Stop, a free, hands-on creative experience led by local artists and open to all ages.
“FORWARD is one of the ways we make music public in Rochester,” said Avital Rabinowitz, Director of Rochester Public Music. “These concerts are free, welcoming and built for real life. You can bring a chair, bring your kids, grab dinner and enjoy a summer evening in the park with great live music.”
The 2026 lineup includes:
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June 3 – Cori Kennedy with Clayton Ryan at Mayo Park
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June 10 – Davina & the Vagabonds with Mississippi Hot Club at Cascade Lake Park
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June 17 – Sleeping Jesus with Mike Munson & Mikkel Beckmen at Allendale Park
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August 12 – Jeremy Messersmith with Teeth at John Withers Sports Complex
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August 19 – Raynes with JoJo Green at White Oaks Park
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August 26 – Me Like Bees with Scorched Waves at Cook Park
Ahead of her June 3 FORWARD performance, Cori Kennedy will also make a special solo acoustic appearance at the Rochester International Airport on June 1 as part of RST’s Parking Lot Party celebrating United Airlines’ inaugural service launch.
All concerts are free and open to the public. Concerts take place from 5:30 to 7:45 p.m., with food and beverage vendors available starting at 5 p.m.
For questions or more information about Rochester Public Music events, visit the Public Music website or email publicmusic@rochestermn.gov.
A press kit for the FORWARD Series is available here: FORWARD Concerts 2026
Music with Purpose
The FORWARD Series is part of Rochester Public Music’s lineup of free programs, including the Riverside Music Series, Passport Sessions, and Sound School. Together, these programs bring live music to parks, neighborhoods, and schools across Rochester, removing barriers to access and creating shared experiences rooted in the belief that music belongs to everyone.
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