Check Out These Free Summer Concert Series in the Corridor & Cedar Valley
Nothing says "summer" quite like free, outdoor, live music! We've put together a list of concert series that are returning to the Corridor & Cedar Valley this year, with even more to be announced in the coming months. Check out some of the upcoming free concerts that are set for May through September of 2026!
*This list will be updated as more information becomes available*
READ MORE: Concerts & Comedy Shows Coming to Iowa in 2026 [LIST]
Gallagher Bluedorn Block Parties
- Parks in the Cedar Valley
- 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.
- Band/Location Lineup
- Friday, July 25th at Pfeiffer Park, Cedar Falls - Stackhouse
- Friday, August 1st at Hudson City Park, Hudson - Never The Less
- Tuesday, August 5th at Valley View Park, Waterloo - Milk and Honey
- Saturday, August 16th at Holmes Park, Cedar Falls - Deja Blue
- Friday, September 5th at Devonshire Park, Waterloo - Snozzberries
Music at the Yard
- Kingston Yard (behind Big Grove Brewery and Pickle Palace), Cedar Rapids
- Saturdays (May through August) from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m.
- Band Lineup
- May 30th - Gypsy and The Ramblers
- June 6th - The Detour Band
- June 13th - Crooked Cactus Band
- June 20th - DMT-A Dave Matthews Tribute
- July 4th - Motley Scrue
- July 11th - Dirty $ Bills
- July 18th - Tony John and the Flatland Stringband
- July 25th - Blanket Fort
- August 1st - Rude Punch
- August 8th - The Taxmen
- August 15th - KAT Blue & The True Believers
Rock the Block
- NewBo City Market, Cedar Rapids
- Fridays (May through August) from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
- Band Lineup
- May 8th - Dogs on Skis
- May 15th - Alicia Monee
- May 22nd - Surf Zombies
- May 29th - Betty Calling
- June 5th - Funk Daddies
- June 12th - The King of Mars
- June 19th - Redemption
- June 26th - Jasper Tide (in collaboration with CR Pride)
- July 3rd - Matthew Kane and the Band Greenbrier
- July 10th - Star Trucker
- July 17th - Brett Newski Duo
- July 24th - The Dead Century
- July 31st - Vinyl Alibi
- August 7th - The Lily Schloss Band
- August 14th - Evan Stock Band
- August 21st - The Invisible Band
- August 28th - Fresh Fighters
Friday Night Concert Series
- Ped Mall Stage (210 S Dubuque St), Iowa City
- Fridays (May through September) from 6:30 p.m. to 9 p.m.
- Band Lineup
- May 8th - Bear Cat Hot Club
- May 15th - UI Black Pop Music Group
- May 22nd - West Liberty High and West High Jazz Bands
- May 29th - Clear Creek Amana and City High Jazz Ensembles
- June 12th - Big Begonias and The Feralings
- June 19th - MC Animosity & DJ Johnny Sixxx and CJ Parker and the Crew
- June 26th - Marc Janssen Trio and Slim Chance & the Can’t Hardly Playboys
- July 10th - Winterland
- July 17th - Dandelion Stompers
- July 24th - Blast Choir and The Wonderful Smiths
- July 31st - The Trollies
- August 7th - Silt Creek and Whiskey Fund
- August 14th - River Glen Band
- August 21st - Jumbies
- August 28th - The Beaker Brothers
- September 4th - StrumDrum and Jack Lion
- September 11th - Diplomats of Solid Sound
- September 18th - Stare Into The Night, Early Girl, and Lipstick Homicide
- September 25th - "Performers for this special night of entertainment will be announced as we get closer to the season"
Music on the Move
- Parks in Johnson County
- Wednesdays (June through August) from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m.
- Band/Location Lineup
- June 10th at Fairmeadows Park, Iowa City - Dave Zollo and Brian Cooper
- June 17th at S.T. Morrison Park, Coralville - The Soft & Low
- June 24th at Willow Creek Park, Iowa City - Blake Shaw Quartet
- July 1st at Mercer Park, Iowa City - Kevin Burt
- July 8th at Terry Trueblood Recreation Area, Iowa City - Hard Luck & the Troubles
- July 15th at Happy Hollow Park, Iowa City - Goat Hollow Boys
- July 22nd at James Alan McPherson Park, Iowa City - Stephanie Catlett with Dan Padley and Tara McGovern
- July 29th at City Park, Iowa City - Steve Grismore Trio
- August 5th at City Hall Plaza, North Liberty - Cedar County Cobras
- August 12th at Court Hill Park, Iowa City - Brick Street Ramblers
- August 19th in the Peninsula Neighborhood, Iowa City - Pigs & Clover
- August 26th at College Green Park, Iowa City - Ion & Friends
Summer Concert Series
- Glovik Community Park, Maquoketa
- Thursdays from 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m.
- May 28th - Awful Purdies with special guest Simon Cropp
- June 11th - Dandelion Stompers with special guest River Glen
- June 25th - Dogs on Skis with special guest Steve Kalmes
- July 16th - Crooked Cactus Band AKA Los Nopales Chuecos
- August 6th - The Fast Clydes with special guest Kristina Marie Castañeda
- August 20th - Funktastic 5
- September 3rd - The Matt Fuller Band with special guest Ron Tegeler
- September 17th - The Ridgerunners with special guest Lori Schnoor
- Kick-Off Event on Saturday, May 23rd from 5:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. - Flatland Ridge with special guest Tangle Creek
Marion By Moonlight
- Central Plaza, Uptown Marion
- Thursdays in June from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.
- Band Lineup
Uptown Getdown
- Central Plaza, Uptown Marion
- Thursdays in August from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.
- 2026 band lineup TBA
Pop-Up Acts in the Artway
- Uptown Artway, Marion
- Fridays from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
- 2026 band lineup TBA
Music Under the Moon
- Klopfenstein Amphitheater at Lowe Park, Marion
- Saturdays from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m.
- Band Lineup
- June 20th - That Arena Rock Show
- July 18th - Beyond The Blonde
- August 15th - Vegas McGraw
Ranshaw House Concert Series
- Ranshaw House Lawn (515 Community Dr), North Liberty
- Fridays (June & July) from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
- Band Lineup
Palo in the Park
- Clymer Park, Palo
- Thursdays from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
- June 11th
- July 9th
- August 13th
- 2026 band lineup TBA
Friday Loo
- Lincoln Park, Waterloo
- Fridays from 5:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.
- Band Lineup
- May 22nd - Not Quite Brothers with special guest The Meanys
- June 12th - Southern Express
- July 17th - Jeni Grouws Band
- August 7th - 90's Kid
- August 21st - The Fabulous Trutones
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READ MORE: All the Events Scheduled for the 2026 Cedar Rapids Freedom Festival
Iowa's Best Airbnbs on the Water for Summer 2026
Looking to take a little staycation this summer? Check out some of the coolest Airbnbs on the water here in the state of Iowa!
*Each of the Airbnbs on the list has a rating of 4.95-stars or higher and at least 35 total reviews*
Gallery Credit: Courtlin