Summer nights are perfect for an outdoor concert, so pack your snacks, drinks, and blankets or just bring yourself to say to the sounds. From nights at a local winery or the big names of the fair grandstand, enjoy the music all summer-long.
We are thrilled to partner with the Johnston Town Center and The Yard Summer Concert Series to bring you this guide.
The Cork 50131 Presents: The Yard Summer Concert Series
6245 Merle Hay Rd., Johnston
The Cork 50131 brings musical acts from across the United States, including Nashville and Los Angeles, to the Yard. The concerts are free and begin at 7 PM. More information is available here.
- Friday, June 23 – 90s Rock Show
- Saturday, July 22 – Jay Allen
- Saturday, August 26 – Mixtape
Music after the Johnston Farmers Market
6245 Merle Hay Rd., Johnston
Music begins at 7:30 p.m. on the stage, just west of Johnston City Hall. Bring your lawn chair and blanket and enjoy the free music. More information is available here.
- Tuesday, June 6 – Bruce Day
- Tuesday, July 11 – Orphan Annie
- Tuesday, August 1 – The Savage Freds
- Tuesday, September 12 – The Sons of Gladys Kravitz
Looking for more summer fun? Check out our
Ultimate Guide to Summer
with 125+ Things to do in Des Moines.
Des Moines Summer Concert Guide
Rendezvous on Riverview
When: Every Friday in June and July, 5:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.
Where: Prairie Meadows Riviera Stage at Riverview Park, Des Moines
This event is free and open to the public, lawn chairs and blankets are encouraged. As well, concessions and food trucks will be available to purchase food and beverages. This year’s lineup includes:
Jasper Winery Summer Concert Series
When: Thursdays, May 12 to August 4, 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Where: 2400 George Flagg Parkway, Des Moines
This summer concert series kicked off May 11! In addition to live music, you can enjoy Jasper Winery wines-by-the-glass, sangria, and beer, plus soda and water. These lawn concerts are family-friendly, with plenty of room for kiddos to run, dance, and play while you all enjoy the music. Bring your lawn chairs or blankets and pack a picnic dinner, or purchase burgers or brats from the grill. Food trucks will be onsite as well! This year’s lineup:
May 11: Brother Trucker
May 18: Brian Herrin Band
May 25: The Schmidt Brothers
June 1: Decoy
June 8: Dirty Rotten Scoundrels
June 15: The Maytags
June 22: Damon Dotson Band
June 29: The Nadas
July 6: Dueling Guitars
July 13: Pianopalooza Band
July 20: B2wins
July 27: Dazy Head Mazy
Aug 3: Not Quite Brothers
Iowa State Fair Concerts
When: August 10-20
Where: Iowa State Fairgrounds, 3000 E. Grand Ave., Des Moines
At the Iowa State Fair (Aug. 10-20), you’ll not only find almost any food you can imagine on a stick but also live outdoor music around almost every corner. From the Grandstand to the free stages, you’re sure to find a genre to fit your tastes or mood. Here are a few of the highlights from this year’s Grandstand lineup:
Aug. 10: For King & Country with special guest We the Kingdom
Aug. 11: Tyler Hubbard of Florida Georgia Line with Parmalee
Aug. 12: New Kids on the Block
Aug. 13: Eric Church with special guest Jackson Dean
Aug. 14: The Black Keys with special guest The Velveteers
Aug. 16: Lindsey Stirling with special guest Walk Off the Earth
Aug. 17: Maren Morris with special guest Lindsay Ell
Aug. 18: Chris “Ludacris” Bridges, with special guest Sean Kingston
Aug. 19: The Chicks with special guest Ben Harper
Aug. 20: Jason Aldean with special guest Corey Kent
Be sure to check the Fair’s website for info on the free entertainment. From rock legends to country up-and-comers, all free with gate admission.
Beats & Eats
When: Thursdays, 5 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
Where: 715 W. First Street, Ankeny
Join in at the Ankeny Market and Pavilion (AMP) Thursday nights this summer for food trucks, live music and entertainment, family activities, games, beer truck, and more
Sips & Songs in The District
When: Fridays, 6 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Where: The District’s Town Square Park, Ankeny
Sips & Songs is a free weekly summer music series. It features performances by bands of various genres — country, classic rock, top 40, dance hits, and party music. Come enjoy these family-friendly Friday night kick-offs to the weekend. Headliners include:
June 2: Dan Tedesco, Dueling Pianos, Silent Disco
June 9: Taylor King, Not Quite Brothers
June 16: Dan Medeiros, Bird Child
June 23: Tyler Frazier, Damon Dotson
June 30: David Watson, Standing Hampton, Fireworks, Silent Disco
July 14: James Biehn, Recoil
July 21: Joshua Sinclair, Oreo Meatwagon
July 28: Luke Fox, Flatland Ridge
August 4: Chris Heaton, Brian Herrin, Silent Disco
August 11: Emma Butterworth, Maytags
August 18: Matt Woods, Avey Grouws Band
Plus a special four-part summer Thursday concert series
Nash Nights
June 15: Chris Cagle with Guest Jason Brown
July 20: Kylie Morgan
August 24: Matt Steel
September 14: David Nail
Jazz in July
Where: Hoyt Sherman Place, 1501 Woodland Ave., Des Moines
The free concert series highlighting local and regional talent is scheduled for three July dates on the lawn of historic Hoyt Sherman Place. The lineup includes:
July 12 – Bryan Schumacker Septet
July 18 -Aviana Gedler & Co
July 25 – Dave Rezek & Co
Summerset Winery Sunday Tunes
When: Sundays, May – October, 2 p.m.-5 p.m.
Where: 15101 Fairfax St., Indianola
The concerts are outdoors unless the weather is bad, then they move inside to the banquet hall. Admission is $5 per person, and $15 per carload or bicycle gang (up to 5 bikes). Highlights include:
May 7: Opus Tayor
May 14: Lucas Beebe
May 21: Cover That!
May 28: Dick Danger Band
June 4: Dirk Vonstein Duo
June 11: Catfish Murphy
June 18: The Tank Anthony Band
June 25: Flying Silos
July 2: The Satin Dollz
July 9: Jesse and The Medicine Men
July 16: Brittany Sword Trio
July 23: Raquel and The Wildflowers
July 30: Tony Bohnenkamp
August 6: Anne Ducharme- Jones
August 13: The Sinclair Duo
August 20: The Bond
August 27: The Final Mix Band
September 3: Sons of Gladys Kravitz
September 10: The Unfortunate Sons
September 17: Jake Schrodt and The Goats
September 24: Opus Taylor
October 1: Dick Danger Band
October 8: The Band Spam
October 15: Recoil
October 22: Cece Stewart and the Radio Train
October 29: Nick Hermann
Camp Dodge Summer Concert Series
When: Thursdays, 7 p.m.
Where: Pool complex, Camp Dodge, Johnston
Concerts are free and concessions are available. Lawn chairs, coolers, and picnic baskets are welcome.
June 1: Jason Brown
June 8: Standing Hampton
June 22: Piano Palooza
June 29: 34th Army Band
Nights in the Heights
When: Tuesdays, June & July, 6 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
Where: Colby Park, 6850 School St., Windsor Heights
Grab some friends or neighbors (don’t forget the lawn chairs) and head to Colby Park on Tuesdays for an enjoyable evening of live music at Nights in the Heights. Grab dinner from one of the food trucks and let your kids explore the nearby playground. This year’s lineup includes:
June 27: Jana West & Retrospect
July 4: Faculty Lounge
July 11: Bob Pace and the Muddy Walter Band
July 18: Burnin’ Sensations
July 25: Get Off My Lawn
August 1: Sons of Gladys Kravitz
Belin Quartet
When: May 16–June 27
Tuesdays at 5:30 p.m.
Where: Salisbury House and Gardens
Enjoy free music from the Belin Quartet. Chairs and bottled water are provided or you can bring your own lawn chairs, beverages, and snacks.
Sunday Tunes
When: Sundays, May-October. 2 p.m. – 5 p.m.
Where: 15101 Fairfax Street, Indianola
May 21: Cover That!
May 28: Dick Danger Band
June 4: Dirk Vonstein Duo
June 11: Catfish Murphy
June 18: The Tank Anthony Band
June 25: Flying Silos
July 2: The Satin Dollz
July 9: Jesse and The Medicine Men
July 16: Brittany Sword Trio
July 23: Raquel and The Wildflowers
July 30: Tony Bohnenkamp
August 6: Anne Ducharme- Jones
August 13: The Sinclair Duo
August 20: The Bond
August 27: The Final Mix Band
September 3: Sons of Gladys Kravitz
September 10: The Unfortunate Sons
September 17: Jake Schrodt and The Goats
September 24: Opus Taylor
October 1: Dick Danger Band
October 8: The Band Spam
October 15: Recoil
October 22: Cece Stewart and the Radio Train
October 29: Nick Hermann
Music Under the Stars
When: Sundays, June 11 to July 16, 7 p.m.
Where: The West Terrace of the State Capitol
Don’t miss this diverse selection of concert band and jazz band performances performed by professional Iowa musicians. Bring lawn chairs and blankets and enjoy ice cream from The Outside Scoop.
Fridays at the Farm
When: Fridays 4:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
Where: Middlebrook Farm – Cumming Avenue/Highway G14, Cumming, Iowa
Live music, food trucks, farmers market vendors, wine/beer wagon, fresh organic produce, and more!
May 19: J. Jeffrey Messerole
May 26: Joshua Sinclair
June 2: Weary Ramblers
June 9: Ducharme-Jones
June 16: Royce Johns
June 23: Robert Deitch
June 30: Joshua Sinclair
July 7: J. Jeffrey Messerole
July 14: Day’s Live Music
July 21: Robert Deitch
July 28: Ducharme-Jones
August 4: Day’s Live Music
August 11: Ryne Doughty
August 18: Weary Ramblers
August 25: Joshua Sinclair
September 1: Robert Deitch
September 8: Ducharme-Jones
September 15: Royce Jones
September 22: Brian Herrin
September 30: Joshua Sinclair
Summer Concert Series
When: Fridays and Saturdays at 6:30 p.m.
Where: Adventureland
Bring out the family to enjoy the rides, good eats, and great tunes at Adventureland’s Main Stage.
June 2: Mike Moody and the Outlaws
June 3: Who’s Bad – A Michael Jackson Tribute
June 9: Elton and Billy – The Tribute
June 10: Yesterday – The Las Vegas Beatles Show (Endorsed by Sir Paul McCarthey)
June 16: BS & the Liars
June 17: Not Quite Brothers
June 23: Good to be King – A Tom Petty Tribute
June 24: Broadway’s Rock of Ages Band
June 30: Tyler Richton and the High Bank Boys
July 1: Jerrod Niemann
Music in the Garden
When: Thursdays at 6 p.m.
Where: Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden
Enjoy live music from local performers, the gorgeous outdoor gardens in the evening, and food and drinks from Trellis Café. Bring your own folding chair, outdoor seating, or picnic blankets.
Summer Music Festivals
May 19-20 | 2100 NW 100th St, Clive
July 7-8 |Western Gateway Park, Des Moines
Aug. 4-6 | St. Charles, Iowa
Send us an email if we missed anything, and we’ll add your concert to the list.
We work hard to ensure the accuracy of this information. However, you should always call ahead to confirm dates, times, location, and other information before heading to an event or activity, since it may change.
The TAG concert series on Camp Dodge is on Thursdays, not Fridays.
Thank you for letting us know! We will update it.
There is some horrendously noisy loud music played outdoors South of University Avenue in Clive tonight (9-17-19). The featured singer is horribly out of tune and yelling every word of every song. Backed by low-quality accompanists of guitar(s?) and drums the only value is that I think it will end…sometime soon…I hope before dusk.