There are so many options for outdoor concerts in Des Moines this summer. And many of them are free! Consider packing snacks, drinks, and blankets, or simply come enjoy the sounds. Whether it’s at a local winery or major fair grandstand events, there’s music to enjoy all summer.
Looking for more summer fun? Check out our
Ultimate Guide to Summer
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Des Moines Outdoor Summer Concert Guide
The Yard Summer Concert Series, presented by The Cork 50131
Where: The Yard 6245 Merle Hay Road, Johnston
Admission is free; no tickets are required.
Don’t miss a summer of music at the Yard Summer Concert Series!
Sounds of the Summer will be on select Saturday nights from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. on the Yard.
Tunes at Twilight will be held on select Thursday nights from 7:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. on the Yard.
Sounds of the Summer
Saturdays 7 p.m. to 10 p.m.
- June 29: AstroYachts / Wanted (Bon Jovi Tribute)
- July 25: The Trip
- August 29: Note Quite Brothers
- October 3: Pork Tornadoes
Tunes at Twilight
Thursdays 7:30 p.m. to 9 p.m.
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August 13: Suede and Sons of Gladys Kravitz | Double Bill
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September 24: The Sheet and Damon Dotson | Double Bill
More Outdoor Summer Concerts in Des Moines
Jasper Winery Summer Concert Series
Where: 2400 George Flagg Pkwy, Des Moines, IA
When: Thursday nights, May 7-August 6; 6 pm to 9 pm
Kick off the outdoor music season at Jasper Winery! Enjoy free live music every Thursday night.
Fridays at the Farm
Where: Middlebrook Farm Grounds, 4300 Cumming Ave., Cumming, IA
When: Fridays, May 22 to September 25; 4:30 pm to 7:30 pm
Enjoy free live music while the kids play every Friday night.
Urbandale Summer Concert Series
Where: Charles Gabus Memorial Tree Park
When: June 17; 23; July 21; 26; August 11
Live music, open space, and a fun, family-friendly crowd.
Reiman Gardens Summer Concert Series
Where: 1407 University Blvd, Ames, IA
Listen to singers and songwriters from the Midwest while enjoying the beauty of Reiman Gardens. Tickets start at $15.
When:
- June 2, BreAnne Stone
- June 16, Casey Joe and The Foxes
- July 14, The Bone People
- July 28, Beggars’ Bargain
- Aug. 18, Society of Broken Souls
Winterset Cidery Live Music
Where: 1638 Highway 169, Winterset, IA
When: Saturdays and Sundays April through October.
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. Concessions and food trucks will also be available to purchase food and beverages.
Zoo Brew
When: 6 pm to 9:30 pm; Wednesdays in June, July (excluding July 1), and the first two Wednesdays in August.
Where: Blank Park Zoo
Enjoy the zoo after hours (21 and over)! Grab a drink and listen to live music while supporting the zoo.
Iowa State Fair Concerts
When: August 13-23
Where: Iowa State Fairgrounds, 3000 E. Grand Ave., Des Moines
At the Iowa State Fair you’ll find almost any food you can imagine on a stick and 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.
Beats & Eats
When: June 4, 11, 18, 25; July 9, 16
5 pm to 7:30 pm
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, food trucks, and more.
Sips & Songs in The District
When: Fridays, 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. Starting May 29
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.
Nash Nights
Where: The District’s Town Square Park, Ankeny
A special country concert series on select Thursday nights. General admission is free.
- June 4, Neal McKoy
- June 25, Josh Ross
- July 30, Lanie Gardner
Jazz in July
Where: Hoyt Sherman Place, 1501 Woodland Ave., Des Moines
When: July 7, 14, 21, 28; 5:30 pm to 8:15 pm
Friday Night Live
Where: Jamie Hurd Amphitheater, 4100 Mills Civic Pkwy, West Des Moines
When: June 19, 26; July 17, 24; August 21, 28
Bring your lawn chairs, blankets, and friends to enjoy live music, food trucks, and more.
Nights in the Heights
When: Tuesdays, June & July, 7 pm
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 30 – Recoil Rocks Iowa
- July 7 – FL Funk aka Faculty Lounge
- July 14 – RetroSpect with Jana West
- July 21 – Dick Danger
- July 28 – The Sons of Gladys Kravitz
Summer Concert Series
Where: Camp Dodge; 6 pm
When:
- June 4 – 34th Army Band Rock Band
- June 11 – Blake Jack (Country/Rock)
- June 25 – The Punching Pandas
- July 2 – 34th Army Patriotic Band
Music Under the Stars
When: Sundays, June 2 to July 7, 7 p.m.
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.
- June 8, Pirate Songs & Love Songs, Hoyt Sherman Place
- June 15, Once Upon a Father’s Day: Music for Dads & their Princesses, Hoyt Sherman Place
- June 22, Historic Hoyt Sherman, Hoyt Sherman Place
- June 29, Fourth of July celebration “Let Freedom Ring”, Hoyt Sherman Place
- July 8, 78 RPM, Lauridsen Amphitheater, Water Works Park
Music in the Garden
When: Thursdays at 6 p.m.; June 4-August 20
Where: Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden
Enjoy live music from local performers, the gorgeous outdoor gardens in the evening. Bring your own folding chair, outdoor seating, or picnic blankets.
Rock Around the Clock
Where: Heritage Park in Grimes
When: 5:30 pm to 9 pm
- June 12: Brother Trucker
- June 19: Midnight Matinee
- June 26: Anthony Koester
- July 3: The Lamplighters
Prairie Stomp Summer Music Series
When: Thursdays June-August
Music begins at 6:30 p.m.
Bring food, blankets, and camp chairs, and enjoy a summer evening. It’s free and open to the public!
- June 4 – Sleepy Hollow
- June 11 – Athene North Shore Recreation Area
- June 18 – Jester Park Nature Center
- July 2 – Sleepy Hollow
- July 9 – Athene North Shore Recreation Area
- July 16 – Jester Park Nature Center
- August 13 – Athene North Shore Recreation Area
- August 20 – Jester Park Nature Center
- August 27 – Sleepy Hollow
Confluence Brewing Friday Summer Concert Series
Where: 1235 Thomas Beck Rd, Des Moines
When: May 1-Sept 25; 6 pm to 9 pm
Enjoy live music, drinks, and Peggy O’s food truck.
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.
Carper Winery in Norwalk – Wine Down Wednesdays Summer concerts. Free entry!