A crowd listens to the Beloit Memorial High School Jazz Orchestra and enjoys lunch at a past Fridays in the Park at First National Bank Plaza in Beloit, hosted by the Downtown Beloit Association.
JANESVILLE — It’s summer in southern Wisconsin, and the music is moving outdoors. Now through August, options for listening to free, community-sponsored, live music are plentiful, often with dinner or lunch available by food truck or concession stand, all encouraging al fresco dining. Here’s a rundown of where to find local outdoor concerts this summer.
MILTON The Gathering Place
The band That Gurl takes to the stage at Music at the Marv in downtown Janesville Tuesday, June 10, 2025.
KARYN SAEMANN/KARYN.SAEMANN@APG-SW.ORG
The Gathering Place, 715 Campus St. in Milton, hosts free live outdoor music as part of its Summer Concert Series twice a month through August, followed by one final concert in early September.
All concerts, sponsored by The Milton Fund, are Thursday nights from 5:30-8:30 p.m. The concession stand and bar will be open starting at 5:30 pm and the music starts at 7 p.m. On tap are Rainbow Bridge Band on June 12, Groove Hotel on June 26, The GoDeans on July 10, the Best Westerns on July 24, Gin, Chocolate and the Bottlerockets on Aug. 7, The Sting Rays on Aug. 21, and The Jimmys on Sept. 11.
A crowd listens to the Beloit Memorial High School Jazz Orchestra and enjoys lunch at a past Fridays in the Park at First National Bank Plaza in Beloit, hosted by the Downtown Beloit Association.
Each Friday this summer from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., the Downtown Beloit Association hosts live music and a local food vendor for an affordable lunch. Held at First National Bank Plaza, 345 E Grand Ave., this year’s lineup features several returning artists and new ones including Detour Band, The Armed Forces Musical Unit and Always Late.
“The best part about these events is seeing all of the community members coming together to experience live music,” said Downtown Beloit Association Executive Director Shauna El-Amin. “It’s really a joy to be able to share experiences with them and get them out and about in Downtown Beloit.”
Music at Harry’s Place
Friends of Riverfront is once again keeping the riverfront hopping with a full schedule of Friday night concerts at the Harry Moore Pavilion. Old favorites and new acts will be featured this summer during the Music at Harry’s Place free outdoor music series. The Jimmys will perform on Friday, June 13.
The Music at Harry’s Place concerts will begin at 7 p.m. on the scheduled dates, and food vendors will be on site at 6 p.m.
Cash Box Kings performs at Music at the Marv in 2024 at the Marvin W. Roth Community Pavilion in downtown Janesville.
GAZETTE FILE PHOTO/KARYN SAEMANN
The Downtown Beloit Association is also launching another concert series this summer, Downtown Late.
“Downtown Late Edition is new this year and we are most looking forward to bringing another outdoor music event to our downtown and many businesses are extending their hours so that customers have night-time shopping hours available,” El-Amin said.
Starting Thursday, June 12, at First National Bank Plaza, Downtown Late Edition will be held from 5-7 p.m. on the second and fourth Thursday of each month from June to August. There will be no food sold at the plaza, but there will be plenty of music and downtown businesses will be open late for shoppers.
JANESVILLE Music at the Marv
The Arts Council of Edgerton sponsors Summer Concerts in the Park.
COURTESY ARTS COUNCIL OF EDGERTON
After a rainout on June 3, and finally kicking off under clear skies on June 10, Downtown Janesville’s free summer concert series, Music at the Marv, is bringing a diverse lineup. They start at 6:30 p.m. every Tuesday through Aug. 26 at lower Courthouse Park, weather permitting. Local food trucks are available starting at 5 p.m.
“We love that Music at the Marv has become a staple event every year, and people are thrilled when it comes back around every summer,” said Downtown Janesville Managing Director Elaina Szyjewski. “It brings people out for a night of laid back fun, connecting, and socializing. It’s a great reason to get out of the house and come downtown to be a part of our great community.”
Yacht rock band Nauti Nauti headlines returning artists this year, with Music at the Marv debuts set for Orquesta Salsoul De Mad (salsa/soul band), Too Deep (Soul/Funk), Tony Rocker & The Comeback Special Band (Elvis), That Gurl (70s & 80s covers), Gin, Chocolate & Bottle Rockets (all female trio cover group), End Fight Scene (local high-energy cover band), TUGG (ska/reggae) and VanDwellers (dynamic cover duo).
South Main Street between Court Street and Saint Lawrence Avenue will be closed from 5 p.m. to 8:15 p.m. each Tuesday for the concert and vendors. Proceeds support Music at the Marv and future community events hosted by Downtown Janesville, Inc.
EDGERTON Concerts in the Park
The Jimmys, a Madison blues band, kicked off the Arts Council of Edgerton’s Concerts in the Park summer concert series on Wednesday, June 11. Concerts will continue on Wednesdays through Aug. 27.
The Jimmys perform at a past Music at Harry’s Place summer concert in Riverside Park in Beloit.
Adams Publishing Group file photo
Performances are held at the Menhall Gazebo in Central Park, 312 N. Main St., from 6:30-8 p.m., with area community groups offering concessions. There will be a make-up date or an additional concert on Aug. 27.
The concerts are free, due to support from volunteers and sponsors and the Wartmann Endowment for the Performing Arts.
ROCKTON Rockton River Market
The Rockton River Market is bringing live music every Wednesday through Aug. 27 to Settlers Park, 25 W. Hawick St., from 5-8 p.m.
“It seems like the can’t miss band of the summer is Nauti-Nauti, who we’ll have on July 16,” said Rockton Community Development Director Tricia Diduch. “We’re also super excited to host Lousy Nuncio this year. They will be playing the market for the first time on Aug. 13.”
Summerpalooza
There are two more chances to get into the Summerpalooza fun, from 5-10 p.m. July 12 and Aug. 9 on Main Street in Rockton. Making their Summerpalooza debut will be Piper Kei, opening for AudioDrive on July 12, followed by Random AF on Aug. 9.
“It’s more of the Downtown Rockton flavor we’re trying to make a household name, which is offering a variety of fun opportunities to get outside into Downtown Rockton and enjoy your interests and engage with your friends and family,” Diduch said. “We want visitors to feel like they are not only welcome but belong, whether they live here or not.”
BRODHEAD Twilight in the Park
Twilight in the Park will return on Sunday, June 15. The free outdoor concerts at Veterans Memorial Park run all summer, every Sunday from 6-8 p.m.
“We truly love being part of something that brings people together,” said Brodhead Chamber of Commerce’s Kelly Burchfield. “After a long week of work, what better way to ease into a new one than with great music, good food, and dancing feet? Twilight in the Park is more than just a concert—it’s a tradition.”
“We’re proud to say that every musical group in this year’s lineup has played at least once before—if not twice,” Burchfield continued. “These are crowd favorites who love performing in Brodhead and bring their best every time. Whether it’s The Back 40, Soggy Prairie, Cherokee Rose, or the Brodhead Community Band, each act has a special connection to our community and keeps the energy alive all summer long.”
Each week we will feature different foods from different local organizations. On July 27, the Brodhead Optimist Club hosts its Annual Pig Roast.
In the case of inclement weather, concerts move to Brodhead High School
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