30+ years running! Featuring must-see national acts and standout local opening artists, these free, un-ticketed outdoor music events are held on five consecutive Sunday evenings in downtown Rochester, Minnesota along the Zumbro River.
Stellar music, gorgeous green space, plus local food vendors and giveaways. These shows are for everyone, and we hope to see you in the park!
Save the dates - we'll see you next year! 2025 dates:
July 13, 2025
July 20, 2025
July 27, 2025
August 3, 2025
August 10, 2025
Live from Med City: Fires of Denmark from the Historic Chateau Theatre
Fires of Denmark is the brainchild and musical project of Michael Terrill in which he writes/performs/records all of his songs. Started in 2010 as an attempt to create "quiet dance music, Fires of Denmark slowly evolved into a genre bending dream synth performance using vintage synthesizers and live looping to create a unique experience. With influences coming from The Cure, Tears for Fears, Sigur Ros, Tame Impala, Radiohead and Pink Floyd. Michael has been playing/recording/composing music for the last 18 years. Winning music composition scholarships and national battle of the bands as well as signing to an indie music label by the age of 18. In addition to his live performance and recordings, Michael also has written commercial music for businesses like Caribou Coffee, Mayo Clinic Classes, Rochester Downtown Alliance as well as campaign music for, regional, statewide and national campaigns. Michael has always played a backing role in the music scene, since the early 00s playing lead guitar in Runway 36 and Sterling and the Silver Linings and bass in Second Story. In 2008 he released his first lead project “Versus the Lion” followed shortly by the creation of “Fires of Denmark.” In 2018 Fires of Denmark released their first full length album “With Love” and the follow up "Interference" out in 2019. Currently Fires of Denmark is completing their new album "Relativity" with an expected release of Summer 2020.
Riverside Concerts, the City of Rochester's music department, presents "Live from Med City", an online video digest of all things arts and entertainment in Rochester, MN. The "Live from Med City" concept was conceived with the objective to spotlight the many “live arts experiences” Rochester (home of the world renowned Mayo Clinic) has to offer, featuring artists from around the block and from all over the world, and filmed in some of our finest and most unique venues. Focusing first on Riverside Concerts’ own presentations, but with an eye toward broadening the coverage to include presentations from other local organizations in the future.
This activity is made possible by the voters of Minnesota through a Minnesota State Arts Board Operating Support Grant, thanks to a legislative appropriation from the arts & cultural heritage fund.
CART captioning will be available here or via QR code in the park. Please bring a data-connected digital device (phone, tablet, laptop) to access this streaming service.
Assistance with CART will be available at the Public Music tent. Please contact Public Music for questions about additional accessibility accommodations.
Where
All concerts take place in Mayo Park, located in downtown Rochester behind the Mayo Civic Center. Concertgoers are encouraged to walk, bike, or roll to the shows if possible.
when
Save the dates - we'll see you next year! 2025 dates:
July 13, 2025
July 20, 2025
July 27, 2025
August 3, 2025
August 10, 2025
Music will begin at 7 p.m. and conclude between 9:30 and 10 p.m.
Food vendors will be onsite at 6 p.m. Come early to get food from local vendors and choose your spot in the park!
cost
Concerts are free and open to the public!
Meet & Greets
Interested in meeting the headliners? We partner with local radio stations to give away FREE backstage passes. Check here for information about how to win a pass.
Giveaways
On opening night, stop by the Think Bank tent to receive a FREE, limited edition Riverside Music Series t-shirt! Shirts are available in limited quantity - arrive early to be sure to get one!
And at each concert, Think Bank gives away a FREE electric guitar autographed by the headliner. Enter the giveaway by completing a survey by 7:45 p.m. on show day. Surveys can be completed at the Think Bank tent, by visiting the survey webpage, or by scanning a QR code at the event. Must be present to win.
Directions & parking
Mayo Park is directly accessible from nearby walking paths and bike trails, and concertgoers are encouraged to walk, bike, or roll to the shows if possible.
Ample free parking is available nearby, with public ramps, on-street meters, and City-owned surface lots all free to use on weekends and evenings. Accessible parking is available in all public parking ramps, and several designated accessible parking spaces are available on Civic Center Drive. Additional information about parking is available on the Mayo Civic Center website.
Seating
Space in the park is available on a first come, first served basis. Come early to choose your spot! We do not allow the use of ropes or stakes to reserve space.
We encourage you to bring lawn chairs or blankets to the events; seats are not provided.
items to bring
Coolers, food, drink, lawn chairs, blankets, and other items to make your experience more comfortable are welcome and encouraged. Please leave grills and pets, with the exception of service animals, at home.
concessions
Local food and beverage vendors will have a variety of options for sale. Vendors will be onsite at 5 p.m.
Smoking
Smoking, including e-cigarettes, is strictly prohibited in Mayo Park.
Restrooms
Restrooms inside the Mayo Civic Center will be available for use. Entrances to the indoor restrooms are on either side of the stage through doors marked 16 and 19.
Additional portable toilets are located in the park near the food vendors.
Weather Policy
Concerts will take place outdoors rain or shine. Ponchos are preferred over umbrellas to keep sightlines unobstructed. In the case of threatening weather, the concert may be delayed, postponed, or, as a last resort, cancelled.
For weather related updates the day of the event, please check our event updates page or social media accounts.
Soliciting
In order to make our events enjoyable for all, we respectfully request that public and private parties refrain from campaigning or soliciting at the Riverside events. We appreciate your consideration.
Down by the Riverside has been sponsored by Think Bank since 2008.
This activity is made possible by the voters of Minnesota through a Minnesota State Arts Board Operating Support grant, thanks to a legislative appropriation from the arts and cultural heritage fund.
Est. 1992