When it comes to live music, Grinnell’s summer scene is unmatched. Under the beautiful Midwest sun and across the beautiful Central Park stage, Grinnell, Iowa hosts some of the most intimate and cozy performances in Iowa. From Solera’s wine bar to Hotel Grinnell’s fireplace patio, there are numerous ways to enjoy small concerts and watch live music performances. From country to latin pop, and classics to americana, there are tunes for the whole family, friend group, and solo travelers.
Stay in the know by regularly visiting the live music playlist below (get it?), presented by the Grinnell Area Chamber of Commerce. Subscribe to the Grinnell Chamber newsletter to receive reminders of upcoming music events each week. Email the Chamber staff to add your musical events to the schedule.*
*Reserved as a Grinnell Chamber benefit only.
SUMMER 2026’S PLAYLIST:
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MAY
Nobody Cares | Thursday, May 28 from 4-6 PM with Grinnell Farmers Market | Central Park, corner of 4th Ave and Broad St, Grinnell
Love intimate music scenes? Shop at the Grinnell Farmers Market while listening to classics! Nobody Cares is a musical duo based in Des Moines, with Nancy Gordon on guitar and vocals, and Grinnell College writer Tim Schmitt on guitar. They play original music, as well as cover great tunes from classic rock to country. Their setlist includes original music and song covers from David Bowie, Bill Withers, Loretta Lynn, Johnny Cash, The Black Keys, Old 97s, Lucinda Williams, Janice Joplin, The Misfits, and others.
Justin Roberts & The Not-Ready-For-Naptime Players | Thursday, May 28 @ 6 PM with the Grinnell Area Arts Council | Central Park Stage, Grinnell
Enjoy music from Des Moines native and five-time Grammy nominee Justin Roberts. Roberts is one of the founders of the modern family music scene. His songs are the kind of get-stuck-in-your-head pop nuggets that draw comparisons to Elvis Costello, Fountains of Wayne, and Paul Simon rather than just simple nursery rhymes, prompting USA Today to call him “hands-down the best songwriter in the genre.”
JUNE
The Grinnell Community Band | Thursday, June 4 @ 7 PM with the Grinnell Area Arts Council | Central Park Stage, Grinnell
Watch a local performance with the Grinnell Community Band! You might recognize friends and neighbors, all coming together to perform concert band favorites with a twist! Email grinnellcommunityband@gmail.com to join the fun!
Ruari Brownell & Band | Saturday, June 6 from 11:30 AM to 2:30 PM with Prairie Burn 100 & Imagine Grinnell | Central Park, Grinnell
Ruari Brownell and his band will entertain and set the ambiance for the afternoon of Prairie Burn. All are welcome to enjoy free music in the park!
The Grinnell Community Band | Thursday, June 11 @ 7 PM with the Grinnell Area Arts Council | Central Park Stage, Grinnell
Watch a local performance with the Grinnell Community Band! You might recognize friends and neighbors, all coming together to perform concert band favorites with a twist! Email grinnellcommunityband@gmail.com to join the fun!
Lani & Band | Thursday, June 18 @ 7 PM with the Grinnell Area Arts Council | Central Park Stage, Grinnell
Based in Des Moines, Lani is a Colombian-American singer/songwriter, keyboardist, and accordion player based in Iowa, named Latin Artist of the Year at the Iowa Music Awards in 2024. As a solo artist, she captivates with intimate songwriting and delicate vibes, while her powerhouse vocals drive the full band’s explosive rhythm and energy. Together, Lani and her band fuse Colombian Latin music with American pop, making waves across the Midwest. Enjoy twists to classic songs this summer!
The Grinnell Community Band | Saturday, June 20 @ 10 AM with the Grinnell Area Arts Council | Central Park Stage, Grinnell
Watch a local performance with the Grinnell Community Band! You might recognize friends and neighbors, all coming together to perform concert band favorites with a twist! Email grinnellcommunityband@gmail.com to join the fun!
River Glen | Thursday, June 25 @ 7 PM with the Grinnell Area Arts Council | Central Park Stage, Grinnell
Enjoy folk and Americana music with River Glen! Hailing from Dubuque, multi-instrumentalist River Glen Breitbach writes poignant folk-pop with lyricism that is clever and current. River’s songs and performances have “somethin’ to say,” and the band will be stopping in Grinnell before heading back for a performance with the Dubuque Symphony Orchestra on June 28.
The Grinnell Community Band | Saturday, June 27 @ 10 AM with the Grinnell Area Arts Council | Central Park Stage, Grinnell
Watch a local performance with the Grinnell Community Band! You might recognize friends and neighbors, all coming together to perform concert band favorites with a twist! Email grinnellcommunityband@gmail.com to join the fun!
JULY
Turlach Ur Pipe Band | Thursday, July 2 @ 7 PM with the Grinnell Area Arts Council | Central Park Stage, Grinnell
Music from a Scottish pipe band? Yes, please! Based in Grinnell, Turlach Ur Pipe Band is the largest pipe band in Iowa with over 30 band members. This drum and bagpipe band performs a variety of traditional pipe band pieces mixed with the unexpected pop or rock tune!
Tanya English Band | Thursday, July 9 @ 7 PM with the Grinnell Area Arts Council | Central Park Stage, Grinnell
Listen to the blues! Calling Iowa City home, the Tanya English Band has been playing classic and contemporary blues with a women’s empowerment twist in eastern Iowa for over a decade, bringing together the area’s finest musicians and creating a dynamic, family-friendly show.
Tyler Richton & The High Bank Boys | Thursday, July 16 @ 7 PM with the Grinnell Area Arts Council | Central Park Stage, Grinnell
Based in Deep River, Tyler Richton and The High Bank Boys bring a neo-traditional country sound with high energy and real music. Drawing influence from artists like Merle Haggard, Charlie Daniels and Hank Williams Jr., audiences of all kinds find a show they can enjoy and music they can feel.
Barefoot Becky & The Ivanhoe Dutchmen | Thursday, July 23 @ 7 PM with the Grinnell Area Arts Council | Central Park Stage, Grinnell
Hailing from Mt. Vernon, Iowa, Becky and her crew are perennial park favorites, bringing their seasoned mix of polka favorites. Bring your dancing shoes!
Mango Soul | Thursday, July 30 @ 7 PM with the Grinnell Area Arts Council | Central Park Stage, Grinnell
Based in Central Iowa, you can find Mango Soul rocking basements to breweries to the 'brai with an eclectic assortment of covers and originals rooted in soul, funk, and pop!
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