Mayor Malik D. Evans unveils expanded Rochester Summer Grooves entertainment lineup featuring concerts, festivals, and community music events across the entire city

Rochester, New York – Rochester is preparing for a packed summer of music, culture, and community events after Mayor Malik D. Evans unveiled the full entertainment lineup for the new “Rochester Summer Grooves” series, a citywide initiative designed to bring live performances to multiple neighborhoods and venues across the season.

The announcement was made alongside Dan Mason, General Manager of the Rochester Red Wings, and Jeff Springut, owner of Rochester Events. Together, they introduced a summer program that shifts away from a single flagship concert and instead spreads entertainment across weeks, genres, and locations, giving residents more chances to take part.

At its core, Rochester Summer Grooves is built around variety. The city is not limiting itself to one stage or one audience. Instead, it is spreading music throughout the summer, from downtown parks to major arenas, and from national headliners to local orchestral performances. Officials say the goal is simple: make music easier to access, and make summer in Rochester feel alive in every corner of the city.

“Summer in Rochester is heating up, and this year, we’re supporting an incredible, summer-long, live music lineup,” said Mayor Evans. “Including performances by national stars at ESL Ballpark and Blue Cross Arena, and the return of the popular Party in the Park and concert series, Summer Grooves offers so much variety, there’s truly something for every music fan in town.”

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The lineup brings together a wide range of artists and events, starting with major national names. On July 25 at 7 p.m., ESL Ballpark will host Rick Ross, the American rapper known for his deep voice and larger-than-life presence. Tickets for the show start at $25 and are available exclusively at RedWings Baseball.

Just weeks later, the Blue Cross Arena will transform into a major R&B destination. On Saturday, September 5 at 8 p.m., Keith Sweat will headline the Rochester R&B Festival. The night will also feature Ginuwine, Joe, Dru Hill, and Kut Klose, creating a full lineup of well-known R&B acts in one place. Tickets start at $25 and can be purchased at the Blue Cross Arena ticket office or through TicketMaster.

The city is also continuing its support for cultural and community-centered events, including the 2026 Rochester Juneteenth Festival. Scheduled for Saturday, June 20 from 12 to 8 p.m., the festival will include performances led by headliner Danielle Ponder, a Rochester-based R&B and soul singer-songwriter whose work has gained national attention.

But Rochester Summer Grooves is not only about large concerts or arena shows. It also brings back one of the city’s most recognizable summer traditions: Party in the Park. Held Thursday evenings in July and August at Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Park in downtown Rochester, the series mixes live music with food vendors, craft beer, and wine. Gates open at 5 p.m., and the atmosphere is designed to be relaxed, social, and open to all ages.

This year’s Party in the Park schedule stretches across multiple genres and tribute acts, giving each Thursday its own identity. The lineup begins on July 9 with The Seven Wonders, a Fleetwood Mac tribute, alongside Highway Boys, a Zach Bryan tribute. On July 16, Almost Queen and Philadelphia Freedom take the stage, followed by Samantha Fish and the Adam Ezra Group on July 23.

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The momentum continues on July 30 with Start Making Sense and The Dip, then picks up again on August 6 with Smash Mouth and Sophistafunk. The series closes on August 13 with Blackberry Smoke. Tickets are available through Rochester Events Party in the Park, where residents can find full scheduling details.

Beyond ticketed concerts, the city is also investing in free music programming that brings high-level performances into public spaces. One of the highlights is RPO Under the Stars, a free evening performance by the full Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra at Parcel 5 on Friday, July 10 from 6 to 10 p.m. The program will feature music from film scores and American composers, while also marking celebrations tied to the country’s 250th anniversary. The event is part of a broader partnership with RDDC and its Downtown Definitely series, aimed at activating downtown spaces with cultural programming.

The summer orchestra presence continues beyond a single night. The Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra will also perform a series of free RPO Around Town neighborhood concerts every Tuesday in July at 6:30 p.m., rotating through different city quadrants. The schedule includes a jazz trio performance on July 7 at Susan B. Anthony Square, a string quartet on July 14 at Maplewood Rose Garden Gazebo, a saxophone quartet on July 21 at Park Ave Barrington Park Green, and a marimba band on July 28 at International Plaza.

Together, these events stretch across parks, neighborhoods, stadiums, and downtown venues, forming a summer calendar that blends local culture with national entertainment.

Residents looking for the full list of events and updates can visit City of Rochester Summer Grooves, where additional city-sponsored programming will be posted throughout the season.

With Summer Grooves, Rochester is betting on movement, variety, and accessibility. Not just one night of music, but many. Not just one audience, but thousands of residents across different neighborhoods and backgrounds. And as summer unfolds, the city will turn into a stage that keeps changing week by week, sound by sound.