By Cooper Worth, Des Moines Register
Several free outdoor concert series across central Iowa still have July, August and September dates on the calendar, including shows in Ankeny, West Des Moines, Des Moines, Newton, Earlham, Ames and Johnston.
Weather or schedule changes may affect outdoor events. Here are free outdoor concerts still happening across central Iowa.
Free concerts still on the calendar
- Ankeny: Beats & Eats continues July 9, July 16 and July 23 from 5 to 7:30 p.m. at Ankeny Market & Pavilion.
- Des Moines: Jasper Winery Summer Concert Series runs Thursdays through Aug. 6 from 6 to 9 p.m. at Jasper Winery.
- West Des Moines: Friday Night Live has remaining dates July 17, July 24, Aug. 21 and Aug. 28 at Jamie Hurd Amphitheater.
- Ames: Roosevelt Summer Sundays continues Sundays through Aug. 30 at Roosevelt Park.
- Johnston: Tunes at Twilight and Sounds of Summer have remaining dates in July, August, September and October at Johnston Town Center.
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Beats & Eats
Ankeny Market & Pavilion hosts Beats & Eats with local food trucks, live music, family activities, games and more. Outside food, drinks other than water, and coolers are not permitted.
- When: Thursday nights from 5 to 7:30 p.m.
- Where: Ankeny Market & Pavilion, 715 W. First St., Ankeny
- Remaining dates: July 9, July 16 and July 23.
Belin Quartet
Belin Quartet has one remaining summer performance. The quartet has been harmonizing in the Des Moines community for more than 25 years, with concerts that usually last about one hour.
The remaining date features Shostakovich’s String Quartet No. 8 in C Minor, Op. 110.
- When: Tuesday, July 14, at 5:30 p.m.
- Where: Caspe Terrace
- Remaining date: July 14.
Friday Night Live at Jamie Hurd Amphitheater
Friday Night Live at Jamie Hurd Amphitheater is a free summer series featuring a mix of live music and outdoor movies. Remaining events take place on select Fridays in July and August. The city of West Des Moines posts the full schedule online.
Food and alcohol sales begin at 7 p.m., with performances and movies starting at 8 p.m. Alcoholic beverages must be purchased inside the venue. Guests are encouraged to bring their own chairs or blankets for seating.
- When: 8 p.m. on select Fridays
- Where: Jamie Hurd Amphitheater, 4100 Mills Civic Parkway, West Des Moines
- Remaining dates: July 17, July 24, Aug. 21 and Aug. 28.
Jasper Winery Summer Concert Series
Jasper Winery’s free concert series remains open to the public and family-friendly. Guests may bring blankets or chairs for outdoor seating.
Food options are available onsite at Jasper Winery, including hamburgers, brats, wood-fired pizza and food trucks. Guests may bring their own food, but alcohol must be purchased onsite. New for 2026 is free parking in the large grass lot west of the winery, off George Flagg Parkway.
- When: 6-9 p.m. Thursdays
- Where: Jasper Winery, 2400 George Flagg Parkway
- Remaining dates: July 9, July 16, July 23, July 30 and Aug. 6.
Jazz in July
Jazz in July has free Tuesday performances on the lawn at Hoyt Sherman Place. Guests may bring blankets or chairs, and performances are scheduled rain or shine.
- When: 5:30 p.m. Tuesdays
- Where: Hoyt Sherman Place, 1501 Woodland Ave., Des Moines
- Remaining dates: July 14, July 21 and July 28.
Levitt AMP Earlham Music Series
The Levitt AMP Earlham Music Series has free, family-friendly concerts on Sunday evenings at Earlham City Park. For more information, visit the Levitt AMP Earlham Music Series Facebook page.
- When: 6 p.m. Sundays
- Where: Earlham City Park, located between Northeast Sycamore and Northeast Maple streets and Northeast Second and Northeast Third streets in Earlham.
- Remaining dates: Sundays through Aug. 16.
Maytag Bowl Summer Concert Series
Newton’s Maytag Bowl Summer Concert Series has free, family-friendly music on Thursday evenings. Guests may bring chairs, blankets or refreshments, and food trucks are scheduled for several remaining dates.
- When: 7-9 p.m. Thursdays
- Where: Maytag Bowl, 305 S. 11th Ave. W, Newton
- Remaining dates: July 9, July 16, July 23, July 30 and Aug. 6.
Music in the Junction
On Thursday nights this summer, Valley Junction hosts Music in the Junction, a free outdoor concert series held with the Valley Junction Farmers Market. The beverage garden opens at 5 p.m., and live music runs in the evening at Railroad Park in West Des Moines.
The Thursday schedule runs weekly into September.
- When: Thursday nights from 5 to 8:30 p.m.
- Where: Railroad Park Stage, 425 Railroad Ave., West Des Moines
- Remaining dates: Thursdays through Sept. 24.
Music Under the Stars
Music Under the Stars has one remaining 2026 concert. The free series features performances by local instrumentalists and bands.
- When: Sunday, July 12, from 7 to 8:30 p.m.
- Where: Lauridsen Amphitheater at Water Works Park, 2251 George Flagg Parkway
- Remaining date: July 12.
Nights in the Heights
The Windsor Heights Foundation has weekly Tuesday concerts in the Windsor Heights Community Center and Colby Park area.
Food, ice cream and drink trucks are part of each performance. Guests are encouraged to bring their own chairs or blankets for seating, and a splash pad and playground are nearby for families.
- When: 7 p.m. Tuesdays
- Where: Windsor Heights Community Center and Colby Park area, 6900 School St., Windsor Heights
- Remaining dates: July 14, July 21 and July 28.
Rendezvous on Riverview
Rendezvous on Riverview has free, family-friendly concerts along the Des Moines River. Attendees are encouraged to bring chairs or blankets. Outside food and beverages are not permitted.
- When: 5:30-9 p.m. Fridays
- Where: Riverview Park, 710 Corning Ave., Des Moines
- Remaining dates: Fridays through July 31.
Roosevelt Summer Sundays
Nirmalendu Majumdar/Ames Tribune
Roosevelt Summer Sundays is in its 23rd year with free outdoor concerts at Roosevelt Park in Ames. Remaining performances include Jeni Grouws, The Swampland Jewels, Jason Danielson & Friends, James Tutson, Matt Terronez Band, The Get Down, June Bugs and Southbound.
A donation bucket is passed through the crowd for people who would like to help support the series. Donations can also be made online.
- When: 7 p.m. Sundays
- Where: Roosevelt Park, Ninth Street and Roosevelt Avenue, Ames (In case of inclement weather, the backup location is the Collegiate United Methodist Church Annex, 130 South Sheldon Ave.)
- Remaining dates: July 12, July 19, July 26, Aug. 2, Aug. 9, Aug. 16, Aug. 23 and Aug. 30.
Tunes at Twilight and Sounds of Summer Concert Series
On select Thursday nights this summer, Iowans can enjoy Tunes at Twilight at Johnston Town Center on the Yard. Concerts run from 6:30 to 9 p.m. Remaining 2026 performances include:
- Thursday, Aug. 13: Suede & Sons of Gladys Kravitz
- Thursday, Sept. 24: The Sheet & Damon Dotsom
Sounds of Summer has free concerts on select Saturdays at the Yard. Remaining performances include:
- Saturday, July 25: The Trip
- Saturday, Aug. 29: Not Quite Brothers
- Saturday, Oct. 3: The Pork Tornadoes
Where: Johnston Town Center, 6221 Merle Hay Road, Johnston
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