Festival Overview & New Features

• Admission: Completely Free!

• Food & Drinks: 50+ local food and beverage vendors offering everything from international street food to sweet summer treats.

• Artisans: 50+ local makers showcasing handcrafted jewelry, pottery, woodworking, and unique gifts.

• Family Nook (Presented by Mayo Clinic): Open from 11:00 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. featuring yard games like Giant Jenga, Connect Four, basketball toss, and mini-golf.

• Youth Booth Vendors: New for 2026! A dedicated space next to the “A Not So Private Sky” art installation on Peace Plaza, highlighting young entrepreneurs ages 12–18 selling unique crafts and baked goods.

• Souvenirs: Official festival T-shirts are available for $20 (Sizes S to 2XL) at the blue Rochester Downtown Alliance booth on Peace Plaza.

Complete 2026 Live Music Band Lineup

With two stages and six incredible performances every Thursday, the festival offers continuous live entertainment. Stages feature music at 11:30 a.m. (Lunchtime), 5:00 p.m. (Happy Hour), and 7:00 p.m. (Headliners).

June 11

• Kahler Grand Hotel Stage (Peace Plaza): Minneapolis Jazz Guitar Duo (11:30 a.m.) | Austin Simpson (5:00 p.m.) | VeeGees (7:00 p.m.)

• Altra Federal Credit Union Stage (1st Ave): Bruce Burniece (11:30 a.m.) | Sing Along Beer Choir by MPR (5:00 p.m.) | Shabby Road Orchestra (7:00 p.m.)

June 18

• Kahler Grand Hotel Stage (Peace Plaza): Ryan Sullivan (11:30 a.m.) | Colin Bracewell (5:00 p.m.) | Unicorn (7:00 p.m.)

• Altra Federal Credit Union Stage (1st Ave): Hannah Hammond (11:30 a.m.) | Mark Cameron & Blues Factory (5:00 p.m.) | Incognito (7:00 p.m.)

June 25

• Kahler Grand Hotel Stage (Peace Plaza): Steve Solkela (11:30 a.m.) | Loud Mouth Brass (5:00 p.m.) | Los Rebeldes (7:00 p.m.)

• Altra Federal Credit Union Stage (1st Ave): D’Sievers (11:30 a.m.) | Pretty Pretty Please (5:00 p.m.) | Six Mile Grove (7:00 p.m.)

July 9

• Kahler Grand Hotel Stage (Peace Plaza): Jeremy Jewell (11:30 a.m.) | Cole Allen Band (5:00 p.m.) | Brass Queens (7:00 p.m.)

• Altra Federal Credit Union Stage (1st Ave): Clay Fulton (11:30 a.m.) | Femmelectric (5:00 p.m.) | Dred I Dread (7:00 p.m.)

July 16

• Kahler Grand Hotel Stage (Peace Plaza): Chris Lawrence (11:30 a.m.) | Mississippi Hot Club (5:00 p.m.) | Electric Blue: A Cranberries Tribute Band (7:00 p.m.)

• Altra Federal Credit Union Stage (1st Ave): Sothea Lam (11:30 a.m.) | Thomas and the Shakes (5:00 p.m.) | Teeth (7:00 p.m.)

July 23

• Kahler Grand Hotel Stage (Peace Plaza): Eleanor Sievers (11:30 a.m.) | Hollow Doubts (5:00 p.m.) | Pitch-A-Friend Singles Event (7:00 p.m.)

• Altra Federal Credit Union Stage (1st Ave): Mark Stary (11:30 a.m.) | Amateur (5:00 p.m.) | County Line Drive (7:00 p.m.)

July 30

• Kahler Grand Hotel Stage (Peace Plaza): Dan Israel (11:30 a.m.) | Sister Luv (5:00 p.m.) | La Manga (7:00 p.m.)

• Altra Federal Credit Union Stage (1st Ave): Ali Gray (11:30 a.m.) | Hair of the Dog (5:00 p.m.) | Junk FM (7:00 p.m.)

August 6

• Kahler Grand Hotel Stage (Peace Plaza): James Gray (11:30 a.m.) | Alexander Natalie (5:00 p.m.) | Chubs (7:00 p.m.)

• Altra Federal Credit Union Stage (1st Ave): Lojo Russo (11:30 a.m.) | Neon Arrival (5:00 p.m.) | Annie Mack (7:00 p.m.)

August 13

• Kahler Grand Hotel Stage (Peace Plaza): Paul Atkins (11:30 a.m.) | Horse Tornado (5:00 p.m.) | True North (7:00 p.m.)

• Altra Federal Credit Union Stage (1st Ave): Pure Rock Studios (11:30 a.m.) | Revved Up (5:00 p.m.) | Soul Train (7:00 p.m.)

2026 Special Events & Youth Booth Schedules

Notable Summer Highlights

• June 11 (5:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.): Bring the Sing Rochester on the 1st Ave Stage, featuring the Twin Cities Beer Choir for a massive, high-energy community sing-along.

• June 18 (12:20 p.m.): Special Olympics 2026 Torch Run. Law enforcement and athletes carry the Flame of Hope through 1st Ave and Peace Plaza on their way to the Special Olympics USA Games.

• July 23 (7:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.): Pitch-A-Friend Singles Event on the Peace Plaza Stage. Skip the apps and watch friends pitch their favorite singles using creative slide presentations.

Weekly Youth Booth Schedule

Stop by the Peace Plaza entrance to discover and support young local creators:

• June 11 (4–8pm): RMN-Fishing Baits

• June 18 (11am–3pm): Night Owls Jewelry Shop | (4–8pm): Custom Tumblers

• June 25 (11am–3pm): Emily’s Animals | (4–8pm): Kinny’s Cookies

• July 9 (11am–3pm): MN Ice Dyes & All Scrunched Up | (4–8pm): The Salty Grip

• July 16 (11am–3pm): Artsy Fartsy | (4–8pm): Lotus Retreat

• July 23 (11am–3pm): Addy B’s Creations | (4–8pm): Paige Abrahamson

• July 30 (11am–3pm): Avie Cakes | (4–8pm): ARTaholic

• August 6 (11am–3pm): Sister Slimez | (4–8pm): Weston Apples

• August 13 (4–8pm): Squarakeet Crafts

Ensure a Stress-Free Summer at Home

While you are downtown enjoying great music, food trucks, and local shopping, you want to ensure your home runs like clockwork. Summer heat waves and frequent hosting place additional stress on your household systems.

Before you head out to Peace Plaza, ensure your heavy-hitting domestic appliances are up to the task:

• Air Conditioning & Ventilation: Vital for keeping your home ice-cold when returning from a long, humid day at the festival.

• Refrigerators & Ice Makers: Keep your summer beverages chilled, ingredients fresh, and backyard BBQ items perfectly preserved.

• Washers & Dryers: Quickly handle food spills, festival dirt, and grass stains on your favorite summer outfits.

Reliable, Local Service You Can Trust

If an appliance acts up or fails during a busy summer week, Appliance Repair Rochester delivers prompt, same-day repair services citywide. We offer full coverage for all local ZIP codes (55901, 55902, 55903, 55904, 55905, 55906) as well as surrounding communities including Stewartville, Byron, and Kasson.

Keep your home running seamlessly behind the scenes so you can focus on enjoying the absolute best of Rochester’s summer season!

📞 Need Immediate Appliance Assistance? Call Us Today: (507) 868-1090

Related Festival Events:

1. 22nd Annual Minnesota Frozen River Film Festival 2027
2. 12 Top Winter Events, Activities & Festivals in Rochester