Helloooooooo Summer! We are SO ready to get our Summer partying on with all the joyful outdoor festivities. This is the time to strap on the fanny pack and head downtown for the best part of the year in Lawrence. From street festivals to, well, more street festivals, this is the time to get social (get ready to spend a lot of time at South Park). Slap on the sunscreen, it’s going to be a big month for partying in the sun and dancing under the stars. Here are the places to be this June (and if large social gatherings aren’t your thing, check out the other events to keep on your radar at the bottom).
Lawrence City Band Concerts
South Park | Every Wednesday in June
The first opportunity to experience music outdoors this Summer comes via the Lawrence City Band concerts.
One of the most beloved traditions in Lawrence is pulling up a lawn chair and a picnic blanket, and stretching out on the soft grass at South Park every Wednesday evening for the Lawrence City Band concerts. This year, they’re back with a host of themes throughout the Summer. The band is so stuffed with talented musicians, it’s nearly impossible to even get a chance to audition and get a spot (musicians tend to stick with them long-term). Fun fact: they only get together to rehearse each show once—just a couple of hours beforehand. Can you believe it? Their talent is unmatched.
Summer Schedule:
Hark, Do You Hear the Sea?
June 4, 2025
Martin Bergee, conducting
Duke Ellington, Taylor Swift, and Journey
June 11, 2025
Paul Popiel, conducting
A Tribute to Leroy Anderson
June 18, 2025
Martin Bergee, conducting
Hollywood Days!
June 25, 2025
Martin Bergee, conducting
America the Beautiful
July 2, 2025
Martin Bergee, conducting
Hollywood Nights!
July 9, 2025
Paul Popiel, conducting
Summer Finale
July 16, 2025
Paul Popiel, conducting
Concerts at the Campanile
KU Campus | June 10 – 14
Full disclosure, yours truly is affiliated with the KU School of Music.
This is a different kind of music event than what we usually write about, but it’s so unique that we had to include it in our preview for June. We’re all familiar with the beautiful sounds coming out of the bell tower on the KU Campus, but did you know they hold regular concerts? This Summer, you’ll hear even more music coming from the Campanile as the Guild of Carillonneurs holds their national conference at KU this year. That means Carillonneurs (musicians who play the bronze bells at the top of the tower) from all over the nation will be gathering in Lawrence for the week. Lawrence citizens will benefit the most, as these musicians will all get the chance to perform at the Campanile. Make sure you lay out the picnic blanket and enjoy the free show!
Schedule for the Carillon Concerts:
6/10 6:00-6:45 pm
6/11 8:30-8:50 am
9:00-9:20 am
9:30-9:50 am
10:00-10:20 am
10:30-11:00 am
7:15-8:00 pm
8:15-9:00 pm
6/12 8:30-8:50 am
9:00-9:20 am
9:30-9:50 am
10:00-10:30 am
10:40-10:55 am
7:15-8:00 pm
8:15-9:00 pm
6/13 8:30-8:50 am
9:00-9:20 am
9:30-9:50 am
10:00-10:45 am
6/14 8:30-9:15 am
Juneteenth
South Park | June 14
Juneteenth has consistently been one of the music events we look forward to every year. The day-long event features a parade followed by a block party, and that’s where the magic happens. The entire community comes together for the annual celebration, featuring speakers, poets, and musicians. There are so many musicians that get booked on this stage that you’re likely to find your new favorite act here. This year’s celebration features all local performers.
Kaw River Roots Fest
The Granada, Lucia | June 27 – 29
The big music event this summer is Kaw River Roots Fest. While the annual event for bluegrass lovers is usually held at Abe and Jake’s, this year it’s split across three locations in Downtown Lawrence over three days. Sets are divided between Lucia, The Granada, and the street in front of Granada for the big show.
Now, if you’ll recall last year’s Kaw River Roots Fest, you may remember an unbelievably large and exuberant crowd for Split Lip Rayfield’s set. Well, this year is a special one as the band is headlining on Mass Street to celebrate their 30 year anniversary. That’s three decades of going through almost all the trials and tribulations a band can endure, and they’re still one of the nation’s most beloved bluegrass acts. This will be paired with a special screening of a documentary on the band at Free State Fest (get your tickets for that here).
This will likely be the most unforgettable night of the year for live music (and local music) fans. The wildest part? It’s all ages and free.
Schedule:
6.27 Friday Night: Inside the Granada and Lucia: Moonshroom // John Depew Trio // Pretend Friend // Sophia Clark // Whiskey Mash // Betsy O & The Hollaback Boys // The Facklers
6.28 Saturday Night: Live on Mass outdoor stage in front of The Granada: Split Lip Rayfield + Front Porch // Lauren Lovelle & The Midnight Spliffs; After Party at The Granada with Johnny Mullenax; After Party at Lucia with DJ Proof
6.29 Sunday Daytime: Bluegrass Brunch at Lucia: Johnny Mullenax Band // Front Porch // Jenna + Martin + Friends
This is the place where Nirvana & Green Day played in a small, standing-room-only shack. This is the place where Janelle Monae packed in her hometown crowd. George Clinton has funked up our streets and we “fought the power” with...
