Rockport Music On the Town

A free, day-long celebration of live music, pop-up performances, and contemporary circus across Rockport.

download the event flyer

Saturday, July 11, 2026

On the Town transforms Rockport into a free day of live music, contemporary circus, hands-on activities, and creative experiences for all ages. More than 30 performances unfold throughout town—from the Rockport Exchange Farmers’ Market and Front Beach to Bearskin Neck, Millbrook Meadow, and the Shalin Liu Performance Center. Bring a picnic, discover a new favorite artist, try your hand at circus skills, and experience Rockport filled with music from morning through evening.

Admission is free, and audiences are encouraged to explore throughout the day. Wander between community stages, settle in for a concert, discover interactive activities, or make Millbrook Meadow your home base as performances unfold across town.

Schedule and Map

Hand painted map of Downtown Rockport by Mary Faino

Discover What’s Happening

Community Stages Throughout Town

Live music fills five community stages throughout downtown Rockport, with performances beginning at the Rockport Exchange Farmers’ Market before spreading to the Rockport Public Library Courtyard, Tuna Wharf, the lawn of the First Congregational Church of Rockport, Harvey Park, and Front Beach. From folk and jazz to bluegrass, world music, rock, and singer-songwriters, every stop offers something different.

9am music starts at the Rockport Exchange Farmers’ Market

10-12pm community stage performances

3-6pm community stage performances

Shalin Liu Performance Center

Tour the Shalin Liu Performance Center with volunteer docents, relax in the third-floor reception hall overlooking Sandy Bay, and experience the fast-paced Collage Concert, where fifteen artists and ensembles take the stage in a continuous afternoon of short performances celebrating the breadth of music featured throughout the festival.

10am doors open for docent-led tours

2-5pm collage concert of community stages artists

Millbrook Meadow

A tented performance space blends contemporary circus and live music, from an afternoon picnic-style performance to an evening spectacle. Visitors can also try circus activities throughout the day with teaching artists from Seaside Circus Cape Ann.

12pm Circus 617 Mixtape featuring the Balourdet Quartet and Miles Wilder

2:30pm Student and staff showcase from Seaside Circus Cape Ann

4pm Student musician performance hour featuring Cape Ann Youth Chorus and Cape Ann Jazz Messengers

6:30pm Circus Extravaganza finale featuring the Boston Circus Guild and Emperor Norton’s Stationary Marching Band

Find Yourself On the Town

Families

Rockport Music On the Town is for everyone–families, too! Millbrook Meadow will be a vibrant hub of activities include opportunities to try out circus skills with Seaside Circus Cape Ann, instrument exploration with Johnson Strings and winds and brass from David French Music, and tours and nature activities from volunteers with the Millbrook Meadow Conservancy. The third floor of the Shalin Liu Performance Center will be an air-conditioned escape open throughout the day.

Volunteers

Interested in supporting Rockport Music On the Town as a volunteer? With music all over town and events happening throughout the day at the Shalin Liu Performance Center and our big tent on Millbrook Meadow, we almost certainly have a place for you to help out!

Volunteers will be scheduled in 2 to 3 hour shifts and will have the opportunity to choose from a variety of assignments including: Setup, Community Stage Monitor, Millbrook Meadow Activity Support, Shalin Liu Performance Center, Artist Liaison, and Breakdown/Cleanup. Read more to find what fits your interests and sign up here: On the Town Volunteer Sign Up.

Inquiries

If you are a member of the press, social media corps, or a business interested in learning more about On the Town, please reach out to Rockport Music Creative Content Strategist, Julian Mendoza: jmendoza@RockportMusic.org