Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra to Launch 2026 RPO OUTDOORS Summer Series

The Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra announced its 2026 RPO Outdoors Summer Series, a monthlong lineup of concerts spanning city parks, stadiums, beaches, mountaintops, and community gathering spaces throughout the Rochester region this July. Featuring a mix of full-orchestra performances, chamber ensembles and family-friendly community events, the series invites audiences to experience live orchestral music in some of the area's most beloved outdoor venues.

The series opens with a star-spangled holiday weekend led by RPO Music Director Andreas Delfs, who will conduct the first three concerts. The opening performances include Red, White and Boom! at CMAC on July 2, a patriotic celebration under the stars featuring fireworks and family-friendly pricing; RPO @ Red Wings at ESL Ballpark on July 3, where fans can come for the game and stay for music and fireworks; and a free community performance at the Perinton Center Stage Amphitheatre on July 5.

Throughout July, the RPO will present more than 15 performances across the region, including free concerts at Ontario Beach Park, Parcel 5 and SUNY Brockport. Each Tuesday night will feature free, open-to-the-public concerts performed by RPO chamber ensembles at one of four City parks, made possible by significant public funding from Monroe County and the City of Rochester. Additional highlights include annual stops at SUNY Geneseo, Temple B'rith Kodesh, and a special Adirondack appearance in Inlet, N.Y. For the first time, the Outdoors schedule includes an RPO performance at Genesee Country Village & Museum.

The series culminates with the return of the beloved RPO at Bristol Mountain concert on July 16, rain date July 19, featuring pay-what-you-want tickets for adults and free admission for children under 18, thanks to generous underwriting by the Killian J. and Caroline F. Schmitt Foundation.

“The RPO Outdoors series is all about bringing music directly to the community,” noted Maestro Delfs. “From free neighborhood concerts to large-scale celebrations with fireworks and all the bells and whistles, these performances create shared summer experiences for audiences of all ages. It's truly an honor to be able to serve our community in this way.”

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