Downtown Concerts at Port Clinton
Gitarra Azul was one of six artists to perform during the 2024 season
FRIDAYS, JULY 11 - SEPTEMBER 26* | 6 PM - 8 PM
PORT CLINTON SQUARE | 600 CENTRAL AVE.
*No concert July 25 or August 22
What’s better than a summertime Friday evening? A summertime Friday evening with a concert! The City of Highland Park is excited to announce the return of free, City-sponsored Downtown concerts at Port Clinton Square (600 Central Ave.) on select Friday evenings July 11 through September 26. Bring a lawn chair and kickoff your weekend with live music from a diverse range of artists and genres including: folk, reggae, blues, soul, classic rock, Latin, and more.
NEW IN 2025 - We’re excited to bring you an extended season featuring 10 Friday evening concerts, performances from a variety of artists and genres (including special performances by Highland Park performing arts groups), on-site food and beverage vendors, and an exciting extended finale on September 26 featuring a festive scarecrow trail through Downtown Highland Park, sponsored by Mariani Landscape.
Get ready for more music, more food, and more fun in 2025!
2025 Entertainment & Vendor Lineup
*No concerts July 25 or August 22
JULY 11 | 6 PM - 8 PM
The Oh Yeahs | Acoustic vocal trio
FOOD & BEVERAGE OPTIONS FROM:
Awesome Mini Donuts
Fluffy Bunny
Steep Ravine Brewing Company
AUGUST 1 | 6 PM - 8 PM
Kaleidoscope Eyes | Beatles tribute band
FOOD & BEVERAGE OPTIONS FROM:
Fluffy Bunny
Indus Progressive Indian
Steep Ravine Brewing Company
AUGUST 15 | 6 PM - 8 PM
Guy King | Vocal jazz classics
FOOD & BEVERAGE OPTIONS FROM:
Fluffy Bunny
Steep Ravine Brewing Company
Yellow Duck Truck
SEPTEMBER 5 | 6 PM - 8 PM
Radio Free Honduras | Latin Rock
FOOD & BEVERAGE OPTIONS FROM:
Fluffy Bunny
Steep Ravine Brewing Company
Yellow Duck Truck
SEPTEMBER 19 | 6 PM - 8 PM
Dave Specter | Chicago Blues
FOOD & BEVERAGE OPTIONS FROM:
Fluffy Bunny
Steep Ravine Brewing Company
Yana’s Speakeasy
JULY 18 | 6 PM - 8 PM
Urban Roots Band | Reggae
FOOD & BEVERAGE OPTIONS FROM:
Fluffy Bunny
Indus Progressive Indian
Yana’s Speakeasy
AUGUST 8 | 6 PM - 8 PM
Michelle Hallman Band | Classic rock & pop
FOOD & BEVERAGE OPTIONS FROM:
Fluffy Bunny
Indus Progressive Indian
Steep Ravine Brewing Company
AUGUST 29 | 6 PM - 8 PM
Guitarra Azul | Flamenco
FOOD & BEVERAGE OPTIONS FROM:
Awesome Mini Donuts
Fluffy Bunny
Steep Ravine Brewing Company
SEPTEMBER 12 | 6 PM - 8 PM
Don Stiernberg Quartet, Feat. Petra van Nuis | Jazz
FOOD & BEVERAGE OPTIONS FROM:
Awesome Mini Donuts
Fluffy Bunny
Steep Ravine Brewing Company
Entertainment for the July and August concerts provided by Audible Sound Productions, Inc. Entertainment for the September 5, 12, and 26 concerts provided by Life Rhythms, Inc.
2025 Grand Finale & Scarecrow Trail
Friday, September 26 | 4 PM - 8 PM
Wrap up the 2025 Downtown Concert series with a fun fall afternoon. Interact with giant, live scarecrow puppets at Port Clinton Square and jam out to awesome tunes:
4 PM - 4:30 PM | Mary Macaroni
4:45 PM - 5:15 PM | Istvan & His Imaginary Band
5:30 PM - 6:30 PM | Ben Tatar & the Tatar Tots
Plus enjoy a variety of food & beverage options from the following vendors:
6:30 PM - 8 PM | Saturday June Band
End the afternoon by embarking on a magical Scarecrow Trail! Find over two dozen festive scarecrows across Downtown Highland Park, all decorated by local businesses and sponsored by Mariani Landscape. Be sure to vote for best in show! See the gallery below for last year’s scarecrows.
More info & map coming soon!
Getting to the Downtown Concerts at Port Clinton Square & Parking
Downtown Concerts at Port Clinton Square will take place at Port Clinton Square (600 Central Ave.).
Ample parking can be found throughout downtown Highland Park, including a parking garage underneath Port Clinton Square, nearby surface lots, a parking lot along St. Johns Ave., and a two-level parking deck south of Central on First St. and St. Johns. The City encourages guests to use non-motorized transportation where available. Bike racks are available at The Lot and in the immediate vicinity, and the Metra is a viable option, too. Information about parking in the City of Highland Park is available here.
Downtown Highland Park is also easily accessible via public and non-motorized transport.
Metra - take UP-N to the Highland Park station, located a 4 minute walk from The Lot.
Pace Bus - take Highland Park/Highwood Route 472 to the St. Johns/Central stop, across the street from The Lot.
Bike/Walk - from the north, take the Robert McClory Bike Trail south to Vine Ave. Head east on Vine, turning south onto St. Johns Ave. From the south, take the Robert McClory Bike Trail north along St. Johns Ave. Bike racks are available at The Lot and in the immediate vicinity.
Thank You to Our 2025 Sponsors!
For sponsorship opportunities and packages, please contact Ripple Public Relations - info@ripplepublicrelations.com / 847.432.6000