The City of North Liberty has announced its lineup for the inaugural season of Hy-Vee Amphitheater at Centennial Park for May through July. Highlights include a free debut concert, a variety of arts partnerships, and the return of the Blues & BBQ festival. Additional ticketed shows are anticipated in August and September and will be announced at a later date.
Events, dates, and brief descriptions are below so residents and visitors can begin making plans to visit the new outdoor stage. Full event details will be released as each event approaches.
The Pork Tornadoes
Friday, May 22
Free to attend thanks to Shive-Hattery Architecture & Engineering
Kick off Memorial Day weekend – and the inaugural season of Hy-Vee Amphitheater – with a free concert featuring The Pork Tornadoes. Experience North Liberty’s new entertainment venue, grab a bite to eat, enjoy some beverages, and sing and dance to a two-hour show from one of the Midwest’s favorite party band.
A Night at the Movies with Orchestra Iowa
Saturday, May 30
presented by MidWestOne Bank
Fans of some of Hollywood’s biggest films like Jurassic Park, Star Wars, E.T., and Indiana Jones can look forward to A Night at the Movies with Orchestra Iowa. The concert will feature the music of composer John Williams.
Ballet Des Moines
Saturday, June 6
Free to attend thanks to Corda Credit Union
A stop on Ballet Des Moines’ summer Transformations tour. Prior to the ballet’s one-hour professional show, students of North Liberty-based local studio Debut Dance will perform.
Fanfare & Flight
Thursday, July 2
Free to attend thanks to North Liberty’s City Slate
Kick off your Fourth of July weekend celebrations. The evening will include a concert by the Iowa Brass band, followed by a 15-minute aerial light show from 150 choreographed drones.
North Liberty Blues & BBQ
Saturday, July 11
presented by Veridian Credit Union
North Liberty’s summer tradition returns for its 17th year of music, food, and fun for all ages. The Main Squeeze will headline the day of live, blues-inspired music programmed in partnership with The Englert Theater.
The Main Squeeze is a multicultural five-piece from Los Angeles, that have built a following in the States on the road – putting rubber to pavement and playing over 1,000 shows together over the past nine years. They are lauded across North America and Europe’s live music circuit and have toured and played with the likes of George Clinton & The Parliament Funkadelic, String Cheese Incident, Umphrey’s McGee, Marcus King, Big Gigantic, and more.
Elemental Circus
Sunday, July 26
Free to attend thanks to North Liberty’s City Slate
Performers will channel fire, air, water and earth at the Elemental Circus. Attendees can expect spinning fire torches and hoops, multiple aerialists suspended from the stage’s roof, water juggling tricks, acrobalance and more at one-hour show.
Buckets N Boards
Sunday, Aug. 9
Free to attend thanks to North Liberty’s City Slate
A one-hour high-energy amazing percussion, spectacular tap dancing, inventive instrumentation and clean comedy show. Buckets N Boards have toured the world, is one of the top headlining acts requested by Disney Cruise Lines and is currently in their 14th award-winning season in Branson, Missouri.
To Be Announced
Additional ticketed shows are in the works for August and September and will be announced at a later date.
About the Venue
Hy-Vee Amphitheater is an outdoor venue, located in Centennial Park at 1565 St Andrews Drive in North Liberty, Iowa.
The use of tobacco, nicotine, vape and other electronic smoking devices are prohibited in North Liberty parks, parking lots, trails, and public recreation areas.
Attendees of all free and ticketed events will need to bring a lawn chair (recommended) or blanket to enjoy the show.
Restrooms are available in the park year-round.
Alcohol is not allowed in the park outside of city-produced events. Concessions may not be available at all performances.
Event parking will be at the park or nearby shuttle lots, depending on the specific event.
Hy-Vee Center, an event hall connected to the outdoor stage, opened its doors in October 2025 for private rentals. Hy-Vee Amphitheater will debut in May 2026, with its season expected to run May through September, annually.
Season Sponsors
The 2026 Hy-Vee Amphitheater Season is made possible with support from TrueNorth Companies, Veridian Credit Union, Epiphany Dermatology, Dupaco Community Credit Union, MidWestOne Bank, Shive-Hattery, Corda Credit Union and the City of North Liberty. To become a Season Sponsor, contact Jillian Miller at [email protected].
