After six years of bringing music to the heart of Cuyahoga Valley National Park, the Sunday concert series Rhythm on the River kicks off its summer 2026 season this Sunday, June 7.

Members of Hubbs Groove.The series has evolved from a pandemic project into a beloved summer attraction that draws families and music lovers to Howe Meadow for an afternoon of free live music (and parking) and community connection.

"We're really excited to just continue what's been an established tradition from the pandemic to now," says Conservancy for Cuyahoga Valley National Park vice president of community partnerships Donté Gibbs. "We’re looking forward to welcoming new visitors and folks who have made this a part of their tradition."

Blues-rock energy
This year's marquee addition is Apostle Jones, a blues-rock band making its Rhythm on the River debut when the season opens this coming Sunday, June 7. Organizers say the Cleveland-based band's blues-rock sound makes it a natural fit for the concert season opener.

"For folks who have not listened to Apostle Jones before, I think they're going to come to Rhythm on the River, hear them sing, and stand up and dance right away because they have such a cool blues rock vibe going," says Conservancy community engagement director Kimberly LoVano.

“It's such a fun concert to be in the middle of Cuyahoga Valley National Park, but it’s also just such a fun musical vibe that I don't think anyone's going to be able to resist just fully getting into the groove and getting up and dancing.”

LoVano describes Apostle Jones’ sound as having energizing and inspiring influences. "They have a really cool sound—you can feel the influence of rock and blues,” she says. “I listened to them and I don't know how you don't get up and start dancing to this. It’s just very cool, very smooth."

Building on last year's successful pilot program, two of the concerts will again feature local community groups opening for the main acts.

The crowd enjoys the Theron Brown Sextet last year at Rhythm on the River.The opening group for Apostle Jones on Sunday will be Trust Drum Circles—which offers adaptive drum circles and music-based programs that foster growth, joy, and belonging through rhythm-based experiences for people of all ages and abilities.

On Sunday, July 12, award-winning local jazz group Hubb’s Groove will perform with Detroit-based soul-jazz flutist Athea René.

René’s music creates a relaxed complement to the park setting—inviting audiences of all ages to move, unwind, and soak in the moment together.

Hubb's Groove, led by drummer Robert Hubbard Jr., follows with a blend of soul, jazz, and R&B that brings a different energy to the afternoon.

Forecast closes out the season on Sunday, Aug. 9, bringing its contemporary instrumental sound to Howe Meadow. Blending soulful grooves and dance-ready rhythms, the group provides a fitting soundtrack for a late-summer afternoon in the park..

Linedance Is My Therapy, which offers line dance classes that create a safe, fun, and inclusive csouommunity that “promotes being you,” will warm up the crowd before the Forecast show.

"It’s a nice way to kind of just get folks to feel a little more comfortable by getting into line dance right before the show," Gibbs notes.

Adapting and improving
The 2025 Rhythm on the River series faced weather-related obstacles that prompted organizers to rethink the event layout. "Last year, we were dealt a bit of a tricky hand with the weather, and we had to reschedule the first [event],” recalls Conservancy for CVNP marketing & communications director Audrey Housman. “And then we were dealt a very hot day and a very muggy day. So we did see a little bit of a dip in attendance last year.”

Soul-jazz flutist Athea RenéSo, Housman says she and the Rhythm on the River organizers designed a new footprint that offers options for avoiding extreme weather conditions.

"This year, we're working with a new footprint for the event that creates a lot more opportunity for folks to [find their ideal spots],” she explains. “If they want to be in the sun, they can be in the sun. But we’re also taking advantage of the tree canopy in Howe Meadow to create natural shade for folks.”

The layout changes reflect the organizers' commitment to responding to attendee preferences as the event constantly evolves.

"We're always sort of in listening mode with the audience from our surveys, from our family and friends that are attending the shows," says community partnerships VP Gibbs. "Rhythm on the River all started during the pandemic, when being outdoors was one of the safest things that we could do, and folks wanted that social distancing.

“But as things have changed and evolved, we've been listening,” he continues. “Folks want to be closer together, but then also they want shade, they want trees, they want to feel that park feel a bit more."

More than music
Rhythm on the River continues to offer family-friendly activities and opportunities to explore the natural features of Cuyahoga Valley National Park. Gibbs says they also add a few more features to make sure park guests are comfortable.

He explains that the kids' zone has park rangers and volunteers from Cleveland Recreation Center providing "informal conversations about our junior ranger program, what it's like to be a park ranger, just sort of breaking down some of those barriers.”

Food trucks remain a popular draw, with FrankieLynn Hot Dogs, Frios Gourmet Pops, and Grippy’s Sauce Co. confirmed among the six to eight vendors planned for each concert.

A Park Experience
The organizers emphasize that Rhythm on the River offers more than just a concert—it's an invitation to experience the national park.

Rhythm on the River."We always encourage folks like bring a lawn blanket, bring some chairs, bring a picnic. Make yourself at home for the afternoon," Conservancy community engagement director LoVano says. "We see a lot of folks who come at 2:30 and they don't leave until long after the act ends—because it's just such a relaxing time to be in the middle of the national park."

Gibbs adds that the event's location provides easy access to CVNP’s Indigo Lake and The Beaver Marsh, allowing attendees to explore between musical sets. Sometimes, the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad adds an unexpected soundtrack.

"We always have sort of a surprise guest at Rhythm on the River,” Gibbs teases. “Sometimes the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad comes through."

As Rhythm on the River prepares for its sixth season, the combination of established tradition and thoughtful evolution promises another summer of music, community, and connection in one of Ohio's most scenic settings.