ROCKIN’ THE RIVER CONCERT SERIES 
TO RETURN IN JULY 2026

WILKES-BARRE - Visit Luzerne County has announced that the 8th annual Rockin’ the River summer concert series will return in July of 2026. The series, which takes place at the Millennium Circle at River Common in Wilkes-Barre, began in 2019 and has become one of Luzerne County’s most popular summer events, with crowds ranging from 3,000 to nearly 6,000. This year’s lineup is as follows:

• July 17 – Every Breath You Take: A Tribute to Sting & The Police, with special guests Aaron Fink & The Fury

• July 24 – Hotter Than July: A Tribute To Stevie Wonder, with special guests Bret Alexander & Friends  

• July 31 – Mere Mortals, with special guests Gracie Jane Sinclair & The Band

Rockin’ The River 2026 press conference at the Millennium Circle, from left: Dave Pedri, President & CEO of The Luzerne Foundation; Romilda Crocamo, Luzerne County Manager; Mayor George Brown, City of Wilkes-Barre; Alan K. Stout, Executive Director, Visit Luzerne County. The musical lineup was announced on Thursday.   

 

  

 

The Rockin’ the River shows are free and all-ages. Gates open at 5 p.m. and music runs from 6-9 p.m. There will be food vendors and beverages from the Susquehanna Brewing Company. The shows are presented by Visit Luzerne County and the Riverfront Parks Committee. Major sponsors are Geisinger, Lewith & Freeman, Mountain Productions, PSC (Petroleum Service Company), Mericle/DiscoverNEPA, the City of Wilkes-Barre, The Luzerne Foundation, and the Susquehanna Brewing Company.

 “Rockin’ The River is no longer a new venture,” said Alan Stout, executive director of Visit Luzerne County. “We’re heading into our eighth year, and people now expect to have three great nights of music along the Susquehanna every summer. And we are happy to oblige. Rockin’ The River has truly given us some wonderful nights of music, with great community spirit. And the tradition will continue. Each show is a major production, but thanks to our great team and our generous sponsors, we can provide these shows to the community at no cost.”

 As has become its tradition, Rockin’ the River will once again feature three headliners that have never performed at the music series before.

“One of the things that we’re the most proud of is that, since 2019, we haven’t repeated a tribute act as a headliner, and this year will be the first time we’re presenting the timeless music of Sting and The Police and the soulful sounds of Stevie Wonder. Both shows will feature incredible set lists, and we can’t wait to hear ‘Message In A Bottle’ and ‘Fields of Gold’ being performed along the Susquehanna, and the soulful funk of ‘Superstition’ and ‘Sir Duke.’ And the support acts for each show feature some of the best artists that NEPA has ever produced. Bret Alexander, of The Badlees, and Aaron Fink, formerly of Breaking Benjamin, are both inductees of the Luzerne County Arts & Entertainment Hall of Fame and have surrounded themselves with fantastic musicians.”

 Stout added that the final show, with Mere Mortals and Gracie Jane Sinclair & The Band, should be a special night for local, original music.

 “Mere Mortals have released three fabulous albums and, just earlier this week, it was announced that they will be 2026 inductees into the Luzerne County Arts & Entertainment Hall of Fame,” he said. “They were once voted the area’s ‘Best Original Band’ and received a Billboard magazine Songwriters Achievement Award. Vocalist Eddie Appnel received a ‘Lifetime Achievement Award’ from the Steamtown Music Awards, and he is the co-founder of Tony’s Wine Cellar Open-Mic Jam, which is now in its 12th year and has helped showcase hundreds of local musicians. And drummer Marko Marcinko is the founder of the Scranton Jazz Festival. Their music seems to have an eclectic and dynamic mix of influence - from The Beatles, to U2 and The Police - but it has no boundaries. They’ve got great songs, and the entire band is just loaded with talent.”

 Stout said having Gracie Jane Sinclair on the same bill should make the night extra special.

 “She’s a star on the rise, and people have noticed,” he said. “She’s won the ‘Best New Artist’ and ‘Artist of The Year’ at the Steamtown Music Awards, plus the Steamtown ‘People’s Choice Award’ for ‘Song the Year’ and ‘Best Female Vocalist.’  And she’s one two ‘Best of The Best’ awards for ‘Best Female Vocalist.’ By pairing her up with Mere Mortals, we’re offering two generations of NEPA talent on the same stage, on the same night.

 “We look forward to seeing everyone in July.”  

(Photo courtesy of DiscoverNEPA)