No-charge music events to attend for Free Week 2026

Free Week 2026 is just around the corner with myriad no-charge events to attend. For all the music lovers and goers, here is a list of all the music-related events occurring next week. From karaoke at AlleyCat to concerts at Voxman, there is something for everyone.

Monday, Feb. 16 – 17

To kick off the free week of music, AlleyCat is hosting two nights of metal music and karaoke. These events are for ages 21 and older and will run from 8 p.m. to 2 a.m.

Wednesday, Feb. 18

On the third day of Free Week, Voxman is hosting a Chamber Music concert featuring works by Lowell Liebermann. Liebermann is a Ida Cordelia Beam Distinguished Visiting Professor from the Mannes School of Music program from The New School in New York.

The concert will feature various instruments, including flute, organ, contrabass, piano, violin, cello, and alto saxophone and will be performed by School of Music faculty and staff.

Thursday, Feb. 19

If you’re looking to learn more about Liebermann, Voxman is hosting a conversation between Liebermann and current Hancher composer-in-residence Gabriel Kahané. Titled “American Voices,” the two composers will discuss their process and works. The event starts at 6 p.m. and is free and open to the public.

Friday, Feb. 20

To begin the weekend of Free Week, John D. Neal, a Nashville singer and songwriter, will be performing at Elray’s Live & Dive at 7 p.m.

At 7:30 p.m., the University of Iowa Symphony Orchestra will be performing compositions by Liebermann and Kahané at Voxman.

From 8-11 p.m., singer Dage Lee will be performing a free concert at Vue Rooftop. Lee is a country-music artist from Nebraska.

To round off the night of music, the band Jacoozy with headliners Under High Street will be performing at Gabe’s. Doors for that event will open at 8 p.m.

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Saturday, Feb. 21

For an afternoon of fun for all-ages, the UI Museum of Natural History is hosting a silent disco from 2-6 p.m. Free headphones will be available for participants to checkout, and visitors are invited to walk through the galleries.

At 6:30 p.m., the UI Symphony Band will be holding a Showcase Concert at Voxman. This free concert is open to the public. Later that evening, Voxman will host the Del Sol Quartet at 7:30 p.m. They will be presented by the UI String Quartet Residency program in collaboration with the UI Center for Asian and Pacific Studies.

For some Englert entertainment, singer-songwriter Elizabeth Moen will be performing a free concert starting at 7:30 p.m. An Iowa native now based in Chicago, Moen’s music consists of indie rock and American folk.

As the night of music continues, Gabe’s is featuring three bands in their Lou Sherry Local Showcase Concert from 8 p.m. to 12 a.m. In addition to Lou Sherry, the free performance will also feature the bands Dead Level Set and Airspace.

Elray’s Live & Dive is also hosting another music artist at 8 p..m. Lil Man J is a 20-year-old artist from South Carolina whose music went viral on social media. His most viral song is “Cap Freestyle,” which he released at the age of 17, and charted Spotify’s Top 5 on the U.S. Viral Chart. His concert is free but is for visitors 21 and older.

Vue Rooftop is also featuring a music event at 8 p.m. The Eastern Iowa band Painted Porch will be performing a free concert that will run until 11 p.m. While the event is free, Vue Rooftop is encouraging visitors to reserve their seating in advance.

To cap the second to last night of Free Week, Midwest band Camp Cardinal Band is performing at AlleyCat at 9 p.m. The event is free but is for ages 19 and older.

Sunday, Feb. 22

For the final music night of Free Week, Voxman takes the stage with two concerts. The first is the Iowa Honor Band Showcase Concert that is free and will start at 1 p.m. At 7:30 p.m., the Center for New Music is hosting their Ensemble Concert III featuring 20 musicians.