Fort Wayne: Midwest Music City

Fort Wayne’s growing reputation as a Midwest Music City is well-deserved! From our amazing music festivals to our burgeoning nightlife scene, music lovers relish the time they spend in our community.

We are also home to the nation’s largest online music retailer, Sweetwater, whose Fort Wayne campus welcomes all visitors to enjoy its stunning retail store (one of the largest in the country), studios, performance center, and entertainment options.

Music Festivals

In Fort Wayne, summer fun starts with the many outstanding festivals found throughout our community. Music is a big part of what makes these events rock, check out the complete list here.

In addition, we are home to dozens of great music-specific festivals including Rock the Plaza, Buskerfest, Middle Waves, and more! Browse our list of music festivals that continue to grow:

Middle Waves

Now teaming up with the Embassy Theatre, Middle Waves Music Festival will return to Fort Wayne in 2024. A two-day music festival in the heart of downtown Fort Wayne, Middle Waves offers something for everyone including large interactive art projects.

Buskerfest

Held every summer, Buskerfest is a celebration of the street performer and the unexpected. Although you will find typical street performers like jugglers and balloon artists, you will also hear a lot of music from musicians and guitarists who will add to that unexpected atmosphere.

Taste of the Arts

Taste of the Arts, held annually in August, is a celebration of artistic talent with live performances of theatre, music, and dance on 10 stages, an art fair, hands-on activities, Buskers around the fountain, and an all-day artists market. The event is free and so is admission to the Fort Wayne Museum of Art, Cinema Center and History Center. Plus, dozens of local restaurants set up booths along Tasting Row, offering you the perfect opportunity to get a taste of Fort Wayne's culinary scene. Find performance times, maps, and more at tasteoftheartsfortwayne.org.

Music Venues

Fort Wayne is also home to dozens of great music venues around town! These venues host great acts that come through their doors throughout the whole year. Check below to learn more about each venue, and follow their schedules to catch a show!

• Allen County War Memorial Coliseum
• Baker Street Centre
• Brass Rail
• The Club Room
• The Clyde Theatre
• Embassy Theatre
• The Ruin
• The Sweetwater Performance Pavilion

There are even more opportunities to enjoy music in Fort Wayne, explore the Visit Fort Wayne Calendar of Events for all other concerts around town!

Sweetwater

If you’re a music gear aficionado, then you may have heard about Sweetwater! Sweetwater is the largest music retail store in the nation, and they are one of the nation’s leading musical instrument and sound retailers. Although music gear is their jam, you can do much more at this large facility! From band camps to concerts and jam sessions to recording studios, Sweetwater is the ultimate musician’s destination. Sweetwater always has something cool to explore throughout the summer. You may even be the first to hear a soon-to-be rock star! 

Enjoy their modern, open campus via a self-guided tour. Experience the thrill with a trip down their 2-story slide. Stop for lunch (or coffee) at the Crescendo Cafe or Downbeat Diner. There's always something going on at Sweetwater.