Pocket Park Live series brings outdoor music, theater to downtown Scranton

Now in its second year, the Pocket Park Live series returns to Christopher A. Doherty Park on the corner of Linden St. and Wyoming Ave. in downtown Scranton Aug. 1 and 2, 2025! The series is a project of Scranton Tomorrow and the City of Scranton Arts Committee.

“We are proud to partner with the City of Scranton and the performers who bring our collective vision to reality for the 2nd Annual Pocket Park Live series,” said Leslie Collins, president and CEO, Scranton Tomorrow. “True to our mission, these performances serve a dual purpose. They are an economic driver for the downtown business district, and they enhance the quality of life within our region through free and accessible arts and cultural programming for people of all ages.”

Pocket Park Live is a prime example of the power of community partnerships.

"We are proud to financially support Pocket Park Live in its second season through the Scranton Arts Committee," Scranton Mayor Paige G. Cognetti said. "Thank you to all the performers who will share their talents to help us fill downtown Scranton with art and music through the fall."

Featuring live music and theater productions, the series kicks off with a jazz theme this weekend (Aug. 1 & 2). Doug Smith’s Dixieland All-Stars perform on Friday night, followed by the NEPA Jazz Project in concert on Saturday afternoon. All programs are free and open to the public.

Save the dates!

Pocket Park Live starts Aug. 1 and continues select weekends through Oct. 4. Programs include:

Doug Smith’s Dixieland All-Stars

Friday, Aug. 1, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.

Enjoy an open-air concert featuring Dixieland, a subgenre of Jazz dating back to early 20th century America. This style of music is one of the country’s earliest original art forms. Doug Smith’s Dixieland All-Stars embraces a modern approach to Dixieland music while retaining the deep, traditional roots of this medium.

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NEPA Jazz Project

Saturday, Aug. 2, 1:30 to 3:30 p.m.

Comprised of a rotating group of local jazz musicians, this concert features Jacob Cole on drums; his father, Joe Cole, on bass; Vince Marrone on guitar; and Mark Woodyatt on violin. Enjoy an afternoon of unique approaches to jazz standards.

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Fringe Fest Preview

Friday, Sept. 5, 6 to 9 p.m.

Sample a few of the productions featured in the upcoming Scranton Fringe Festival this fall (Sept. 25 through Oct. 5) and mingle with some of the artists at this special preview during Pocket Park Live!

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Scranton Shakespeare Festival

Saturday, Sept. 6, 2 to 3 p.m.

Since 2011, the Scranton Shakespeare Festival has been devoted to bringing professional theater to the public. This year’s festival runs through Aug. 3 at the Marketplace at Steamtown. Enjoy a sample of what Scranton Shakes is all about at this special performance during Pocket Park Live.

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Scranton Fringe Festival production of

Oscar Wilde's “The Importance of Being Earnest”

Friday, Oct. 3, 6 p.m.

Saturday, Oct. 4, 2 and 6 p.m.

Under the direction of Cate McDonald, this Scranton Fringe Festival production of Wilde’s classic comedy is a trivial comedy for serious people, and a must-see for anyone who appreciates a good laugh!

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Learn More!

For more information, follow Scranton Tomorrow on social media.