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“Concert for Heroes” is the symphonic concert held at the Riverside National Cemetery and is the only show of its kind to be held in a national cemetery.  Wednesday, July 3rd, 2024 before America celebrates its Independence Day, the Riverside Philharmonic Orchestra performs a program of patriotic and popular classics held at the amphitheater located in the Riverside National Cemetery.

The inspiration for the Concert for Heroes came from the 1999 Congressional Medal of Honor Society Convention that was held in Riverside, CA. On day one a concert was used to kick off the start of the convention. The concert was so well-received, that a small committee was formed to make this an annual event to honor servicemen and women from the past and present.

The concert is modeled after the famous Boston Pops Fourth of July concert celebration, although due to the “Concert for Heroes” at the Riverside National Cemetery, the music must be fitting to its location.

The concert welcomes its guests by first beginning with a pre-concert which can be either live or pre-recorded music. In the past, the “Concert for Heroes” has had a youth Fife and Drum Corps, a barbershop quartet, a youth chorale, a brass ensemble, and a bluegrass group as pre-concert live music. Then the show is kicked off with a small fireworks display while the national anthem is performed.

The Riverside Philharmonic orchestra performs a mix of patriotic, Americana music, movie scores and famous classical works. All pieces selected are intended to engage the audience in expressing liberty and freedom. The concert ends with a show-stopping firework display as “Stars and Stripes Forever” is played.

The concert is open to the public and is free to attend. The program begins at 7:00 P.M and should conclude by 9:30 P.M. Dress casually, no bare feet. People are encouraged to bring chairs and blankets to enjoy the concert under the stars.