Hole up in a movie theater or concert hall during a Puget Sound summer? No way! Families in our region have a dizzying array of ways to get outdoors and sample the same great entertainment they enjoy during the winter months. We’ve put together a list of concerts, movies and theater that’ll get you outside and, in most cases, not even cost you a penny. Bring a blanket or chairs (when allowed) and something to nosh on, then kick back and relax under clear skies.

MUSIC + PERFORMANCES
Sounds of Summer Concert Series. Enjoy live music, great food from U Village restaurants, the lively beer garden and fun activities in the Kids’ Area! Wednesdays, July 11-August 15. Doors open at 5:15 pm/ Concerts from 6:00-8:00pm, July 11: Hit Explosion, July 18: The Dusty 45s, July 25: LeRoy Bell & His Only Friends, August 1: Clinton Fearon & The Boogie Brown Band, Children’s pre-show at 5:00 pm: Casper Babypants featuring Chris Ballew (from The Presidents of the United States of America), August 8: TBA, August 15: The Paperboys. University Village, Seattle. [RAVENNA /UNIVERSITY DISTRICT]

Out to Lunch. Enjoy free music at locations around downtown Seattle. Performances aren’t geared specifically toward kids, but it’s a great excuse to explore the downtown core. Updates to come. Downtown Seattle events. [DOWNTOWN SEATTLE]

Seattle Presents. Presented by the Office of Arts & Cultural Affairs, Seattle Presents features free, outdoor, lunchtime concerts on the City Hall plaza in July and August. Stay tuned. The lineup will announce the lineup in the spring. Updates to come. Seattle Presents. [DOWNTOWN SEATTLE]

Concerts at the Locks. We can’t think of a prettier place to hang on a summer afternoon than what is popularly known as “the Ballard Locks.” On Saturdays and Sundays, enjoy 2 p.m. concerts that includes jazz and big band. June 2- September 3. Highlights include Barneleikarringen - Children's Scandinavian Dance (Sunday, June 10); Seattle Civic Band (Wednesday, July 4); Coal Creek Jazz Band (July 15). Free. Hiram M. Chittenden Locks, 3015 N.W. 45th St., Seattle. 206-783-7059. [BALLARD]

Arts in the Parks. Redmond’s summer music and theater arts series is held in July and August on the City Hall campus. Tuesday afternoon performances are geared for small children and their caregivers, while Friday evenings are for the whole family. Free. Updates to come. 15670 Redmond City Hall campus green space, N.E. 85th St., Redmond. 425-556-2300. Arts in the Parks [REDMOND]

Kirkland Summer Concert Series at Marina Park: Children’s Concerts. Tuesdays at 10 a.m. July 10, Johnny Bregar; July 17, Caspar Babypants; July 24, The Not-It's!; July 31, Eric Herman and the Thunder Puppies; August 7, Recess Monkey; August 14, Cowboy Buck and Elizabeth; August 21, The Board of Education; August 28, The Brian Waite Band. Marina Park, 25 Lakeshore Plaza Drive, Kirkland. City of Kirkland. [KIRKLAND]

Mostly Music in the Park. Pop, world music, big band and jazz performed under the Veteran’s Recognition Pergola. Free. July 22–Aug. 19: Sundays & Thursdays at 7 p.m. This year’s eclectic lineup features world music and local sounds. July 22: Dixie Kings Jazz Brass. July 26: Eclectic Approach. July 29: Convergence Zone Bluegrass. Aug.2: Wild Snohomians. Aug.5: Snake Suspenderz. Aug.9: Rouge. Aug.12: Route 66. Aug.16: Ruzivo. Aug. 19: Smilin’ Scandinavians. July 22: Mercerdale Park, 77th Avenue Southeast and Southeast 23rd Street, Mercer Island. mercergov.org [MERCER ISLAND]

Lunchtime Music Series, Richmond Beach. Tuesdays at noon July 10-August 14. July 10: Halau Hula O’ Napualani. July 17: Smilin Scandinavians. July 24: Anzanga Marimba Ensemble. July 31: Jeff Evans Aug. 7: Caspar Babypants. August 14: Jimmy Free’s Friends. Free. Noon. Richmond Beach Saltwater Park, 2021 N.W. 190th St., Shoreline; Hamlin Park, 16006 15th Ave. N.E., Shoreline. 206-801-2700. [SHORELINE]

Everett Children’s Series. Thursdays 10 a.m. July 12- August 23. Free. July 12: Paul Lippert’s Tall Tunes. July 19: The Not-Its. July 26: Brian Vogan and His Good Buddies. Aug.2: Tim Noah. Aug.9: Recess Monkey. Aug.16: Brian Waite Band. Aug 23: Caspar Babypants. Silver Lake at Thornton A. Sullivan Park, 11405 Silver Lake Road, Everett. 425-257-8700. [EVERETT]

WonderStage. Updates to come. Free. Noon. Lynnwood's annual summer performance series for kids is held at Lynndale Park Amphitheatre.Lynndale Park Amphitheater, 18927 72nd Ave. W., Lynnwood. (If it rains, shows move to Lynndale Elementary School Gym. Call 425-670-5732 after 10:30 a.m. on the day of the show to see where the show is being held.) [LYNNWOOD]

Mill Creek Children’s Concert Series. Free. Wednesdays at noon. July 25: Eric Haines. Aug.1: Alleyoop. Aug.8: Tia Quakertunes. Aug.15: Buck & Elizabeth. Library Park, 15429 Bothell-Everett Highway, Mill Creek. 425-745-1891. [MILL CREEK]

Kent Kids’ Concert Series. http://www.ci.kent.wa.us/content.aspx?id=19622 Wednesdays, noon. Free. July 11: Tickle Tune Typhoon. July 18: Il Teatro Calamari “Rapunzel.” July 25: Roberto the Magnificent. Aug.1: Caspar Babypants. Aug.8: Recess Monkey. Aug.15: The Harmonica Pocket. Town Square Plaza, Second Avenue and Harrison Street, Kent. 253-856-5050. [KENT]

Lacey Children’s Entertainment Series. http://www.ci.lacey.wa.us/news-events/arts-events. Tuesdays at 6:30 p.m. Free. Updates to come. Huntamer Park, Seventh Avenue Southeast and Woodland Square Loop, Lacey. 360-491-0857. [LACEY]

Summer Sounds at Skansie. Celebrating its tenth anniversary, the festival presents a lineup of favorites from the past 10 years. Tuesdays at 6:30 p.m. Free. June 26: The Coats. July 3: WA Army National Guard 133rd Army Band. July 10: Danny Vernon. July 17: Magical strings. July 24: The Beatniks. July 31: Barry McGuire Trippin the 60s. Aug,7: Timberland Ridge. Aug.14: The Funaddicts. Aug.21: Pearl Django. Aug.28: Perry Acker. Gig Harbor Guide [GIG HARBOR]

Auburn Kids’ Summer Stage. http://www.auburnwa.gov/government/calendars/community/kids_summer_stage_s_p6863.asp?EventMode=View&EventOccurrence=0. July 11: Recess Monkey. July 18: Louie Foxx Magician. July 25: Eric Ode. Aug. 1: Eric Herman. Aug. 8: Caspar Babypants. Aug.15: Brian Vogan and his Good Buddies. Noon concerts at Les Gove park every Wednesday beginning July 11th. Les Grove Park 910 9th St. S.E., Auburn, 253-931-3043.

Bonney Lake Kids’ Club. http://www.citybonneylake.org/section_community/parks_recreation/special_events.shtml#kidsclub. Updates to come. Mondays at 6:30 p.m., Tuesdays at 11 a.m., July 9- Aug.28. Cedarview Park 9301 208th Ave E. Bonney Lake.

Puyallup Concerts in the Park. http://www.cityofpuyallup.org/files/library/5a4ee74075dbb6cc.pdf. Three concert series geared toward families: Tuesdays 12-1 p.m., Wednesdays and Thursdays 6:30-8:30 p.m. July- August. Pioneer Park 324 S. Meridian. 253-841-5457.

Tacoma Noon Tunes. http://www.metroparkstacoma.org/calendar/index.php?cid=991. July 13: Cowboy Buck and Elizabeth. Aug.3: Rodney Raccoon. Aug.24: Nancy Stewart. Free kid friendly concerts 12-1 p.m. Star Center 3873 S. 66th St. Tacoma. (253) 404-3939.

THEATER
Two fine Shakespeare companies present outdoor performances of the Bard’s best at parks all over the region. Two things in these performances’ favor (aside from the high quality, of course): If the kids get antsy, you’re free to get up and move around, and attending won’t cost you a cent. Visit each company’s website for schedule and directions.

Wooden O performs Much Ado About Nothing and Othello. Free. Thursdays–Sundays (most shows at 7 p.m.), Locations include Luther Burbank Park on Mercer Island, Pine Lake Park in Sammamish, Angle Lake Park in SeaTac, Des Moines Beach Park, City Hall Open Space in Redmond, Issaquah Community Open Space, Volunteer Park and Seattle Center in Seattle, Lynndale Park in Lynnwood and Edmonds City Park. performs The Winter’s Tale and Twelfth Night. http://www.seattleshakespeare.org/WoodenO/index.asp. Free. Thursdays–Sundays plus two Wednesdays (most shows at 7 p.m.), July 12–Aug. 12. Locations include Richmond Beach Community Park in Shoreline, Mercerdale and Luther Burbank Park on Mercer Island, Pine Lake Park in Sammamish, Angle Lake Park in SeaTac, Des Moines Beach Park, City Hall Open Space in Redmond, Issaquah Community Center Open Space, Volunteer Park and Seattle Center in Seattle, Lynndale Park in Lynnwood and Edmonds City Park. Wooden O

GreenStage’s Shakespeare in the Park series includes series includes The Taming of the Shrew and Henry VIII. Free. Thursdays–Sundays (most shows at 7 p.m.), July 13–Aug. 18. Locations include Seattle’s Camp Long and Volunteer, Seward, Magnuson, Woodland, Judkins, Lincoln and Discovery parks; Lynndale Park in Lynnwood; Fall City Park; Redmond City Hall Open Space; and Dottie Harper Park, Burien. GreenStage

MOVIES
Movies @ Marymoor. Buy treats from on-site vendors or bring your own — and dogs are welcome, too! Seating starts at 7 p.m., with entertainment about an hour before show time and movies at dusk. $5, parking extra. 7/11:Grease. 7/18: Hugo. 7/25: Crazy, Stupid Love. 8/1: The Muppets. 8/8: Moneyball. 8/15: Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory. 8/22: Raiders of the Lost Ark. 8/29: The Princess Bride. Marymoor Park, Redmond. Movies @ Marymoor [REDMOND]

Carillon Point Outdoor Movie Nights. The movies aren’t free, but your $5 donation benefits local nonprofit Hopelink. And the location can’t be beat: Movies are projected onto a large screen overlooking Lake Washington. Bring chairs and some cash for concessions. Shows start at dusk. July 14: Thor. July 28: The Princess Bride. Aug.11: Kung Fu Panda 2. Aug.25: Footloose. Sept.8: The Lorax. Carillon Point Outdoor Movie Nights [KIRKLAND]

Cinema Under the Stars. Pre-show entertainment (7:30 p.m.) includes arts and crafts, magic and puppet shows, and music. Movies begin at dusk. Free. Updates to come. Thornton A. Sullivan Park, 11405 Silver Lake Road, Everett. 425-257-8700. [EVERETT]

Outdoor Cinema Series. Music at 7 p.m., followed by a movie at dusk. July 14: That Thing You Do. July 21: Disney’s Tangled. July 28: Rio. Aug.4: Soul Surfer. Aug.11: Double Feature Night: Hairspray and Mamma Mia! There’s a bonus show on July 2 in conjunction with the ASA 10U State Fastpitch Championship; head to the Regional Athletic Complex (8345 Steilacoom Road S.E.) for A League of Their Own at dusk. Free. Huntamer Park, Seventh Avenue Southeast and Woodland Square Loop, Lacey. 360-491-0857. [LACEY]

CinemaGig Outdoors. Free popcorn and family movies at Skansie Brothers Park! July 6: Ghostbusters. July 7: Monsters vs. Aliens (both at 9:15 p.m.). July 20: West Side Story. July 21: Lady and the Tramp (both at 9 p.m.). Aug.3: Water Horse. Aug.4: Disney’s Earth (both at 8:30 p.m.). Aug.17: Footloose. Aug.18: Happy Feet II (both at 8:15 p.m.). Free. Movies start at dusk, and if it rains, the show is canceled. Skansie Brothers Park, 3207 Harborview Drive, Gig Harbor. Gig Harbor Guide [GIG HARBOR]

Summer Sounds and Cinema. Enjoy music at 7 p.m. and movies at dusk at parks around Tacoma. Free. Updates to come. [TACOMA]

Kris Collingridge is ParentMap’s Out & About editor.