Photo:
A scene from a past Celebrate Woodinville summer concert. Credit: Photography by Carol Hook
The kids are out of school, the tots are underfoot, you've got to get out of the house! Luckily, many free outdoor concert series are back this summer after last year's pandemic summer off.
Best of all? The concerts and performances are in local parks and they're almost all free. Show up, sing along, play, dance. Roll out a blanket and have a picnic.
Did we miss a great series? Email calendar@parentmap.com to let us know, and check out our list of South Sound-area free summer concerts and performances.
Seattle-area outdoor performances:
Downtown Summer Sounds, downtown Seattle
The Downtown Summer Sounds series is coming back with a bang this summer. There will be over 70 free, in-person concerts at various parks and venues in the Seattle downtown core, including Freeway Park, Westlake Park and Pier 62. Stay tuned for dates and locations to be announced soon.
Details: Select dates, July 1–Sept. 30, mostly at noon. Free.
Location: Various downtown Seattle spots. Click the link above for act, date and location info.
Welcome Back Celebrations, Seattle
The City of Seattle invites everyone to celebrate a returning to normal now that proper vaccination rates have been reached. There will be three large-scale celebrations in three Seattle areas; Chinatown-International District, Pioneer Square, and Westlake. Come celebrate with free concerts, 'Halloween in July', sidewalk sales, art demonstrations, a vaccine pop-up if you still need your shot and more!
Details: July 17–18, July 24 and July 25. Free.
Location: Hing Hay Park (July 17–18), Occidental Park Square (July 24) and Westlake Park (July 25)
Pier 62 Beats & Eats, Seattle
Come check out the first section of the new Waterfront Park to open, Pier 62, for food trucks and DJ's every Friday night at 4:30 p.m. Grab a bite to eat and feel the beat while admiring fantastic views of the water and downtown.
Details: Fridays, July 9–Sept. 3. Free.
Location: Pier 62, Seattle
ShoreLake Arts Concerts in the Park, Shoreline
ShoreLake Arts is bringing back free concerts this year with two Wednesday evening performances by 2020 Battle of the Bands winners.
Details: July 28 and Aug. 4 at 6:30 p.m. Free.
Location: Animal Acres Park (July 28) and Kruckeberg Botanic Garden (Aug. 4)
Kent Summer Concert Series
This series offers a bounty of weekly options from July 7–Aug. 18. Free kid-focused shows happen on Wednesdays, noon–1 p.m., at Morrill Meadows Park. Two additional series are family-friendly and take place in the evenings on Wednesdays, 6–8 p.m. at Kent Station, and on Thursdays, 7–8:30 p.m. at Lake Meridian Park.
Details: Select dates July 7–Aug. 18. Free.
Locations: Morrill Meadows Park, Kent Station, Lake Meridian Park
Eastside outdoor performances:
Concerts on the Green, Issaquah
Stake out a spot on Issaquah Community Center lawn on Tuesdays at 7 p.m. for outdoor concerts that will make the whole family want to get up and dance. This summer's series features terrific tribute bands.
Details: Tuesdays, July 13–Aug. 24, 7 p.m. Free.
Location: Issaquah Community Center
Bellevue Beats Music Series
Make lunchtime extra special by catching one of Bellevue's mid-day, mid-week outdoor concerts. Offered every Wednesday and select Thursdays, noon–1 p.m., at numerous downtown Bellevue locations. Concerts are also available for streaming.
Details: Wednesdays and select Thursdays, July 7–Sept. 8, noon–1 p.m. Free.
Location: Check the schedule for venue info
Celebrate Woodinville Concert Series
Live it up on warm summer nights at Woodinville's outdoor concert series taking place at Wilmot Gateway Park on four Wednesdays at 6:30 p.m. In true wine-country fashion, there will be local wine and craft beer available for purchase (for adults), plus food truck fare for sale for a yummy picnic dinner.
Details: Wednesdays, July 14–Aug. 4, 6:30–8 p.m. Free.
Location: Wilmot Gateway Park, Woodinville
KidsFirst! Entertainment Series, Sammamish
Spend the afternoon at Beaver Lake Park enjoying outdoor entertainment especially for kids. Mark your calendar for spirited storytelling by mother-daughter duo Ruth & Emilia, wizard rock by Tonks and the Aurors and more, Thursdays at 1 p.m.
Details: Thursdays, July 22–Aug. 26, 1–2 p.m. Free; preregister.
Location: Beaver Lake Park, Sammamish
Concerts in the Park, Sammamish
Grab a blanket for evening concerts that the whole family will enjoy at Beaver Lake Park on Thursdays at 6:30 p.m.
Details: Thursdays, July 22–Aug. 26, 6:30–8 p.m. Free; preregister.
Location: Beaver Lake Park, Sammamish
Kirkland Summer Concerts: kids’ series
Pack up the kids and head to wonderful Juanita Beach Park (awesome new playground alert!) Tuesdays at 10 a.m. this summer. This park features wetland trails, bike paths and a beach in addition to the playground. Don't miss kiddie faves The Brian Waite Band (Aug. 3); Cowboy Buck and Elizabeth (Aug. 10) and The Not-Its! (Aug. 17).
Details: Tuesdays, Aug. 3–Aug. 17, 10 a.m. Free.
Location: Juanita Beach Park, Kirkland
Kirkland Summer Concerts: evening series
Enjoy music at this popular waterfront park on Thursday evenings. Performers include rock and roll band West Coast Feed, Seattle local Brian James and Motown-inspired Roemen and the Whereabouts.
Details: Thursdays, Aug. 5–19, 7–8:30 p.m., Free.
Location: Marina Park, Kirkland
North Sound outdoor performances:
Sounds of Summer Concert Series, Marysville
Marysville hosts two fun bands in Jennings Memorial Park on Fridays at 7 p.m. this summer.
Details: Fridays, July 16 and July 23, 7 p.m. Free.
Location: Jennings Memorial Park, Marysville
Marysville Children’s Concert, Marysville
Pack a picnic and enjoy popular children’s entertainer, Eric Ode on Wednesday, July 21, at noon, at Jennings Memorial Park.
Details: Wednesday, July 21, noon–1 p.m. Free.
Location: Jennings Memorial Park, Marysville
American Roots Music Series at Deception Pass, Oak Harbor
Depending on where you live, you may need to plan ahead a bit more for this series. Washington State Parks is putting on free outdoor concerts at the North Beach Amphitheater at Deception Pass State Park. Plan a day trip or an overnight to catch a Saturday night concert near the beach.
Details: Saturdays, July 10–Aug. 28, 7 p.m. Free; Discover Pass required to park.
Location: North Beach Amphitheater, Deception Pass State Park, Oak Harbor
Editor's notes: This article was most recently updated in 2021. Kris Collingridge, Lauren Valencia and ParentMap staff contributed to this article.
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