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, there are many Seattle summer concerts on the horizon.
Best of all? The concerts and performances are in local parks, and they’re all free. Show up, sing along, play, dance. Roll out a blanket and have a picnic. It’s the perfect casual summer day.
Summer concerts in Seattle and nearby:
Downtown Summer Sounds, downtown Seattle
The Downtown Summer Sounds series entertains downtown workers, summer tourists and, of course, families! Enjoy more than 30 free in-person concerts at various parks and venues in the Seattle downtown core, including Freeway Park, Westlake Park and Occidental Square.
Details: Select dates, July 7–Sept. 8, starting at noon or 5 p.m. Free.
Location: Various downtown Seattle spots. Check the full schedule on the Downtown Summer Sounds website.
Spotlight on the Waterfront, Seattle
Marvel at the waterfront views from Pier 62 while dancing to the groovy tunes of 2023’s Spotlight on the Waterfront series.
Details: Thursdays through July 13, 5–7 p.m., Free.
Location: Pier 62, Seattle
U Village Summer Concert Series, Seattle
Turn up at U Village’s Village Green for free summer concerts on six Wednesdays this summer. (Do not miss Nite Wave on July 19. Trust me!)
Details: Wednesdays, July 12–Aug. 16, 7–8:30 p.m. Free
Location: University Village, Seattle
ShoreLake Arts Concerts in the Park, Shoreline
ShoreLake Arts welcomes families for free summer concerts (and a Shakespeare play) with four Wednesday evening performances. No food trucks or refreshments this year, except on July 19, so bring a picnic and some low-back chairs from home.
Details: June 28–July 26, 6:30 or 7 p.m.
Locations: Pfingst Animal Acres Park, Richmond Beach Community Park, Cromwell Park and Kruckeberg Botanic Garden
This summer concert series offers a bounty of weekly options July 6–Aug. 16. Free kid-focused shows happen on Wednesdays, noon–1 p.m., at West Fenwick and Chestnut Ridge parks. Two additional series are family-friendly and take place in the evening: Family Date Night concerts happen on Wednesdays, 6–8 p.m., at Kent Station; and lakeside concerts take place Thursdays, 7–8:30 p.m., at Lake Meridian Park.
Details: Select dates July 6–Aug. 16. Free.
Locations: West Fenwick Park, Chestnut Ridge Park Kent Station, Lake Meridian Park
Bellevue and Eastside free summer concerts:
Make lunchtime extra special by catching one of Bellevue’s midday outdoor concerts, offered at numerous downtown Bellevue locations every Wednesday and Friday at noon.
Details: Wednesdays and Fridays, July 7–Aug. 25, noon–1 p.m. Free.
Location: Check the schedule on the Bellevue Beats website for specific venue info.
Concerts on the Green, Issaquah
Stake out a spot on the 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 11–Aug. 29, 7 p.m. Free.
Location: Issaquah Community Center
Celebrate Woodinville Summer Concerts
Live it up on warm summer nights at Woodinville’s outdoor concert series, taking place at Wilmot Gateway Park over four Wednesdays this summer. Showtime is 6:30 p.m. In true wine-country fashion, starting at 5:30 p.m., 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 12–Aug. 2, 6:30–8 p.m. Free.
Location: Wilmot Gateway Park, Woodinville
KidsFirst! Performance Series, Sammamish
Spend the afternoon at Sammamish Commons Plaza enjoying outdoor entertainment especially for kids. Mark your calendar for the Reptile Isle Hands-on Animal Adventure, Mikey Mike The Rad Scientist and more, Tuesdays at 1 p.m.
Details: Tuesdays, July 11–Aug. 22, 1–2 p.m. Free.
Location: Sammamish Commons Plaza at City Hall, Sammamish
Concerts in the Park, Sammamish
Grab a blanket for evening concerts at Pine Lake Park that the whole family will enjoy, Thursdays at 6:30 p.m.
Details: Thursdays, July 6–Aug. 24, 6:30–8 p.m. Free.
Location: Pine Lake Park, Sammamish
Kirkland Kids Summer Concert Series
Pack up the kids and head to wonderful Juanita Beach Park (awesome 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 kindie faves The Brian Waite Band (July 18), Harmonica Pocket (July 25) and The Not-Its! (Aug. 8).
Details: Tuesdays, July 11–Aug. 15, 10 a.m. Free.
Location: Juanita Beach Park, Kirkland
Kirkland Summer Evening Concerts
Enjoy music at this popular waterfront park on Thursday evenings throughout the summer.
Details: Thursdays, July 6–Aug. 24, 7–8:30 p.m. Free.
Location: Marina Park, Kirkland
Kenmore Summer Concert Series, Kenmore
Come enjoy concerts on the South lawn at Saint Edward State Park. Bring along a picnic or purchase food from a vendor. A Discover Pass is required to park.
Details: Thursdays, July 13 and 20, 6–8 p.m. Free.
Location: Saint Edward State Park, Kenmore
South Sound and South King County free outdoor concerts:
Kids Summerstage and Summer Sounds Concerts, Auburn
Stop by Les Gove Park for the Kids Summerstage. There is a fantastic playground to explore after the show. On rainy days, concerts will be rescheduled. The City of Auburn is also offering the evening Summer Sounds concert series.
Details: Kids Summerstage, Wednesdays at noon July 12–Aug. 16; Summer Sounds concert series, Thursdays at 6:30 p.m., July 13–Aug. 17. Free.
Location: Les Gove Park, Auburn
Summer Concerts at Covington Community Park
Enjoy family-friendly summer concerts on Friday evenings. Plan on some extra time before or after to explore the cool trails or the super fun playground.
Details: Friday night, July 21–Aug. 4 at 6:30 p.m. Free.
Location: Covington Community Park, Covington
Summer Sounds in Federal Way
Pack a picnic and head to Steel Lake Park for Federal Way’s Summer Sounds Concert Series. Turn up Aug. 9 at 11 a.m. for a special kids’ day.
Details: Wednesdays at 6:30 p.m., July 12–Aug. 2. Free.
Location: Steel Lake Park, Federal Way
Bonney Lake Summer Concerts
Cruise by Allan Yorke Park for Kids Club, great kid-approved entertainment. The Tunes at Tapps summer concert series brings live music of varying genres to the park for a great family picnic experience. An outdoor market precedes the Wednesday shows, beginning at 5 p.m. Check the lineup for both series at the website.
Detail: Kids Club, Mondays at 6:30 p.m., July 10–Aug. 21; Tunes at Tapps, Wednesdays at 6:30 p.m. in July 12–Aug. 23. Free.
Location: Allan Yorke Park, Bonney Lake
Puyallup Concerts in the Park
Outdoor concerts at Pioneer Park are back this year with two series to choose from: the Family Series on Thursdays and the Kids Noon Tunes on Tuesdays.
Details: Family Series, Thursdays July 6–Aug. 24 at 6:30 p.m.; Kids Noon Tunes, Tuesdays, at noon, July 11–August 22. Free.
Location: Pioneer Park, Puyallup
Summer Sounds at Skansie, Gig Harbor
Head to Skansie Brothers Park in Gig Harbor for waterfront outdoor concerts.
Details: Tuesdays from 6–8 p.m., July 11–Aug. 29. Free.
Location: Skansie Brothers Park, Gig Harbor
Maple Valley Music in the Park
Groove to family-friendly music lakeside at Lake Wilderness Park in Maple Valley on Thursdays. Stick around on select nights for a movie afterwards at dusk, or explore the expansive park complete with a playground and swimming beach.
Details: Thursdays at 6 p.m., Aug. 3–24. Free.
Location: Lake Wilderness Park, Maple Valley
Lacey in Tune Summer Concert and Entertainment Series
The City of Lacey also offers more than one outdoor entertainment option. There are family friendly noon shows, evening options and even a few Friday night concerts followed by a family-friendly movie.
Details: The Children’s Entertainment Series, Tuesdays at 6:30 p.m., July 11–Aug. 15, family-friendly Noon Tunes concerts, Wednesdays at noon, July 5–Aug. 9; Concerts and Movies at Dusk, Fridays at 7 p.m., July 14–Aug. 4. The concerts start at 7 p.m. and movies are shown at dusk. Free.
Location: Huntamer Park, Lacey
North Sound outdoor summer concerts:
Sounds of Summer Concert Series, Marysville
Marysville hosts bands in Jennings Memorial Park on Fridays at 7 p.m. this summer.
Details: Fridays, July 21–Aug. 4, 7 p.m. Free.
Location: Jennings Memorial Park, Marysville
Marysville Children’s Concert Series, Marysville
Pack a picnic and enjoy popular children’s entertainers three Wednesdays this summer at Jennings Memorial Park.
Details: Wednesdays, July 19, July 26 and Aug. 2, 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 8–Aug. 26, 7 p.m. Free; Discover Pass required to park.
Location: North Beach Amphitheater, Deception Pass State Park, Oak Harbor
More summer activities for families: |
Editor’s notes: Kris Collingridge, Lauren Valencia and ParentMap staff contributed to this article.
