Free Summer Concerts in Boston 2022
Summer Concerts Boston and Beyond
2022 Boston Summer Concerts
Please note, the we are awaiting info for the 2022 summer concert season. Stay tuned!!
The sounds of summer are pretty sweet in Boston. Outdoor concerts are a summer staple and Boston provides a plethora of opportunities to spend warm summer evenings outside with friends, enjoying food and drinks and your favorite tunes.
As the temperatures soar, so does the summer concert calendar. Read on for our picks for free concerts of Summer (unless otherwise noted).
Boston ParkARTS Citywide Neighborhood Concerts 2022
Throughout the summer, join in on Boston Neighborhood Summer Concerts held all over the city with many different performers in Roxbury, Dorchester, Brighton and Roslindale!
The ParkARTS outdoor neighborhood summer concerts are free of charge in local City of Boston parks. The concert series begins at 7:00pm.
CX Summer Nights continues with free outdoor concerts at Cambridge Crossing, featuring live music, craft brews, food trucks, and lawn games! Proceeds to support the Cambridge non-profit community.
photo courtesy of CX
Top off your week with the Lexington Summer Concert Series on Friday evenings from 6:30pm to dusk. Bring your blankets and chairs and head to Emery Park, (Depot Square, Lexington MA) and enjoy a different genre of live musical performances each week in July & August.
Summer nights come alive with tantalizing sounds of the 215th Army Band, The Rhythmix Band, Boston Blackstone and even a family concert with Ben Rudnick and Friends.
Dorothy Curran Summer Concert Series
Be a part of Boston's longstanding tradition of the Dorothy Curran Summer Concert Series at City Square Park. Now celebrating 46 years as Boston's longest-running outdoor concert series, performances on specified dates from July through the month of August feature exciting entertainment for music lovers of all ages. Concerts are free and begin at 7pm, so grab your spot and celebrate summer with music under the stars.
Jazz in the Park - North End Greenway
Jazz in the Park will be returning to the North End Park on The Greenway every Thursday from 6:30p-8p from July 21 to August 11.
This free outdoor concert series welcomes all to enjoy the sounds of the world from the comfort of the Rose Kennedy Greenway. Experience a new and unique artist each week!
Jazz in the Park is a recurring concert series hosted by the North End Music and Performing Arts Center (NEMPAC).
New England Conservatory Summer Concert Series
Enjoy the delight of classical musical performances by students at the New England Conservatory at the Annual Summer Concert Series/ New England. All concerts are free and open to public with a suggested donation of $10 at door. Please note that children under 6 are not admitted to these concerts.
BPL Concerts in the Courtyard
Spend Wednesday and Friday evenings taking in the sounds of the city at the Concerts In the Courtyard at the Boston Public Library. The courtyard of the Central Library in Copley Square comes alive with music with free one hour concerts throughout the summer months.
Settle in at one of Boston's most beautiful spaces and enjoy music in the courtyard that plays host to music that ranges from jazz to classical and from world to folk. Note that concerts are moved to Rabb Hall in the event of inclement weather.
Celebrate our Nation's birthday with top guest performers at the July 4th Sailabration Fundraising Concert with the Boston Pops. Join Boston in one of this country’s largest and oldest public Fourth-of-July events and one of the biggest annual outdoor concerts anywhere in the world! Plan to be wowed on July 3 (concert, 8-10:30 p.m.) and July 4 (concert and fireworks, 8-11 p.m.) at the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation’s (DCR) Hatch Memorial Shell on the Charles River Esplanade.
NARA Park Amphitheater Summer Concerts - Acton
Round up your family and friends, pack the picnic baskets, blankets, lawn chairs, and bug spray, and spend a musical evening at the free Thursday evening concerts at the NARA Amphitheater Concerts in Acton. Don't miss the free concert lineup which includes Indian Hill Music Big Band on Thursday, July 19th, Ben Rudnick & Friends on Thursday, August 9th, Karen K & The Jitterbugs Thursday, August 16th, and the Loose Connection on Thursday, August 23rd.
There will be large viewing screen and sound towers installed on Memorial Drive in Cambridge, to accommodate Boston Pops Fireworks Spectacular fans on the other side of the Charles River. Additionally, a large screen will be mounted for the second year in a row on the Rose Kennedy Greenway for additional public viewing.
Berklee Summer Concerts - Boston
Soothe your soul with musical talents of the rising stars of Berklee at the Berklee Summer Concerts In Sam Adams Park. Gather in Faneuil Hall at the Sam Adams statue, and enjoy a summer music series which celebrates a partnership between Berklee and the City of Boston. Enjoy free performances by Berklee students at 12:00 p.m. on selected Fridays throughout the summer.
Join the National Park Service, the Dorchester Heights Associations, and Boston Harbor for FREE summer evening concerts on the Heights at Thomas Park. The fun runs from 6-8pm on select dates throughout the summer months!
Boston Landmarks Orchestra Summer Concerts at the Hatch Shell
Bring a chair or blanket and a picnic and enjoy the tradition of symphonic musical entertainment with family and friends. Relax and enjoy free summer concerts under the stars all summer long at DCR's Hatch Shell in Boston performed by Boston Landmarks Orchestra. Take in the music of summer at free Hatch Shell concerts are held every Wednesday evening (7 p.m.) from July 10 through August 22, 2019.
Boston JazzFest
Get your groove on at the Boston Jazzfest. Gather with friends at Boston Maritime Park in the Boston Seaport for a ground-breaking festival featuring a musically diverse array of jazz artists performing on Boston’s Waterfront on August 30th and August 31st. Stroll through the festival and enjoy great music, delicious food and shop among the unique vendors who have set up shop at the event.
Summer Concerts in the Suburbs
In addition, there are lots of summer concert series that take place out in the 'burbs. Take a look at this roundup of town sponsored summer concerts and enjoy a summer evening of music and family fun.
ACTON
Wednesdays at NARA Park at 6:30 p.m.
July 24 — Steve Hurl, Jumpa Juba
Aug. 7 — Don’t Tell Jack
Aug. 14 — Loose Connection Band
Aug. 21 — Tony Funches, lead singer of the Platters
ASHLAND
Tuesdays, 7-9 p.m. (June and July) and 6:30-8:30 p.m. (August), Stone Park Gazebo, Summer Street
July 23 — Studio Two (Beatles)
July 30 — Lights Out Blues Band
Aug. 6 — MetroWest Community Band
Aug. 13 — Show Cause Band
Aug. 20 — Flashback (classic rock)
BELLINGHAM
Concerts on the Grass, Wednesdays, Town Common
July 24 — 6-7 p.m., free pony rides; 7-9 p.m. Jesse Liam Band, contemporary pop
CAMBRIDGE
Tuesdays, 6-8 p.m., Danehy Park, 99 Sherman St.
July 23 — Air Congo
July 30 — Nat Seelen and Friends
Aug. 6 — Alisa Amador, featuring Noah Anderson
CANTON
Wednesdays, 6:30 p.m., Canton High School (front lawn of Rodman Building). In case of inclement weather, call 781-821-5030.
July 24 — Ronnie Lewis & The Expedition
July 31 — Cactus Gang
Aug. 7 — The Leafmen
Aug. 14 — Jumpin’ Juba
DEDHAM
Wednesdays, starting with opening acts at 6:30 p.m., followed by the main attraction at 7 p.m., lawn of Endicott Estate.
July 24 — Boogaloo Swamis
July 31 — Martin Kelly Music
DOVER
Tuesdays from 7-8 p.m. on the Common. Knucklebones returns with children’s activities.
July 23 — Group Therapy
Aug .7 — to be announced
Aug. 14 — Eddy’s Shoe Band
FRAMINGHAM
Fridays, 6:30 p.m. (6 p.m. starting July 26), Village Green, Edgell Road and Oak Street
Cancellations will be announced by 4:30 p.m. on Framingham Parks & Recreation Facebook page and on the cancellation line, 508-532-5962.
July 19 — Tony Soul
July 26 — Dwayne Haggins
Aug. 2 — Local Freight
Aug. 9 — Back Pages
Aug. 16 — rain date
HOLLISTON
Tuesdays, 6:30 p.m., Goodwill Park.
July 23 — Lights Out
HOPKINTON
Sundays, 5 p.m., Common. Sponsored by Hopkinton Parks and Recreation.
July 21 — Hopkinton Community Summer Band
July 28 — Steve Spector and Hot Acoustics
Aug. 4 — Soul Function
Aug. 11 — Music Matters
Aug. 18 — Southbound Train
IPSWICH
Castle Hill Picnic Concerts are back! Pack a picnic supper and enjoy an evening of live music on the magnificent Grand Allee.
Stroll the grounds and explore the newly restored gardens while you enjoy a night out on the estate. Gates open at 5PM for picnicking. Advance ticket reservations are recommended but not required.
Each Thursday, July 1 – September 3, will feature a different family-friendly band, performing on Castle Hill’s Grand Allee overlooking Crane Beach.
2021 Entertainment Lineup
July 1 Soul City
July 8 Big Ol’ Dirty Bucket
July 15 Psychedelic Relics
July 22 The Hofners, An Evening of Beatlemania
July 29 Beantown Swing Orchestra
August 5 Entrain
Auugs 12 Soul Rebel Project
August 19 The Great Escape
August 26 Disco Dream
September 2 Orville Giddings Band
Don’t have time to pack a picnic? Purchase supper from one of our onsite vendors--Riverview Pizza and Down River Ice Cream.
photo courtesy of Trustees of Reservations
LINCOLN
Wednesdays, 6 p.m., Codman Pool, Ballfield Road. Sponsored by the Recreation Department. Admission is free; pool use for nonmembers is $5 per person. Concerts will be canceled or rescheduled in the event of rain.
July 24 — Knock on Wood
MARLBOROUGH
Thursdays, 7 p.m., Union Common, intersection of Route 85 and Main Street. Sponsored by the Mayor’s Office and the Recreation Department.
July 18 — Southbound Train Band
July 25 — Playback
Aug. 1 — Larry Bee and the Buzz
Aug. 8 — Flash Back
Aug. 15 — Dom V and the Swing Out Band
MEDFIELD
Thursdays, 6-8 p.m., at the gazebo next to the library. Cancellation Info: medfieldmemo.org.
July 25 — Back Pages
Aug. 1 — The Stacey Peasley Band (in case of rain, the concert will be performed at the Medfield Library).
Aug. 8 — Shane Wood Jazz Trio
Aug. 15 — The Keith Curbow Studio Band
MEDWAY
Mondays, 6-8 p.m., Choate Park.
July 22 — Lake Shore Drive Band
July 29 — The Reminisants
MILFORD
Family Night on the Bandstand, Tuesdays, 6:30-9 p.m., Milford Town Park, corner of Congress and Walnut streets. Information: claflinhill.org, 508-478-5924.
July 23 — The Claflin Hill Symphony Summer Winds
July 30 — Carolyn Rae & The Rumours
Aug. 6 — Swing Night with the Fantasy Big Band
Aug. 13 — Zach Innis and the HoneyBees
Aug. 20 — The Claflin Hill Symphony Summer Winds
NATICK
Concerts on the Common, Mondays, 7 p.m. (except for June 24 concert). In case of rain, call 508-647-6530 after 5 p.m. for cancellation information.
July 22 — HELP!
July 29 — Jimmy Lavezzo Tribute Band
Aug. 5 — Sometimes Banned
Aug. 12 — Southbound Train
*Family Performance Arts Series*, Wednesdays, 6:30 p.m., Natick Common. In case of rain, performances will take place at the Community-Senior Center, 117 East Central St.
July 24 — Karen K and the Jitter Bugs
July 31 — Jeff Thomas
Aug. 7 — Bob Bloom
NEEDHAM
Thursdays, 7 p.m., Memorial Park Gazebo. In case of inclement weather, concert will be performed at Newman Elementary School. Bring dinner, lawn chairs or a blanket, and enjoy the music.
July 18 — NCE Community Concert Band
July 25 — Element 78
Aug. 1 — Southern Rail
Aug. 8 — New Legacy Swing
Aug. 15 — 4EverFab
NEWTON
*Sundays on Newton Centre Green 6-8:30 p.m (corner of Langley Road and Centre Street) canceled in case of rain — no rain date.
July 21 — The Love Dogs
July 28 — Blue Suede Boppers
*Wednesdays “Dancing in the Parks,” sponsored by The Village Bank
July 24 — Big Chief, West Newton, Capt. Ryan Park, Washington and Cherry streets
July 31 — Daybreakers, Newtonville Senior Center, 345 Walnut St,
*Tuesdays, “Children’s Entertainment”
July 23 — Bee Parks and the Hornets, Newton Centre Green — come dressed in your favorite bee costume to dance, sing and “buzz” around the green.
Aug. 6 — Stacey Peasley Band, Newton Police Headquarters and Capt. Ryan Park — join our friends from the Newton Police Department as they celebrate “National Night Out,” an annual community-building campaign that promotes police-community partnerships and neighborhood camaraderie with the aim of making neighborhoods safer and more caring places to live.
NORTHBOROUGH
Sundays, 5-7 p.m., Ellsworth-McAfee Park, Route 135. Sponsored by the Northborough Community Affairs Committee. Free face painting and balloon art.
July 28 — Cold Spring Harbor
Aug. 11 — Way Up South
Playing Dead — Aug. 25
NORWOOD
*Carillon Concerts on the Common, Mondays, 7-8 p.m., Tilton Memorial Carillon, Washington and Nahatan streets. All concerts rain or shine.
July 22 — Jan Verheyen, Neerpelt, Belgium
July 29 — Patrick Macoska, Cleveland, Ohio
Aug. 5 — Margaret Pan, Somerville
Aug. 12 — John Whiteside, St. Stephen’s Church, Cohasset
*Concerts on the Common, Sundays from 6-8 p.m.
July 14 — Dan Gabel and the Abletones
July 21 — Westwood Swing Band
July 28 — Natalie Joly & the Reckless Hearts
Aug. 4 — Roy Scott Big Band
Aug. 11 — Tom Nutile Big Band
Aug. 18 — Oberlaendler Hofbrau Band
Aug. 25 — Black Velvet Band
*Summerfest Concerts, Wednesdays, 7-9 p.m., Gazebo. Presented by the Norwood Arts Council.
July 24 — Round House
July 31 — South Bound Train
Aug. 7 — Glamour Girls
Aug. 14 — TBD
Aug. 21 — Bobby Carlson
Aug. 28 — The Beacons
SHARON
Lakeside Concert Series, Wednesdays, 7-8:30 p.m., Veterans’ Memorial Park Beach
July 24 — Red7
July 31 — Glamour Girls
Aug. 7 — Lovefest
Aug. 14 — Retro Rockets
Family concerts, 6:30-7:30 p.m., Veterans’ Memorial Park Beach
Aug. 21 — Josh and the Jamtones
Beech Tree Concert Series, Sundays, 3
SHERBORN
Wednesdays, 6:30-8 p.m., lawn at the Unitarian Universalist Church, corner of Washington and Sanger streets. Sponsored by the Friends of the Sherborn Library. Food truck will be on hand July 10, 17 and 31.
July 24 — Group Therapy
July 31 — The Day Trippers
SOUTHBOROUGH
Wednesdays, 6-8 p.m., Neary School grounds. Information: Southborough.recdesk.com
July 24 — Reminisants (rain date July 31)
Aug. 7 — SloGrass (rain date Aug. 14)
SUDBURY
Mondays, 6:30-8 p.m., Haskell Field.
July 22 — The Reminisants
July 29 — The Paul Rodriguez Band
Aug. 5 — Holly and the Sons of the Blues
UPTON
Wednesdays, 6-8 p.m., 99 Kiwanis Beach Road. Upton Recreation Department runs a grill so visitors can purchase food.
July 24 — 4Ever Fab
July 31 — Classic Groove
Aug. 7 — Mac Odom
Aug. 14 — Fast Times
WALPOLE
Tuesdays, 6:30-8:30 p.m. (6-8 p.m. in August), on the Common.
July 23 — Backpages
July 30 — Pablo Palooza
Aug. 6 — Southbound Train (part of National Night Out on Stone Field)
Aug. 13 — Wiki 3
Aug. 20 — Knockonwood
Aug. 27 — The Standards
WALTHAM
Tuesdays, 7-8:30 p.m., Common. Information: walthamarts.org
July 23 — The Reminisants (rain date July 25)
July 30 — Studio Two (rain date Aug. 1)
Aug. 6 — Tom Bruhl Trio (rain date Aug. 9)
Aug. 13 — Soft Touch (rain date Aug. 16)
Aug. 17 — Mayor’s Doo Wop
Aug. 20 — East Coast Soul (rain date Aug. 23)
Aug. 27 — Mystique (Aug. 30)
WATERTOWN
Wednesdays, 6:30-8 p.m., Salstonstall Park
July 24 — Major Disturbance
July 31 — Blues Dogs
Aug. 7 — Southbound Train
WAYLAND
Thursdays, 7 p.m., Town Building Courtyard. In case of rain, the concert will be held in the Large Hearing Room.
July 18 — The Standards
WELLESLEY
Wednesdays, 7-8:30 p.m., Town Hall Green. Kids games provided by Knucklebones.
July 24 — Glamour Girls
July 31 — Reminisants
WESTBOROUGH
Wednesdays, 7 p.m., The Willows at Westborough
July 24 — Tom Nutile Big Band
July 31 — Wolverine Jazz Band
Aug. 7 — The Reminisants
WESTWOOD
Mondays, 6:30 p.m., Westwood Senior Center lawn, 60 Nahatan St.
July 22 — Stacey Peasley
July 29 — The Bubble Music Man
More Ideas for Summer Fun!
Find Fun Things to Do on our events calendar as Summer Begins in Boston.
Enjoy your summer nights with these free evening concerts, and you can mix things up with our list of fun options for free summer movies in the Boston area as well.
In addition to summer concerts and movies, there are many other fun things to do for free in Boston - check out our handy guide to free family fun for more ideas.