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CT's Free Concerts and Music Festivals for Families This Summer

Bring the family (and a blanket!) out for CT's free concerts and music festivals this summer 2023. Old Lyme Concert photo courtesy of the Florence Griswold Museum
Bring the family (and a blanket!) out for CT's free concerts and music festivals this summer 2023. Old Lyme Concert photo courtesy of the Florence Griswold Museum
6/9/23 - By Jennifer Coe

This summer, Connecticut's free concerts are filling up the summer calendar. So grab the kids, bring some chairs or a blanket, and don't forget to pack some snacks! Attending one of the many free concerts and music festivals is a breeze with so many happening throughout Connecticut. There's a huge slate of genres to choose from, with jazz, classical, cultural, patriotic, and even some specifically for kids. Enjoy a relaxing evening outdoors and get up and dance—if it's appropriate!

Looking for more free things to do? There is no shortage of cost-savings in 50+ Free Things To Do in Connecticut This Summer With Kids. And don't forget to check out our Ultimate Connecticut Kids Summer Vacation Guide for our experts' picks for fun in the sun!

Get up and dance to the music at these free concerts and festivals! Photo courtesy of the Riverfront Concert Series in Glastonbury
Get up and dance to the music at these free concerts and festivals! Photo courtesy of the Riverfront Concert Series in Glastonbury

CT's Free Concerts and Music in the Hartford Area This Summer

Symphony in the Park in Hartford

June 15 - Hartford
Join the Hartford Symphony and the remarkable Melissa White at Symphony in the Park, becoming a cherished tradition bringing the community together through the power of music. Bring a blanket or chairs for sitting as this is an outdoor concert. READ MORE

Make Music Day Hartford | Ed Fast & Congabop

June 21 - Hartford
Hartford joins cities worldwide on the longest day of the year to celebrate the 6th annual Make Music Hartford. Bring a picnic to the garden of the Butler-McCook House and your dancing shoes and join the party in Hartford’s best kept secret—our historic garden oasis with perennial crowd favorite Ed Fast and Congabop. READ MORE

Juneteenth Concert

June 23 - Bloomfield
You are invited to an all-ages, live, in-person concert in celebration of Juneteenth. Entertaining your family will be the award-winning Lost Tribe Band. READ MORE

Hartford Festival of Jazz

July 19 to July 20 - Hartford
The Greater Hartford Jazz Festival, New England’s largest free public jazz festival, over a dozen performers. Bring a blanket or chair and plan to relax with some great music. This is a three day event. Go to the website for a full list of performers.  READ MORE

Johnny Six Gun Concert on the Green

July 23 - Enfield
Bring a lawn chair or a blanket and some friend and enjoy some live music in Higgins Park. Food trucks will be invited and there will be a playground for kids too. Higgins Park is located right behind the Town Hall. READ MORE

Rockwell Park Summer Festival

August 17 - Bristol
Bristol’s West End Association is hosting it's 2024 Summer Festival at Rockwell Park. The festival includes a car show, live music on two stages, arts and crafts, food trucks, vendor booths, games, and a Kids Zone. READ MORE
From classical to kids tunes, these shows will delight. Summer Concerts at Twin Brooks Park photo courtesy of Trumbull Parks and Recreation
From classical to kids tunes, these shows will delight. Summer Concerts at Twin Brooks Park photo courtesy of Trumbull Parks and Recreation

CT's Free Concerts and Music in the New Haven Area This Summer

Summer Concerts at Twin Brooks Park

June 25 to August 27 - Trumbull
Live music is presented by Mallet Trust in nine concerts running till the end of the summer, right on Main Street. READ MORE

Walnut Beach Summer Concerts 2024

July 28 to September 1 - Milford
Bring your dancing shoes for a late afternoon concert on the shore. The Walnut Beach Assoc. presents its annual summer series, consisting of 6 weeks of shows. READ MORE
Some free concerts in CT take place in beautiful locations. Old Lyme Concert photo courtesy of the Florence Griswold Museum
Some free concerts in CT take place in beautiful locations. Old Lyme Concert photo courtesy of the Florence Griswold Museum

Free Concerts and Music in Eastern CT This Summer

Summer Concerts on the Square in Storrs

June 6 to July 25 - Storrs
These free musical performances are open to the public and take place in the Mansfield Town Square. Performers have yet to be announced. READ MORE

Annual CT Sea Music Festival

June 7 to June 9 - Essex
The Connecticut Sea Music Festival is an event put on by the Maritime Music & Tradition Society to enact its mission of preserving and encouraging maritime and traditional music through education, research, performance, and community. Through the festival they share and teach stories, roots, and culture behind the wonderful and expansive world of maritime music, from deepwater sailing to inland waterways. READ MORE

Free Concerts at Washington Park in Groton

June 21 to August 9 - Groton
The summer is right around the corner and so is our Concerts in the Park music series for 2024. The concerts are designed to be appealing to families for a fun, inexpensive night out. Spectators are encouraged to bring their families and enjoy the food trucks and concession stand.  READ MORE

Old Lyme Midsummer Festival

July 26 - Old Lyme
The Old Lyme Midsummer Arts Festival returns on Saturday, July 27th with its kickoff lawn concert (Locomotion) at the Florence Griswold Museum the evening before, Friday, July 26. READ MORE
Don't forget the sunscreen when you head out to these free shows! Peanut Butter Jam Concert photo courtesy of Fairfield Parks and Recreation
Don't forget the sunscreen when you head out to these free shows! Peanut Butter Jam Concert photo courtesy of Fairfield Parks and Recreation

CT's Free Concerts and Music in Fairfield This Summer

Peanut Butter Jam Concerts at the Sherman Green

June 19 to July 31 - Fairfield
Kids enjoy interactive musical, foot stompin' performances on the Sherman Green every Wednesday this summer. Pack a picnic and journey down for a children's musical celebration!  READ MORE

Roger Sherman Baldwin Park Concerts in Greenwich

June 26 to August 21 - Greewich
The Wednesday Night Concert series begins on June 26 at Roger Sherman Baldwin Park (unless otherwise noted). All Concerts Start at 7 p.m. READ MORE

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