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The DC Winter Lantern Festival dazzles through January 12. Photo courtesy of the festival
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Garden of Lights at Brookside Gardens will dazzle the whole family. Photo by Tony Ventouris for Montgomery County Parks
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Take a stroll through the Marshall Pond Christmas Village in Burke, VA. Photo courtesy of Kristy Case, from the Marshall Pond Christmas Village Facebook page
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DC's Free Concerts and Outdoor Music Festivals for Families This Summer

Enjoy a free concert on Transit Pier every Wednesday evening. Photo courtesy of Wharf DC
Enjoy a free concert on Transit Pier every Wednesday evening. Photo courtesy of Wharf DC
6/2/24 - By Jennifer Swope

Free concerts outdoor music festivals are a summertime staple for many families, and they're back in full swing all across DC, Maryland, and Northern Virginia.

These free concerts and music festivals welcome families with kids of all ages, and some are even geared specifically towards children. They span all genres of music—from pop and rock to blues and jazz—and take place in gardens, parks, plazas, and even on the waterfront. Grab some chairs or a blanket, pack a picnic, and get ready to enjoy some live music.

Our Outdoor Activities Guide for DC Kids has even more ideas for fresh-air fun, like free outdoor movies near DC. And, be sure to keep checking our DC events calendar as more outdoor free concerts are announced.

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Hear live music from a variety of genres at Jazz in the Garden. Photo courtesy of the National Gallery of Art
Hear live music from a variety of genres at Jazz in the Garden. Photo courtesy of the National Gallery of Art

Free Concerts and Music Festivals in DC

Rock the Dock Concert Series at The Wharf

District Wharf
Wednesdays, May 28 - August 28, 2024
District Wharf hosts free concerts on Transit Pier every Wednesday evening from June through August. Genres include pop, R&B, jazz, country, and more. READ MORE

Jazz in the Garden

National Gallery of Art Sculpture Garden
Fridays, May 31 - August 9, 2024
Every Friday evening from late May through early August, the National Gallery of Art's outdoor Sculpture Garden comes alive with musical performances ranging from jazz to Afro-Cuban and bluegrass. READ MORE

Fridays at Fort Totten Free Concert Series (at The Modern)

Fort Totten
Fridays, May 31 - August 23, 2024
Summer nights just got cooler. Join DC Fray and The Modern for a free concert series, happening Friday nights from June through August. Bring a chair and sit back to enjoy live tunes, food trucks, games, and community vibes. READ MORE

DC Punk Archive Library Rooftop Show (at MLK Library)

Penn Quarter
Second Saturday of the month, June 8 - August 10, 2024
DC Punk Archive presents a summer series of rooftop shows featuring local bands. This series is sponsored by the MLK Library Friends. READ MORE

Fort Reno Concert Series

Tenleytown
Mondays & Thursdays, July 8 - 29, 2024
Fort Reno's DC Summer Concert Series is back this summer. Kids can enjoy the open space of Fort Reno to run and play in while parents listen to local punk and indie rock bands. READ MORE
The Tides and Tunes Summer Concert Series takes place on Thursday evenings. Photo courtesy of the Annapolis Maritime Museum
The Tides and Tunes Summer Concert Series takes place on Thursday evenings. Photo courtesy of the Annapolis Maritime Museum

Free Concerts and Music Festivals in Maryland

Lakefront Live at Rio

Gaithersburg
Fridays, May 10 - August 30, 2024
Enjoy free live music from local bands every Friday night through September on the Rio Lakefront in Gaithersburg. Adults can visit the beer garden tent to purchase food and drinks. READ MORE

Salute the Sunset Concert Series at National Harbor

National Harbor
Saturdays, May 11 - September 7, 2024 (except May 25)
Also on July 4 & 17, September 11
On most Saturday evenings throughout the summer, enjoy a free US military band concert at National Harbor. Ensembles from a variety of United States military bands perform on the plaza starting at 7pm. READ MORE

Bethesda Summer Concert Series (at The Streetery)

Bethesda
Fridays, May 17 - September 20, 2024 (except in August)
The Streetery in Bethesda hosts free concerts from a wide variety of musical genres every Friday evening from 6-8pm. READ MORE

Summer Twilight Concert Series at Brookside Gardens

Wheaton
Tuesdays, June 4-25, 2024
On Tuesdays in June, Brookside Gardens opens its gardens for free in the evening for a series of performances. Families can bring picnics and blankets and enjoy a twilight concert. READ MORE

Gaithersburg Children’s Summer Concert Series

Gaithersburg
Wednesdays, June 5 - July 24, 2024 (except July 3)
The Children’s Summer Concert Series returns on most Wednesdays in June and July with a variety of fun musical performances. READ MORE

Summer Sounds in the Plaza at Wisconsin Place

Chevy Chase
Thursdays, June 6-27, 2024
The Shops at Wisconsin Place host a summer music series every Thursday in June.  READ MORE

Summer Concert Series at Glen Echo

Glen Echo, MD - Thursdays, June 13 - August 22, 2024
Families are invited to enjoy free concerts at Glen Echo Park every Thursday at 7:30 pm in the Bumper Car Pavilion. Dancers are welcome and parking is free. READ MORE

Tides and Tunes Summer Concert Series (at Annapolis Maritime Museum)

Annapolis
Thursdays, June 13 - August 29, 2024 (except July 4)
Enjoy free concerts on Thursday evenings at 7pm at the Annapolis Maritime Museum's waterfront McNasby campus. Food and drinks are available for purchase. Bring blankets or chairs. READ MORE

Live from the Lawn at Strathmore

North Bethesda
Wednesdays, July 10 - August 21, 2024
Live from the Lawn is a free outdoor concert series presented by Strathmore on Wednesday evenings this summer. Don't forget to pack a picnic. READ MORE

Cool Concerts for Kids at Strathmore

North Bethesda
Thursdays, July 11 - August 1, 2024
This companion series to Live from the Lawn is geared towards younger audiences, inviting them to engage and interact with music. READ MORE
Rock out at Vienna's Summer on the Green Concert Series. Photo courtesy of the event
Rock out at Vienna's Summer on the Green Concert Series. Photo courtesy of the event

Free Concerts and Music Festivals in Northern Virginia

Friday Night Live! at Herndon Town Green

Herndon
Fridays, May 3 - August 23, 2024
This free outdoor concert series on Herndon's Town Green features the most popular local acts from up and down the East Coast. Most of the bands play rock and roll covers from classic to modern rock. READ MORE

Summer on the Plaza Concert Series at Tysons Plaza

Tysons Corner
Third Saturday of the month, May 18 - August 20, 2024
Enjoy free music on the Tysons Corner Plaza. The entertainment ranges from live acoustic performances from a variety of genres to a DJ playing popular hits. READ MORE

Fairfax City Rock the Block (at Old Town Square)

Fairfax
Fourth Friday of the month, May 24 - October 25, 2024
Head to Old Town Square for live music, a beer garden, food vendors, and more. Make sure to bring chairs or blankets to sit on. READ MORE

Summerbration Fab Fridays Live Music at Reston Station

Reston
Fridays, May 24 - August 30, 2024
Fridays just got more fabulous at Reston Station with live music. The complete lineup is available online. READ MORE

Concerts on the Green (at Village Centre Green)

Great Falls
Sundays, May 26 - September 29, 2024
Pack up the family, a blanket, lawn chairs, and a picnic dinner (or grab takeout at a local restaurant!), and head to the Village Green gazebo for a laid-back evening of great music and good times with neighbors. READ MORE

Mount Vernon Nights - Workhouse Arts Center

Lorton
Saturdays, June 1 - August 24, 2024 (except June 29)
This series of free concerts at Workhouse Arts Center features a variety of musical performances reflecting Fairfax County’s diversity, culture, and community spirit. Bring a picnic dinner and a blanket. READ MORE

Mount Vernon Nights - Grist Mill Park

Alexandria
Fridays, June 7 - August 30, 2024
This series of free concerts at Grist Mill Park features a variety of musical performances reflecting Fairfax County’s diversity, culture, and community spirit. Bring a picnic dinner and a blanket. READ MORE

Summer on the Green Concert Series at Vienna Town Green

Vienna
Fridays, June 7 - September 20, 2024 (except July 5 & 12, August 30, September 6 & 13)
Also on Wednesday, June 12 & Sunday, July 28
The Town of Vienna hosts a special concert series every Friday evening at 6:30pm. Bring chairs or blankets and pack a picnic. READ MORE

Lubber Run Summer Concert Series

Arlington
Fridays - Sundays, June 8 - August 2, 2024
The Lubber Run Summer Concert Series features free performances from a variety of genres including big band, blues, soul, and orchestral music. Concerts on Friday and Saturday evenings are for all, while Sunday mornings feature children's performers.  READ MORE

Summer JAMS on the Town Green

Leesburg
Saturdays, June 8 - August 17, 2024 (except August 10)
Downtown Leesburg’s popular, laid-back summer concert series is held almost every Saturday from June through August. Bring a lawn chair or blanket. Picnics are encouraged! READ MORE

Arts in the Parks Children's Entertainment Series - Burke Lake Park

Fairfax Station
Saturdays, June 15 - August 17, 2024
As part of the Fairfax Summer Entertainment Series, a different children's entertainer performs for free every Saturday morning at the Burke Lake Park amphitheater. Performers range from puppeteers to magicians to musicians. READ MORE

Arts in the Parks Children's Entertainment Series - Ellanor C. Lawrence Park

Chantilly
Saturdays, June 15 - August 17, 2024
A different children's entertainer performs for free on select Saturday mornings at the Ellanor C. Lawrence Park amphitheater as part of the Fairfax Summer Entertainment Series. Performers range from puppeteers to magicians to musicians. READ MORE

Arts in the Parks Children's Entertainment Series - Mason District Park

Annandale
Saturdays, June 15 - August 17, 2024
As part of the Fairfax Summer Entertainment Series, a different children's entertainer performs for free on select Saturday mornings at the Mason District Park amphitheater. Performers range from puppeteers to magicians to musicians. READ MORE

Arts in the Parks Children's Entertainment Series - Mosaic District

Fairfax
Saturdays, June 15 - August 17, 2024
A different children's entertainer performs for free on select Saturday evenings at Strawberry Lane in the Mosaic District. Performers including musicians, a magician, and a storyteller. READ MORE

Arts in the Parks Children's Entertainment Series - Wakefield Park

Annandale
Saturdays, June 15 - August 17, 2024
A different children's entertainer performs for free on select Saturday mornings at Wakefield Park as part of the Fairfax Summer Entertainment Series. Performers range from puppeteers to magicians to musicians. READ MORE

Arts in the Parks Children's Entertainment Series - Frying Pan Farm Park

Herndon
Wednesdays, June 19 - August 14, 2024 (except July 24 & 31)
As part of the Fairfax Summer Entertainment Series, a different children's entertainer performs for free on select Wednesday mornings at the Frying Pan Farm Park Visitor Center Pavilion. Performers range from puppeteers to magicians to musicians. READ MORE

Concerts in the Park at Cherry Hill Park

Falls Church
Thursdays, June 20 - August 8, 2024 (except July 4)
Bring a blanket and a picnic to Cherry Hill Park's free Thursday-evening concert series, featuring local musicians of various genres. READ MORE

Providence Presents: Nottoway Nights

Vienna
Thursdays, July 11 - August 15, 2024
Families can enjoy free concerts on Thursday evenings at Nottoway Park in Vienna, ranging from bluegrass to Mexicachian to swing. READ MORE

Arts in the Parks Children's Entertainment Series - Sully Historic Site

Chantilly
Saturdays, August 3-24, 2024
A different children's entertainer performs for free on select Saturday evenings in August at Sully Historic Site as part of the Fairfax Summer Entertainment Series. Performers include musicians, a magician, and a juggler/puppeteer. An outdoor movie follows.  READ MORE

Places featured in this article:

Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library
Annapolis Maritime Museum
Burke Lake Park Amphitheater