Photo:
A scene the Celebrate Woodinville summer concert series. Photo: 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.
Seattle-area summer concerts
Downtown Summer Sounds
Dates and time: Select dates, July 5–Sept. 10
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 Bell Street Park, Westlake Park, Union Square and Occidental Square.
Spotlight on the Waterfront
Dates and time: Thursdays, June 27–Sept. 26, 6–8 p.m.
Marvel at the waterfront views from Pier 62 while reveling in a different type of performance each week. The series kicks off with a special storytelling session from the Griot Party and continues with Caribbean SeaFest, Seattle breakdancers, Frankenfunk and much more.
U Village Summer Concert Series
Dates and time: Wednesdays, July 17–Aug. 21, 7–8:30 p.m.
Turn up at University Village’s Village Green for free summer concerts on six Wednesdays this summer. (80s music fans, do not miss Nite Wave on July 31!)
ShoreLake Arts Concerts in the Park
Dates and time: Wednesdays, June 19–July 31; 6, 6:30 or 7 p.m.
ShoreLake Arts welcomes families for free summer concerts (and a Shakespeare play) with six Wednesday evening performances. No food trucks or refreshments this year, except pre-order meals on July 10 and 24, so plan accordingly and bring some low-back chairs. Locations include Pfingst Animal Acres Park, Richmond Beach Community Park, Cromwell Park, Shoreline City Hall and Kruckeberg Botanic Garden.
Kent Summer Concert Series — Wednesday Picnic Performances
Dates and time: Wednesdays, July 10–Aug. 14, 11:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m.
Free kid-focused shows combined with water games, carnival activities, snacks and sports from Kent Parks make for a fun afternoon at West Fenwick Park.
Kent Summer Concert Series — Wednesday Family Date Nights
Dates and time: Wednesdays, July 10–Aug. 21, 6–8 p.m.
Additional family-friendly concerts take place in the evening. Family Date Night concerts happen on Wednesdays, 6–8 p.m. at Kent Station.
Kent Summer Concert Series — Thursdays at the Lake
Dates and time: Thursdays, July 11–Aug. 15, 7–8:30 p.m.
The summer concert bounty in Kent doesn’t end there! The whole family can also enjoy lakeside concerts on Thursdays at Lake Meridian Park.
Summer concerts on the Eastside
Bellevue Beats Music Series
Dates and time: Select dates Tuesday–Friday through Aug. 15, noon–1 p.m.
Make lunchtime extra special by catching one of Bellevue’s midday outdoor concerts, offered at numerous downtown Bellevue locations. Check the schedule on the Bellevue Beats website for specific venue info.
Concerts on the Green
Dates and time: Tuesdays, July 2–Aug. 20, 7–8:30 p.m.
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.
Celebrate Woodinville Summer Concerts
Dates and time: Wednesdays, July 10– 31, 5:30–8 p.m.
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 tasty picnic dinner.
KidsFirst! Performance Series
Dates and time: Tuesdays, July 9–Aug. 20, 1–2 p.m.
Spend the afternoon at Sammamish Commons Plaza at City Hall enjoying outdoor entertainment especially for kids. Mark your calendar for the Bubbleman, Reptile Isle Hands-on Animal Adventure, Mikey Mike The Rad Scientist and more.
Concerts in the Park
Dates and time: Thursdays, July 11–Aug. 8, 6:30–8 p.m.
Sammamish also hosts evening concerts for the whole family on Thursdays so grab a blanket and head to Pine Lake Park.
Kirkland Kids Summer Concert Series
Dates and time: Tuesdays, July 9–Aug. 20, 10–11 a.m.
Pack up the kids and head to wonderful Juanita Beach Park on Tuesday mornings this summer. This park features wetland trails, bike paths and a beach in addition to the playground. Don’t miss kindie faves, Harmonica Pocket (July 16), Eli Rosenblatt (July 30) and Brian Vogan and His Good Buddies (Aug. 20).
Kirkland Summer Evening Concerts
Dates and time: Thursdays, July 11–Aug. 29, 7–8:30 p.m.; special kickoff concert Wednesday, July 3 at 7 p.m.
Enjoy music at the popular Marina Park located on Kirkland’s waterfront on Thursday evenings throughout the summer. The series kicks off with a special Wednesday evening concert after the Farmer’s Market on July 3.
Kenmore Summer Concert Series
Dates and time: Thursdays, July 11–Aug. 1, 6–8 p.m.
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.
South King County and Tacoma-area summer concerts:
Auburn Kids’ SummerStage
Dates and time: Wednesdays, July 10–Aug. 14, noon–1 p.m.
Pack a lunch and stop by Les Gove Park for the Kids Summerstage. There is a fantastic spray park and playground to explore after the show. On rainy days, concerts will be moved indoors.
Auburn’s Summer Sounds Concert Series
Dates and time: Wednesdays, July 10–Aug. 14, 6:30–8 p.m.
If you haven’t gotten your musical fill, the City of Auburn is also offering the Summer Sounds concert series on Wednesday evenings, also at Les Gove Park.
Summer Concerts at Covington Community Park
Dates and time: Fridays, July 26–Aug. 9, 6:30–8 p.m.
Enjoy family-friendly summer concerts at Covington Community Park on Friday evenings. Plan on some extra time before or after to explore the cool trails or the super fun playground.
Summer Sounds in Federal Way
Dates and time: Wednesdays, July 10–31, 6–8 p.m.
Pack a picnic and head to Steel Lake Park for Federal Way’s Summer Sounds Concert Series. Turn up Aug. 7 at 11 a.m. for a special kids’ day with crafts, food, entertainment and fun.
Kids Club Entertainment at Allan Yorke Park
Dates and time: Mondays, July 15–Aug. 19, 6:30–7:30 p.m.
Cruise by Allan Yorke Park for Kids Club, great kid-approved entertainment. There will be music, magic and reptiles!
Tunes at Tapps Outdoor Concerts
Dates and time: Wednesdays, July 10–Aug. 21, 6:30–8 p.m.
The Tunes at Tapps summer concert series, also held at Allan Yorke Park, 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.
Puyallup’s Concerts in the Park: Family Series
Dates and time: Thursdays, July 11–Aug. 29, 6:30–8 p.m.
Outdoor concerts at Pioneer Park are back this year with two series to choose from. The first is the Family Series on Thursday evenings with music representing nearly every popular music genre. A bonus show on Wednesday, Aug. 7 is for 60s music fans.
Puyallup’s Kiwanis Kids Noon Tunes
Dates and time: Tuesdays, July 9, 23, Aug. 6 and 20, at noon and 1:30 p.m.
Puyallup’s second concert series is for the kiddos and it’s a double dose of fun with two shows every other Tuesday in Pioneer Park. Kids Noon Tunes features an entertainer at noon–1 p.m. followed by a music act from 1:30–2:30 p.m. with activities and games in between.
Summer Sounds at Skansie
Dates and time: Tuesdays, July 16–Aug. 27, 6–8 p.m.
Head to Skansie Brothers Park in Gig Harbor by land or by sea for waterfront outdoor concerts featuring an impressive lineup of tribute bands covering everyone from Elvis, to Abba, to the Eagles and more.
Maple Valley Music in the Park
Dates and time: Thursdays, Aug. 1–22, 6 p.m.
Groove to family-friendly music lakeside at Lake Wilderness Park in Maple Valley on Thursdays. Stick around on select nights for a movie at dusk, or explore the expansive park complete with a playground and swimming beach.
Lacey in Tune Children’s Entertainment Series
Dates and time: Tuesdays, July 9–Aug. 13, 6:30–7:30 p.m.
The City of Lacey also offers more than one outdoor entertainment option. The Children’s Entertainment Series serves up kid-pleasing entertainment including reptiles, magic and music at Huntamer Park on Tuesday evenings.
Lacey’s Noon Tunes Concert Series in the Park
Dates and time: Wednesdays, July 10–Aug. 14, noon–1 p.m.
The family-friendly Noon Tunes concerts, also located in Huntamer Park, are a great option for lunchtime picnics accompanied by a variety of musical stylings.
Lacey in Tune Outdoor Concerts and Movies
Dates and time: Fridays, July 19–Aug. 9, at 7 p.m. The concerts start at 7 p.m. and movies are shown at dusk.
Enjoy live tunes while you wait for dusk and a showing of an outdoor flick for the whole fam at Huntamer Park on Friday evenings.
North Sound outdoor concerts:
Sounds of Summer Concert Series
Dates and time: Fridays, July 12–26, 7–8:30 p.m.
Marysville hosts bands in Jennings Memorial Park on Friday evenings this summer. Pack some snacks and don’t forget a blanket and lawn chairs.
Marysville Children’s Concert Series
Dates and time: Wednesdays, July 17, July 24 and July 31, noon–1 p.m.
Bring the kids to enjoy popular children’s entertainers three Wednesdays this summer at Jennings Memorial Park for some midday fun. There is sure to be dancing!
American Roots Music Series at Deception Pass
Dates and time: Saturdays, July 13–Aug. 24, 7–8 p.m.
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 in Oak Harbor. Plan a day trip or an overnight to catch a Saturday night concert near the beach. A Discover Pass is required to park.
More summer activities for families: |
Editor’s note: This article was originally published in 2017 and was most recently updated in June 2024 by ParentMap calendar editor, Julie Dodobara to include details on this year’s summer concerts in Seattle and Greater Puget Sound. Kris Collingridge, Lauren Valencia and ParentMap staff contributed to this article.
