Outdoor Summer Concerts in the DMV

Plato is credited with saying “music gives a soul to the universe, wings to the mind, flight to the imagination and life to everything.” For many of us, it’s been harder to find the wonderful gift of music since the start of the pandemic and thus we’ve been starved of its life-giving power. This summer, experience the power of music once again with these outdoor summer concerts in the DMV.

D.C.

Friday Night Concert Series

Capitol Riverfront is hosting its 12th free outdoor concert series on the Yards Park boardwalk. Each Friday night you can find fantastic bands, food and beverage and a large variety of restaurants all while enjoying the gorgeous river views. Attendees can expect family-friendly lyrics and grassy open spaces making this event enjoyable for adults and kids alike.

June 17: The JoGo Project (Jazz/Go-Go)
June 24: Pebble to Pearl (Pop/RnB)
July 1: The 19th Street Band (Folk)
July 8: The Jarreau Williams Xperience (RnB)
July 15: So Fetch (2000s Tribute Band)
July 22: Broad Sound (Pop/Rock/RnB)
July 29: Uncle Jesse (Rock)

Free
Click here for more information
355 Water Street SE, Washington, D.C. 20003

Millennium Stage Summer at the REACH

The Kennedy Center is kicking off another event-filled summer Wednesday through Saturday until July 2. All performances are free and though some are open to the public, others require booking in advance online or grabbing a ticket in-person at the box office the day of the performance. Check out the full schedule of concerts and activities online, including their exact location at The Kennedy Center.

June 17: Sisterfire@40
June 18: The 369th Experience: Continuing the Legacy
June 22: DuPont Brass
June 24: C4 Trio
June 25: 2022 VSA International Young Soloists Award Winners
June 29: Chadwick Stokes
July 1: We the Peoples Before
July 2: Native Hip Hop

Free
Click here for more information
The Kennedy Center, 2700 F St., NW, Washington, D.C. 20566

The United States Air Force Band

You and the family can enjoy weekly performances of the USAF’s Band across the DMV during their Summer Concert Series. Performances are free to the public and no tickets or reservations are required. Please check their webpage for exact start times and locations.

June 18: Airmen of Note, Hart’s Amphitheater, North East, Md. Max Impact National Harbor, Md.
June 25: Concert Band and Singing Sergeants, National Harbor, Md.
June 27: Airmen of Note Combo, Gallaudet University, Washington, D.C.
July 2: Airmen of Note, National Harbor, Md.
July 9: District Brass Quintet, National Harbor, Md.
July 16: Concert Band, National Harbor, Md.
July 23: Max Impact, National Harbor, Md.
July 27: Max Impact, Lee District Park Recreation Center, Alexandria, Va.
July 30: Airmen of Note, National Harbor, Md.
August 6: Singing Sergeants, National Harbor, Md.
August 13: Concert Band and Singing Sergeants, National Harbor, Md.
August 20: Max Impact, National Harbor, Md.
August 27: Airmen of Note, National Harbor, Md.
September 17: Concert Band and Singing Sergeants Air Force’s 75th Birthday Concert, Air Force Memorial, 1 Air Force Memorial Dr, Arlington, Va.

Free
Click here for more information
Various Locations

United States Marine Band

“The President’s Own” United States Marine Band is America’s oldest continuously active professional musical organization. From parades to concerts, in-person events and livestreaming, the Marine Band offers dozen of opportunities to hear them perform. All performances are free and require advance ticket registration.

Friday Evening Parades @ The Barracks June 10 – August 2
Tuesday Sunset Parades @ The Marine Corps War Memorial June 14 – August 9
“The President’s Own” Marine Band @ John Philip Sousa Band Hall June 9th – August 25

Free
Click here for more information
Various Locations

DC Jazz Fest

The 2022 DC JazzFest will hold its 18th annual festival from August 31 to September 4. The festival will be marked by five days of concerts citywide, celebrating all things jazz in more than a dozen D.C. neighborhoods. During the final weekend at The Wharf, participants can listen to jazz on multiple stages and enjoy restaurants and shops, a spectacular riverwalk view and an international jazz competition.

Free AND Starting at $59
Click here for more information
The Wharf, 760 Maine Ave SW, Washington, D.C. 20024

Nordic Jazz Festival

The DC Jazz Festival and the Nordic Embassies to the United States present the 16th Annual Nordic Jazz Festival, taking place from June 17 to June 22 at sites around D.C. This year’s Nordic Jazz Festival is a collaboration between the DC Jazz Festival and the Embassies of Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden.

$39-$49
Click here for more information
Arena Stage at the Mead Center for American Theater 1101 6th Street Southwest, Washington, D.C. 20024

Transit Pier Concerts

Visit the Wharf District for free concerts on the Transit Pier every Wednesday, evening starting at 7 p.m. With R&B, Americana, Motown, jazz, reggae, go-go, country and your favorite pop covers, there’s something for all music lovers. Food and drinks can be purchased nearby.

June 22: La Unica (Latin Celtic Rock)
June 29: Jimi Smooth & HitTime (R&B Motown)
July 6: JWX: The Jarreau Williams Experience (Rock, R&B)
July 13: The U.S. Army Band (Pop)
July 20: Driven to Clarity (Pop)
July 27: Brent & Co. (Rock, Funk)
August 3: Soulfire (Rock)
August 10: Scott Kurt & Memphis 59 (Country)
August 17: DuPont Brass (Brass Band)
August 24: Turtle Recall (Classic Rock)
August 31: The JoGo Project (Soul, Go-go)

Free
Click here for more information
The Wharf, 760 Maine Ave SW, Washington, D.C. 20024

Maryland

Main Street Music Fest

Ellicott City Partnership is hosting its 9th Annual Main Street Music Fest Saturday, September 17 in Old Ellicott City. Attendees can expect 40+ of the region’s best indie artists on outdoor stages and at multiple indoor venues for a celebration of food and music. Check back in for more details on the festival in the coming weeks.

Free
Click here for more information
8267 Main Street, Ellicott City, Md 21043

Olney Outdoors

Olney Theatre’s “Olney Outdoors” is back with over 25 programs planned for this summer. Between July 7 and September 4, you can catch Friday night cabarets, kids’ and families’ shows on Saturday mornings and Jazz@Olney on Saturday nights. Visit their website for ticket prices and exact dates and times for performances.

$-$$$
Click here for more information
2001 Olney-Sandy Spring Road, Olney, Md. 20832

Live from the Lawn

Bring your favorite goodies and join Strathmore each week for free Live from the Lawn concerts. While the series has always been family-friendly, Strathmore has added a new three-concert companion series just for kids this summer. From bilingual Americana folk to jazz and hip-hop fusion, these 60-minute performances promise to offer soul-stirring tunes for people of all ages while creating fun ways for kids to interact with the music.

Free
Click here for more information
The Gudelsky Gazebo, 10701 Rockville Pike, North Bethesda, Md. 20852-3224

Lake Arbor Jazz Outdoor Concert Series

Now in its 12th year, the Lake Arbor Jazz Festival returns to the beautiful Lake Arbor Community in central Prince George’s County and will feature top-flight contemporary and traditional jazz and R&B artists from across the nation and Washington, D.C. The festival lineup includes Karen Linette, Nathan Mitchell, Eric Darius and Down to the Bone. Headlining this year’s Saturday festival will be legendary band WAR.

Starting at $75
Click here for more information
10100 Lake Arbor Way, Mitchellville, Md. 20721 Various Locations

Concerts in the Parks

Bring your family, blankets, lawn chairs, a picnic dinner or just a dessert, and join Anne Arundel County Parks for the wonderful sounds of summer. They’ll be hosting concerts across three of their beautiful county parks. Free park admission for all concerts. Please, no alcoholic beverages.

Downs Park:

June 19: Dan Haas Trio
June 26: Dean Crawford & Dunn’s River Band

Quiet Waters Park:

July 23: The Tribe Band
July 30: Clones of Funk
August 6: Davidson Exchange
August 13: Sound Check Rock Bands
August 20: Melissa Carper
August 27: Kelly Bell Bank
September 3: Annapolis Symphony Orchestra

Click here for more information
Downs Park, 8311 Downs Loop, Pasadena, Md. 21122
Quiet Waters Park, 600 Quiet Waters Park Rd, Annapolis, Md. 21403

Summer Concert Series at the Streetery

The Bethesda Urban Partnership is excited to bring back its summer concert series on Friday evenings, 6-8 p.m. Grab a table and food from any of the local restaurants and enjoy the music!

June 17: Jay Byrd & The Musical Trust
June 24: La Unica
July 1: Calista Garcia
July 8: The 19th Street Band
July 15: Moonshine Society
July 22: Soul Crackers
July 29: The Sidleys
September 2: Ocho de Bastos
September 9: Heather Aubrey Lloyd with ilyAIMY
September 16: Eric Scott

Free
Click here for more information
The “Streetery,” located on the corner of Norfolk and Del Ray Avenues, Bethesda, Md.

Summer Concerts at National Harbor

Dozens of music concerts and outdoor events will take place at National Harbor this summer including Salute the Sunset, featuring various US Military Bands on the Plaza Stage on Saturdays and select Wednesday evenings. Bring a chair and enjoy an evening with performing ensembles beginning at 7:00 p.m. For more information on these concerts and more, visit National Harbor’s website.

Free
Click here for more information
National Harbor, 701 National Harbor Blvd, Oxon Hill, Md. 20745

Virginia

Tyson’s Corner Summerfest

Enjoy live music Fridays & Saturdays from 6 to 8 p.m. and Sundays from 5 to 7 p.m. on The Plaza this summer. Concerts will feature acoustic music spanning a variety of genres or a DJ playing popular hits. There’s also live music for kids every second Wednesday of the month between May and September from 11 a.m. to noon.

Free
Click here for more information
The Plaza, 1961 Chain Bridge Rd., Tysons Corner, Va. 22102

Summer Entertainment Series in the Park

Fairfax County Park Authority presents another summerlong lineup of family-friendly shows, concerts and movies held across its local parks. All in all, there will be 180 live performances across 18 locations! Bring picnic dinners, blankets, and lawn chairs to enjoy the best local and regional entertainers.

Free
Click here for more information
Various locations

Wolf Trap

In partnership with the public National Park Service, the private, nonprofit Wolf Trap Foundation in Vienna, Va. has been curating world-class music concerts, children’s performances and theater for over 50 years. Most performances are held in either the beautiful outdoor amphitheater, called the Filene Center, or the Children’s Theatre-in-the-Woods. Visit their website and book a ticket for one of the dozens of performances taking place this year.

$-$$$
Click here for more information
1551 Trap Rd, Vienna, Va. 22182

Lubber Run Summer Concert Series

The Lubber Run Summer Concert Series features free performances from a variety of genres including big band, blues, soul and orchestral music at the Lubber Run Amphitheater. Working in partnership with the Lubber Run Amphitheater Foundation, which funds four family-friendly shows at the end of the season, they bring the best of D.C. metro area arts to the heart of Arlington. The series will run Friday, June 10 through August 14, Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m., and Sundays at 11 a.m.

June 17: Stacy Brooks
June 18: Bumper Jacksons
June 24: David Chappell and Friends
June 25: The 19th Street Band
June 26: Tale Wise: Pirates Lost at Sea!
June 26: Arlington Philharmonic
July 1: Griefcat
July 2: Elikeh
July 3: Mr. Gabe & Holly
July 8: The Fuss
July 9: Joe Keyes & The Late Bloomer Band
July 10: Cody Clark Magic: Railroad Submarine!
July 15: Desanguashington
July 16: King Soul
July 17: Happenstance Theater: Pinot & Augustine
July 22: Wicked Sycamore
July 23: Soul Crackers
July 24: Rainbow Rock Band
July 29: Carly Harvey
July 30: Veronneau presents Blue Tapestry
July 31: Encore Stage & Studio presents A Sidewalk Stroll!
August 5-7: Avant Bard Theatre, Encore Stage & Studio, Dominion Stage and The Arlington Players
August 11: The 257th Army Band, The Band of the Nation’s Capital
August 12: National Chamber Ensemble
August 13: Karen Jonas
August 14: Blue Sky Puppets: The Three Not So Little Pigs

Free
Click here for information
North Columbus Street and 2nd Street North (two blocks north of Rt. 50), Arlington, Va. 22203

Summer Concert Series

Reston Community Center is hosting several free summer concert series for families this summer across Reston Town Square Park and Reston Station. Series include Thursdays with the Arts at Mason, Take a Break, Summerbration Fab Fridays, Family Fun Entertainment Series, and Sunday Art in the Park.. All performances and activities are free and open to the public.