Free Summer Music Guide: See 100-plus shows without dropping a dime
Everybody seems to be watching what they spend these days And it definitely makes sense given what it costs to take your family out to an amusement park or even just the movies these days Of subject concerts can be one of the priciest solutions to get your entertainment fix with particular performers charging absolutely astronomical figures for tickets Yet there are plenty of avenues to enjoy great live music without dropping a dime on tickets All you need to do is take advantage of one of the a large number of free summer concert series that are happening all of the Bay Area The offerings range from rock jazz and blues to R B hip-hop and beyond So you re sure to find something that matches your own personal musical tastes at one of these events Please note that is constantly a good idea to check music series websites before heading out Specific sites for example require reservations or spell out what is or isn t allowed on the grounds The following is our annual guide to the top free concert series taking place over the next insufficient months As per usual we ll kick off with Stern Grove Festival which especially in terms of lineup offerings continues to be the gold standard for admission-free music in the Bay Area Stern Grove Festival When p m Sundays June -Aug also Saturday Aug Where Stern Grove th Avenue and Sloat Boulevard San Francisco www sterngrove org Highlights Sensational alt-rockers Sleater-Kinney Sacramento punk act Destroy Boys June legendary Oakland pop-soul act Pointer Sisters Berkeley hip-hop hero Lyrics Born Aug Motown great Diana Ross Aug Note While general admission is free fans must still try to reserve their tickets in advance through an online lottery system The lottery for each concert opens six weeks prior to that show date and stays open for one week Ticket winners will receive notice by email Also there are options for people to make donations to the festival and in doing so secure tickets in advance Los Gatos Jazz on the Plazz When p m Wednesdays June -Aug no concert July Where Los Gatos Town Plaza West Main Street and Santa Cruz Avenue www jazzontheplazz com Highlights Grammy-winner Mads Tolling The Mads Men with vocalist Kenny Washington June Full Spectrum Jazz Orchestra with Kyle Hernandez performing a Tribute to Pat Metheny July celebrated jazz vocalist Clairdee Aug Note There is an option to buy reserved seats Mission College Summer Concert Series When p m June and July and Aug Where Central Plaza Mission College Santa Clara missioncollege edu Highlights Grammy-winning Santana vocalist Tony Lindsay June salsa band Edgardo Candela June R B blues zydeco Cajun music act Iko Ya Ya July Redwood City Music on the Square When p m May -Aug Where Courthouse Square Broadway Redwood City redwoodcity org musicinthepark Highlights Santana Tribute Carnaval May Reggae act Native Elements July Yacht rockers Mustache Harbor Aug Concord Music Field Series When p m Thursdays June through Sept Where Todos Santos Plaza between Mount Diablo and Grant streets Concord www cityofconcord org downtownevents Highlights K-pop act Z June Taylor Swift tribute act Twist on Taylor July Concord s Queen of Blues and Soul Annie Sampson Sept Yerba Buena Gardens Festival When Various dates and times through Nov Where Yerba Buena Gardens lawn Fourth and Mission streets San Francisco www ybgfestival org Highlights Swing music specialists Lavay Smith Her Red Hot Skillet Lickers p m July Brooklyn indo-jazz act Arun Ramamurthy Trio p m July R B powerhouse Lady Bianca and West Coast Caravan of Allstars p m Aug Sunset by the Lake Summer Concerts When p m May June July Aug Where Pleasant Hill City Hall Gregory Lane www pleasanthillca org Highlights Versatile Bay Area rockers the Billy Martini Show May country rock act Bell Brothers July blues-rockers Dirty Cello Aug Redwood City Music in the Park When p m Wednesdays June -Aug Where Stafford Park King Street and Hopkins Avenue Redwood City redwoodcity org musicinthepark Highlights Celtic rockers Tempest June Americana Jimbo Scott and The day prior s Biscuits July Zydeco artist Andre Thierry July Morgan Hill Friday Night Music Series When p m Fridays June -Aug no concert July Where Downtown Amphitheater Morgan Hill Society and Cultural Center Monterey Road Morgan Hill morganhillchamber org friday-night-music-series Highlights Patron Latin Rhythms June Journey tribute Faithfully Live July funk soul disco Latin act The Hitmen Aug Point Richmond Music When p m June July Aug Sept Where Downtown Point Richmond Park Place between West Richmond and Washington avenues pointrichmondmusic org Highlights Americana acts Chris James The Showdowns with Maurice Tani June soul acts Burrows Dilbeck with Big Blu Soul Revue Aug Pub in the Park When a m - p m May July Aug Sept Where Red Morton Park Roosevelt Ave Redwood City redwoodcity org pubinthepark Highlights Bluegrass band Wildcat Mountain Ramblers May bluegrass act Savanna Blu Sept Summer Concerts at the Lake Merritt Bandstand When p m July Aug Where Edoff Memorial Bandstand Lakeside Park Oakland oaklandmunicipalband org Featuring The Oakland Municipal Band Kids Rock When a m June July Aug Where Courthouse Square Broadway Redwood City redwoodcity org kidsrock Highlights Redwood City s own Andy Z and the Andyland Band June James Henry s House of Samba Kids Aug Golden Gate Park Band When p m Sundays through Sept also concerts on July and Sept Where Spreckels Temple of Music aka Golden Gate Bandshell Golden Gate Park San Francisco goldengateparkband org Sounds of the Shores When p m June July Aug Where Marlin Park Cringle Drive Redwood City www redwoodcity org Highlights Rock R B soul act The Cocktail Monkeys June San Jose rock trio act PB J July
