Summer Concerts in the Parks

Summer means music throughout Puget Sound as free, family-oriented concerts take the stage. Grab a blanket, pack a picnic, and get ready to get your groove on with your kids. Hint: In many settings, kids are welcome to dance with abandon up front near the stage.

Seattle

The Summer Series at the Volunteer Park Amphitheater runs on Thursday evenings from July 11 to August 15, 6 to 8:30 p.m. volunteerparktrust.org

Seattle Peace Concerts hosts a variety of free concerts from noon to 6 p.m. on July 7, July 13, July 21, July 28, August 4, and August 18. All concerts promote the concepts of peaceful connection and community. They take place throughout the summer at numerous city parks. seapeace.org

The Downtown Summer Sounds series has numerous shows from July 5 to September 10. Times and locations vary but include Westlake Park, Occidental Square, Bell Street Park, and Union Square. Acts are described as everything “from small-time buskers wowing with their solo skills to main-stage headliners.” The line-up is available at downtownseattle.org/events/downtown-summer-sounds/

Summer Concert Series at the Locks: The Carl S. English Garden at the Ballard Locks in Seattle will host at least 20 more family-oriented free concerts this summer. It’s a beautiful setting, with room to roam. Concerts take place on Saturdays and Sundays at 2 p.m. through September 1 and on July 4 (Thursday) and September 2 (Monday). ballardlocks.org/free-summer-concerts.html

East of Seattle

All ages Bellevue Beats is a series of free weekday concerts in various parks and locations. They are scheduled through August 15. Shows take place on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, or Fridays in the afternoon at locations in the city. bellevuedowntown.com

The Kirkland Downtown Association is offering free music day and night this summer. Summer Kids concerts take place at Juanita Beach Park July 9, 16, 23, 30 and August 6, 13, 20 from 10-11 a.m.; Summer evening concerts happen July 11, 18, 25, and August 1, 8, 15, 22, and 29 from 7-8:30 p.m. at Kirkland Marina Park. kirklanddowntown.org

South of Seattle

The Des Moines Arts Commission is sponsoring Wednesday evening concerts in the waterfront Des Moines Beach Park from July 17 to August 21. The shows start at 7 p.m. desmoinesartscommission.com

Issaquah hosts the Concerts on the Green series on Tuesdays at 7 p.m. July 2 through Aug. 20 on the lawn at the Issaquah Community Center. (No pets; no alcohol.) tinyurl.com/4v352356

Kent Parks & Recreation has three summer concert series including kid-oriented Wednesday Picnic Performances from July 10 to August 14 from 11:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at West Finwick Park and Wednesday Family Date Nights from July 10 to August 21 from 6-8 p.m. at Kent Station. tinyurl.com/p67hbwjw

Auburn hosts Kids Summerstage and Summer Sounds at Les Gove Park on Wednesdays July 10 to August 14. Kids Summerstage offers a mix of music, comedy, and magic from noon to 1 p.m. Summer Sounds Wednesday evening concerts from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. auburnwa.gov

Bonney Lake presents Kids Club at Allan York Park on Monday evenings July 15 to August 19, 6:30 p.m.-7:30 p.m. They will have music, entertainment, and reptiles. ci.bonney-lake.wa.us

The City of Tukwila hosts its family-friendly Concerts in the Park series on Wednesdays from July 24 to August 14 at Joseph Foster Memorial Park. Concerts start at 5:30 p.m. tukwilawa.gov

North of Seattle

The City of Shoreline will stage its kids-friendly summer lunchtime concert and entertainer series at various parks on Tuesdays, July 9-30, from noon to 1 p.m. Find the lineup at shorelinewa.gov

Mill Creek Town Center will start its summer concert series Wednesday evenings from July 10 through September 25. Concerts take place at The Forum at Mill Creek Town, 6–8 p.m. millcreektowncenter.biz

The Edmonds Arts Commission is hosting a summer concert series on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Sundays, July 7-August 27, with each concert starting at 3 p.m. at Edmonds City Park. A concert on August 25 will happen at Hickman Park. Rain cancellation posted by 12:30 p.m. tinyurl.com/29wdkvcf