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Boston's Free Concerts and Outdoor Music Festivals for Families Summer 2025

Music and fun take center stage at these FREE concerts and music festivals for Summer 2025! Photo by Kyle Klein Photography for the Massachusetts Office of Travel & Tourism
Music and fun take center stage at these FREE concerts and music festivals for Summer 2025! Photo by Kyle Klein Photography for the Massachusetts Office of Travel & Tourism
6/6/25 - By Michael Del Llano

Get ready to dance, sing, and soak up the sounds of summer—Boston’s free concerts and outdoor music festivals are back for 2025! From jazz to pop to global beats, the city’s vibrant music scene comes alive with family-friendly performances in parks, plazas, and along the waterfront. These events celebrate Boston’s rich cultural spirit while offering plenty of chances for kids (and grown-ups!) to move, groove, and enjoy the magic of live music together. Check out our guide to the best free summer concerts and outdoor music festivals for families in Boston!

If you're looking for more family summer fun, check out Drive-in Movie Theaters in and around Boston for Outdoor Movie Nights with Kids​. If you need to cool down rather than rock out, see our guide to the Best Splash Pads in Boston for Kids Summer Fun. And there's always our Boston Kids Summer Guide.

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The sounds of Summer 2025 are even better at these free concerts in Boston! Photo courtesy of the Boston Music Project
The sounds of Summer 2025 are even better at these free concerts in Boston! Photo courtesy of the Boston Music Project

Boston's Free Concerts for Summer 2025

Summer in the City Concert Series

Waterfront—June 6 - August 28, 2025
A Boston summer icon returns—bigger, bolder, and more vibrant than ever. This year, Summer in the City is getting a fresh new look, with an exciting lineup of live music, an expanded bar, and an all-new menu of shareable bites designed for warm nights by the water. READ MORE

Concerts in the Courtyard

Back Bay—June 6 - August 29, 2025
The courtyard of the Central Library in Copley Square, one of Boston's most beautiful spaces, is filled with music during these free, one-hour concerts throughout the summer.  READ MORE

Boston Music Project Annual Block Party

Boston—June 7, 2025
Join the Boston Music Project for the annual BMP Block Party at the Rowes Wharf Plaza on the Rose Kennedy Greenway. READ MORE

Berklee Summer in the City

Multiple Locations—June 4 - September 16, 2025
The Berklee College of Music Summer in the City Series provides live music at 20 venues throughout Greater Boston. Free shows take place at locations as varied as the Prudential Center, Mission Hill Park, and Spectacle Island. READ MORE

Boston Landmarks Orchestra Juneteenth Celebration

Boston—June 14, 2025
Our third annual Juneteenth celebration features flutist DeShaun Gordon-King, and centers around musical bridges between the old and new worlds. The program includes works by Ellington, Still, Gottschalk, Bologne, and Mouquet. Boston composer Karen Walwyn’s haunting Angels Nine pays tribute to those killed in the shooting at the Mother Emanuel Church in Charleston, SC exactly 10 years ago.  READ MORE
Kids will love frolicking outdoors at these free concerts for Summer 2025. Cambridge Crossing photo by Flavio D Photography, courtesy of AE Events.
Kids will love frolicking outdoors at these free concerts for Summer 2025. Cambridge Crossing photo by Flavio D Photography, courtesy of AE Events.

Greater Boston's Free Concerts for Summer 2025

Acton-Westford Pride Festival

Acton—June 21, 2025
The Acton Pride Festival is a free event including kids activities, live music, vendors and more!  READ MORE

CX Summer Nights

Cambridge—June 27 - August 21, 2025
Cambridge Crossing's free summer concert series returns, with shows in June, July, and August. READ MORE

Bands on the Beach Concerts & Fireworks Show

Salisbury—July 4 - August 30, 2025
Grab the beach chairs and blankets and enjoy some fun summer tunes, Saturdays at 7:30PM on the Salisbury Oceanfront Stage. Benches and picnic tables available and plenty of dancing room for everyone. READ MORE

Newton Summer Concert Series

Newton—July 6 - August 10, 2025
From July 6 to August 10, Sunday nights mean concerts at the Bowl in Newton Centre's playground. Shows begin at 6:00 pm and include performances by a variety of bands. READ MORE
Lowell Folk Festival photo by Henry Marte for the Massachusetts Office of Travel & Tourism
Lowell Folk Festival photo by Henry Marte for the Massachusetts Office of Travel & Tourism

Greater Boston's Free Outdoor Music Festivals

Bridgewater Arts & Music Festival

Bridgewater—July 4, 2025
At this festival, the whole family can enjoy art, live music, dance, yummy food, children's activities (like face painting), train rides, sand art, and more. READ MORE

Lowell Folk Festival

Lowell—July 25 - 27, 2025
Lowell celebrates its 38th Folk Festival with three days of musicians, food vendors, and artisans celebrating folk culture from around the globe.  READ MORE

Cambridge Jazz Festival

Cambridge—July 26 - 27, 2025
Join the Cambridge Jazz Foundation for a free outdoor music festival. The 10th Cambridge Jazz Festival includes live performances, food vendors, a pop-up Jazz museum, a beer garden, a marketplace, and more! READ MORE

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