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

Fill the summer days and nights with fun at these free summer music festivals in Connecticut! Photo by Ally Noel for Mommy Poppins
Fill the summer days and nights with fun at these free summer music festivals in Connecticut! Photo by Ally Noel for Mommy Poppins
6/6/25 - By Jennifer Coe

Grab the kids and bring some chairs or a blanket because this summer, there is a free local concert happening near you. Music lovers can assemble to hear your fave oldies, rock, jazz and more and let those dance moves rip! Meet up with another family, and make an entire night of it.

Looking for more free things to do? Find more summer fun in  Our zepic Summer Bucket List of Things To Do in CT With Kids. And don't forget to check out our Connecticut Kids Summer Guide for our experts' picks for fun in the sun!

OUR LATEST VIDEOS

Groove to the sounds of the Bomba Workshop at the CT Museum of History and Culture. Photo credit: Bomba de Aquí
Groove to the sounds of the Bomba Workshop at the CT Museum of History and Culture. Photo credit: Bomba de Aquí

CT's Free Concerts and Music - Hartford Area Summer 2025

Southington Concerts on the Green

Southington
May 28 - Sept. 3, 2025
Music on the Green begins on May 29 and goes until September 4, every Wednesday night. Admission is Free. READ MORE

Symphony in the Park in Hartford

Hartford
June 14, 2025
Join the Hartford Symphony and the Carolyn Kuan, conductor Hartford Symphony Orchestra. Also, Michael Sigal, violin, 2024 Young Artist Competition Winner Schauntice Shephard, and soprano Hartford Gay Men’s Chorus. READ MORE

Norton Park Summer Concerts in Plainville

Plainville
June 19 - July 31, 2025
This weekly concert series at Norton Park has a night for everyone's taste in music. Meet at the Norton Park Band Shell and bring a chair. READ MORE

Bomba Workshop with Bomba de Aquí at CT Museum of History and Culture

Hartford
June 21, 2025
Bomba de Aquí, led by Brendaliz Cepeda (Granddaughter of the “Father of Bomba” NEA Heritage fellow Rafael Cepeda) and current SNEAP Mentor Saul Peñaloza, will be teaching a free, family friendly workshop on Bomba Drumming and Dance. READ MORE

Make Music Day Hartford | Ed Fast & Congabop

Hartford
June 21, 2025
Hartford joins cities worldwide on the longest day of the year to celebrate the annual Make Music Day Hartford. Bring a picnic and your dancing shoes to the garden of the Butler-McCook House and join the party in Hartford’s best kept secret—our historic garden oasis–with perennial crowd favorite Ed Fast and Congabop.  READ MORE
From classical to kids tunes, these shows will delight. Summer Concerts at Twin Brooks Park photo courtesy of Trumbull Parks and Recreation
From classical to kids tunes, these shows will delight. Summer Concerts at Twin Brooks Park photo courtesy of Trumbull Parks and Recreation

CT's Free Concerts and Music - New Haven Area Summer 2025

International Festival of Arts and Ideas

New Haven
June 14 - 28, 2025
The International Festival of Arts & Ideas is an extravaganza of performing arts, lectures, storytelling, music, and conversations that take over theaters, town green, and open spaces in New Haven. The 2025 schedule runs from June 14 through June 28, and most events are free. READ MORE

Summer Concerts at Twin Brooks Park

Trumbull
June 17 - August 19, 2025
The Town of Trumbull’s Summer Concert Series is presented by the generous support of our sponsors. Concerts occur Tuesdays from 7:00 PM to 8:30 PM at the Town Hall Green and Gazebo. READ MORE

Voices of Freedom: A Juneteenth Celebration in Waterbury

Waterbury
June 19, 2025
Join us for a powerful and inspiring Juneteenth Celebration presented by City Youth Theater/City Stage Company and 3D Music Academy. This memorable evening will honor African American history and culture through music, poetry, spoken word, and dynamic presentations celebrating resilience, unity, and hope. READ MORE

Family Arts Festival in Hamden

Hamden
June 21, 2025
Family Arts Festival: A full day of hands-on arts, live performances & creative fun for all.  READ MORE

Juneteenth New Haven's 10th Anniversary Celebration

New Haven
June 21, 2025
It's Juneteenth New Haven’s 10th Anniversary—a powerful, authentic celebration presented by The Descendants of the CT 29th Regiment, honoring the legacy of one of the most heroic Black military units in U.S. history. Their bravery helped secure freedom for enslaved African Americans—and without them, there would be no Juneteenth. READ MORE

City of Floating Sounds on the New Haven Green

New Haven
June 21, 2025
Experience a magical summer evening on the New Haven Green with the International Festival of Arts & Ideas, as the New Haven Symphony Orchestra, in partnership with Yale Schwarzman Center, presents City of Floating Sounds, a free, open-air concert that celebrates New Haven’s rich history and culture. READ MORE

Grassy Strip Music Series at Madison Beach Hotel

Madison
June 26 - August 28 2025
The Grassy Strip Music Series at Madison Beach Hotel returns for the 2025 summer season with free, live outdoor shows beginning Thursday, June 26.  Free and open to the public, The Grassy Strip Concerts are 7:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. and begin with The Pledge of Allegiance. Summertime food and beverages will be available for sale. June 26 Christine Ohlman and Rebel Montez July 10 Dave Matthews Tribute Band July 17 Orleans July 24 Shaboo AllStars July 31 Quinn Sullivan Band August 7 Jeff Pitchell and Texas Flood August 14 Lee Ann Lovelace Band August 21 Gold Dust Woman August 28... READ MORE

Walnut Beach Summer Concerts 2025

Milford
June 27 - August 31, 2025
Bring your dancing shoes for a late afternoon concert on the shore. The Walnut Beach Assoc. presents its annual summer series, consisting of 6 weeks of shows. READ MORE
Free concerts take the stages around Connecticut for family fun in Summer 2024! Celebrate Mansfield Festival photo by Brian Bystrek, part of the Summer Concerts on the Square in Storrs
Free concerts take the stages around Connecticut for family fun in Summer 2024! Celebrate Mansfield Festival photo by Brian Bystrek, part of the Summer Concerts on the Square in Storrs

Free Concerts and Music in Eastern CT Summer 2025

Summer Concerts on the Square in Storrs

Storrs
June 4 - July 31, 2025
These free musical performances are open to the public and take place in the Mansfield Town Square. Performers have yet to be announced. READ MORE

Free Concerts at Washington Park in Groton

Groton
June 20 - August 1, 2025
The summer is right around the corner and so are the Concerts in the Park music series for 2025. There will be an exciting schedule of bands this year, packed with bands new to the park along with a few of our very favorites returning for another go. Additionally, the last show of the summer will be on City Day, our annual celebration of all things City of Groton. READ MORE

Summer Sound Waves at Esker Point

Groton
June 26 - August 14, 2025
Get ready to groove this season with the community's favorite beach concert series, Summer Sound waves. This year there will be 8 weeks of quality music down at Esker Point. READ MORE

Blue Monday Concerts in Mystic

Mystic
July 7 - 21, 2025
Blue Monday Concerts return to Mystic River Park for three free concerts on Monday July 7th, July 14th and July 21s.The concert series is a fundraiser for the Stonington Education Fund and the Pawcatuck Neighborhood Center. READ MORE
Don't forget the sunscreen when you head out to these free shows! Peanut Butter Jam Concert photo courtesy of Fairfield Parks and Recreation
Don't forget the sunscreen when you head out to these free shows! Peanut Butter Jam Concert photo courtesy of Fairfield Parks and Recreation

CT's Free Concerts and Music in Fairfield Summer 2025

Rock the Block in Milford

Milford
May 29 - Sept 18, 2025
Join the FREE block party concert series downtown with live music on Bank Street, street games, local eats, sidewalk sales and fun. Grab some chairs and come downtown for an evening of safe and community-involved entertainment. READ MORE

Redding Concerts on the Green

Redding
June 15 - August 24, 2025
“Concerts on the Green” are held at the Redding Town Green on Sunday evenings from 6-8 PM. These concerts are 100% funded by generous company and private donations. Concerts begin June 15. READ MORE

Peanut Butter Jam Concerts at the Sherman Green

Fairfield
June 18 - July 30, 2025
Kids enjoy interactive musical, foot stompin' performances on the Sherman Green every Wednesday this summer. Pack a picnic and journey down for a children's musical celebration!  READ MORE

Roger Sherman Baldwin Park Concerts in Greenwich

Greenwich
June 25 - August 20, 2025
The Wednesday Night Concert series begins on June 25 at Roger Sherman Baldwin Park (unless otherwise noted). All Concerts Start at 7 p.m. READ MORE

Summer Concert Series in Newtown

Newtown
June 26 - July 31, 2025
Newtown's Summer Concert Series is back with concerts at the Dickinson Memorial Bandshell. Every week for 6 weeks, enjoy live music. Bring a chair and some tasty snacks. READ MORE

Tuesday Tunes Kids Concerts in Newtown

Newtown
July 8 - 29, 2025
Tuesday Tunes are concerts specifically with kids in mind! Bringing some great kid-centric entertainers in for kids on a weekly basis, Newtown hosts these free conerts during the summer! READ MORE

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About the Author

Jenny Coe
Jenny Coe is a longtime Mommy Poppins writer and contributor and full-time mom to three boys. Jenny has also been a contributor at Patch and The Reminder (Hartford Courant). Here at Mommy Poppins, Jenny writes about great things for kids to do in Connecticut and New England, affordable fun, and nature experiences (her favorite!).
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