Think of it as a gift of more than 200 free tickets.
The outdoor concert season is well in swing, with area communities set to fill the summer air with music on almost any given day.
From Beethoven to Broadway, from guitar rock to swinging jazz, and from kiddie tunes to ukulele indie rock, a concert is planned for every taste.
Judy Anderson, associate director of Newton’s Arts in the Park program, said that the city has been offering summertime Sunday concerts, Wednesday night dancing, and afternoon children’s music concerts for more than 20 years.
All are popular, but the twice weekly concerts for children in local playgrounds are expected to be particular hits this year, she said.
“A lot of people are staying home this summer, and attendance at local camps is up,’’ said Anderson, who said the children’s concerts have attracted as many as 400 people in recent years, and organizers hope for more this year. “The camps come, and so do the local day-cares, and moms who are home with their kids. Everyone is welcome and they all just have such a nice time.’’
Here’s a sampling of local con cert series. So, plan those picnics and go where the music leads you.
BELMONT
Payson Park Music Festival Wednesdays at 6:45 p.m. through Aug. 5, then 6:15-6:30 p.m. start times, 260 Payson Road. No rain dates. July 8: Benjamin Road; July 15: JEM Jazz Trio; July 22: the Mark Rogers Swing Band; July 29: Mars; Aug. 5: Joshua Tree; Aug. 12: the Berklee Connection in Belmont; Aug. 19: ’60s Invasion; Aug. 26: the John Penny Band (country). Sign up for e-mail alert at
www.ppmf.org.
Kiddie Concerts
Fridays at noon, Payson Park. Rain location: Belmont Public Library, 336 Concord Ave. July 10: the Rosen Family Teddy Bear Picnic; July 17: Alphabet Rockers; July 24: Wayne Potash & the Music Fun Band. www.ppmf.org.
LEXINGTON
Summer Concert Series Fridays at 6:30 p.m., Visitors Center Lawn, 1875 Mass. Ave. No rain dates. July 10: Jazz in the Air; July 17: Ben Rudnick & Friends (lively family music); July 24: the Summer Street Band (rock); July 31: the Porch Rockers (R&B, oldies); Aug. 7: the Nowheremen (Beatles); Aug. 14: Jumpin’ Juba (boogie woogie and blues); Aug. 21: Alter Ego (alt-country); Aug. 28: Hanscom Air Force Base’s Afterburner (rock). 781-862-2480.
NEEDHAM
Arts in the Park Concert Series Thursdays at 7 p.m., Memorial Park, 1139 Highland Ave. Rain location: Needham High School, 200 Harris Ave. July 9: Tom Nutile Big Band; July 16: True West (country); July 23: the Nowheremen (Beatles); July 30: Needham Community Band; Aug. 6: ZIPCODE (funk, pop); Aug. 14: the Reminisants (oldies). 781-455-7521.
NEWTON
Sunday Heritage Festivals Sundays at 6:15 p.m., Newton Centre Green at Langley Road and Centre Street. No rain date. July 12: Black Sea Salsa (Armenian-Afro-Cuban fusion); July 19: the Three Swinging Tenors; July 26: Newton Chinese Language School (Chinese music and dance); Aug. 2: Rumbafrica (African). 617-796-1540,
www.newtonpride.org.
Dancing in the Parks
Two Wednesdays at 6:30 p.m. July 22: Beatle Tracks, on West Newton Common, 95 Elm St. West. Rain location: Newton Cultural Center, 225 Nevada St. July 29: Bob Bachelder’s Totem Pole Orchestra (big band), at Pellegrini Park off Hawthorne Street, Nonantum. Rain location in in the adjacent gym. 617-796-1540, www.newtonpride.org.
Tuesdays for Children
Tuesdays at 1 p.m., Newton Centre Playground, off Tyler Terrace. Rain location: Mason Rice School, 149 Pleasant St. July 7: Bob Bloom’s Drumming About You; July 14: Wayne Potash (lively tunes); July 21: Benjamin the Clown; July 28: Judy Pancoast (comedic music). 617-796-1540, www.newtonpride.org.
Thursdays for Children
Thursdays at 1 p.m., Ware’s Cove, off West Pine St., Auburndale. Rain location in adjacent field house. July 9: Caravan Puppets; July 16: David Polansky (stories and music); July 23: Gerwick Puppets; July 30: Philip Alexander (music). 617-796-1540, www.newtonpride.org.
WALTHAM
Concerts on the Common Tuesdays at 7 p.m., Waltham Common at Main and Moody streets. Rain dates Thursdays unless noted. July 7: the John Penny Band (country); July 14: Dick Kaplan’s Excellent Jazz Band (Dixieland); July 21: Classic Groove (R&B, Top 40); July 28: the Continentals (big band); Aug. 4: the American Legion Band (patriotic); Aug. 11: the Reynolds Band (Irish); Aug. 18: the Soft Touch Band Big Band (rain date Aug. 21); Aug. 25: the Reminisants (’50s, ’60s). 781-893-2787,
www.walthamarts.org.
Farmers Market Concerts Every second Saturday at 11 a.m. through Oct. 10, corner of Main and Moody streets. July 11: Mike Williams & Friends (jazz and blues); July 18: Moody Street String Band (Celtic, Scottish); Aug. 1: Riverview Chamber Players (classical); Aug. 15: Steve Taddeo & His Swing Senders (big band) (rain date Aug. 22); Aug. 12: Joe Pete & Ruth Rappaport (acoustic) (rain date Sept. 12); Sept. 19: Outrageous Fortune (vintage jazz and blues) (rain date Oct. 24); Oct. 10: None of the Above (a cappella). 781-894-0357, www.waltham-community.org.
WATERTOWN
Summer Concert Series Thursdays at 6: 30 p.m., Saltonstall Park, 149 Main St. Rain location: Watertown Public Library, 123 Main St. July 9: Eight to the Bar (Swing, boogie woogie, Motown); July 16: the Love Dogs (jump blues, funk, and swing); July 23: Paul Rishell and Annie Raines (blues); July 30: Phil Wilson and the Berklee Rainbow Band (big band); Aug. 6: US Air Force’s Afterburner (guitar rock); Aug. 13: Black Sea Salsa (Armenian-Afro-Cuban fusion). 617-972-6431 (day of, after 4:15 p.m.),
www.watertown-ma.gov.
WELLESLEY
Summer Concerts Wednesdays at 7 p.m., Town Hall Green, 525 Washington St. No rain dates. July 8: John Penny Band (country); July 15: Rico Barr & the Jump ’n’ Jive Review (Top 40, swing); July 22: the Cocabanana Band (Caribbean); July 29: Help! (Beatles); Aug. 5: the Glamour Girls (’60s-’80s covers). 781-235-2370.
WESTON
Concerts on the Town Green Wednesdays at 7 p.m. at Boston Post Road and Church Street. No rain dates. July 8: Sharon Community Band (pops, patriotic); July 15: Glamour Girls (’60s-’80s covers); July 22: Tom Nutile Big Band; July 29: Alter Ego (alt-country); Aug. 5: Steve Taddeo & His Swing Senders (big band); Aug. 12: John Penny Band (country).
weston.govoffice.com.
ACTON
Concerts at Nara Park Thursdays at 7 p.m. unless otherwise noted, 25 Ledge Rock Way. No rain dates. July 16: Scooby Snax Band (Motown); July 23: Classic Trax Band (’60s); July 30: In The House Band (’60s); Aug. 6: Beatles for Sale; Aug. 13: 5 p.m. ’60s Invasion Band; Aug. 20: Jeff Jarvis (Elvis and oldies); Aug. 27: Tanglewood Marionettes (puppet show). 978-264-9608.
BEDFORD
Concerts on the Common Thursdays at 7 p.m., Bedford Town Common. Rain location: John Glenn Middle School, 12 McMahon Road. July 9: Front Page Band (swing, Top 40, oldies); July 16: Dan Clark the Singing Trooper (patriotic, Broadway, Elvis); July 23: Soul of Boston (R&B); July 30: True West (alt-country). 781-275-1392,
www.bedfordrecreation.org.
CONCORD
Music on the Lawn Every other Wednesday at 7 p.m., Concord Free Public Library, 129 Main St. Rain location: Hunt Gym, 90 Stow St. July 8: Jah Spirit Reggae; July 22: Bill Staines (folk); Aug. 5: Boogaloo Swamis (Cajun); Aug. 19: US Air Force’s Colonial Brass (traditional, patriotic). 978-318-3300.
www.concordlibrary.org.
HUDSON
Wood Park Summer Concerts Wednesdays at 6:30 p.m., Wood Park, 65 Park St. No rain dates unless noted. July 8: Swing Legacy (swing); July 15: Storm Fab 17; July 22: PanNeubean Steel (steel drum fusion); July 29: The Jazz Bones; Aug. 5: The
Intel Involved Troubadours. Rain location for PanNeubean Steel is Hudson High School, 69 Brigham St. 978-568-9642.
Saturdays at South Street
Saturdays at 2 p.m., Cellucci Park, 37 South St. Rain location: Hudson Town Hall, 78 Main St. July 11: Mestizo Manta (traditional Andean music); July 18: Cornell Coley (Afro-Latin drumming and dance); July 25: Story Caravan with George Capaccio (Middle Eastern tales); Aug. 1: The Suspenders (juggling); Aug. 8: Gloucester Hornpipe and Clog Society (Colonial music and dance); Aug. 15 Wide Open Spaces (bluegrass). 978-562-1646. www.upwitharts.org.
MARLBOROUGH
Summer Concert Series Thursdays on Union Common 7:30 p.m., at Main and Bolton streets. No rain dates. July 9: The Continentals (big band); July 16: Mood Elevators (swing vocal trio); July 23: Silver City Band; July 30: Huck (indie rock); Aug. 6: Dom V & The Swing Out Band (big band); Aug. 13: A Pony for My Birthday (ukulele pop); Aug. 20: Usual Suspects (rock, R&B, pop); Aug. 27: The Undeca Quintet (jazz). 508-624-6925.
Saturday Morning Discovery Series Saturdays at 11 a.m., on Union Common at Main and Bolton Streets. Rain location: Walker Building, 255 Main St. 978-562-1646. July 11: Mestizo Manta (traditional Andean music); July 18: Magic by George (comedic magic show); July 25: Story Caravan with George Capaccio (Middle Eastern tales); Aug. 1: The Suspenders (juggling); Aug. 8: Gloucester Hornpipe and Clog Society (Colonial music and dance); Aug. 15 Wide Open Spaces (bluegrass); Aug. 22: Tom McCabe (storyteller); Aug. 29: Roger Tincknell (folk music for all ages). 978-562-1646. www.upwitharts.org.
NATICK
Summer Concert Series Mondays at 7 p.m., Natick Common, East Central and South Main streets. Rain dates the following Tuesday. No rain date for HELP! concert. July 6: Cocabanana Band (Caribbean); July 13: Gary Bernath Band (rock, blues); July 20: the Skinny Ties (’70s and ’80s rock); July 27: the Boston Soul Revue (R&B); 8/3: HELP! (Beatles); Aug. 10: Summer Street Band (rock); Aug. 17: Four Guys in Tuxes (request band). 508-647-6530 (after 5 p.m.).
Family Performing Arts Series Wednesdays at 7 p.m. through Aug. 12 on Natick Common. Rain location: the Center for Arts in Natick, 14 Summer St. (no rain location on Aug. 5). July 8: Bob Bloom’s Drumming About You; July 15: Scott Jameson (magic); July 22: Stacey Peasley (music); July 29: Ben Rudnick & Friends (music); Aug. 5: Wayne Potash (music), canceled if raining; Aug. 12: Jeff Thomas (music). 508-647-6530 (after 5 p.m.).
NORTHBOROUGH
Summer Concert Series Occasional Thursdays and one Sunday at 6 p.m., Ellsworth-McAfee Park, off Route 135. Rain dates the following Sunday at 4 p.m. unless noted. July 9: Chicken Slacks (funk, R&B, soul). July 30: The Cocabanana Band (Caribbean); Aug. 13: The Valves (Motown, funk); Aug. 23: The Reminisants (oldies) (no rain date). Cancellation updates at
northboroughcac.tripod.com.
SUDBURY
Summer Concert Series Mondays at 7 p.m., Haskell Field, corner of Hudson and Fairbanks roads. Rain location: across the street at the Fairbank Community Center Gym. July 20: FireFly (pop, rock, soul); July 27: ’60s Invasion (60s band); Aug. 3: Johnny The K (children’s entertainment); Aug. 10: True West (alt-country). 978-639-3256.
WESTBOROUGH
The Willows at Westborough Summer Concerts Wednesdays at 7:15 p.m., One Lyman St. Rain or shine. July 8: Wolverine Jazz Band; July 15: Westwood Swing Band; July 22: The Claflin Hill Summer Winds (pops); July 29: Fantasy Big Band; Aug. 5: Stone & The Milestones Big Band.
ASHLAND
Concerts at Stone Park Tuesdays at 7 or 6:30 p.m., 81 Summer St. No rain dates. July 7: 7 p.m. The Bobby Watson Band (blues) and Ashland Community Night with Police and Fire Departments; July 14: 7 p.m. New Magnolia Jazz Band (New Orleans jazz); July 21: 7 p.m. Songs for Ceilidh (Celtic); July 28: 7 p.m. Railroad House Band (swing, blues, Bluegrass); Aug. 4: 6:30 p.m. Boston City Band (concert band); Aug. 11: 6:30 p.m. Rock @ Blues Company (rocking blues); Aug. 18: 6:30 p.m. Mason Tyler Trio (classic rock); Aug. 25: 6:30 p.m. The Buck Naykid Band ( ’60s-’90s hits). Weather cancellation updates day of at 508-881-1212 (Police Department business line).
FRAMINGHAM
Concerts on the Green Fridays at 6:30 p.m., Village Green, off Edgell Road. No rain dates. July 10 Nobscot (pop); July 17: Tailspin (pop); July 24: Dan Clark the Singing Trooper (patriotic, Broadway, Elvis); July 31: Help! (Beatles); Aug. 7: Tom Nutile Big Band; Aug. 14: The Infractions (pop, oldies, swing); Aug. 21: Wayne Potash (family concert); July 28: Lincoln County Band (country). 508-532-5488.
FRANKLIN
Concerts on the Common Wednesdays at 6:30 p.m., with children’s program 6-6:30 p.m. when noted, Franklin Town Common at Main and High Streets. Rain location across the street at Ben Franklin Charter School. July 8: Electric Youth (song and dance); July 15: 8 Misbehavin’ (big band), children’s program Mr. Bubble; July 22: Christie Leigh (pop rock), children’s program Mr. Mike; July 29: The Infractions (’70s rock), children’s program Suburban Martial Arts; Aug. 5: Frank Padula Band (dance band), children’s program Wally The Green Monster from the Red Sox; Aug. 19: Ayla Brown (pop rock).
HOLLISTON
Holliston Summer Concert Series Tuesdays at 6:30 p.m., Goodwill Park, Green St. July 7: The Pop Stars (originals by band of dads); July 14: Vinyl Frontier (vinyl classics); July 21 Cheryl Melody (children’s music); July 28 Help! (Beatles); Aug. 4: Community Drumming. Rain date for one make-up show will be August 11. Cancellations posted at
www.townofholliston.us.
HOPKINTON
Summer Concerts on the Common Sundays at 5 p.m., Town Common, corner of Hayden Rowe and Main Street. July 12: Your Move (album rock); July 19: NightWork (blues); July 26: Hopkinton Community Summer Concert Band (classical); Aug. 2: ’60s Invasion; Aug. 9: Westwood Swing Band; Aug. 16: CHB of Sherborn (’70s rock, funk); Aug. 23: The Infractions (’70s rock); Aug. 30: HELP! (Beatles). 508-497-9750.
MEDWAY
Choate Park Concert Series Mondays at 7 p.m., Choate Park, off Route 109. No rain dates. July 13: Elaine Kessler (children’s); July 20: Southeast Community Band; July 27: Steve Caddick and Avalon (vintage, Tin Pan Alley); Aug. 3: 8 Misbehavin’ (big band); Aug. 10: Songs for Ceilidh (Irish); Aug. 17: Claflin Hill Summer Winds (pops). 508-533-6275.
MILFORD
Claflin Hill’s Family Night at the Bandstand Tuesdays at 6:30 p.m., Milford Town Park at Walnut and Congress Streets. Rain dates the following Thursday. July 7: Rising Tribe (indie rock); July 14: The Fantasy Big Band; July 21: Don Iacovelli and 8 Misbehavin’ (big band); July 28: The Claflin Hill Summer Winds (pops); Aug. 4: Little Mahrud (jazz); Aug. 11: HELP! (Beatles); Aug. 18: The Claflin Hill Summer Winds. 508-478-5924.
www.claflinhill.org.
MILLIS
Town Park Summer Concerts Thursdays at 6:30 p.m., 900 Main St. No rain dates. July 9: Angela Vogt (music); July 16: Sue Koh (family sing-along); July 30: Don Iacovelli and 8 Misbehavin’ (big band). 508-376-7050.
NATICK
Summer Concert Series Mondays at 7 p.m., Natick Common, East Central and South Main streets. Rain dates the following Tuesday. No rain date for HELP! concert. July 6: Cocabanana Band (Caribbean); July 13: Gary Bernath Band (rock, blues); July 20: the Skinny Ties (’70s and ’80s rock); July 27: the Boston Soul Revue (R&B); 8/3: HELP! (Beatles); Aug. 10: Summer Street Band (rock); Aug. 17: Four Guys in Tuxes (request band). 508-647-6530 (after 5 p.m.).
Family Performing Arts Series Wednesdays at 7 p.m. through Aug. 12 on Natick Common. Rain location: the Center for Arts in Natick, 14 Summer St. (no rain location on Aug. 5). July 8: Bob Bloom’s Drumming About You; July 15: Scott Jameson (magic); July 22: Stacey Peasley (music); July 29: Ben Rudnick & Friends (music); Aug. 5: Wayne Potash (music), canceled if raining; Aug. 12: Jeff Thomas (music). 508-647-6530 (after 5 p.m.).
NORFOLK
Summer Concerts Thursdays at 6:30 p.m., Town Hill, 139 Main St. No rain dates unless noted. July 9: The Reminisants (oldies); July 16: BC & Company (swing, R&B); July 23: Electric Youth (song and dance); July 30: Seed RaCeR (classic rock); Aug. 6: Ayla Brown (pop); 8/ Aug. 11: Greg Cooney (childrens’ music), rain location Norfolk Public Library; Aug. 13: 8 Misbehavin’ (big band). 508-520-1315.
Erica Noonan contributed to this report. Have an idea for the Arts column? Please contact westarts@globe.com. 
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