After two years of virtual performances and cautious, socially distanced shows, free outdoor concerts are returning to the cultural landscape, and not a moment too soon. They are part of the intrinsic soundtrack of the city: enjoying salsa tunes with a picnic in a neighborhood park, or stumbling across a cover band performing along the waterfront on the way to dinner and being pulled in to listen to a few songs.
While many summer concert series began in May or early June, some of the bigger events are just getting started: Herndon’s Arrowbrook Park, which boasts Nada Surf and Bill Kirchen on its schedule, began last Saturday. Weekday lunchtime shows at the Ronald Reagan Building downtown started Monday. Two of the city’s longest-running series are about to get underway: Fort Reno kicks off its 54th anniversary season in Tenleytown on July 18, then Fort Dupont is set to mark a half-century of outdoor music during its 2022 season.
The number of options is increasing far beyond what’s been available over the last two summers — Fairfax County alone boasts 180 live performances at 18 locations through the end of August — but this list will help you find the right outdoor groove.
This list will be updated.
Weekdays
When: Noon to 1 p.m. Monday through Friday, between July 11 and Sept. 16.
Where: The Ronald Reagan Building, 1300 Pennsylvania Ave. NW.
As office workers continue to make their way back downtown, the Ronald Reagan Building is trying to make sure they have a reason to go outside on their lunch breaks. The Live Concert Series on Wilson Plaza, which runs from mid-July through mid-September, features entertainers every weekday at noon. The schedule’s strength is its diversity: Look for go-go band Proper Utensils with Jas. Funk (Aug. 5), DC Mariachi (Sept. 15), the Caiso Steel Drum Band (July 29) and the swingin’ Four on the Floor (Aug. 3).
Monday
When: 7 to 9:30 p.m. Monday and Thursday, between July 18 and Aug. 11.
Where: Fort Reno Park, 4000 Chesapeake St. NW.
Free summer concerts have been held in Fort Reno Park since 1968, and during the 1990s, the series became famous for annual appearances by some of the area’s biggest rock acts, including Fugazi and the Dismemberment Plan. This year’s schedule has eight concerts over four weeks. Glue Factory, the Periwinkles and Leon City Sounds kick things off on July 18, and everything wraps up Aug. 11 with a banger of a show featuring Ted Leo, the Owners and Koshari.
Wednesday
When: 6:30 to 8 p.m. Aug. 10.
Where: Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library, 901 G St. NW.
“What’s more punk than the public library?” is more than a clever T-shirt slogan — it’s a way of life at the D.C. Public Library. The D.C. Punk Archive, established in 2014, is a public collection of records, fliers, zines, set lists and artifacts dating back to 1976 that tell the story of the city’s dynamic punk and indie music scene. But the library also works to make sure punk isn’t relegated to the dusty shelf of history: This summer, it’s hosting monthly concerts on the rooftop of the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library downtown, concluding in August with Big Cry Country and Prude (Aug. 10). Shows are free, all-ages and open to anyone who shows up. What’s more punk than that?
When: 7 p.m. July 6 through Aug. 24.
Where: The Gudelsky Gazebo at the Mansion at Strathmore, 10701 Rockville Pike, North Bethesda.
Ukefest, a 14-year-old celebration of ukulele strummers from across genres and around the world, is the highlight of this annual concert series, taking place Aug. 17. Bluegrass and jazz are regularly featured, and selected Thursdays (July 28 and Aug. 11) offer interactive family entertainment at Cool Concerts for Kids. Picnic blankets and low chairs are encouraged, and outside food is allowed. Strathmore has one advantage over other concert series: In case of rain, the music moves indoors.
When: 7 to 9 p.m. through Aug. 31.
Where: The Wharf’s Transit Pier (next to Cantina Bambina), 970 Wharf St. SW.
The combination of a breeze coming off the Washington Channel and the sunset over the water makes for an outstanding after-work atmosphere. Cover bands, brass bands and soul outfits perform on a floating stage while the audience watches from bleacherlike seats. Arrive early to claim one of the bistro-style tables. Bring food from any restaurant at the Wharf, but adult beverages, including beers and margaritas, must be purchased from Cantina Bambina’s outdoor bars.
Thursday
When: 7 p.m. through Aug. 4.
Where: Cherry Hill Park, 312 Park Ave., Falls Church.
Now in its 30th year, this Falls Church concert series features local acts, including blues outfit Karl Stoll and the Danger Zone (July 28). The park is a short walk from restaurants along Broad Street and North Washington Avenue, making picnics a breeze.
When: 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. through Aug. 4.
Where: Franklin Park, 1315 I St. NW.
Bring your lunch to the freshly renovated Franklin Park, or pick something up at one of the carryouts around the square, such as the well-reviewed Immigrant Food Plus. Musically, the diverse lineup includes the deep, soulful funk of Black Folks Don’t Swim? (July 21) and Ethiopian jazz from Feedel Band (July 28).
When: 7:30 p.m. through Aug. 25.
Where: Glen Echo Park, 7300 MacArthur Blvd., Glen Echo.
The former amusement park’s bumper car pavilion has taken on new life as the setting for weekly outdoor dances. Swinging jazz, ragtime and tango music are all on the schedule. Covered bench seating is available, but attendees can bring their own chairs.
When: 7 p.m. through Aug. 18.
Where: The Annapolis Maritime Museum, 723 Second St., Annapolis.
The Annapolis Maritime Museum has a wonderful setting on the Eastport peninsula just south of downtown, and it makes the most of it with these weekly outdoor concerts, featuring rock, soul and R&B bands. Margaritas and food are available, and blankets and chairs are encouraged.
Friday
When: 6 p.m. through Aug. 5, then again Sept. 2-16.
Where: Bethesda Streetery, on the corner of Norfolk and St. Elmo avenues, Bethesda.
Bethesda first closed streets to traffic and filled them with dining tables in the summer of 2020. Two years later, eating outdoors is still so popular that Montgomery County is keeping the program in place through at least Labor Day. Beyond offering a place to eat and drink alfresco, Bethesda provides date-night entertainment, too, with soul, Latin and blues performers soundtracking your meal. Note that the series goes on hiatus in August; organizers say those dates may be used as rain dates if needed.
When: 7 to 9 p.m. through July 29.
Where: Yards Park, 355 Water St. SE.
The weekly summer concert series at Yards Park has one of the best settings in D.C.: Bands perform on the boardwalk with the Anacostia River as a scenic backdrop, while crowds spread out on the terraced lawn to listen to cover bands, R&B and jazz. Beer, wine and hard seltzer are available for sale, and food can be carried in from any restaurant in the neighborhood.
When: 6:30 to 10 p.m. through Aug. 26.
Where: Herndon Town Green, 777 Lynn St., Herndon.
Since 1995, Herndon has been rocking to some of the region’s best-known cover bands. Dewey Beach, Del., fixtures such as Kristen and the Noise (Aug. 12) join local party bands including Turtle Recall (July 29) and hair metal tribute act Herr Metal (July 22) at these comfortable gigs. Jimmy’s Old Town Tavern, Aslin Beer Co. and other local businesses provide food and drinks, and there’s plenty of grass on which to picnic.
When: 5 to 7 p.m. through July 29.
Where: Ellsworth Plaza, 916 Ellsworth Dr., Silver Spring.
Silver Spring’s weekly concert series adds a new twist: Every other week features free dance lessons. Before the Caribbean band Wentworth & Friends performs on July 15, the crowd can watch a calypso demo and learn a few steps; instructors will teach Afrobeat moves when Afro Bliss takes the stage July 29. Hot-dog-centric bar and restaurant Dog Haus operates the beer garden each week.
When: 5 to 8:30 p.m. through July 22.
Where: National Gallery of Art Sculpture Garden, Constitution Avenue and Seventh Street NW.
There are a few things to know about this year’s iteration of the long-running Jazz in the Garden series: Everyone has to have a free ticket, which can be reserved on the gallery’s website at noon one week before the scheduled event. (For example, if you want to see the bluegrass band Sideline on July 22, you should get online before noon July 15.) Up to 5,000 tickets will be available, which is half the size of the average crowd in pre-pandemic days. A limited number of same-day tickets will be available online each Friday, beginning at 10 a.m., and no walk-ins are allowed. Organizers expect the crowd to fluctuate throughout the evening as people come and go, so it shouldn’t feel as crowded as in previous years — but if you have a favorite spot in the grass near Roy Lichtenstein’s “House I” or around the fountain, you still might want to arrive early.
When: 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday through Aug. 13.
Where: Lubber Run Amphitheater, North Second and North Columbus streets, Arlington.
Lubber Run has hosted live music since 1969, when the first stage was erected in a glen of this Arlington park. Each weekend finds two shows geared toward adults, with a wide range of jazz, soul, Latin and classical music, and a family show on Sunday mornings (see below). The schedule can vary: There’s a Sunday evening performance of “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat” on Aug. 7 and a Thursday concert with the 257th Army Band on Aug. 11.
When: 5 to 8 p.m. through July 29, with “additional performances to be announced.”
Where: Long Bridge Park, 311 Sixth St. South, Arlington.
This summer, National Landing relocated its outdoor concert series from the Crystal City Water Park to the more spacious Long Bridge Park. Featured acts include R&B singer Jerel Crockett (July 29), the opening act at last year’s iHeartRadio Music Festival in Las Vegas. Food trucks are on-site, though picnics are welcome. To encourage spreading out, organizers give away picnic blankets each week while supplies last.
Saturday
When: 7 to 8:30 p.m. through Aug. 20.
Where: Leesburg Town Green, 25 West Market St., Leesburg.
One of the more laid-back concert series finds singer-songwriters, duos and small groups playing acoustic guitars on the lawn in front of Leesburg’s Town Hall. Lawn chairs and picnic blankets are welcome.
When: 10 a.m. through Aug. 20.
Where: Four Fairfax County parks: Burke Lake Park Amphitheater, 7315 Ox Rd., Fairfax Station; E.C. Lawrence Park Amphitheater, 5040 Walney Rd., Chantilly; Mason District Park Amphitheater, 6621 Columbia Pike, Annandale; Wakefield Park, 8100 Braddock Rd., Annandale.
If you need to get the kids out of the house on Saturday mornings, the Fairfax County Park Authority has the solution: Arts in the Parks brings the Great Zucchini, Rocknoceros, Marsha and the Positrons, the Blue Sky Puppet Theatre and other well-known children’s entertainers to four local parks on Saturday mornings. Pick a different destination each week based on the performers. (The same series also offers similar performers Wednesdays at 10 a.m. in Frying Pan Farm Park in Herndon and will provide entertainment before movie screenings in Centreville’s Trinity Centre in August.)
When: Later this summer.
Where: Fort Dupont, 3600 F St. NE.
Fort Dupont, known for its ice arena and bike trails, began offering Saturday night concerts in 1972, and over the years, crowds of thousands have welcomed Gil Scott-Heron, Roy Ayers, Jill Scott, the Stylistics, William DeVaughn, and Art Blakey and the Jazz Messengers, among other jazz and R&B notables. More recently, classic hip-hop and go-go have joined the mix, as seen during last year’s virtual concerts. This year’s 50th anniversary program, planned to begin later this summer, will feature “artists whose music recalls the early days of the Fort Dupont concerts and contemporary performers,” according to the National Park Service, which oversees the shows.
When: 5 to 8 p.m. July 16 and Aug. 20.
Where: The Great Lawn, 1010 Butternut St. NW.
The historic Walter Reed Army Medical Center Campus is now the Parks at Walter Reed — a mixed-use development of homes, stores and public spaces, including the rolling, grassy space known as the Great Lawn. It’s a picturesque place for a family picnic and live music. Before concerts by saxophonist Brent Birckhead (July 16) and pianist Mark Meadows (Aug. 20), there’s an appearance by the engaging Baba Ras D, whom The Post recently called “a must-see musician for D.C.’s toddler set.”
When: 7:30 to 9 p.m. July 9 through Aug. 27.
Where: Arrowbrook Centre Park, 2351 Field Point Rd., Herndon.
Arrowbrook Park hosted just two concerts during its first summer series in 2012. A decade later, the series has grown to host 90-minute sets by artists such as Nada Surf (July 30) and Bill Kirchen (Aug. 20) — bands that are more likely to headline the Black Cat or Birchmere than to play for free in a Fairfax County park. Lawn chairs are welcome. The Winery at Bull Run and Paradise Springs Winery offer wine tastings and sales during events.
When: Start times vary between 5 and 6:30 p.m., July 16 through Sept. 4.
Where: Quiet Waters Park, 600 Quiet Waters Park Rd., Annapolis.
A large, sloping lawn offers views of the performance stage at this long-running concert series, held just off the South River. Blues, classic rock and funk music are among the highlights, with a season-closing performance by the Annapolis Symphony Orchestra. Bring a picnic blanket or chairs, and food and drink are sold on-site. The Friends of Quiet Waters Park offers activities for kids, including bubbles. Of note: Entrance fees to the park are waived on evenings when concerts are scheduled.
When: 7 p.m. through Sept. 28.
Where: National Harbor’s National Plaza, 165 Waterfront St., National Harbor.
National Harbor brings military bands — primarily jazz and concert ensembles representing the U.S. Air Force — to its waterfront plaza every Saturday and most Wednesday evenings, with the U.S. Army’s pop-focused Downrange closing out the series Sept. 28. On Wednesdays in July, and some dates in September, the Air Force Honor Guard’s drill team performs.
When: 5 to 8 p.m. on the second Saturday of the month, including Aug. 13 and Sept. 10.
Where: Dupont Circle Fountain.
The Dupont Circle Business Improvement District has overhauled 2021’s Summer Jazz Concert Series, moving it to Dupont Circle proper, broadening the scope of the music and making it a monthly, rather than weekly, performance. August stars D.C. hip-hop mainstay Oddisee. Picnics are encouraged. The series continues through November.
Sunday
When: 7 p.m. through Aug. 28.
Where: Fort Hunt Park’s Pavilion A, 8999 Fort Hunt Rd., Alexandria.
The low-key concerts at Fort Hunt regularly star community groups and organizations, such as the Mount Vernon Concert Band (July 17) and Fairfax’s Main Street Community Band (July 31), but also feature classic rock and big-band swing. Concerts are held under a pavilion in the park’s popular recreation area; lawn chairs are encouraged, as seating is limited.
When: 11 a.m. through Aug. 14.
Where: Lubber Run Amphitheater, North Second and North Columbus streets, Arlington.
In contrast to Friday and Saturday concerts (see above), Sunday mornings at Lubber Run are for children. In addition to silly singers and bands, the schedule includes family performances, such as the bilingual clown duo Pinot & Augustine on July 17.
This story originally published on June 30, 2022. It has been updated.
