Everybody seems to be watching what they spend these days.
And it definitely makes sense, given what it costs to take your family out to an amusement park or even just the movies these days.
Of course, concerts can be one of the priciest ways to get your entertainment fix, with some performers charging absolutely astronomical figures for tickets.
Yet, there are plenty of ways to enjoy great live music without dropping a dime on tickets.
All you need to do is take advantage of one of the many free summer concert series that are happening all of the Bay Area.
The offerings range from rock, jazz and blues to R&B, hip-hop and beyond. So you’re sure to find something that matches your own personal musical tastes at one of these events. Please note that is always a good idea to check music series websites before heading out. Some sites, for example, require reservations or spell out what is or isn’t allowed on the grounds.
The following is our annual guide to the top free concert series taking place over the next few months. As per usual, we’ll kick off with Stern Grove Festival – which, especially in terms of lineup offerings, continues to be the gold standard for admission-free music in the Bay Area.
Stern Grove Festival
When: 2 p.m. Sundays, June 15-Aug. 17 (also Saturday, Aug. 16).
Where: Stern Grove, 19th Avenue and Sloat Boulevard, San Francisco; www.sterngrove.org
Highlights: Sensational alt-rockers Sleater-Kinney, Sacramento punk act Destroy Boys (June 29); legendary Oakland pop-soul act Pointer Sisters, Berkeley hip-hop hero Lyrics Born (Aug. 10); Motown great Diana Ross (Aug. 17)
Note: While general admission is free, fans must still try to reserve their tickets in advance through an online lottery system. The lottery for each concert opens six weeks prior to that show date and stays open for one week. Ticket winners will receive notice by email. Also, there are options for people to make donations to the festival and, in doing so, secure tickets in advance.
Los Gatos Jazz on the Plazz
When: 6:30 p.m. Wednesdays, June 25-Aug. 20 (no concert July 2)
Where: Los Gatos Town Plaza, West Main Street and Santa Cruz Avenue; www.jazzontheplazz.com
Highlights: Grammy-winner Mads Tolling & The Mads Men with vocalist Kenny Washington (June 25); Full Spectrum Jazz Orchestra with Kyle Hernandez performing a Tribute to Pat Metheny (July 9); celebrated jazz vocalist Clairdee (Aug. 13) 17).
Note: There is an option to buy reserved seats.
Mission College Summer Concert Series
When: 6 p.m. June 4 and 18, July 16 and 30, Aug. 6
Where: Central Plaza, Mission College, Santa Clara; missioncollege.edu
Highlights: Grammy-winning Santana vocalist Tony Lindsay (June 4); salsa band Edgardo & Candela (June 18); R&B/blues/zydeco/Cajun music act Iko Ya Ya (July 30)
Redwood City Music on the Square
When: 6 p.m. May 30-Aug. 29
Where: Courthouse Square, 2200 Broadway, Redwood City; redwoodcity.org/musicinthepark
Highlights: Santana Tribute Carnaval (May 30); Reggae act Native Elements (July 11); Yacht rockers Mustache Harbor (Aug. 1)
Concord Music & Market Series
When: 6:30 p.m. Thursdays, June 5 through Sept. 25
Where: Todos Santos Plaza, between Mount Diablo and Grant streets, Concord; www.cityofconcord.org/downtownevents
Highlights: K-pop act 2Z (June 26); Taylor Swift tribute act Twist on Taylor (July 31); “Concord’s Queen of Blues and Soul” Annie Sampson (Sept. 18)
Yerba Buena Gardens Festival
When: Various dates and times through Nov. 1
Where: Yerba Buena Gardens lawn, Fourth and Mission streets, San Francisco; www.ybgfestival.org
Highlights: Swing music specialists Lavay Smith & Her Red Hot Skillet Lickers (6 p.m. July 3); Brooklyn indo-jazz act Arun Ramamurthy Trio (12:30 p.m. July 17); R&B powerhouse Lady Bianca and West Coast Caravan of Allstars (12:30 p.m. Aug. 7)
Sunset by the Lake Summer Concerts
When: 6 p.m. May 25; June 8, 22; July 6, 20; Aug. 3, 17, 31
Where: Pleasant Hill City Hall, 100 Gregory Lane; www.pleasanthillca.org
Highlights: Versatile Bay Area rockers the Billy Martini Show (May 25); country/rock act Bell Brothers (July 6); blues-rockers Dirty Cello (Aug. 17)
Redwood City Music in the Park
When: 6 p.m. Wednesdays, June 19-Aug. 21
Where: Stafford Park, King Street and Hopkins Avenue, Redwood City; redwoodcity.org/musicinthepark
Highlights: Celtic rockers Tempest (June 25); Americana Jimbo Scott and Yesterday’s Biscuits (July 9); Zydeco artist Andre Thierry (July 16)
Morgan Hill Friday Night Music Series
When: 5:30 p.m. Fridays, June 13-Aug. 22 (no concert July 4)
Where: Downtown Amphitheater, Morgan Hill Community and Cultural Center, 17000 Monterey Road, Morgan Hill; morganhillchamber.org/friday-night-music-series
Highlights: Patron Latin Rhythms (June 13); Journey tribute Faithfully Live (July 18); funk/soul/disco/Latin act The Hitmen (Aug. 8)
Point Richmond Music
When: 5:30 p.m. June 13, July 11, Aug. 8, Sept. 12
Where: Downtown Point Richmond, Park Place between West Richmond and Washington avenues; pointrichmondmusic.org
Highlights: Americana acts Chris James & The Showdowns, with Maurice Tani (June 13); soul acts Burrows & Dilbeck, with Big Blu Soul Revue (Aug. 8)
Pub in the Park
When: 11 a.m.-4 p.m. May 31, July 12, Aug. 2, Sept. 6
Where: Red Morton Park, 1120 Roosevelt Ave., Redwood City; redwoodcity.org/pubinthepark
Highlights: Bluegrass band Wildcat Mountain Ramblers (May 31); bluegrass act Savanna Blu (Sept. 6)
Summer Concerts at the Lake Merritt Bandstand
When: 1 p.m. July 4, 13, 20, 27, Aug. 3
Where: Edoff Memorial Bandstand, Lakeside Park, Oakland; oaklandmunicipalband.org
Featuring: The Oakland Municipal Band
Kids Rock!
When: 10 a.m. June 28, July 19, Aug. 9
Where: Courthouse Square, 2200 Broadway, Redwood City; redwoodcity.org/kidsrock
Highlights: Redwood City’s own Andy Z and the Andyland Band (June 28); James Henry’s House of Samba Kids (Aug. 9)
Golden Gate Park Band
When: 1 p.m. Sundays through Sept. 28, also concerts on July 4 and Sept. 1
Where: Spreckels Temple of Music (aka Golden Gate Bandshell), Golden Gate Park, San Francisco; goldengateparkband.org
Sounds of the Shores
When: 5 p.m. June 28, July 19, Aug. 9
Where: Marlin Park, 500 Cringle Drive, Redwood City; www.redwoodcity.org
Highlights: Rock/R&B/soul act The Cocktail Monkeys (June 28); San Jose rock trio act PB&J (July 19)
