Free Concerts

No matter your musical preference, free tunes are in the air this summer. Budget woes have cut the Columbus Parks and Rec. music programs, but other Central Ohio communities are picking up the slack with plenty of free concerts. They mix it up style-wise, too – there’s Big Band, jazz, rock, classical, bluegrass, reggae, military marches and everything in between. So, bring the lawn chairs, blankets, bug repellant and grab yourself a free “music break.”

If you know of a free concert series that I’ve missed, please email me.

Sundays

Park of Roses Concert Series
When: Sundays, May 24 – Aug. 30
Where: Park of Roses gazebo, Whetstone Park, corner of High St. and Action Rd., Clintonville (in case of rain, go to the shelterhouse)
Time: 7 p.m.

Sundays at Scioto
When: Sundays, June 7 – July 26
Where: Scioto Park, 7377 Riverside Dr.. Dublin
Time: 7-8:30 p.m.

Third Sunday Concert Series
When: June 21, July 19 , Aug. 16, Sept. 20
Where: Frank Fetch Park, 228 E. Beck St., German Village
Time: 7 p.m.

Concerts on the Green
When: Sundays, May 17 - Aug. 9
Where: NW quadrant of the Village Green, corner of 161 and High in Worthington
Time: 7 p.m.

Harmony in the Park
When: Sundays, July 5 – Sept. 6
Where: Bicentennial Park gazebo, Park Ave., Delaware
Time: 7 p.m.

Tuesdays

Music on the Lawn
When: Tuesdays, June 2 – July 28
Where: Grandview Heights Public Library, 1685 W. 1st Ave., Columbus
Time: 7:30-8:30 p.m.

Rotary Family Series
When: Tuesdays, June 9 – Sept. 8
Where: Creekside Park, 123 Mill St., Gahanna
Time: 6:30-8:30 p.m.

Thursdays

Music in the Parks
When: Thursdays, June 4 – Aug. 6
Where: Upper Arlington Municipal Services Center, 3600 Tremont Rd., Columbus
Time: 6:30-8 p.m.

Fridays

Summer Lunchtime Performing Arts Series
When: Fridays, May 29 – Sept. 4
Where: outside at the Ohio Statehouse, at the corner of Broad and High streets.
Time: noon to 1 p.m.

Music in the Park
When: Fridays, June 5 – Aug. 21
Where: Friendship Park gazebo, 150 Oklahoma Ave., Gahanna
Time: 7-9 p.m.

Friday Night Bandstand
When: Fridays, June 5 – Aug. 14
Where: Bandstand in downtown Lancaster
Time: 7:30 p.m.

Music and Art in the Park
When: 3d Fridays of the month, May 15, June 18 , July 17
Where: Stradley Park Place, 36 S. High St., Canal Winchester
Time: 6 p.m.

Saturdays

Concerts on the Creek
When: Saturdays, May 2 – Oct. 31
Where: Creekside Park, 123 Mill St., Gahanna
Time: 8 p.m.

Don’t forget the music at WaterFire, JazzFest and other Festivals!

Creekside Blues & Jazz Festival
60 groups, including Columbus' own Jazz Arts Group and the Columbus Blues Alliance. Four stages. Hands-on "Musical Discovery Zone" for kids. A mini-midway. Food. More music. Much, much more music.
When: June 19-21
Where: Olde Gahanna, Gahanna.

Powell Festival
When: June 26-27
Where: Village Green Park, 47 Hall St., Powell
Time: Fri.: 5-11 p.m.; Sat. noon-11 p.m.

ComFest
When: June 26-28
Where: Goodale Park, Short North
Note: Potentially topless women alert

WaterFire – music and bonfires
When: June 13, July 1, Aug. 7 and 28, Sept. 4 and 19
Where: Downtown Columbus riverfront, near Genoa park amphitheatre
Time: music starts 7:30 p.m.; WaterFire bonfires lit 8:30 p.m.

Jazz and Rib Fest
When: July 24-26
Where: Arena district, downtown Columbus along the riverfront

Festival Latino
When: Aug. 15-16
Where: Downtown Columbus riverfront, near Genoa park amphitheatre