Things to Do with Kids -- Monthly and Weekend Events, Spring Festivals, Free Outdoor Movies
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Free Summer Concerts and Music Festivals
for Families in Washington DC in 2026
Free Concerts and Music Festivals in DC
Jazz in the Garden (at National Gallery of Art Sculpture Garden)
National Mall
Fridays, through August 14, 2026 (except June 5 & July 3)
Most Friday evenings from early June through mid August, the National Gallery of Art's outdoor Sculpture Garden comes alive with musical performances ranging from jazz to Afro-Cuban and bluegrass. Website
Rock the Dock Concert Series at The Wharf
District Wharf
Fridays, through September 4, 2026
District Wharf hosts free concerts on Transit Pier every Friday evening from June through early September. Genres include pop, R&B, jazz, country, and more. Website
Art Place at Fort Totten Friday Concert Series
Fort Totten
Fridays, through August 28, 2026
From June through August, families can enjoy free live music every Friday, from rock and blues to hip-hop and indie. Before the music, families can check out the The Kid’s Maker Space series with hands-on activities and crafts from 4-7pm at the corner of Ingraham St and 4th St NE. Website
Home Rule Music Festival Youth Showcase
The Parks at Walter Reed & Alethia Tanner Park
Saturdays, June 20 & October 4, 2026
The Youth Showcase kicks off each Home Rule Music Festival celebration, opening the festival on Saturday, June 20 at The Parks at Walter Reed and Saturday, October 3 at Alethia Tanner Park. Student musicians perform on the main stage before thousands of attendees, setting the tone for a day rooted in community, culture, and creativity. These young artists are not presented as an “add-on” or side program — they are featured as essential contributors to DC’s living musical legacy. Website
Free Concerts and Music Festivals in Maryland
Summer Twilight Concert Series at Brookside Gardens
Wheaton
Tuesdays, June 2-23, 2026
On Tuesdays in June, Brookside Gardens opens its gardens for free in the evening for a series of performances. Families can bring picnics and blankets and enjoy a twilight concert. Website
Gaithersburg Children’s Summer Concert Series
Gaithersburg
Wednesdays, June 3 - July 29, 2026
The Children’s Summer Concert Series returns on most Wednesdays in June and July with a variety of fun musical performances. Website
Bethesda Summer Concert Series (at The Streetery)
Bethesda
Fridays, through September 18, 2026
The Streetery in Bethesda hosts free concerts from a wide variety of musical genres every Friday evening from 6-8pm. Website
Tides and Tunes Summer Concert Series (at Annapolis Maritime Museum)
Annapolis
Thursdays, June 11 - August 20, 2026
Enjoy free concerts on Thursday evenings at 7pm at the Annapolis Maritime Museum's waterfront McNasby campus. Food and drinks are available for purchase. Bring blankets or chairs. Website
Summer Concert Series at Glen Echo
Glen Echo, MD
Thursdays, June 11 - August 20, 2026
Families are invited to enjoy free concerts at Glen Echo Park every Thursday at 7:30pm in the Bumper Car Pavilion. Dancers are welcome and parking is free. Website
Live from the Lawn at Strathmore
North Bethesda
Wednesdays, July 1 - August 12, 2026 (plus Saturday, August 1)
Live from the Lawn is a free outdoor concert series presented by Strathmore on Wednesday evenings this summer. Don't forget to pack a picnic! Website
Cool Concerts for Kids at Strathmore
North Bethesda
Thursdays, July 9-23, 2026
This companion series to Live from the Lawn is geared towards younger audiences, inviting them to engage and interact with music. Website
Salute the Sunset Concert Series at National Harbor
National Harbor
Saturdays, through September 12, 2026
On Saturday evenings throughout the summer, enjoy a free US military band concert at National Harbor. Ensembles from a variety of United States military bands perform on the plaza starting at 7pm. Website
Lakefront Live at Rio
Gaithersburg
Fridays, through July 10, 2026
Enjoy free live music from local bands every Friday night through September on the Rio Lakefront in Gaithersburg. Adults can visit the beer garden tent to purchase food and drinks. Website
Free Concerts and Music Festivals in Northern Virginia
Summer Concerts at McLean Central Park Amphitheater
McLean
Thursdays, June 18 - July 30, 2026
Enjoy free concerts at McLean Central Park's amphitheater. Kids can play on McLean Central Park's playground, just steps from the theater. Website
Concerts in the Park at Cherry Hill Park
Falls Church
Thursdays, June 11 - July 23, 2026
Bring a blanket and a picnic to Cherry Hill Park's free Thursday-evening concert series, featuring local musicians of various genres. Website
Lubber Run Summer Concert Series
Arlington
Fridays - Sundays, through August 2, 2026 (except July 4)
The Lubber Run Summer Concert Series features free performances from a variety of genres including big band, blues, soul, and orchestral music. Concerts on Friday and Saturday evenings are for all, while Sunday mornings feature children's performers. Website
Providence Presents: Nottoway Nights
Vienna
Thursdays, July 9 - August 20, 2026
Families can enjoy free concerts on Thursday evenings at Nottoway Park in Vienna, ranging from bluegrass to Mexicachian to swing. Website
Summer on the Green Concert Series at Vienna Town Green
Vienna
Fridays, June 5- August 14; Also on June 7, 17 & 26 (NOT on July 17)
The Town of Vienna hosts a special concert series every Friday evening at 6:30pm. Bring chairs or blankets and pack a picnic. Website
Friday Night Live! at Herndon Town Green
Herndon
Fridays, through September 4
This free outdoor concert series on Herndon's Town Green features the most popular local acts from up and down the East Coast. Most of the bands play rock and roll covers from classic to modern rock. Website
Summer JAMS on Leesburg Town Green
Leesburg
Saturdays, through August 22, 2026 (except July 4 & August 8)
Downtown Leesburg’s popular, laid-back summer concert series is held almost every Saturday from June through August. Bring a lawn chair or blanket. Picnics are encouraged! Website
Mount Vernon Nights - Grist Mill Park
Alexandria
Fridays, August 7-28, 2026
This series of free concerts at Grist Mill Park features a variety of musical performances reflecting Fairfax County’s diversity, culture, and community spirit. Bring a picnic dinner and a blanket. Website
Mount Vernon Nights - Workhouse Arts Center
Lorton
Saturdays, July 11 - August 1, 2026
This series of free concerts at Workhouse Arts Center features a variety of musical performances reflecting Fairfax County’s diversity, culture, and community spirit. Bring a picnic dinner and a blanket. Website
Concerts on the Green (at Village Centre Green)
Great Falls
Sundays, through September 6, 2026
Pack up the family, a blanket, lawn chairs, and a picnic dinner (or grab takeout at a local restaurant!), and head to the Village Green gazebo for a laid-back evening of great music and good times with neighbors. Website
Summerbration Fab Fridays Live Music at Reston Station
Reston
Fridays, through September 25, 2026
Fridays just got more fabulous at Reston Station with live music. The complete lineup is available online. Website
Fairfax City Rock the Block (at Old Town Square)
Fairfax
4th Friday of the month, through October 23, 2026
Head to Old Town Square for live music, a beer garden, food vendors, and more. Make sure to bring chairs or blankets to sit on. Website