Here's how to see hundreds of live music concerts for free in Bay Area

There is a lot of penny-pinching going on these days - and not just because pennies could soon become collector items since the U.S. has halted production of the coin.

It's really all about individuals and families trying to do everything they can to budget for high gas prices and rampant inflation at the grocery store, shopping mall and, well, pretty much everywhere in between.

So, where does that leave live music fans?

Well, some are still totally willing to spend top dollar on major concerts, such as for those three sold-out Ariana Grande shows at Oakland Arena earlier this month.

Others are just taking a pass, which is resulting in "blue dot fever" (aka, plenty of unsold tickets) for many gigs.

Oh, but there is a very economical way to get your live music fix in the Bay Area during these warm weather months. All you need to do is attend one of the plethora of free summer music concert series happening all around the region.

The offerings, which range from blues and jazz to R&B and Latin, with plenty of classic rock tributes, can be found from Concord to Los Gatos and from San Jose to Redwood City.

Artists range from Grammy-winning stars to local tribute and genre acts that have entertaining Bay Area music fans for years.

Here is our annual guide to the top free concert series happening over the next few months. We'll once again kick off with the Stern Grove Festival, which remains the gold standard - especially in terms of lineups - for these types of admission-free events.

Stern Grove Festival

When: 2 p.m. Sundays through Aug. 16 (also Saturday, Aug. 15).

Where: Stern Grove, 19th Avenue and Sloat Boulevard, San Francisco; www.sterngrove.org

Highlights: "Godmother of Soul" Patti LaBelle with Destani Wolf and KPFA DJ Malachi (Aug. 9); legendary hip-hop group Public Enemy with KPFA DJ Davey D (Aug. 15); soul/R&B/gospel icon Al Green with Goapele, the Glide Ensemble and KALW DJ Wonway Posibul (Aug. 16)

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. Those who don't want to go the online route can make plans to try and secure tickets in person via Community Box Office locations (see website for details). Also, there are options for people to make donations to the festival and, in doing so, secure tickets/tables in advance.

Los Gatos Jazz on the Plazz

When: 6:30 p.m. Wednesdays, July 8-Aug. 26

Where: Los Gatos Town Plaza, West Main Street and Santa Cruz Avenue; www.jazzontheplazz.com

Highlights: Grammy-winning Pacific Mambo Orchestra (July 15); former Santana band singer Tony Lindsay & the Soul Soldiers (July 22); acclaimed multi-instrumentalist Gunhild Carling (Aug. 26)

Note: There is an option to buy reserved seats.

Redwood City Music in the Park

When: 6 p.m. Wednesdays through Aug. 19 (music starts at 5:30 p.m. beginning in mid-August)

Where: Stafford Park, King Street and Hopkins Avenue, Redwood City; redwoodcity.org

Highlights: Reggae act Pacific Vibration (July 1); Western swing band Three on the Tree (July 29)

Levitt San Jose Concert Series

When: 4:30 p.m. July 5 and 26, Aug. 16 and 30, Sept. 6; 1-8 p.m. June 21

Where: St. James Park, Second and St. James streets, San Jose; levittsanjose.org

Highlights: Soul/funk/jazz act Kev Choice Ensemble, So Lauren + Prince vs. MJ DJ set (July 26); genre-defying music act Peach Tree Rascals (Sept. 6)

Concord Music and Market Series

When: 6:30 p.m. Thursdays through Sept. 24

Where: Todos Santos Plaza, between Mount Diablo and Grant streets, Concord; www.cityofconcord.org/downtownevents

Highlights: Taylor Swift tribute Twist on Taylor (Aug. 6); The Doors tribute Strange Days (Sept. 3); Pink Floyd tribute House of Floyd (Sept. 24)

Music at the Mansion Summer Concert Series

When: 1-5 p.m. July 26, Aug. 16, Sept. 13

Where: Mt. Eden Mansion, 2451 W. Tennyson Road, Hayward; thehardfoundation.org

Highlights: Puerto Rican music act The Latin Rhythm Boys (Aug. 16); blues greats J.C. Smith Band (Sept. 13)

Mission College Summer Concert Series

When: 6:30 p.m. July 15 and 29, Aug. 5

Where: Central Plaza, Mission College, Santa Clara; missioncollege.edu/concerts

Highlights: "Future soul" act Jazz Mafia (July 15); Latin salsa outfit Montuno Swing (July 29)

Morgan Hill Friday Night Music Series

When: 5:30 p.m. Fridays through Aug. 21 (no concert July 3)

Where: Downtown Amphitheater, Morgan Hill Community and Cultural Center, 17000 Monterey Road, Morgan Hill; morganhillchamber.org/friday-night-music-series

Highlights: Party-oriented rock/pop cover band Daze on the Green (July 31); Patron Latin Rhythms (Aug. 14)

Redwood City Music on the Square

When: 6 p.m. Fridays through Sept. 4 (no concert on July 3)

Where: Courthouse Square, 2200 Broadway, Redwood City; redwoodcity.org

Highlights: Lynyrd Skynyrd tribute Sounds of Skynyrd (July 10); reggae act Native Elements (July 17); David Bowie tribute Starman SF (Aug. 28)

Concerts in the Park

When: 7 p.m. Fridays through Aug. 28

Where: Lions Wayside Park, First and Neal streets, Pleasanton; pleasantondowntown.net

Highlights: Country act Honkytonk Heroes (July 10); rock cover band Diablo Fugitives (Aug. 21); dance music cover act East Bay Grooveline (Aug. 28)

Yerba Buena Gardens Festival

When: Various dates and times through Nov. 13

Where: Yerba Buena Gardens lawn, Fourth and Mission streets, San Francisco; www.ybgfestival.org

Highlights: SF Uke Jam's Summer Uke-splosion: Peace, Love and Ukulele, featuring Cynthia Lin and Ukulenny, (noon, July 4); Mariachi San Francisco (billed as kids' shows, 11 a.m. and noon, July 10); Brazil in the Gardens: Alexandre Ribeiro and Alessandro Penezzi (12:30 p.m., Aug. 13).

Sunset by the Lake Summer Concerts

When: 6 p.m. July 5, 19; Aug. 2, 16, 30

Where: Pleasant Hill City Hall, 100 Gregory Lane; www.phillca.gov/1396/Summer-Concerts

Highlights: Country/rock act Bell Brothers Band (July 5); Tom Petty tribute band Big Jangle (Aug. 30)

Point Richmond Music

When: 5:30 p.m. July 10, Aug. 14, Sept. 11

Where: Downtown Point Richmond, Park Place between West Richmond and Washington avenues; pointrichmondmusic.org

Highlights: Blues-rockers Wreckless Strangers, blues harmonica great Aki Kumar (July 10); Americana act CBD with Russell, Kaplan, Patrick+Smith; Those Darn Accordions (Aug. 14)

Pub in the Park

When: 11 a.m.-4 p.m. July 11, Aug 1 and 29, 2026

Where: Red Morton Park, 1120 Roosevelt Ave., Redwood City; redwoodcity.org

Highlights: Bluegrass band Wildcat Mountain Ramblers (July 11); bluegrass-country act Purple Mountain Majesty (Aug. 29)

Oakland Municipal Band Summer Concerts

When: 1 p.m. July 4, 12, 19 and 26, Aug. 2,

Where: Edoff Memorial Bandstand, Lakeside Park, Oakland; oaklandmunicipalband.org

Kids Rock!

When: 10 a.m. July 18 and Aug. 8

Where: Courthouse Square, 2200 Broadway, Redwood City; redwoodcity.org

Highlights: Lori & RJ (July 18); Andy Z and the Andyland Band (Aug. 8)

Golden Gate Park Band

When: 1 p.m. Sundays through Sept. 27, as well as concerts on the Fourth of July and Labor Day

Where: Spreckels Temple of Music (aka Golden Gate Bandshell), Golden Gate Park, San Francisco; goldengateparkband.org

Sounds of the Shores

When: 5 p.m. July 18 and Aug. 8

Where: Marlin Park, 500 Cringle Drive, Redwood City; www.redwoodcity.org

Highlights: Party music band Sonic Addiction (July 18); rock cover band Misspent Youth (Aug. 8)

Music in the Square Summer Series

When: 6 p.m. Fridays through Aug. 28 (except July 3)

Where: Evergreen Village Square, 4055 Evergreen Village Square, San Jose; sanjose.org/events/music-square-summer-series

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This story was originally published June 22, 2026 at 12:58 PM.