Seattle's Child

Your guide to a kid-friendly city

Family-Friendly Summer Outdoor Concerts around Seattle 2023

Start planning your summer outdoor concert fun

All hail summer concerts in the park, one of the simple and beautiful traditions of the season.

There are the biggies in the summer of 2023, like ZooTunes, the Chateau Ste. Michelle concerts and more.

And then there are the smaller, more manageable and FREE concerts in neighborhoods and towns that are ideal entertainment for families. You grab a spot on the lawn, and maybe recognize some neighbors or your kids’ school friends. And speaking of kids, if they’re not “too cool,” they’ll crowd the stage and dance while you sit back with a picnic or a food-truck meal and maybe a nice (plastic) glass of wine.

It’s summertime heaven.

Presenting the 2023 Line-Up of Summer Outdoor Concerts for Kids (and grown-ups)!

In Seattle, the Downtown Summer Sounds series has numerous shows scheduled through Sept. 7: some at noon, some in the afternoon or evening. And they’re in a variety of locations, for instance: Harbor Steps, Denny Park, Westlake Park, Occidental Square and Pier 62. The acts are described as everything “from small-time buskers wowing with their solo skills to main-stage headliners.”

All-City Band Jam is happening on July 28 from 6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. at Memorial Stadium, Seattle Center. Founded in 2009 by All‐City Band Director Dr. Marcus Pimpleton, Band Jam is an outdoor marching band jamboree where spectators can enjoy full performances of the marching bands many typically see only in passing on parade routes. This non-competitive event, held each year the night before Seattle’s Torchlight Parade, is free and open to the public as a celebration of what we all know to be the best part of any parade – the bands.

The Summer Concert Series at University Village takes place 7-8:30 p.m. Wednesdays, July 12-Aug. 16. There’s a beer garden and food pop-ups in addition to the usual offerings at this shopping complex.

Summer Concert Series at the Locks: What a fantastic place to see a show! They’re at 2 p.m., starting June 3, most Saturdays and Sundays through Labor Day weekend.

Summer Series at the Volunteer Park Amphitheater runs Thursday nights, July 13- August 17. 

Seattle Peace Concerts 2023: Various concerts happening throughout the summer, July 1-September 10, at Volunteer, Magnuson, Seward and Woodland parks. Get ready for Reggae, Blues, Rock, Americana and more. Concerts start at noon and run until 6 p.m. The first concert will be on Saturday, July 1 and the following concerts will be on Sunday. All shows are free and open to the public.

 

East of Seattle

Arts Without Barriers Free Concerts

Stop by Bellevue Square Fountain Court from 1-3 pm for a family-friendly music set from Lucia Flores-Wiseman.

Go see Billy Brandt at Bellevue Square Fountain Park on July 7, 1 p.m. – 3 p.m.

Bellevue Beats is a series of weekday concerts in various parks and locations. They are scheduled through August 25. Shows on Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays in the afternoon or evening.

Kirkland has both a daytime kid’s concert series and an evening concert series:

  • Kids concerts: 10 a.m. Tuesday, July 11 through Aug. 15, Juanita Beach Park.
  • Evening concerts: 7-8:30 p.m. Thursdays, July 6-Aug. 24, Marina Park.

In Woodinville, there’s the Celebrate Woodinville Summer Concerts on Wednesday nights at Wilmot Gateway Park in downtown. The fun includes high-energy bands playing music for all ages, foods and sweets from local restaurants, and a wine, beer and cider garden with local vendors. Dates for 2023 are July 12, 19 and 26, and Aug. 2. Food and beverage sales open at 5:30 p.m., and music goes from 6:30-8 p.m.

South of Seattle

The Des Moines Arts Commission is sponsoring Wednesday evening concerts in the waterfront Des Moines Beach Park. Shows start at 7 p.m. July 5-Aug. 23. Beer garden and food trucks open at 6 p.m.

Issaquah hosts the Concerts on the Green series at 7 p.m. each Tuesday through Aug. 29, on the lawn at the Issaquah Community Center. (No pets; no alcohol.)

Kent Parks & Recreation has three summer concert series!

  • Wednesday Picnic Performances at noon July 12 through Aug. 9, at West Fenwick Park and Chestnut Ridge Park
  • Wednesday Family Date Nights, 6-8 p.m. July 12 through Aug. 16 at Kent Station.
  • Thursdays at the Lake, 7-8:30 p.m. July 6 through Aug. 10, Lake Meridian Park

Auburn hosts Kids Summerstage at the park shelter beside Discovery Playground. Summerstage is a mix of music and performances that include tunes, comedy, and magic. Bring a picnic and comfortable seating to enjoy the line-up. Want to cool off? Head to the Rotary Spray Park before or after the show. Concerts/shows are every Wednesday starting July 12 – August 16, 12 p.m. – 1 p.m.

2023 Line-up:

  • July 12 – Reptile Isle – an educational, interactive reptile performance everyone enjoys.
  • July 19 – Louie Foxx’s One Man Side Show – hilarious magic, mixed with goofy stunts.
  • July 26 – Eric Ode – award-winning children’s singer/songwriter and local favorite!
  • August 2 – Eric Herman & the Puppy Dogs – super cool tunes for kids!
  • August 9 -Matt Baker – hilarious comedy and amazing stunts!
  • August 16 – The Magic of Jeff Evans – a fun, unforgettable interactive magic show.

Auburn will also host concerts in the park every Thursday, July 13-August 17 at Les Grove Park from 6:30 p.m.- 8:00 p.m. Check the lineup on this website.

Bonney Lake presents Kids Club at Allan York Park, Monday evenings starting July 10-August 21, 6:30 p.m.-7:30 p.m.

2023 Line-up:

  • July 10 – Captain Arr
  • July 17 – Eric Ode
  • July 24 – Reptile Lady (daughter of Reptile Man)
  • July 31 – Eric Herman and the Puppy Dogs
  • August 7 – The Not-Its!
  • August 14 – Brian Vogan and his Good Buddies
  • August 21 – Last Leaf Theater present Henny Penny

City of Lacey will be hosting Sundays at the park from June 25-October 22  from 12 p.m. – 4 p.m. at Lacey Depot Park. Live music, entertainment, food trucks and activities will keep your whole family busy.

The city of Lacey will also be hosting Lacey in Tune, a children’s entertainment series that will include music and movies, Tuesdays, July 11- August 15 at Huntamer Park. Check the website for more details on the line-up.

Tukwila hosts family-friendly events throughout the summer with a movie and concert series. Events happen on various days, at different locations and times. Please check this website for more details.

North of Seattle

Shoreline has several Monday and Wednesday evening concerts and events sponsored by Shorelake Arts: Dates are June 19, June 28, July 12, July 19, and July 26. Times and locations vary. Check the schedule online. No food trucks are available so be sure to bring your own picnic and low-back chairs to enjoy the evening.

Mill Creek Town Center will start its summer concert series on July 5 from 6 p.m.-8 p.m. at The Forum at Mill Creek Town. Showcasing a line-up of jazz, R&B, rock and more. Check the website for event information.

The Edmonds Arts Commission is hosting a series of concerts in three different parks. Each day a different genre of music will be played (Jazz, Pop, Rock, Country, Bluegrass and more).

  • City Park: Every Sunday, July 9-August 20, 3 p.m.- 4 p.m.
  • Hickman Park: August 27: Chamber Music Ensemble
  • Hazel Miller Park: Every Tuesday,  July 11-August 22, 4:30 p.m.-6:00 p.m. and every Thursday, July 13 to August 24

Port of Everett hosts Music at the Marina from July 13- August 31. Concerts will be at Port Gardner Landing, Thursdays 5 p.m. – 9 p.m.. Bring your blankets and lawn chairs and enjoy the food trucks while you listen to the music.

Shoreline will be hosting a lunchtime series for all ages. Tuesdays on July 11, 18, 25 and August 1 from 12 p.m. – 1 p.m. at various parks.

2023 Line-up:

July 11: Halau Hula O Napualani – Pacific Island Dance, Richmond Beach Saltwater Park
July 18: Miho & Diego – Musical Trip Around the World, (Music in Japanese, Spanish and English), Cromwell Park
July 25:  Reptile Isle – Reptile Show, Cromwell Park
August 1: Mikey Mike the Rad Scientist – Discovering science and nature through music, Spartan Recreation Center Field

More summer fun:

Drive-in movies are open! Where to go, and what to see

Seattle’s Child searchable Family Event Calendar

Explore more fun summer activities

About the Author

Seattle's Child Staff