Courtesy of the Missouri Botanical Garden.
Music lovers can turn out any day of the week to see exciting free concerts and live performances all across the St. Louis area. With the array of different genres and settings on offer, you can always find the right fit, whether you're looking for a place to picnic with the family or a low-cost date night. For more information on lineups or changes—with outdoor concerts come inevitable weather cancellations—visit the individual event websites.
Monday
Music Mondays at Citygarden welcomes guests of all ages to the downtown sculpture park for afternoon tunes. Each Monday concert includes a free lunchtime musical performance from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. with artists such as Joe Mancuso on June 5, Cree Rider on July 10, and Nikki Glenn on August 7. Take a break from the office or bring the family out for an hour of fun at Citygarden. Mondays through August 14, excluding July 3.
Tuesday
36th Annual Summer Concert Series at Faust Park
Concertgoers can visit Faust Park on Tuesday evenings to hear a variety of music and support local restaurants. The gates open at 5:30 p.m. for attendees to sample from concession stands, dine at numerous food trucks serving local cuisine, and even participate in a game of bingo beginning at 6 p.m. The free concerts are held from 7-9 p.m. each Tuesday evening. Bring your own lawn chair or picnic blanket and enjoy an eventful night of food, drinks, and jams. Every Tuesday from June 6-August 15, except for June 27 and July 4.
The UCity Summer Band is returning for its 27th season. Playing light classics, popular music, show tunes, and more, the UCity Summer Band welcomes attendees to picnic and have an evening of fun. The free concert series at Heman Park is held every Tuesday evening beginning at 7 p.m. from June 13 to July 25. Seating will be on the lawn, and the band recommends bringing a lawn chair or blanket. At the end of each concert, the band will invite kids up to conduct the finale performance of “On the Mall.” Every Tuesday June 13 through July 25, except July 4.
Photography by LeeAnn Gomes, courtesy of Missouri Botanical Garden
Wednesday
Every Wednesday evening, the Missouri Botanical Garden hosts the Whitaker Music Festival, celebrating the diversity and dynamism of St. Louis artists. Concertgoers will have the opportunity to listen to bands such as The Mighty Pines, One Way Traffic, and The Soulard Blues Band. While the concerts are free, advance online reservations are required for admissions. Unless maximum capacity is reached, reservations will be open until the concert’s start time. The Missouri Botanical Garden encourages attendees to bring chairs or a blanket to take advantage of lawn seating, and picnicking will be permitted after 5 p.m., with the opportunity to purchase food and beverages on-site. Pets, barbecue grills, and smoking are not permitted. Every Wednesday through August 2.
Take a mid-week break with Wednesday Night Jazz Jam, presented by The Kranzberg Arts Foundation. Free and family-friendly, the event celebrates the legacy and the future of St. Louis’ jazz scene, bringing together people of all ages and backgrounds. From 6-9 p.m. each Wednesday, Bob DeBoo hosts the Jazz Jam inside The Dark Room. Food and drinks can be purchased on-site, and there is limited seating on a first-come-first-serve basis. Every Wednesday.
One of St. Louis’ longest-running outdoor happy hours, Parties in the Park, is celebrating their 40th anniversary with live music and beer and wine at North Brentwood between Forsyth and Maryland Avenue. The program is held from 5-8 p.m. on the second Wednesday of the month through September 13, and the monthly lineup includes some of St. Louis’ hottest bands. On August 9, Vote for Pedro will perform a mix of rock and country, and attendees can enjoy the high-energy atmosphere brought by the group. And on September 13, Griffin and the Gargoyles, a lively dance and party band, will perform their extensive playlist. While no coolers or outside food or drinks are allowed, there will be plenty of food trucks and other dining options. Recommended parking is at the N. Brentwood Lot or the City of Clayton Public Garage. All metered parking in Clayton is free after 5 p.m. as well. Second Wednesday of each month, through September 13.
St. Charles puts on a free outdoor concert series every third Wednesday of the month from May until September. Held in the 100-200 blocks of North Main Street from 5-7:30 p.m., Music on Main invites attendees to bring lawn chairs to relax and enjoy the music. Folks can enjoy music from different artists each month, including Common Ground, Russo & Company Band, Butch Wax & the Hollywood’s, and Vinyl Tap. Food and drinks are available for purchase, and no outside alcoholic beverages are allowed. For parking, it's recommended that concertgoers head to the lots along Riverside Drive and the parking garage at the St. Charles City Hall. Third Wednesday of each month, May through September.
Maplewood Summer Concert Series
Come out with family and friends to listen to some of St. Louis’ best bands at Maplewood’s free Summer Concert Series. Held at Ryan Hummert Park, the monthly concerts start at 6 p.m. and last until 8 p.m. Featured artists include Power Play, All4Nothin, Chris Shepherd Band, and Cici Rayburn Band. Food and drinks will be available to purchase from local vendors, but guests are also welcome to bring their own. Fourth Wednesday of each month, through September 27.
Thursday
Summer Concerts at Millennium Park
This summer, families are invited to picnic and listen to live music at Millennium Park in Creve Coeur. Free to the public, the concerts will be held every second Thursday of the month from May to August from 6-8 p.m. Kiwanis will have barbecue, chips, and sodas available for purchase at each event. Creve Coeur has planned events all ages can enjoy, from nostalgic Rock Opera to a NashVegas show featuring popular country artists and all-time hits. Every second Thursday of each month, through August 10.
Friday
Enjoy an educational, animated experience at HullabaZoo at the St. Louis Zoo. Hullabazoo introduces a different theme every other Friday through August 4, showcasing a unique animal in their natural habitat. The event also includes live entertainment, as well as food and drink specials that complement the nightly theme. Attendees can indulge in an ice cream special at the Arctic polar bear exhibit or groove with the Afriky Lolo West African Dance Company at the Central African Chimpanzee exhibit. HullabaZoo is held every other Friday from 3:30-6:30 p.m. Live entertainment begins at 4:30 p.m., and includes artists such as Tyler Dale & Co on June 23 and Top of the World on July 28. Every other Friday through August 4.
Saturday
Come out and enjoy the best of blues, soul, and R&B every Saturday with Blues on the Block. Through August 5, attendees can watch and listen to acts every Saturday night beginning at 4 p.m. Concertgoers are invited to bring chairs and snacks for the free concerts at 6th Street and Washington Ave., and chairs will also be available to rent. While outside alcoholic beverages are not permitted, there will be a bar at the event for guests to purchase drinks. Musicians such as Cheri Evans, Jeremy Taylor, and Laka will keep guests coming back for more. Every Saturday through August 5.
Hot Summer Nights at Frenchtown
Hot Summer Nights is returning to Frenchtown with exciting bands looking to bring the streets to life every second Saturday from 6-10 p.m. Events include a Classic Rock Night featuring Anthology on July 8 and a Jazz Night featuring Ben Lacy and Tim Cunningham on August 12. While no outside food or drinks are allowed, alcoholic drinks will be available to purchase, and guests will have access to food trucks on site. Historic Frenchtown suggests attendees bring their own lawn chairs for an evening full of fun in St. Charles. Every second Saturday of each month, through September 9.
Lake Saint Louis Parks & Recreation Department 2023 Summer Concert Series
The 2023 concert series at Lake Saint Louis is underway and a perfect way to enjoy a summer evening. Held from 7-10 p.m. every other Saturday through September 23, the concert series welcomes a variety of genres for folks to enjoy. The Lake Saint Louis Parks and Recreation Department also invites guests to bring their chairs, favorite foods, and beverages, but glass of any kind is prohibited. The concerts will take place across two locations: Windjammer or Boulevard Park Amphitheater, so make sure to check out Lake Saint Louis’ website for more information. Every second and fourth Saturday of each month, except for August, through September 23.
Sunday
The Gateway Festival Orchestra
The Gateway Festival Orchestra is returning for a series of classical summer evening concerts every Sunday in July at 7:30 p.m. Each concert has its own theme, like "Music Under the Night Sky" or "Musical Treasures." On July 9 and July 23, the Gateway Festival Orchestra will be performing at Brookings Quadrangle at Washington University. Patrons are encouraged to bring lawn chairs, blankets, and picnics for this night on the quad. The July 16 and 30 performances will be held inside the 560 Music Center. Every Sunday in July.
Searching for a relaxed evening before the start of the work week? Look no further than the Manchester Community Band, performing for three Sundays this summer. The June and July dates will start at 6:30 p.m., and the August performance will start at 6 p.m. Each performance at the Amphitheater in Schroeder Park has its own theme: "Quest for Freedom" on June 18, "Around the World: Amazing Places" on July 16, and "Ancient Elements: Earth, Water, Air and Fire" on August 13. June 18, July 16, and August 13.
