Summer’s here, and the time is right for dancing in the street! Or, on second thought, maybe not in the street so much as at a local park or outdoor music venue around Milwaukee. With nothing but warm weather ahead and summer vibes all around town, there’s really no better place to be to soak in the season than at a free outdoor concert, relishing an experience that only live music can offer. Explore any corner of Milwaukee and you’ll find a summer concert series. So, where do you start? Well, come along with us and we’ll help you find the right one for you.
Chill on the Hill
Humboldt Park | Tuesdays at 6:30 p.m.
June 3 - August 26
Go for: Summer Vibes
There are a few outdoor summer concert series that are classics, local institutions of the performing arts and a vibe all their own. Enter Chill on the Hill. It’s not the oldest in the city, but for the past 20 years, it’s amassed a huge following that packs the park every Tuesday night for a slate of live local music. Bring your picnic blanket, grab a bite from one of the food trucks and take in some tunes as the night sky paints itself in beautiful hues. The vibes are immaculate, and that summer feeling has never been closer than at Chill on the Hill.
Jazz in the Park
Cathedral Square Park | Thursdays, 6-9 p.m.
June 5 & 19│July 3 & 31│August 14 & 28│September 11 & 25
Go for: Jazz Under the Stars
Another summer staple, this one has a singular focus. It’s the reason why live music lovers from all over the city flock to the grass of Cathedral Square Park for a relaxing evening under the stars. It’s jazz, al fresco. This bi-monthly celebration of jazz draws thousands of lawn-chair-toting fans of the genre to the square for a night of wine, food vendors and the smooth, improvisational sound of local bands. Located just a few blocks away from downtown and the East Side neighborhood, Jazz in the Park is an approachable series to savor summer.
Out There Series
Various Locations | Various Times
Go for: Musical Discovery
The title of this one is an invitation to get out there. Explore. Discover. The Out There Series is a unique fixture on this year’s summer calendar. It’s a celebration of experimental music that takes place at locations all over town. From Havenwoods State Forest to Washington Park and beyond, the series encourages fans to check out new music that bends the notion of genre with a spectacular backdrop of nature acting as an understated bandmate. If you’re looking for a series that’s stepping out of the box and is carving out space for creativity, this must be the place for you.
Tosa Tonight
Hart Park | Wednesdays at 6 p.m.
June 18 – August 13
Go for: Nationally Recognized Headliners
Milwaukee has a collection of talented musicians. Just visit any local bar or small venue that hosts shows, and you’ll discover up-and-coming bands that will blow you away. And you can find many of them at series all over town. However, if you’re looking for a series with a little more national appeal, this year’s Tosa Tonight lineup has something for you. Yes, there are still plenty of great local headliners, but there are a few well-known names, too, with The Verve Pipe, The Old 97s and the fast-growing Milwaukee group Chicken Wire Empire.
Sounds of Summer
Bayshore | Fridays, 6-9 p.m.
June 13 – August 15
Go for: A Musical Shopping Interlude
In the North Shore, you’ll find Bayshore, an outdoor shopping center filled with national brands like Nike, Apple and Barnes & Noble, along with local businesses like the Board Game Barrister, the Bucks Pro Shop and Vibez Creative Arts Space. At the center of it all, though, there’s a square known as The Yard that transforms each year into a music venue during the Sounds of Summer series. Every Friday night, you can take a break from shopping to enjoy a slate of local artists and cover bands as they play away the last of a warm summer day.
Wonderful Wednesdays
Lake Park | Wednesdays, 6:30 – 7:30 p.m.
July 9 – August 13
Go for: Family-Friendly Performances
You’re never too young to uncover your love of concerts. This summer series in Lake Park is specifically designed for children and their families, spanning a variety of genres and exposing your kids to the incredible world of the performing arts. From Yiddish folk songs to hilariously clever kid-friendly songs, interactive educational numbers to dance troupes, there’s something different at the Lake Park Summer Stage all summer long.
Washington Park Wednesdays
Washington Park | Wednesdays
July 9 – August 27
Go for: Themed Concerts
While some revolve around a specific genre, most series offer an ongoing collection of great live music without a theme to tie them together. However, this concert music series does things a little differently. With a theme for each night, the tone is set, and the artists align to create a complete concert for fans. Ranging from Venue Rising to Carnival, Back to School to Viva, each Washington Park Wednesday is a fresh experience and a chance to check out a new genre or artist and explore more of Milwaukee’s great music scene.
