Boston's Best Free Summer Concerts
Summer is a very musical time for the city of Boston. Not only are there plenty of huge venues inviting superstars to play indoors at an exorbitant fee for guests, there are also many free concerts that are often happening outdoors. Anyone who wants to enjoy the beautiful summer weather and a wide variety of music could easily fill most of his or her summer with everything from classic rock to classical music. Make sure to keep one ear out when walking the town because a concert could be just around the corner.
DCR Memorial Hatch Shell
47 David G. Mugar Way
Boston, MA 02108
(617) 626-1250
www.bso.org
Date: July 4, 2015
Under the direction of Arthur Fiedler, the Boston Pops began giving a free Fourth of July concert on the Charles River Esplanade decades ago. Since that time, it has become one of the most popular places to be on this holiday. Because these concerts are aired nationally and often recorded for distribution, the Boston Pops earned the distinction of the most recorded orchestra ever. It is not just because the concerts are free. These are very talented musicians playing popular movie music and other favorites.
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100.7 WZLX Free Summer Concerts
DCR Memorial Hatch Shell
47 David G. Mugar Way
Boston, MA 02108
(617) 626-1250
www.wzlx.cbslocal.com
Date: Summer, 2015
The Hatch Shell has such great acoustics and a sprawling esplanade for guests to sit, it is no wonder it is such a popular venue for free concerts. WZLX is known to host free summer concerts there with artists like Blue Oyster Cult and Dennis De Young. Keep an eye out for the 2015 lineup to catch some great classic artists out in the open. Be sure to bring a blanket or some folding chairs to get the most relaxing experience out of these fun shows.
Sunday Jazz Concerts
Spectacle Island
Boston, MA
www.bostonharborislands.org
Dates: Every Sunday, June 21 through Sept. 6, 2015 at 1:00 to 3:00 p.m.
There are few better concerts than those that just spring up around visitors and residents. It may be a little more complicated to get to Spectacle Island than say Boston Common, but it is worth the trip for jazz lovers. Every Sunday features jazz on the porch style concerts and even some Berklee musicians. The best part is the backdrop. Good music backed by beautiful beaches and Boston's harbor is hard to beat.
Gospelfest
City Hall Plaza
1 Congress St.
Boston, MA 02201
(617) 635-3911
www.cityofboston.gov
Date: August, 2015, day to be announced
Boston's annual Gospelfest is one of the biggest free celebrations of gospel music available. For more than a decade, local and national gospel choirs and singers have been spending one day a year singing their hearts out in City Hall Plaza. The concert is just a few hours long, but is packed with a variety of talent. When it comes to family-friendly entertainment for those who like faith-based music, this is the concert to see every summer.
Summer Concert Series
Faneuil Hall Marketplace
1 Faneuil Hall Sq.
Boston, MA 02109
(617) 635-4500
www.faneuilhallmarketplace.com
Dates: To be announced
Faneuil Hall is one of the coolest places in the city to see free performances any time of the year. During the summer, the street performers are out in droves, but music lovers will appreciate the concerts that take place everywhere from the sidewalk to the historic building. Expect to see musicians from near and far ranging from young students to seasoned professionals. There is no better way to get a bunch of shopping done, grab a bite to eat and listen to music at the same time.
Shelly Barclay is a professional freelance writer and amateur author. She writes on a variety of topics from food to mysteries. She loves to share the culture and rich history of her birthplace and home, Boston, with the rest of the world. Her work can be found at Examiner.com.
