Hey, music lovers! Here are 9 (free!) concert series to enjoy this summer

Gege Reed, Louisville Courier Journal
Updated ·3 min read

We are almost halfway through summer but don't worry, there are still plenty of concerts and outdoor music events to attend in the Louisville area. And — these summer concert series are all free. So, pack up your blankets and lawn chairs, grab some friends, and listen and dance to some of your favorite performers, with everything from country to R&B.

Here's your guide to free outdoor concerts series, in alphabetical order, in the Louisville area this summer:

Bicentennial Park Summer Concert Series

The Bicentennial Park Summer Concert Series takes place at the corner of Spring and Pearl streets in New Albany, Indiana.
The Bicentennial Park Summer Concert Series takes place at the corner of Spring and Pearl streets in New Albany, Indiana.

Bicentennial Park, corner of Spring and Pearl streets, New Albany, Indiana, 6:30-9:30 p.m. Fridays. Bring lawn chairs and blankets. newalbanycityhall.com/bicentennialpark

  • July 21: Dallas Moore, Tyler Hood

  • July 28: Raquel & the Wildflowers, Gracie Yates

  • Aug. 4: Mama Said String Band, Bridge 19

Colonial Gardens Summer in the Gardens

On the patio, 818 W. Kenwood Dr. colonialgardenslouky.com

  • July 21, 7-9 p.m.: Frankie Moody

  • July 28, 6-9 p.m.: The Pat Younger & the Palo Verde

  • July 29, 5-7 p.m.: KRM

  • Aug. 4, 7-9 p.m.: R&R 3

  • Aug. 12, 6-9 p.m.: The Checkmates

  • Aug. 16, 6-9 p.m.: Bluegrass music jam

  • Aug. 25, 7-9 p.m.: Last Band Standing

Concerts in Warder Park

Sonny Brewster Bandstand, 109 E. Court Ave., Jeffersonville, Indiana. 7 p.m. Fridays. Bring lawn chairs and blankets. Presented by Jeffersonville Main Street and the Jeffersonville Parks Department. jeffmainstreet.org.

  • July 21: Kosair Dance Band

  • July 28: The Clark Band

  • Aug. 4: The Don Krekel Orchestra

  • Aug. 11: Clair Morgan’s Little Big Band

  • Aug. 18: Moonlight Big Band

  • Aug. 25: Eric & Kenny

Dan-O's Seasoning Sizzling Summer Series

3rd Turn Oldham Gardens, 6300 Old La Grange Road, Crestwood, 6-9 p.m. Fridays. Enjoy signature cocktails and beer from 3rd Turn Brewing, as well as food from the Backside Grill and Dan-O’s seasoning. touroldham.com.

  • July 28: The Misty Mountain String Band

  • Aug. 4: Soul Kitchen

  • Aug. 11: Floyd and the Walkmen

FridayFest Concert Series

Highview Park, 7201 Outer Loop (enter through Briscoe Lane), 6-10 p.m. Fridays. Also children’s activities, food trucks with a variety of food options. Bring lawn chairs or blankets.

  • July 21: The Monarchs

  • Aug. 4: All That Band, Club House Troubadours

Fourth Street Live!

411 S. Fourth St., 7-10 p.m., Fridays. Enjoy music, picnic-style seating throughout Fourth Street Live!, games, cold beer, cocktails and great eats. 4thstlive.com.

  • July 28: Jordan Tyler Band

  • Aug. 4: Matt Rogers

Music in the Park

Louisville Parks and Recreation and JenCare Senior Medical Center are partnering to host the third annual Music in the Park, a free concert series designed for people ages 55 and older. Concerts will be held from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. the third Thursday of the month through  October. Bring a lawn chair or blanket.

  • July 20: Paulette Johnson & The VillEffect Band. Russell Lee Park, 3701 Southern Ave. Backup location, Southwick Community Center, 3621 Southern Ave.

  • Aug. 17: The CheckMates. Riverside, the Farnsley-Moremen Landing, 7410 Moorman Road. Backup location, Sun Valley Community Center, 6505 Bethany Lane.

  • Sept. 21: Paulette Johnson & The VillEffect Band. Petersburg Park, 5008 E Indian Trail. Backup location, Newburg Community Center, 4810 Exeter Ave.

  • Oct. 19: The CheckMates. Iroquois Park, 5216 New Cut Road. Backup location, South Louisville Community Center, 2911 Taylor Blvd.

Shady Grove Summer Stage

Douglas Community Center, 2305 Douglass Blvd., Saturdays, 2-6 p.m.; music starts at 3 p.m. The first 50 teens (ages 13-16) to sign in at each concert will receive a free meal. Food truck onsite.

  • July 22: Yapa, Porkistra, Aseye Ensemble

  • July 29: Price Sisters Bluegrass, Tyrone Cotton, Eric Bolander

  • Aug. 5: Houseplant, Doom Gong, United Music Band

Shoe Sensation Jammin' in Jeff Concert Series

Jeffersonville River Stage.July 2019
Jeffersonville River Stage.July 2019

Jeffersonville RiverStage, 101 W. Riverside Drive, Jeffersonville, Indiana, 7 p.m. Fridays. Food trucks, Bud Light beer garden and cocktails by Number Juan Tequila. Chairs, blankets and small coolers are allowed. Pets, smoking, and outside alcohol are not permitted. jeffparks.org/jammin-in-jeff

  • July 21: Clayton Anderson, The Neon Troubadours

  • July 28: V Groove

  • Aug. 4: Classic Rock Experience, First & Main

  • Aug. 11: The Juice Box Heroes, Big Steel Train

Texas Roadhouse Free Concert Series at the Kentucky State Fair

Kentucky native and local favorite JD Shelburne entertained the afternoon crowds at Hometown Rising in 2019.
Kentucky native and local favorite JD Shelburne entertained the afternoon crowds at Hometown Rising in 2019.

The Kentucky State Fair, Parking Lot L, Kentucky Fair & Exposition Center, 8 p.m. Aug. 17-26. Music from every genre, The Texas Roadhouse Concert Series is free with paid admission to the Fair. kystatefair.org.

  • Aug. 17: Chris Janson, Alex Miller

  • Aug. 18: Morris Day and the Time, Tag Team

  • Aug. 19: Foghat, The Kentucky Headhunters

  • Aug. 20: The Oak Ridge Boys, T. G. Sheppard

  • Aug. 21: Casting Crowns

  • Aug. 22: Happy Together Tour featuring The Turtles, Little Anthony, Gary Puckett & The Union Gap, The Vogues, The Classics IV, and The Cowsills

  • Aug. 23: Larry Fleet, Tyler Rich

  • Aug. 24: Vince Neil The Legendary Voice, Autograph

  • Aug. 25: Eddie Montgomery of Montgomery Gentry, Lonestar

  • Aug. 26: Warren Zeiders, JD Shelburne

WFPK Waterfront Wednesdays

WFPK's free Waterfront Wedneday concert series at Louisville's Waterfront Park
WFPK's free Waterfront Wedneday concert series at Louisville's Waterfront Park

Waterfront Park, next to the Big Four Pedestrian Bridge, Wednesdays. Gates open at 5 p.m. and music begins at 6 p.m. Alcohol, coolers, glass and pets are not allowed. Rain or shine event. Proceeds benefit Louisville Public Media and Waterfront Park. lpm.org/music/2023-waterfront-wednesday-lineup

Children and families can enjoy the Waterfront KidsDay, a dedicated area for kids and families with hands-on activities (5-8 p.m.) and is made possible with support from Francis Parker School and Kentucky Science Center. lpm.org/WaterfrontWednesday

  • July 26: Bettye Lavette, Steven Page (formerly of Barenaked Ladies) and Jameron

  • Aug. 30: Deer Tick, Darlingside, Anemic Royalty

  • Sept. 27: Back 2 Mac, Sheryl Rouse Band, Sweet G & the Shine.

Whiskey Wednesdays

3rd Turn Oldham Gardens, 6300 Old La Grange Road, Crestwood, 6-9 p.m. Wednesdays. Enjoy signature cocktails and beer from 3rd Turn Brewing as well as tasty treats from the Backside Grill. Bring lawn chairs and blankets. touroldham.com.

  • July 26 and Aug. 23: MVP

  • Aug. 2: Joe D'Amato

  • Aug. 9: Zeno Jones

  • Aug. 16: Jay Stewart

  • Aug. 30: R&R 3

Reach features clerk Gege Reed at greed@courier-journal.com.

This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: Free concerts to see this summer in Louisville: Waterfront Wednesday