Here are 11 free concert series taking place around Louisville this summer
Summer in Louisville means it's time for free concerts. From country to R&B, rock, and more, there's something for everyone to enjoy at a dozen concert series held across Louisville and southern Indiana from now until late August (and beyond!)
Be sure to pack your blankets and lawn chairs, bring some friends, and listen and dance to some of your favorite performers, all for free.
Here's your guide to free outdoor concerts around the Louisville area this summer, in alphabetical order:
WHAT: All artists and acoustic instruments are welcome, meet fellow musicians and enjoy a great time jamming. 3rdturnbrewing.com.
WHERE: 3rd Turn Oldham Gardens, 6300 Old Lagrange Road, Crestwood
WHEN: 3-6 p.m. the Sunday of each month
June 1
July 6
Aug. 3
Sept. 7
Oct. 5
WHAT: Free concerts on Fridays from May 23 to Aug. 8. Also, children's activities, food trucks with a variety of food options. Bring lawn chairs or blankets. facebook.com/FridayFestHP.
WHERE: Highview Park, 7201 Outer Loop (enter through Briscoe Lane)
WHEN: 6-10 p.m. Fridays
May 23: Caribou, School of Rock St. Matthews
June 6: Stacy Michart, Da Mudcats
June 20: Bibelhauser Brothers, Them Lasses & The Old Dog
July 11: All that Band, School of Rock Louisville
July 25: An Evening with The Monarchs
Aug. 8: The Swerve, The Bickers Benefit
More: The Big Stomp Music Festival announces its 2025 lineup. Here's who is performing
WHAT: Free bluegrass performances every weekend at venues, bars, hotels and restaurants. lougrassmusic.com.
WHEN: 7-9 p.m., unless noted.
May 15: Backwoods Bluegrass (Charr'd Bourbon Kitchen & Lounge, 1903 Embassy Square Blvd.)
May 16: Bottled In Bond Boys (Corner Flavors of Kentucky, 102 W. Main St., 5-7 p.m.)
May 17: The Crabgrass Conspiracy (Porch Kitchen & Bar, 280 W. Jefferson St.)
May 22: Louisville Bluegrass Band (Cambria Hotel Louisville Downtown, 120 S Floyd St.)
May 23: Cane Rune Bluegrass Band (Omni Louisville Hotel, 400 S. 2nd St.)
May 24: Dozens of Dollars String Band (Taj Louisville, 807 E. Market St.)
May 29: Cane Rune Bluegrass Band (Bourbons Bistro, 2255 Frankfort Ave.)
May 30: Whiskey Bent Valley Boys (Corner Flavors of Kentucky, 102 W. Main St.)
May 31: Kentucky Blue (Taj Louisville, 807 E. Market St., 5-7 p.m.)
June 5: Louisville Bluegrass Band (Cambria Hotel Louisville Downtown, 120 S Floyd St.)
June 6: Song Sparrows (Taj Louisville, 807 E. Market St., 6-8 p.m.)
June 7: Cane Rune Bluegrass Band (Uncle Boojie's, Paristown, 731 Brent St., 2-4 p.m.)
June 12: Dozens of Dollars String Band (Bourbons Bistro, 2255 Frankfort Ave.)
June 13: Hollerin Crows (Porch Kitchen & Bar, 280 W. Jefferson St., 6-8 p.m.)
June 14: Whiskey Bent Valley Boys (Rabbit Hole Distillery, 711 E. Jefferson St., 5-7 p.m.)
June 19: Louisville Bluegrass Band (Corner Flavors of Kentucky, 102 W. Main St.)
June 20: Whiskey Bent Valley Boys (Porch Kitchen & Bar, 280 W. Jefferson St., 6-8 p.m.)
June 21: Song Sparrows (Uncle Boojie's, Paristown, 731 Brent St., 2-4 p.m.)
June 26: Ida Clare (Charr'd Bourbon Kitchen & Lounge, 1903 Embassy Square Blvd.)
June 27: Crabgrass Conspiracy (Corner Flavors of Kentucky, 102 W. Main St., 6-8 p.m.)
June 28: Whiskey Bent Valley Boys (Cambria Hotel Louisville Downtown, 120 S Floyd St., 5-7 p.m.)
WHAT: A DJ will open each show. Bring lawn chairs. lagrangemainstreet.org.
WHERE: Springs Park Pavilion, 110 S. Second St., La Grange
WHEN: 6-9 p.m. Fridays
June 6: Rock Bottom Band
July 5: Friday Night Special
Aug. 1: Gold Brick
Sept. 5: Allen Lane Band
WHAT: Presented by the Old Louisville Neighborhood Council. oldlouisville.org/old-louisville-live.
WHERE: Central Park, 1340 S 4th St.
WHEN: 8 p.m. Friday
May 16: The Crashers
WHAT: This is the 23nd season of WFPK Waterfront Wednesday. Alcohol, coolers, glass, and pets are not allowed. Proceeds from WFPK Waterfront Wednesday benefit Louisville Public Media and Waterfront Park. Children and families can enjoy the Waterfront Kids Day, a dedicated area for kids and families to participate in hands-on activities (5-8 p.m.). LPM.org/WaterfrontWednesday.
New this year: Riverside Parking and Lynn Family Stadium will offer pre-paid parking at Lynn Family Stadium's Green Lot. Pre-paid parking can be purchased at this link. Prefer to bike there instead? Parkside Bikes returns with on-site bike parking.
WHERE: Waterfront Park, next to the Big Four Pedestrian Bridge
WHEN: Wednesdays. Gates open at the rain or shine event at 5 p.m. and music begins at 6 p.m.
May 28: Chuck Prophet & His Cumbia Shoes, Southern Avenue, Relaay
June 25: Anderson East, The Kentucky Gentlemen, Candi Jenkins
July 30: Ben Sollee and Friends, Marzz, Sydney Sleadd and the Swarm
August 27: Sixpence None the Richer, Kashus Culpepper, Roadie
Sept. 17: Paula Cole, Uwade, Maggie Halfman
More: Waterfront Wednesday is back! Here's the 2025 lineup for the free Louisville concert series
WHAT: Free concerts on Wednesday. Enjoy signature cocktails and beer from 3rd Turn Brewing and food from the Backside Grill. Bring lawn chairs and blankets. oldhamgardens.3rdturnbrewing.com.
WHERE: 3rd Turn Oldham Gardens, Trackside Distilling Company, 6300 Old La Grange Road, Crestwood
WHEN: 6-9 p.m. Wednesdays
May 14: Collins Black
May 21: Alexis Steward
May 28: Blakgraz
WHAT: Bring lawn chairs and blankets. newalbanycityhall.com/bicentennialpark.
WHERE: Bicentennial Park at the corner of Spring and Pearl streets (118 E. Spring St.), New Albany
WHEN: 6:30-9:30 p.m. on Fridays
May 30: An Evening with Dave Meland Band
June 6: Nick Dittmeier & The Jenkins Twins
June 13: Mr. Please, Veszl
June 20: Jordan Wilson and the Coalition, The Kiana Del
June 27: Song From the Road Band, Ellie Ruth
July 11: Relaay Band, Maggie Halfman
July 18: Candi Jenkins, Ian Abel
July 25: The Skinny Band, Brady Evan
WHAT: Bring lawn chairs and blankets. Ice cream from Pearl Street Treats will be available for purchase. Presented by Jeffersonville Main Street and the Jeffersonville Parks Department. jeffmainstreet.org.
WHERE: Sonny Brewster Bandstand, 109 E. Court Ave., Jeffersonville, Indiana
WHEN: 7 p.m. Fridays
June 6: Holy Name Band
June 13: Derby City Brass Band
June 20: River Cities Concert Band
June 27: Jamey Aebersold
July 11: The Polkatz
July 18: Kosair Shrine Band
July 25: Moon Dogs
Aug. 1: Moonlight Big Band
Aug. 8: Cloigheann
Aug. 15: The Don Krekel Orchestra
Aug. 22: The Clark Band
Aug. 29: Take Two
More: My Morning Jacket gets a Hometown Hero banner. Here's where to find it in Louisville
WHAT: Food trucks, beer garden by Ten20 Craft Brewery. Sponsored in part by the Cornerstone Group. townofclarksville.com/goodtimes.
WHERE: Central Green, outside Bolt+Tie complex, 1400 Main St., Clarksville, Indiana
WHEN: 6-11 p.m. Saturdays
May 31: Jak Jaw, The Juice Box Heroes
June 21: The Echoes, The Swerve
July 19: The Skinny, The Crashers
Aug. 16: From Paris, Mad Taxpayers
WHAT: Food trucks, kids' zone, beer garden and cocktails. Chairs, blankets and small coolers are allowed. Pets, smoking and alcohol are not permitted. Sponsored by First Savings Bank. jeffparks.org/jeffriverstage/.
WHERE: Jeffersonville RiverStage, 100 W. Riverside Drive, Jeffersonville, Indiana
WHEN: 6 p.m. Fridays
June 13: The Crashers
June 27: 2nd Wind Band, Shannon Vetter & the Sleepless Pilgrams
July 4: 100% Poly, Full Contact Karaoke
July 11: Top Shelf, The Rumors
July 18: Echoes of Pompeii, Matt Red Moore
July 25: The Eagles Project, Mojo Thunder
Aug. 1: Zeppparella, Grits & Greens
Aug. 15: Juice Box Heroes, The Palace
Did we miss an event? Send a note to Features News Clerk Gege Reed at greed@courier-journal.com.
This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: Free concerts to see this summer in Louisville and Southern Indiana
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