2023 Free Summer Concerts around Cincinnati

May 22, 2023

Cincinnati is home to an amazing art community including the art of music. With some of the best bands in the tri-state, grab the family for a free summer concert or two.

Here are the best spots to jam at a Free Concert in Summer 2023:

Groovin on the Green at the Fairfield Village Green Park

Village Green Park | Thursdays | 7pm

Food, giveaways, and activities from 6-9p, music starts at 7p.

June 8
June 22
July 6
July 20
August 3
August 17
August 31
Groovin on the Green

Rockin’ the Roebling at Smale Riverfront Park

Schmidlapp Event Lawn | Thursdays | 6pm -10pm

5/25/2023 – Natural Progression
6/1/2023 – Marsha Brady
6/8/2023 – Sylmar (8pm) with the Electric Indigo(7pm)
6/15/2023 – Brother Smith
6/22/2023 – The menus
6/29/2023 – DV8
7/6/2023 – Noah Wotherspoon
7/13/2023 – Season 10 (7pm)
7/13/2023 – Antematter (8:30pm)
7/20/2023 – Trauma Illinois
7/27/2023 – 500 Miles to Memphis
8/3/2023 – the Foles(7pm)
8/3/2023 – Steve Covington and the Humble Strays(8:30pm)
8/10/2023 – Erin Coburn
8/17/2023 – Crown watts
8/24/2023 – Positive Vibes Band
8/31/2023 – Naked Karate Girls

Music at the Esplanade

Castelleni Esplanade at Smale River Park | Saturdays | 5pm – 7pm

6/3/2023 – Sawyer Roberson
6/10/2023 – The Dreaded Mids
6/17/2023 – Mary River
6/24/2023 – Temani
7/1/2023 – Sawyer Roberson
7/8/2023 – The Sweet Peas
7/15/2023 – The Foles
7/22/2023 – Union son
7/29/2023 – Jube and Jake
8/5/2023 – Tracy Walker
8/12/2023 – Run Katie Run
8/19/2023 – The Traveling Jam
8/26/2023 – Gettier

Wednesday in the Woods

Burnet Woods Bandstand | Wednesdays | 7pm- 9pm

May 31- The Comet Bluegrass All-Stars
June 7- Daglio
June 14- Positive Vibe Band
June 21- Tracy Walker
June 28- The Yolo Band
July 5- Raquel & The Wildflowers
July 12- Burning Caravan
July 19- Dayton Salsa Project
July 26- Sound Body Jazz Orchestra
August 2- Jake Speek and the Freddies
August 9- Remember

Play in the Park

Kennedy Heights Park | Wednesdays | 6:30pm – 8:30pm

Play in the Park will run on Wednesdays in the summer. This festive event has become a yearly tradition, summoning residents from across Kennedy Heights and welcoming neighbors from Pleasant, Silverton, and elsewhere. The cheerful green signs have become such a steady presence each summer that it is easy for this author to forget that the program is only in its eighth year. It is important, then, to pause and reflect on the power of people—people committed to creating the neighborhood they believe is possible.

Acoustic Lunch Series at Piatt Park

Piatt Park | Wednesday and Friday | 11am-1pm

Relaxing music in the heart of the city from a variety of Cincinnati-based duos and soloists. Every Wednesday and Friday from 11am to 1pm.

Sawyer Point Summer Concert Series

Sawyer Point & Yeatman’s Cove Park | Saturdays | 4pm- 10pm

June 3 – Vernon Mcintyre’s Appalachian Grass (4pm-5:30) Jake speed and the Freddies (6pm-7:30) Henhouse Prowlers (8:30pm-10pm)
July 1 – Erin Coburn (4pm) The Classic Rock Experience (6pm) Thunderstruck (8pm)
August 5- Cliftones (4pm) 500 Miles to Memphis (6pm) Husbands (8pm)

Amped Up Concert Series

Sawyer Point Park | Days Vary | 6 or 7pm

Casual and competitive pickle ball, accompanied by food and live music.

5/12/2023 – Timestamp + APP Pickleball Tournament (7pm)
5/13/2023 – Vinyl Countdown + APP Pickleball Tournament (7pm)
6/16/2023 – My Girl Friday (6pm)
7/28/2023 – Vinyl Countdown + Great Lakes Regional Pickleball Tournament (6pm)
7/29/2023 – Just Add Beer + Great Lakes Regional Pickleball Tournament (6pm)
8/11/2023 – Union Son (6pm)
9/29/ 2023 – What About Jane + Monster Smash Pickleball Tournament (6pm)

Friday Night Fun at Stanbery Park

Kyle Plush Pavilion| Fridays | 6pm-9pm

June 2- Sophia & Ben Troyer
July 7- The SunBurners
August 4- Arts Sampler
September 1- Union Son

Concert in the Park

Nisbet Park Amphitheater | Sundays | 6pm- 8pm

June 11- Linus Tate
June 25- Elvis Tribute
July 16- School of Rock
August 13- Rooster Ridge
August 27- Bourbon Road

Third Thursdays Summer Concerts

Loveland Bike Trail | Thursdays | 6pm- 9pm

June 15- Mothman
July 20- Blank Checks
August 17- Saint Cloud

Rhythm on the Plaza

Clifton Plaza | Tuesdays | 7pm-9pm

Uptown Cincinnati comes to life this summer with Uptown Arts Alive, free outdoor performances, six days a week designed to enliven our neighborhoods and bring people together through art! Happening in each of the 5 neighborhoods of Uptown, these 66 unique events will feature bands, musicians, actors, puppeteers, DJs, dancers, and performers of all types.

Rhythm on the Plaza happens each Tuesday (June 7 – Aug 16) from 7:00 – 9:00 p.m. and features music like salsa, mambo, and more to get your feet moving on a Tuesday night.

Sunday Showtime

Clifton Cultural Arts Community Arts Center | Second Sundays | 7pm-8:30pm

Fill your Second Sundays with smiles at our monthly series of lively, family-focused musical and theatrical performances.

Jazz at the Park

Washington Park | Mondays | 6pm-9pm

May 22: Ben Levin
June 5: Ron Jones Trio
June 12: El Ritmo De Manana
June 19: Mike Wade Quintet
June 26: Matt Tolentino
July 10: Patsy Meyer
July 17: Transatlantis
July 24: Dixie Karas
July 31: Estrado do Sol
August 7: Bobbty Sharp Trio w/ Jennifer Ellis
August 14: Noise Police
August 21: Spherical Agenda
August 28: Faux Frenchman
September 11: April Aloisio
September 18: Keigo Hirakawa Trio
September 25: Steely Organ Trio
October 2: Sergio Pamies
October 9: Brad Myers & Mandy Gaines
October 16: Daniel Bennett & The Dirty Shirlies
October 23: Pamela Mallory
October 30: Five Little Bears

Roots Revival Summer Concerts

Washington Park | Thursdays | 7pm – 9pm

June 1: Jordan Smart
June 8: Jordan Wilson Coalition
June 15: Shelby Lore
June 22: Stripmall Ballads/Ray Vietti
June 29: William Matheny
July 6: The Harmed Brothers Duo
July 13: The Rocket Flys
July 20: Jeremy Short
July 27: Buffalo Wabs & The Price Hill Hustle
August 3: The Tillers
August 10: Ruby Vileos
August 17: Red Beard’s Revenge
August 24: The Tie Dye Gang
August 31: TBA

Spring Concert Series

Fountain Square | Fridays & Saturdays | 6pm-9pm

5/21: Noah Smith with Hickory Robot
5/22: Erin Coburn with Sara Asher
5/28: Veronica Grim with Steven Gregory
5/29: MADQUEEN with Mynah Tones
5/30: Sundae Drives with The Grove

Spring Concert Series at Fountain Square

Blue Ash Summer Concert Series

Blue Ash Nature Park | Tuesdays | 7pm- 9pm

June 6 – The Procter & Gamble Big Band
June 13 – Sycamore Community Band
June 20 – Miami University Steel Band
June 27 – Ohio Military Band
July 4 – No Concert at the Nature Park; Concert at Fretboard Brewing Red, White & Blue Ash
July 11 – Fialla
July 18 – Monday Night Big Band
July 25 – Pete Wagner Band
August 1 – Cincinnati Brass Band
August 8 – Jump n Jive Big Band
August 15 – The New Liberty Dance Orchestra

The Takeover Summer Concert Series

The Square @ Union Centre | Thursdays | 6pm-9pm

Your Summer. Your Park. Your Party. The weekend starts on Thursday in West Chester, Ohio! Party local at The Takeover. The Takeover is an admission-free, outdoor summer concert series hosted on The Square @ Union Centre clock tower.

Each night offers free, live music; dinner & dessert options from some of the area’s tastiest food trucks; and cold beverages from local craft brewers DogBerry and Grainworks, as well as from West Chester Township distributor Ohio Eagle Distributing.