One of the great things about summer is that many cities offer a wide range of outdoor concerts and theater performances, many of which are free.  Every year I try to catch at least one performance in the park. Here’s a sampling of some of the free events happening this summer:

New York City:  catch a diverse selection of free summer performances in Central Park.  The Metropolitan Opera’s “Met in the Parks” series runs from August – September and is also free.

San Francisco:  Stern Grove has been offering a free concert series each summer for almost 70 years. This summer you can choose from blues, rock&roll, opera, salsa, ballet and classical music. The grove itself is a beautiful setting and filled with fragrant eucalyptus trees that provide great acoustics.

Chicago:  Grant Park offers free classical concerts from June through August at Millennium Park.  Concerts are held in the new outdoor pavilion with state-of-the-art outdoor acoustic design. 

Austin: the Zilker Summer Musical has been a tradition for almost 50 years.  Every weekend evening from July through August, you can catch the current musical at the Zilker Park Hillside Theater.

San Jose:  their “Music in the Park” event returns this year and is offered free to the public.  This concert series includes such well-known bands like Smash Mouth and Better Than Ezra.

These are just a few -  check your online city guide for local performances.  All you need is a blanket and a picnic basket!