Music, Theater, Poetry in the Parks
Choose from over 200 live music events in a variety of genres, Shakespeare in the Park, and poetry readings. Concert series in the parks are organized by friends groups and neighborhood associations, often with food and beverage concessions as fundraisers for these organizations.
In addition to the many returning series, events are popping up in the parks. Don't miss any of the free events in the parks!
Select the "Music/Concert" filter on the Parks Events Calendar.
Jazz at The Vine
Humboldt Park
Opening Event: Friday
Regular Schedule: Every other Thursday
May 29 through Sept. 3
Hosted by Humboldt Park Friends
The live jazz series kicks off the season as part of the Bay View Jazz Fest. The series continues every other Thursday night, offering the community the best in local jazz and an opportunity to enjoy a relaxing evening at The Vine Humboldt beer garden!
Ferch's Live Music Friday
Grant Park Beach
Fridays
May 29 through June 26
Hosted by Ferch's Beachside Grille
The series brings live, acoustic music to the beach on Lake Michigan's shore. Food, beverages, and frozen custard available for purchase at the grille.
Soulful Summer
Gordon Park
Opening & Closing Events: Saturdays
Regular Schedule: 2nd Fridays
May 30 through Sept. 12
Hosted by Friends of Gordon Park
Enjoy a monthly mix! Styles include soul, Latin, blues, R&B, rock, folk, and world music.
Heart(beats) of the City
Red Arrow Park
Wednesdays
June 3 through Aug. 26
Hosted by Milwaukee Downtown BID 21
Round up your coworkers for beats and eats at this lunch-time concert series, featuring local bands and the area’s best food trucks, onsite.
Jazz in the Park
Cathedral Square
Thursdays
June 4 through Sept. 10
Hosted by Eastown Association
Experience some of the area's top talent in an eclectic lineup of jazz, big band, funk, R&B, reggae, and blues. Come early to shop for produce and more at Cathedral Square's afternoon market or shop at the evening market during the concert.
Chill on the Hill
Humboldt Park
Tuesdays
June 9 through Sept. 1
Hosted by Bay View Neighborhood Association
Each Tuesday evening of the summer, Bay View neighbors gather on the hillside above the band shell to enjoy music performed by local musicians. Food trucks are on-site, and the Vine Humboldt beer garden is just a short walk away.
Poetry in the Park
Juneau Park
2nd Tuesdays
June 9 through Sept. 8
Hosted by Woodland Pattern
Celebrate the best of spoken word! Local, regional and national poets give readings in the idyllic setting in front of the Solomon Juneau statue, near the bluff overlooking Lake Michigan.
Summer Concerts
Rose Park
Saturdays TBA (late-June through late-August)
Hosted by Northcott Neighborhood House
Celebrate culture of yesterday, today and tomorrow! The summer concert series features local and national talent.
Out There Series
Various Locations
Select Saturdays & Sundays
June 21 through Sept. 26
Hosted by Out There Series
An intimate outdoor music series curating strange sounds in unique spaces. The focus is on experimental, jazz, classical and ambient music. Performances may include art, sound walks, poetry and more.
Concerts in the Gardens
Whitnall Park, outside Boerner Botanical Gardens
Thursdays
July 2 through Aug. 20
Hosted by Wimmer Communities
Enjoy free weekly concerts by top local talent, all while surrounded by the beauty of Whitnall Park. Beer, wine and food available for purchase.
Music in Lake Park: Musical Mondays
Lake Park
Mondays
July 6 through Aug. 24
Hosted by Lake Park Friends
Local bands with an eclectic range of styles, from samba to classical, provide the free entertainment at Lake Park's Summer Stage.
Washington Park Wednesdays
Washington Park
Wednesdays
July 8 through Aug. 26
Hosted by Washington Park Neighbors
Innovative local bands, Milwaukee's finest food trucks, and activities sure to energize and entertain fill the park each Wednesday. Theme nights promise diverse pairings of music, art and fun.
Shakespeare in the Park
Various Parks
Saturdays & Sundays
July 12 – Aug. 9
Hosted by Optimist Theatre
Full afternoons of performances, games, and activities! Richard III, a 50-minute adaptation, is brought to life by puppets. Puppetry gets inside one of the most over-the-top villains and makes the play’s dark material accessible. In the 40-minute comedy, The Merry Wives of Windsor, the mistresses outwit the boastful Falstaff, making his attempts at seduction and extortion backfire. Early Music Now performs.
Music in Lake Park: Wonderful Wednesdays
Lake Park
Wednesdays
July 15 – Aug. 19
Hosted by Lake Park Friends
Wonderful Wednesdays is a concert series geared to children and their families. The concerts are held at the Lake Park Summer Stage.