I LOVE live music of every genre. Unfortunately, my budget combined with having young kids makes it near impossible to attend concerts. So instead of shelling out $100+ for nosebleed seats, I love supporting our local music scene, and summer is the perfect time to do so. Additionally, outdoor concerts are FREE and kid-friendly — I mean, what kid doesn’t like to boogie? We love to pack a picnic or visit a new restaurant before listening. It’s the perfect summer night out!

I found some great 2016 free summer concerts in southeast Michigan — specifically around Ann Arbor, Detroit, Flint, Lansing and the surrounding suburbs. Be sure to head out and support local music, and of course, support the local shops and restaurants while you’re there, too.

NOTE: Cities are in alphabetical order. 

FREE SUMMER CONCERTS IN SOUTHEAST MICHIGAN 2016

ANN ARBOR 

Sonic Lunch Series | Thursdays at Noon in Liberty Park Plaza. Partner restaurants will be on-site selling food. Special guest music kicks off at 11:30 a.m.

• June 2 – Wild Belle
• June 9 – Laith Al-Saadi
• June 16 – Frontier Ruckus
• June 23 –  JR JR  wsg Joe Hawley of Tally Hall
• June 30 – Ben Daniels Band
• July 7 – The Outer Vibe
• July 14 – The Suffers
• July 28 – Brett Dennen wsg The Accidentals
• August 4 – Joshua Davis
• August 11 – The Ragbirds
• August 18 – Joe Hertler & The Rainbow Seekers
• August 25 – Serena Ryder 

Concerts in the Park at Burns Park | Concerts in the Park are free on Sundays in Burns Park at 3 p.m.

• July 31 – Gemini Brothers
• August 7 – The Rev. Robert Jones
• August 14 – The Cadillac Cowboys
• August 21 – Playin’ Chicken

Free concerts with the Ann Arbor Civic Band | Concerts are Wednesdays from 8-9 p.m. They are held in the West Park Band Shell on Seventh Street between Miller and Huron

• June 22 – On the March
• June 29 – Fourth of July
• July 6 – Children’s Concert
• July 13 – Great Movies
• July 20 – Got Swing
• July 27 – On Broadway

AUBURN HILLS 

Friday Night Music Series | Fridays, 7 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. in Riverside Park

• June 3 – Dr. Pocket
• June 10 – Rick & Danya’s Playground {Family}
• June 17 – Sun Messengers
• June 24 & 25 – Summerfest
• July 8 – Stardust Big Band
• July 15 – LL7
• July 22 – Hype Syndicate
• July 29 – Nobody’s Business
• August 5 – Bugs Beddow & the Good Stuff
• August 12 – La Dolce Vita
• August 19 – The Bel Airs

BIRMINGHAM 

In The Park Summer Concerts | Wednesday nights in Shain Park at 7 p.m.

• June 22 – David Gerald
• June 29 – Nemesis
• July 6 – Detroit Brass Society
• July 13 – Air Margaritaville
• July 20 – Jill Jack
• July 27 – Magic Bus Band
• August 3 – Mainstreet Soul
• August 10 – CrossRoads
• August 17 – Steve King & The Dittilies
• August 24 – Sinjon Smith

BRIGHTON

Concerts at the Mill Pond Gazebo, sponsored by Brighton Kiwanis | Pre-show at 6:30 p.m. and featured group at 7 p.m.

• July 10 – Magic Bus
• July 17 – Billy Mack and Juke Joint Johnnies
• July 24 – Surf Zup
• July 31 – The Gratitude Steel Band
• August 7 – Toppermost
• August 14 – Christian Bands
• August 21 – The Persuasion Band
• August 28 – Steve King & The Dittlies

CANTON 

Thursday Night Concert Series | Thursdays, 7:30-9 p.m. at Heritage Park

• June 30 – L’USA
• July 7 – Wonder Boys
• July 14 – Steve King and the Dittilies
• July 21 – Gratitude Steel Band
• July 28 – The Favorites
• August 4 – Weekend Comeback
• August 11 – All Directions

Color Tour Jazz Series | Fridays, 7-9 p.m. Various locations as shown below.

• July 8 – Demetrius (Krayon) Nabors – IKEA
• July 15 – Althea Renee – Superbowl
• July 22 – Linn Rountree – Home Depot
• July 29 – Andy Snitzer – JC Penney}
• August 5 – Penny Wells {Home Depot}

CLINTON TOWNSHIP 

First State Bank Summer Sound Concerts | The Mall at Partridge Creek will host music acts ALL summer long at various times. Way too many musicians to list here, so be sure to check out the entire schedule here.

DETROIT 

Campus Martius Park | There are several musical events in the park that are all FREE! Impossible to list them all. Visit here to view the many musical events that will be taking place this summer.

Java and Jazz, sponsored by Comerica Bank | Every third Tuesday at 6 p.m. at the Detroit Public Library’s Friends Auditorium located at 5201 Woodward Ave. Remaining concerts:

• June 21 – Balance {Marcus Eliot & Michael Malis}
• July 19 – Maurice Davis

The Renaissance Center in Detroit makes the perfect backdrop for the Rockin’ on the Riverfront concert series.

Rockin’ on the Riverfront | Fridays, 8-10 p.m. on Riverfront Plaza

• July 8 – Michael McDonald
• July 15 – Don Felder
• July 22 – Blue Oyster Cult
• July 29 – Grand Funk Railroad
• August 5 – Starship
• August 12 – Bret Michaels

EAST LANSING 

Summer Concert Series | Concerts take place on Fridays and Saturdays at Ann Street Plaza in downtown East Lansing; music begins at 7 p.m.

Fridays @ 7 p.m.

• June 24 – Starfarm
• July 8 – Sea Cruisers
• July 15 – Heartland Klezmorim
• July 22 – Root Doctor
• July 29 – Xavier’s Jazz Trio
• August 5 – Deacon Earl

Saturdays @ 7 p.m.

• June 25 – Alex Mendenell
• July 9 – Gemini
• July 16 – Kathleen and the Bridge Street Band
• July 23 – Dominic and Racheal Davis
• July 20 – Dragspel
• August 6 – Gifts or Creatures {7-8 p.m.} and May Erlewine {8-9 p.m.}

FARMINGTON HILLS 

Stars In The Park | All concerts take place in Heritage Park’s grassy amphitheatre, beginning at 7 p.m. Bring a blanket or lawn chair; picnic dinner is welcome. In case of inclement weather, most concerts will be relocated to the Costick Center.

• June 23 – Teddy Petty and The Refugees
• June 30 – Atlas Jazz with Anna Givens
• July 7 – Farmington Community Concert Band
• July 14 – High School Night
• July 21 – Indian Musical Extravaganza
• July 28 – Farmington Community Big Band
• August 4 – Farmington Community Chorus
• August 11 – Annabelle Road
• August 18 – The Brian Alexander Band

FENTON 

Concerts In The Park | Thursdays 7:00 – 8:30 p.m. at Fenton Millpond Park Gazebo {In inclement weather, the concert will be moved to the  Fenton Community & Cultural Center}

• June 3 – Fenton Community Orchestra (Friday 7:00-8:30 pm)
• June 9 – The Groove Party
• June 16 – The Alternatives
• June 23 – Kari Holms & The Modern Day Drifters
• June 30 – Magic5
• July 7 – Vinyl Underground
• July 14 – Rugged Road
• July 21 – Chautauqua Express {Guy Louis Family Concert}
• July 28 – Exit Strategy
• August 4 – Sanctuary Blues
• August 11* – Billy Mack & the Juke Joint Johnnies {Back to the Bricks 6:30-8 p.m.}
• August 18 – Eye96
• August 25 – TJ Thomas & the Kentucky Strait

FLINT 

Music In The Parks | Enjoy live music at one of the many parks in the city of Flint and Genesee County {locations listed below}. All shows are at 7 p.m.

• June 25 – Patriotic Spirit with the Flint Symphony Orchestra {Crossroads Village}
• July 7 – Mariachi, Bluegrass & All That Jazz with performances by Mariachi Estudiantil, RFD Boys and Brad McNett Quartet {Mott Park}
• August 18 – Gospel Gathering Celebrating the Best of Flint with performances by The Flint Jubilee Chorale and The Flint Community Gospel Choir {Max Brandon Park}
• August 26 – Crim Kickoff Celebration with the Flint Symphony Orchestra {downtown Flint}

HOWELL 

The Howell Courthouse is a neat venue to see an outdoor concert.

Concerts at the Courthouse, sponsored by the Howell Opera House | Fridays at 7 p.m. on the Howell Courthouse lawn

• July 8 – Rhythm Society Orchestra      
• July 15 – Pete “Big Dog” Fetters and the Bourbon Street Band
• July 22 – Tom Sharpe – Drummer for Mannheim Steamroller
• July 29 – Lookin’ Back {Bob Seger Tribute}
• August 5 – Danny D and the Vagabonds {Rod Stewart Tribute}
• August 12 – Rusty Wright Blues Band
• August 19 – The Detroit All Stars
• August 26 – Toppermost {Beatles Tribute}

LANSING

Lake Lansing Park South hosts free Friday Night Concerts at the Band Shell concert stage. Performances begin at 7 p.m. 

• June 3 – Avon Bomb
• June 10 – New Rule
• June 17 – Barbershop – Sweet Adaline
• June 24 – Soultown
• July 1 – Meridian Community Band
• July 8 – Lansing Concert Band
• July 15 – Don Middlebrook & Pearl Divers
• July 22 – Sea Cruisers
• July 29 – Life Support
• August 5 – R.J. Thomas and the Windy Mountain Boys
• August 12 – Oldies But Goodies
• August 19 – Brian Lorente & Usual Suspects
• August 26 – Jeff Baldori

LATHRUP VILLAGE

FREE summer concerts | All concerts are held at  the Lathrup Village Municipal Park from 7 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.

• June 15 – Bugs Beddow and Good Stuff
• June 22 – Marvin Thompson Jr.
• June 29 – Metro Detroit Jazz Orchestra
• July 6 – Big Will & The 360 Band
• July 13 – David Gerald
• July 20 – Mustard’s Retreat
• July 27 – Duffy King
• August 3 – Kimmie Horn
• August 10 – Shepard’s Folly
• August 17 – Mainstreet Soul

LINDEN 

Music By The Mill | Wednesdays, 7–8:30 p.m. at the Linden Mill Pond Gazebo {In the event of inclement weather, the concert will be moved to the VFW Hall}

• August 3 – The American Bushwackers
• August 10* – Soul’d Out {Back to the Bricks 6:30-8 p.m.}
• August 17 – Shotguns and Violins
• August 24 – Tie Dye Giants
• August 31 – Soulstice

MILFORD 

Summer Concert Series | Thursdays 7-9 p.m. in Central Park

• May 26 – Your Generation
• June 9 – Billy Mack and the Juke Joint Johnnies
• June 16 – Mainstreet Soul
• June 23 – Kari Lynch
• July 7 – Surf Zup
• July 28 – Jill Jack

MOUNT CLEMENS

Sight & Sound | Every first Thursday of the month, 7-9 p.m.

• June 2 – Killer Flamingos
• July 7 – Tommy Vale & The Torpedos
• August 4 – Jr. Walker’s All Star Band
• September 1 – The Jim Cummings Band

NORTHVILLE

• June 3 – Northville High School Jazz
• June 10 – Von Zippers
• June 24 – Mainstreet Soul
• July 1 – Social Bones
• July 8 – Steve Acho
• July 15 – The Bluescasters
• July 22 – Karen Newman
• July 29 – Shawn Riley Band
• August 12 – Julianne Ankley & The Rougues
• August 26 – Steve King and the Dittlies