FREE Summer Concerts in Southeast Michigan in 2015 {Ann Arbor, Detroit, Flint & Lansing Areas}

I LOVE live music. Unfortunately my budget combined with having young kids makes it near impossible to attend concerts. 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 kid-friendly, after all, what kid doesn’t like to boogie?

I found some great FREE 2015 summer concerts 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. I couldn’t include all, so I picked the communities of where the majority of my readers are from.

FREE SUMMER CONCERTS IN SOUTHEAST MICHIGAN – 2015

ANN ARBOR

Sonic Lunch Series | Thursdays at Noon in Liberty Park Plaza. Partner restaurants will be on-site selling food

• June 4 – Martha Reeves
• June 11 – Joshua Davis
• June 18 – Jessica Hernandez & The Deltas
• June 25 – Michelle Chamuel wsg/ Absofacto
• July 9 – Joe Hertler & The Rainbow Seekers
• July 23 – Laith Al-Saadi
• July 30 – Bennett
• August 6 – Luke Winslow-King
• August 13 – BØRNS wsg/ Chris Bathgate
• August 20 – Theo Katzman wsg/ Joey Dosik
• August 27 – Vulfpeck

Concerts in the Park at Burns Park | Concerts in the Park are free on Sundays in Burns Park at 1:30 p.m.

• June 28 – Gemini Brothers
• July 12 – Mister Laurence and his Play Money Band
• July 19 – Nessa
• July 26 – Sensorium Saxophone Quarter
• August 4 – Neil Woodward (Note: This is a Tuesday not Sunday like the others)
• August 9 – Big Blue Tide
• August 16 – Cedric

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 17 – On the March
• June 24 – Swingin’ to the Big Bands
• July 1 – Fourth of July Celebration
• July 8 – Children’s Concert
• July 15 – Great Composers of Broadway: Gershwin, Porter, and Berlin
• July 22 – At the Movies

AUBURN HILLS

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

• June 5 – The Rhythm Kings
• June 12 – Toppermost {Beatles Tribute}
• June 19/20 – Summerfest {Music both days}
• June 26 – The Millionaires
• July 10 – Annabelle Road
• July 17 – The Dan Rafferty Band
• July 24 – Lynn LaPlante Seven
• July 31 – Cadillac West
• August 7 – Motor Honey
• August 14 – The Bel Airs
• August 21 – Cancel Monday

BIRMINGHAM

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

• June 12 – Battle of The Bands
• June 17 – Birmingham Concert Band
• June 24 – “Byron Legends Alive” & Byron In Motion
• July 1 – Antekes
• July 8 – Steve Acho
• July 15 – Detroit Soul Revue
• July 22 – Kari Holms and The Modern Day Drifters
• July 29 – Stewart Francke
• August 5 – Randy Kaplan
• August 12 – Steve King & Dittilies

BRIGHTON

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

• July 5 – The Persuasion Band
• July 12 – The Whatabouts & the Whoevers
• July 19 – Magic Bus {music of Woodstock}
• July 26 – Rhythm Society Orchestra {Special Concert in honor of our Veterans}
• August 2 – Toppermost {Beatles Tribute}
• August 9 – Christian Music Concert
• August 16 – Moose & da Sharks
• August 23 Steve King and The Dittilies

CANTON

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

• June 25 – Kevin and The Glen Levens
• July 9 – Remedy
• July 16 – Howlin Mercy
• July 23 – The Phoenix Theory
• July 30 – Allen as Tim and the Dance Hall Rockers
• August 6 – Greg Jaqua
• August 13 – The Dan Rafferty Band

Color Tour Jazz Series

Fridays, 7-9 p.m. Various locations as shown below.

• July 10 – Dal Bouey {JCPenny}
• July 17 – Herbie Russ {Ikea}
• July 24 – The Brothers Groove {Superbowl}
• July 31 – Gerard Gibbs {Superbowl}
• Aug 7 – Yancyy {Superbowl}
• Aug 14 – Charles and Gwen Scales {JCPenny}
• Aug 21 – Urban Jazz Coalition {Kroger}

CLINTON TOWNSHIP 

Summer Sounds

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 16 – The Marvin Jones Trio
• July 21 – Obed Succor

New Center Park Thursday Night Music Series | Several concerts, movie nights and more throughout the summer.

Rockin’ on the Riverfront | Fridays, 7:30-10 p.m. on Riverfront Plaza

• July 10 – The Doobie Brothers
• July 17 – .38 Special
• July 24 – Dennis DeYoung of Styx
• July 31 – Burton Cummings of The Guess Who
• August 7 – Credence Clearwater Revisited
• August 14 –  Kansas

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.

• June 12 – Gifts or Creatures with Sam Corbin
• June 13 – Sea Cruisers
• June 26 – Stella
• June 27 – Root Doctor
• July 10 – Swift Brothers
• July 11 – Taylor Taylor
• July 17 – Kathleen & the Bridge Street Band
• July 18 – May Erlewine
• July 24 – Dragspel feat. Mike Lynch & Rob Klajda
• July 25 – Deacon Earl & The Congregation
• July 31 – Cuatro Sur
• Aug. 1 – Greg Nagy

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 18 – Farmington Community Concert Band
• June 25 – Jai Ho
• July 9 – Farmington Community Big Band
• July 23 – Howlin Mercy
• July 30 – Kari Holmes & the Modern Day Drifters
• August 6 – Sonic Freeway
• August 13 – Farmington Community Chorus
• August 20 – Kathy Kosins
• August 27 – L’USA

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 4 – AllenAsTim & The Dance Hall Rockers {Tim McGraw Tribute}
• June 11 – Eye96 Band {All ages of Pop ~ Rock}
• June 18 – Pete “Big Dog” Fetters Band {Blues ~ Rock ~ Motown ~ Country Variety}
• June 25 – The Saucecats {New Orleans Funk ~ Zydeco ~ Latin ~ Caribbean}
• July 9 Chautauqua Express // Guy Louis Family Concert {Childrens}
• July 16 – The Rhythm Gypsies {Funk ~ Rock ~ Blues}
• July 23 – Billy Mack & The Juke Joint Johnnies {Americana}
• July 30 – Mike Espy Group {Blues}
• August 6 – Soul’d Out {Rock~N~Roll Variety 70’s To Current}
• August 13 – The Saline Fiddlers Philharmonic {Fiddlers ~ Folk ~ Blue Grass}
• August 20 – Silver Compass {Rock ~ Blues ~ Country Variety}
• August 27 – Toppermost {Beatles Tribute Band}

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}. 

• June 13
• July 2 {Crossroads Village}
• July 16 {Kearsley Park}
• July 30 {Mott Park}
• August 6 {Max Brandon Park}
• September 10 {The Whiting}

HOWELL

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

• July 10 – Rhythm Society Orchestra
• July 17 – Air Margaritaville {Jimmy Buffett Tribute}
• July 24 – The Magic Bus – 60’s Woodstock Show
• July 31 – Steve King and the Dittilies – Classic Rock
• August 7 – Sonic Freeway
• August 14 – Cats and the Fiddler
• August 21 – Rusty Wright Blues Band
• August 28 – Toppermost {Beatles Tribute}

Thursday, July 30 – Gemini {Children’s Music} on the library lawn

LANSING

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

• June 5 – North Country Flyers
• June 12 – Avon Bomb
• June 19 – Capital City Chordsmen & Water Wonderland
• June 26 – Soultown Band
• July 3 – Meridian Community Band
• July 10 – Lansing Concert Band
• July 17 – Raisin Pickers
• July 24 – Sea Cruisers
• July 31 – Life Support
• August 7 – Don Middlebrook and the Pearl Divers
• August 14 – Oldies But Goodies
• August 21 – Showdown
• August 28 – New Rule

LATHRUP VILLAGE

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

• June 11 – Jill Jack
• June 18 – Mark Stone Trio
• June 25 – Atlas Jazz Band
• July 2 – Stardust Big Band
• July 9 – Pete Big Dog Fetters
• July 16 – Hot Sauce
• July 23 – The Saucecats
• July 30 – Kimmie Horne
• August 20 – Mark Stone Trio
• August 27 – 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}

• July 29 – The Island Guys
• August 5 – Captain Meteor & The Rockets
• August 12 – 3Peace
• August 19 – TJ Thomas & Kentucky Strait
• August 26 – Rusty Wright Band

MILFORD

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

• June 4 – Billy Mack and the Juke Joint Johnnies
• June 11 – Annabelle Road
• June 18 – Paisley Fogg
• June 25 – Toppermost {Beatles Tribute}
• July 2 – Moto City Brass Band
• July 9 – The Randy Brock Group
• July 16 – Persuasion
• July 23 – Steve King and The Ditties
• July 30 – Kimmy Horne
• August 13 – Mr. Moody

• May 29 – Northville High School Jazz Band
• June 5 – Robin Horlock
• June 12 – Rusty Wright
• June 19 – The Blueflowers wsg/ The Whiskey Charmers
• June 26 – Mainstreet Soul
• July 3 – North Country Flyers
• July 10 – Sinjon Smith
• July 17 – Howling Diablos
• July 24 – Randy Brock
• July 31 – Twistin’ Trarantulas
• August 7 – Steve King and the Dittlies
• August 14 – Karin Elizabeth & the Remedy Band
• August 28 – Shawn Riley Band