Celebrate Summer 2019 in Madison, Wisconsin with free outdoor music concerts and performances

Ben and Leo Sidran perform at the 2006 Isthmus Jazz Fest on the Memorial Union Terrace with Lake Mendota is the background

Summer in Madison, Wisconsin offers a wealth of free music in the beautiful outdoors, starting with Spring Concerts at the Olin Pavilion in early May and Brat Fest on Memorial Day weekend. A vast array of free rock, classical, opera, country, and jazz performances and concerts are on tap for Summer 2019. National and international musicians, as well as local talent will hold forth at Monona Terrace, McPike Park (formerly Central Park), the Memorial Union Terrace, the Capitol Square, and other venues, including local parks, through September.

Quintessential Madison has compiled this list of free summer music events to help you plan your sunny days and starry nights, whether you want to sit and listen or get up and dance.

Note: This is a preliminary list and we will be adding events as schedule details become available, so check back often to learn what’s happening. Also, please be aware that schedules change. We do our best to keep this list accurate and up-to-date, but it’s always a good idea to check sponsor sites for the latest information.

May

Spring Concerts at Olin Pavilion
Four evenings between May 8-29, 2019
Historic Olin Park Pavilion, Madison
Friends of Olin-Turville Park present family-friendly concerts featuring folk and country music. Entertainers include The Berrymans (Peter & Lou), Whiskey Farm, and Frankie Lee

Brat Fest
May 24-26, 2019
Willow Island at the Alliant Energy Center, Madison
Three days of brats, beer, ice cream and free music. Headliners include Smashmouth, the Gabe Burdulis Band, the Beth Kille Band, and Wheelhouse

Gazebo Musikk
Rotary Park, Stoughton
Every Thursday from May 30- August 29, 2019 (no concert on July 4th)
“Family-friendly summer outdoor music performance.” Featured performers include Kelsey Miles, The Rotation, Hyperia, and Panchromatic Steel

Concerts on the Rooftop
William T. Evjue Rooftop Garden, Monona Terrace
Most Thursdays at 7 p.m. from May 30 – July 25, 2019
Enjoy local bands accompanied by the best views in the city. Performers include The Love Monkeys, 97Nine, and Madison County
Capacity limited. Visit event site to request free tickets.

June

Isthmus 2019 Jazz Festival
June 7-16, 2019
A range of venues throughout the city
A city-wide celebration of jazz – Almost all of the programs are free or low cost

Marquette Waterfront Festival
June 8-9, 2019
Yahara Place Park, Madison
Free, family-friendly outdoor concerts featuring a variety of headliners, including Jimmy Sugarcane, Jarekus Singleton, and Dirty Shirts

Capitol City Band
Thursdays at 7 p.m. from June 13 through August 7, 2019
Rennebohm Park, 115 N. Eau Claire Avenue, Madison
Free one-hour concerts by “Wisconsin’s finest professional concert band.”

Live on King Street
June 14, June 28, July 19, August 2, August 9, and September 13, 2019
Majestic Theatre, 115 King Street, Madison
Six free concerts on Friday nights featuring nationally touring artists. Performers include Here Come the Mummies, Tuffcurls, and Whiskey Myers

Concerts at McKee
June 17, July 15, and August 19, 2019 (Third Monday of the month)
McKee Farms Park at 2930 Chapel Valley Road, Fitchburg
“Bring a picnic and a bottle of wine or have dinner and drinks at one of our many food carts and brew carts available to serve you at the concert.” Headliners concerts begin at 7 p.m.

Make Music Madison
June 21, 2019
“An annual citywide, free, outdoor day of music held on the summer solstice.”
Schedule TBA

The Pursuit of Happiness Sessions
June 22-23, 2019 (11 a.m. until 9:30 p.m.)
McPike Park (formerly Central Park)
A prelude to the five Sessions in August. Performers include Evan Murdock & The Imperfect Strangers; Lilly Hiatt; The Kissers; and Mal-O-Dua

Concerts on the Square
June 26 – July 31, 2019
King Street corner of the Capitol Square, Madison
Free outdoor performances by the Wisconsin Chamber Orchestra at 7 p.m. on Wednesdays on the grounds of the Wisconsin State Capital.

July

Catfish River Music Festival
July 4-7, 2019
The Rotary Park gazebo just outside the Stoughton Opera House, Stoughton
Free outdoor concerts featuring all brands of folk music. Performance schedule TBA

La Fete de Marquette
July 11-14, 2019
McPike Park (formerly Central Park)
Free outdoor concerts featuring music from around the world. Performance schedule TBA

Opera in the Park
July 20, 2019
Garner Park, Madison
“…the stars come out in the sky, the light sticks come out in the audience, and singers from our upcoming season share their favorite opera and musical theater numbers.”

Atwood Fest
July 27-28, 2019
2000-2090 Atwood Avenue, Madison
Two days of free music and festivities; schedule TBA

August

Dane Dances
Monona Terrace
August 2-30, 2018 (Fridays in August from 5:30 p.m. until 9:30 p.m.)
“The much-anticipated summer music series is a great way to get down and dance with your friends, coworkers, or family. The rooftop gets shaking as the sun sets against the iconic Wisconsin State Capitol with the breeze of the Lake Monona at your back while you dance.”

The Central Park Sessions
August 7-9 and 14-15, 2019
McPike Park (formerly known as Central Park), Madison
Performers include The Old 97s, The Bottle Rockets, and The Iguanas (New Orleans)

Jazz at Five
Wednesday nights at 5 p.m. from August 7 – September 4, 2019
100 State Street, Madison
Free outdoor jazz concerts featuring local and national artists TBA

Orton Park Festival
August 22-25, 2019
Orton Park, 1103 Spaight Street, Madison
Free, family-friendly outdoor festival featuring Cycropia Aerial Dance and local bands TBA

September

Taste of Madison
August 31 – September 1, 2019
Capitol Square, Madison
Sample treats from Madison-area restaurants ($$) and enjoy free live music from a wide variety of bands.
Program details pending; check back later for details TBA

Last updated 5/18/2019