Go wild for all the top things to do with kids in Connecticut this weekend! Glow Wild photo courtesy of the Beardsley Zoo.
PandaFest, Glow Wild, and More Fun Things To Do in CT This Weekend
Ready Go Dog Show will be at the Norwalk Oyster Festival for family fun in CT this September 2025. Photo courtesy of JLS Communications
Best Things to Do in CT with Kids in September 2025, According to Mommy Poppins Editors
Fall foliage experiences give New England families a chance to enjoy leaf-peeping in exciting ways. Photo courtesy of the Adventure Park at Storrs
Foliage Experiences in New England 2025: Fun Takes on Fall Foliage
GUIDE
CT Fall Day Trips Guide: Orchards, Festivals, and Family Getaways 2025
The kids can hang out and have fun with the top free things to do in Connecticut! Earthplace photo by Zoe Brown, courtesy of the center.
100 Free Things To Do in Connecticut with Kids
Enjoy the best of the Fall, with apple picking in Connecticut and fun apple festivals. Photo courtesy of Holmberg Orchards & Winery
Apple Picking in CT in 2025: Best Apple Farms and Apple Festivals for Kids
Our ultimate Connecticut bucket list has all the things to do in Connecticut with kids! Mystic Seaport photo by author Kelly Patino
Ultimate Connecticut Bucket List: 100 Things To Do With Kids in CT
Roll on in to the top birthday party places in Connecticut for teens and tweens in 2025! Photo courtesy of Bowlero
Fun Birthday Party Places in Connecticut for Tweens and Teens in 2025
By land, by sea, by river—however!— families are coming to the best Museums in Connecticut! Connecticut River Museum photo by Ally Noel for Mommy Poppins
Best Museums for Kids in Connecticut: Children’s Museums and Family-Friendly Museums
Hop aboard for a trip through Litchfield County and fun things to do with kids! Naugatuck Railroad photo courtesy of the Railroad Museum of New England.
25 Things to Do With Kids in Litchfield, Connecticut
Costumed interpreters share stories of colonial life along the historic Mystic seaport. Photo courtesy of the Mystic Seaport Museum
Mystic, Connecticut with Kids: Top Things to Do on a Weekend Getaway
Ride, splash, and have gallons of fun at the best outdoor water parks in New England! Splash Away Bay Water Park photo courtesy of Quassy Amusement Park
Best Outdoor Water Parks in New England for Family Fun
Indoor spots offer plenty of adventure in Connecticut.
GUIDE
Connecticut Guide to Indoor Play Spaces & Fun Zones
New England Family Travel Guide
Bubbles are a classic free fun activity for Connecticut kids
GUIDE
Guide to Free Fun Things to Do for Connecticut Kids
Bike the ground of Fort Trumbull. Photo courtesy Visit CT
GUIDE
Connecticut Day Trips & Weekend Getaways Guide
Photo courtesy of Flamig Farm
Best Petting Zoos in Connecticut: Animals Up Close at Farms and Petting Zoos
Find a sweet treat for the whole family at the best places for breakfast in Connecticut with kids! Photo courtesy of Hotcakes
Best Breakfast Restaurants in Connecticut
As classic as the roller rink or modern as a VR experience, these fun indoor places are perfect spots for teens and tweens to hang out! Photo by Ally Noel
Fun Places in Connecticut Where Tweens and Teens Can Hang Out Indoors
Parents can enjoy some relaxation when their kids spend time at the
10 Family-Friendly Hotels and Spa Resorts in Connecticut
A double slide at Jonathan's Dream. Photo courtesy of O'Brien and Sons Landscape Structures
The Best Tot Lots and Toddler Playgrounds in Connecticut
Ball pit fun at Chelsea Piers.
Great Birthday Party Places in Connecticut for Preschoolers
Find family fare and great deals at these Connecticut restaurants where kids eat free! Photo courtesy of Canva
Kids Eat Free: Connecticut Restaurants for Every Day of the Week
Flat walking trails make Wharton Brook State Park a sure bet for kid hikers. Photo by Mommy Poppins
A Dozen Short Hikes in Connecticut for Preschoolers and Toddlers
Take a step back in time with a visit to Mystic Seaport. Photo courtesy of Ally Noel
Top Attractions in Connecticut: Best Things to See and Do with Kids
From rolling hills and lakes to scenic views and summits, there's great outdoor adventure for families at Connecticut state parks. Photo courtesy of Visit CT
25 Connecticut State Parks and Forests That Are Great to Visit with Kids
Outdoor fun and healthy activity await at one of the top Connecticut playgrounds! Jonathan's Dream playground photo courtesy of O'Brien & Sons
Top Connecticut Playgrounds That Families Will Love
Run through the vineyards at Aquila's Nest. Photo courtesy of Aquila's Nest, Facebook
The Best Family-Friendly Vineyards and Wineries in Connecticut
Practice new skills at Calf's Pasture Beach, photo courtesy of Norwalk Skate Park, Facebook
Top Skate Parks in Connecticut
Create colorful storm clouds out of shaving cream and food coloring.
  VIDEO
25 Preschool Science Experiments: Simple Science for Toddlers through Kindergarten Kids
Revel in nature's majesty at Webb Mountain. Photo by Ally Noel
Best Nature Centers in Connecticut To Visit with Kids
We’ve rounded up the best escape rooms in Connecticut for a fun family outing!
Awesome Escape Rooms in CT: Kid-Friendly Parties and Family Adventures
The festivities get downright magical with Kids' Birthday Party Entertainers in CT! Photo courtesy of Dean Davids Magician
Kids' Birthday Party Entertainers in CT That Come To You

Free Concerts and Outdoor Music Festivals for New Jersey Families Summer 2025

The Westfield Community Concert Band presents its annual summer concert series in Mindowaskin Park. Photo courtesy of Westfield
The Westfield Community Concert Band presents its annual summer concert series in Mindowaskin Park. Photo courtesy of Westfield
6/6/25 - By Laurie Rein

Outdoor concerts are a summer staple throughout New Jersey, and going to one is the perfect way to spend a beautiful summer evening. Luckily for us, it's possible to take in FREE live music nearly every night of the week in New Jersey, so get ready to go concert-hopping at the local parks, downtown areas, and beaches we've listed below. 

Find more summer freebies with our guide to Free Things To Do in New Jersey this Summer with Kids and our rundown of free summer outdoor movies in New Jersey. We also have lots more ideas in our Ultimate New Jersey Kids Summer Vacation Guide. 

Sign up for our FREE newsletters to get posts like this delivered to your inbox.

Check individual venues for movie listings and alternate rain plans.  

More Free Activities in New Jersey this Summer

Free Summer Movies in New Jersey

Best Free and Fun Things To Do in New Jersey with Kids June 2025

109 Free Things To Do in NJ This Summer With Kids

OUR LATEST VIDEOS

Enjoy free music on Fridays at the Museum of Early Trades & Crafts. Photo courtesy of METC
Enjoy free music on Fridays at the Museum of Early Trades & Crafts. Photo courtesy of METC

Free Summer Concerts in New Jersey

Thursday's ROCK! Summer Concert Series in Freehold

Freehold
Thursdays from June 5-August 22, 2025
Get ready to rock every Thursday night at Downtown Freehold's summer concert series, featuring widely-known and local talent acts. READ MORE

Downtown Cranford Summer Sounds

Cranford
Thursdays from June 5-August 28, 2025
Grab a bite from a local restaurant and pull up a park bench for these special Thursday evening concerts in downtown Cranford. The streets come alive with a different sound from local artists each week.   READ MORE

Princeton Summer Concert Series

Princeton
Fridays from June 6-August 15, 2025
Princeton Shopping Center's courtyard is home to a diverse summer outdoor entertainment series on Friday nights. Get ready to dance with local bands.  READ MORE

Sunset Sips & Sounds at Terhune Orchards

Princeton
Fridays from June 6-September 5, 2025
Spend a relaxing Friday evening at Terhune Orchards, with live music from local bands and, of course, wine. Light fare is available for purchase. Families are welcome. READ MORE

METC Downtown Concert Series

Madison
Select Fridays from June 11-August 22, 2025
METC's free Summer Concert Series sponsored by the DDC is back. Enjoy a free night of music this summer on Fridays. Bring your own chair or blanket to sit and listen to some great performances. READ MORE

Downtown Plainfield Pop-Up Concert Series 2025

Plainfield
Thursdays from June 12-August 28, 2025
The Downtown Plainfield Pop-Up Concert Series features live music every Thursday evening in front of Park Plaza. From smooth jazz to soulful R&B and high-energy funk, this free outdoor concert series brings the community together with an incredible lineup of talent. READ MORE

Friday Night Concert Series at Somers Point

Somers Point
Fridays from June 13-September 5, 2025
Friday night is music night at William Morris Beach, with free concerts each week. READ MORE

2025 Essex County Free Summer Music Concert Series

Essex County parks
Select dates from Tuesday, June 24-Friday, August 15, 2025
Kick back in the park, and hear a diverse group of musicians and entertainers throughout Essex County. Performers include local and international acts in jazz, rock and roll, big band, reggae and more.   READ MORE

Music Under the Stars Concert Series

Flemington
Select Thursdays from June 26-August 7, 2025
Deer Path Park is home to Hunterdon County's music under the stars on select Thursday evenings. READ MORE

Horizon Sounds of the City 2025

Newark
Select dates from Friday, June 27-Thursday, August 7, 2025
New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC) is proud to host this free live summer concert series taking place under the stars on the NJPAC Campus at Chambers Plaza. Enjoy local talent, plus a one-night showcase of local artists. READ MORE

Sweet Sounds Downtown Music Festival in Westfield

Westfield
Tuesdays, July 1-August 26, 2025
Enjoy a night out in town with free music as you stroll, eat, and relax at outdoor venues around town featuring live musicians. Talented groups play and entertain each Tuesday evening through August with Wednesday rain dates. READ MORE

Union Township Summer Concert Series

Union
Select dates from Friday, July 4-Thursday, July 24, 2025
Head over to Bierteumpfel Park for live music every Thursday in July. Grab a bite from food trucks on site. READ MORE

Livingston Summer Concert Series

Livingston
Wednesdays from July 9-August 30, 2025
Stop by the gazebo in Memorial Park Wednesday nights for live music from local bands. READ MORE

Places featured in this article:

About the Author

Laurie Rein
Laurie Rein is passionate about finding fun (especially free!) activities for her twin daughters. Before joining Mommy Poppins New Jersey, Laurie worked in the television industry, with roles as an NBC page, copywriter, affiliate liaison for The Rosie O'Donnell Show, and research manager for CBS.
Recent Articles By Laurie Rein:
Read more articles by Laurie Rein.