I love live music, LOVE sittin’ outside in the summer time but don’t like spending a lot of money. When you combine all those elements, you get the following lineup of FREE outdoor music events this summer in Des Moines & surrounding areas:
To enjoy some wine while soaking up the sunshine, check out this free summer concert series on Thursdays, 6-9, at Jasper Winery or the great Sunday concerts FREE at Penoach Winery in Adel as well!
On Thursdays through the end of July, you can catch Music in the Junction, starting at 6 p.m. during the Valley Junction Farmers’ Market. Or, on Tuesdays, through mid-August, enjoy music at 7 p.m. in Colby Park in Windsor Heights (this one includes free drinks, popcorn & snow cones!).
Indianola is a rockin’ town – They have free Bluegrass Tuesdays to catch music at 6:30 p.m. on the square. Or Bike Down to I-Town, the third Friday of the month all summer, you’ll see lots of motorcycles file into town for music, vendors and fun! Also, Sumerset Winery in Indianola has free tunes 3-6 on Sundays AND a Wine & Songfest on June 15, 6:30-10 p.m. All free.
The first Friday of the summer months, be at the State Historical Building for Blues Before Sunset, 5:30-7:30 p.m. (bring a lawn chair). Jazz in July kicks off July 1 with concerts all over town, nearly every day! Music under the Stars runs through August, 6:30 p.m. on the west Capitol steps. Fridays through July 3, catch music free at Rendezvous on the River (6th & Euclid in Des Moines).
If daytime outdoor music is what you’re looking for, visit Nollen Plaza, 12:15-1, on Fridays to hear a free classical string quartet performance.
