Sweet Sounds of Summer Concerts
By Kathi Caldwell-Hopper
What could be better than an outdoor summer concert on a balmy evening? When the concert is near the water, you can arrive by boat, making the experience memorable. If the concert is a short walk away, you can park nearby and stroll to the music.
In the town of Tuftonboro, the popular Summer Concert Series at the Pavilion enlivens summer. The series takes place on Thursdays at 6:30 pm and ends at 8:30 pm at 19 Mile Beach in Tuftonboro, weather permitting, during July and August. Bring a lawn or beach chair and spread out for an evening of fun and music.
The concerts also offer concessions. Because the series takes place near the waterfront, you can choose to stay on your boat and listen to the music from the lake. Others Park nearby and stroll to the concert/beach area.
This year’s lineup, (already underway as of July 3), includes July 17 – Big Picture Band; July 24 – Ricky and the Giants; July 31 – Wooden Nickels Band; August 7 – North River Music; August 14 – Sky Road; Aug. 21 – Idol Hands, and on August 28, the series ends with Carolyn Ramsay Band. While the concerts are free of charge, donations are accepted. The concerts are presented by the Tuftonboro Parks and Recreation Department. Call 603-569-4539 ext. 25 for information.
Alton Bay is a bustling, fun place in the summer months. The bandstand at water’s edge is the location for an outdoor summer concert series that are free and just steps from all kinds of dining. There is docking nearby, and the concerts take place each Saturday from 7 to 9 pm. The lineup includes July 19 – Pub Pilots (classic and country rock); July 26 – Got It Covered (cover songs); August 2 – The Revolutionists (classic and modern rock and roll); August 9 – Bittersweet (classic rock); August 16 – Chris Bonoli (soft rock, country and classic electric blues); August 23 – Saxx Roxx (classic rock, country and electric blues) and August 30 – Cool Beans (60s and 70s rock). You can bring a lawn chair or blanket for seating. In case of inclement weather, decisions to cancel will be announced by 2 pm on the Alton Parks and Recreation Facebook page or by calling 603-875-0109.
Great Waters Summer Concerts has a beautiful and unusual location for its summer series at Castle in the Clouds in Moultonborough, with a second location for select shows at Brewster Academy in Wolfeboro. Concerts take place in July and August. The Concerts in the Clouds site is under a large tent on the grounds of the Castle.
Alter Ego will perform on July 18 from 7:30 to 10 pm; Abby Mueller trio performs in You’ve Got a Friend, The Music of Carole, Joni and James at Brewster Academy on July 24 from 7:30 to 9 pm; on August 2 Brass Transit plays the Musical Legacy of Chicago at the Castle location from 7:30 to 9 pm; the Ultimate Tribute to Tina Turner is scheduled for August 9 from 7:30 to 9 pm at the Castle tented location; Peter Cincotti will be at Brewster Academy’s Anderson Hall on August 16 from 7:30 to 9 pm; August 23 will be Ultimate Earth, Wind and Fire Tribute at the Castle; and The Music of John Denver with Ted Vigil on August 27 from 7:30 to 9 pm at Brewster Academy ends the season. Visit www.greatwaters.org for tickets or call 603-569-7710.
Music Nights Live will be at Mill Falls Marketplace on Fridays in Meredith in July and August. The line-up includes Another Story on July 18; NH Ukeladies on July 25; The Honey Bees on August 1; Craig Jaster Quartet on August 8; Katie Dobbins follows on August 15, and Another Story on August 22. The concerts are free and run from 5 to 8 pm at Mill Falls Marketplace, located at 312 Daniel Webster Highway, Meredith.
Cate Park in Wolfeboro is a great place to relax. With nearby dining offering everything from sandwiches, burgers and ice cream to gourmet meals, the downtown also has great shopping. Best of all, music lovers enjoy the free outdoor concerts presented by the Wolfeboro Community Bandstand each summer. The concerts, featuring a variety of musical talent, take place in the pretty gazebo in Cate Park. Boat docking is nearby. Concerts are on Saturdays and run from 7 to 9 pm. The schedule includes July 19 – Compaq Big Band; July 26 – Windham Community Band; August 2 – Jimmy and the Jesters; August 9 – High Range; August 16 – Michael Vincent Band; August 23 – Ball in the House; and August 30 – Soggy Po’ Boys. For information or to check on weather concert cancellations, visit the Friends of the Community Bandstand Facebook page. You can also visit www.wolfeborobandstand.org.
The Wolfeboro Cate Park Band performs at the Community Bandstand on South Main Street (adjacent to Dockside Town Docks) in downtown Wolfeboro on Wednesday nights from 7 to 9 pm. The Cate Park Band is a pick-up community concert band that plays Broadway, marches, and rock medleys. Whether you are here for a week or the entire summer, please feel free to drop in and play. The group typically rehearses from 7 to 8 pm. Bring a chair or blanket and enjoy the concert from 7 to 9 pm.
Center Harbor is a pretty town on the shores of Lake Winnipesaukee. In the summer, the Center Harbor Parks and Recreation Band Concert Series performs in the town bandstand near the Fire Station. There is plenty of lawn space for concertgoers to spread out a blanket or bring a lawn chair for seating. Concerts take place on Fridays (having started in June) and continue on July 18 and 25 and on August 1 and 8 at 7 pm. Rain dates are the day following the scheduled concerts. Practice for each concert takes place at 6 pm, an hour before each scheduled concert. Visit www.centerharbortownband.com for information.
Bristol in the Newfound Lake area holds concerts in Kelley Park at 41 North Main Street near the downtown area at the Concert Pavilion. The shows take place from 6:30 to 8 pm; bring a lawn chair for seating. The schedule includes July 17 – Rebecca Turmell; July 31 – Club Soda Band; August 7 – Red Daisy Revival; and August 21 – Morgan Nelson Band. All concerts are free and open to the public. On July 24, Dancing with the Starts offers a chance to cheer on local celebrities as they compete in a fun night of dancing to benefit Voices Against Violence.
In case of rain, concerts may be moved indoors to the Historic Town Hall at 45 Summer Street in Bristol. Weather-related decisions are typically made by 2 pm the day of the concert, especially when bands are traveling. Stay up to date by checking the Town of Bristol website at www.bristolnh.gov or the Bristol Community Events Facebook page.
Free music is offered this summer at Marceau Park on Central Street in Franklin at 5 pm on Thursdays. On July 17, the 93 North band is scheduled, followed by Bryan Conway on July 24, Douglas Thompson on July 31; on August 7, the Sweetbloods perform; Tim Hazelton will be there on August 14; 2nd Time Around on August 21, and Breaking Character on August 28. Concerts are free, and all are welcome. The concerts are presented by the Franklin Opera House, and while in town, you can also enjoy the Franklin Farmer’s Market from 3 to 6 pm. Visit www.franklinnh.org for information or call 934-7410.
Although a bit out of the Lakes Region, Waterville Valley offers a full calendar of live music in the Town Square Gazebo on July 18 featuring John Bartenstein from 6 to 9 pm; July 19 offers Two Towns in the gazebo from 6 to 9 pm; July 25 sees Doug Thompson from 6 to 9 pm; and The Bone Shakerz on July 26 from 5:30 to 8:30 pm. The series continues into August, as well as some autumn concerts. Visit www.waterville.com for more shows.
The Belknap Mill at 25 Beacon St. East in downtown Laconia has a summer line-up of outdoor concerts in Rotary Park adjacent to the Mill. Stop by and bring a lawn chair and enjoy the free shows, including Katie Dobbins on August 1 and a Sock Hop with the Rockin’ Daddios on Sept. 5. Visit www.belknapmill.org for more information. Shows move inside the Mill if there is rain.
The 2025 Music on the Green series offers a variety of free outdoor concerts for all ages at Canterbury Shaker Village, 288 Shaker Rd. in Canterbury. Bring a lawn chair for seating and enjoy Peabody’s Coal Train on July 20 at 4 pm, as well as The Twangtown Paramours on Aug. 3 and Dudley Laufman and the Canterbury Country Dance Orchestra on Aug. 24. Call 603-783-9511 or visit www.shakers.org.