Free Summer Concerts in Northern California

Those of us lucky enough to live in beautiful Northern California, and anyone traveling to the area this summer, are in for a real treat.

Every summer, cities and towns in this region can choose from a variety of free musical concerts, mostly informal bring-the-kids events.

I have lived near the city of Chico for 28 years, and the Downtown Chico free Friday Night Concerts have been one of my favorite activities for all those years. Held in the City Plaza from the beginning of May until the end of September, the concerts have been a tradition for 32 years now. The concerts feature all styles of music from reggae to big band, and I've heard everything in between. It's a most comfortable, casual open-air setting to hear unbelievable local music at no cost. You can find further information here:

http://www.downtownchico.net/events/dcbaevents/fnc

The town of Grass Valley holds the Historic Downtown Grass Valley's Thursday Night Marketplace. Here, you can not only listen to the best of all kinds of regional music, but taste the local restaurant fare and shop for local crafts and merchandise as well. It's like visiting a crafts fair, summer concert series and food tasting festival all at once! Grass Valley has an amazingly friendly atmosphere -- you'll find it impossible to take the smile off your face at the Thursday Night Marketplace. Musicians and visitors can find out more by visiting this site:

http://www.downtowngrassvalley.com/pages/tnm-concerts.html

Cesar Chavez Park in Sacramento holds free Friday night concerts from May through the middle of August. This three-acre location has a beautiful fountain and lots of new trees and picnic benches. There's a beer garden and food, too! This locale is also the site of Wednesday Farmer's Markets from May through November. Check it out here:

http://www.downtownsac.org/DSPAPP/V/promo/friday-night-concerts.html

Probably the most famous of free concert venues in Northern California is located in San Francisco, at Stern Grove. The Stern Grove Festival, a long standing tradition for the city, takes place from June through August, and features performing arts from ballet to jazz. Stern Grove often draws crowds with its more famous acts, with both acts and audiences often international. The 2009 Stern Grove roster features Joan Baez and Roberta Flack, as well as the San Francisco Opera and Ballet.

http://www.sterngrove.org/2009season.html

The city of Willits will hold three summer concerts at Recreation Grove on June 21, July 19, and August 16. These will be family oriented with potlucks and barbecues being organized, and they will be smoke and alcohol free events. Music featured will be bluegrass, Blues and Latin. The concerts are being sponsored by donations from local businesses.

http://www.willitsnews.com/ci_12411721

If you reside in Northern California, or will be visiting the region over the next few months, be sure to take advantage of free concert opportunities. They always have a friendly atmosphere and will no doubt be your most economical entertainment choice this summer!