Free music fills the air in the Reno area during the summer. Here are some of the free music concerts you can attend while enjoying the warm, sunny days of summer in the Reno / Tahoe region.
Free Music from Artown
All during July, Artown presents a number of free music events, including...
World Music Series - Music artists from around the world perform free concerts on Wednesday evenings at 7 p.m. at the Wingfield Park amphitheater. Escape the confines of Reno with sounds from around the globe. This is presented by Artown.
- July 4 - 1st Division Marine Band
- July 11 - Delhi 2 Dublin
- July 18 - Oliver Mtukudzi & the Black Spirits
- July 25 - Ana Tijoux
Rollin' on the River - Local and regional bands perform on Fridays during July at the Wingfield Park amphitheater. The music starts at 5:30 p.m. and it's free to attend. Past performers have included Booker T. Jones, Jesse Colin Young, Crash Test Dummies, Charlie Musselwhite, Michelle Shocked, Todd Snider, Stacey Earle, David Lindley & Wally Ingram, Norton Buffalo and Maria Muldaur. No glass, outside alcohol, high back chairs, or pets are permitted.
- July 6 - Big Sandy and His Fly-Rite Boys
- July 13 - The Gospel Hummingbirds
- July 20 - Igor and Red Elvises
- July 27 - Truth and Salvage Co.
More Music at Artown - For even more free musical performances around Reno, check the Artown 2012 calendar. There are some featured performances where you have to buy tickets.
Americana Music Festival - Come to Virginia City to enjoy the free Americana Music Festival from July 13 through 15. Music styles to hear include Americana, bluegrass, Irish, rockabilly, and folk. This one isn't free - tickets are $20 for adults, children 12 and under free. Tickets for some performance and food are extra.
Summer Music Series at Lazy 5 Regional Park
Every Wednesday evening from July 1 through August 29, the park offers free concerts showcasing local bands and a variety of musical styles. The series sponsors are Washoe County Parks and Summit Christian Church. Additional sponsorship has been provided by Spanish Springs Pack N Post, Laurie Brazier of State Farm Insurance and Simply Thai. Lazy 5 Regional Park is located at 7100 Pyramid Way in Spanish Springs. Seating is on the lawn so bring blankets or low-back beach chairs. Dinner or snacks in small coolers are welcome. Glass containers and pets are not allowed. For more information, call (775) 823-6500.
- July 11 - The Critical Mass Band
- July 18 - Electric Catfish
- July 25 - Millennium Bugs
- August 1 - MyGia, featuring "The Wizz"
- August 8 - Runnin' 4 Cover
- August 15 - deja vu
- August 22 - 2-Plus
- August 29 - The Bubbas
Thursday Nights at the Whole Foods Hometowne Farmers' Market
There will be a variety of free musical entertainment each week at the Sparks Whole Foods Hometowne Farmers' Market. The 2012 market runs every Thursday, June 7 through August 23 (except August 9), from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m.
The Outlets at Legends - Rudy Cervantes Live Concerts
Every Wednesday this summer, Rudy Cervantes will be performing a free live show at the History Plaza, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. The Outlets at Legends is in Sparks at 1310 Scheels Drive.
North Lake Tahoe - Music on the Beach at Kings Beach
Music on the Beach presents a series of free north Lake Tahoe concerts at Kings Beach State Recreation Area just west of Incline Village on the California side. The music is on Friday evenings from July 3 through August 31, from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. For more information, call (530) 546-9000.
- July 6 - Blues Monsters
- July 13 - Peter Joseph Burtt & The King Tide
- July 20 - Serina Dawn
- July 27 - Funky Miracle
- August 3 - McCoy Tyler Band
- August 10 - One Track Mind
- August 17 - Zanzibar
- August 24 - Downbeat
- August 31 - Tyler Matthew Smith
South Lake Tahoe - Live at Lakeview Summer Concert Series
Live at Lakeview is a free summer 2012 concert series in South Lake Tahoe. The venue is Lakeview Commons Beach at Highway 50 and Lakeview Avenue in the town of South Lake Tahoe, CA. Performances are on Thursdays, from 4 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. For more information, call (530) 542-6093.
- July 5 - Fruition
- July 12 - Keyser Soze
- July 19 - 40 Watt Hype
- July 26 - Huckle
- August 2 - Congress
- August 9 - Forrest Day
- August 16 - The Polyrhythmics
- August 23 - The New World Jazz Project
- August 30 - TBD
- September - TBD
