Take it from The Accidentals, the Traverse City alt-folk heroes who’ve performed across the globe, sometimes in front of massive audiences.

There’s nothing quite like playing outdoors in Michigan in front of their home-state fans — fans from Ann Arbor to Lowell to Boyne City to Grand Rapids.

“This year, when we sat down to look at summer schedules, we realized we had six dates we were all free. So we were super intentional with the shows,” said multi-instrumentalist Sav Madigan. “We wanted to play shows that encourage all ages and families and most of them are free community events.”

Consequently, the band will play Ann Arbor’s Sonic Lunch, LowellArts’ Sizzlin’ Summer Concerts Series, Lavender Hills Farm in Boyne City and the Tuesday Evening Music Club series at Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park in Grand Rapids with Patty PerShayla, The Burney Sisters and Emma Zinck.

“We have really special relationships with these particular venue buyers. They’re people that have supported the band for years and helped us cultivate music communities,” Madigan said. “They’re like family.”

Support Our Work

Ottawa News Network is a nonprofit news service dedicated to providing the residents of Ottawa County with trustworthy, community-driven news. ONN treats journalism as a public good — something that enriches lives and empowers Ottawa County’s 300,000-plus residents to stay engaged, make informed decisions, and strengthen local democracy. Please consider giving today.

“Family” may be the operative word when it comes to free outdoor community concerts that attract families and music lovers of all ages in more than five dozen communities across the state, including Holland, Grand Haven, Zeeland and many more.

Diverse lineups featuring Michigan-bred acts are a staple of Michigan’s free community concerts with more than 100 series listed in LocalSpins.com’s Free Outdoor Community Concerts Guide for 2025.

Some communities — including Hastings, Ludington and Grand Haven — boast multiple nights of concerts that draw diverse crowds toting lawn chairs, picnic baskets and blankets for these outdoor performances.

Check out the schedule for several area series below, with a full listing at LocalSpins.com. 

Allegan: Rollin' on the River

When: 7 p.m. Fridays
Where: Allegan Riverfront Stage, Riverfront Plaza, Allegan

Lineup:
June 13: Patty PerShayla (Rock)
June 20: Da’Veonce & DaFunk Gang (Funk & Hip-hop)
June 27: Asamu Johnson & The Associates of the Blues (Blues)
July 11: The Bootstrap Boys (Country)
July 18: Big Timmy & the Heavy Chevys (R&B & Soul)
July 25: Raquel and The Wildflowers (Country)
Aug. 1: Kyle Brown & The Human Connection (Folk)
Aug. 8: Zion Lion (Reggae)
Aug. 15: The Nathan Moore Affair (Soul/Folk/Rock Fusion)
Aug. 22: The Fat Animals (Jam-infused Soul N’Roll)
Aug: 29: Cowboy Angels (Rock)

Grand Haven: Music on the Grand

When: 7 p.m. (June and July) 6:30 p.m. (August) Wednesdays
Where: Lynne Sherwood Waterfront Stadium, Downtown Grand Haven

Lineup:
June 4: Spring Lake High School Jazz Band
June 11: Livin’ the Dream Band
June 18: Backwoods Express Band
June 25: Thornapple River Band
July 2: Guinness Brothers Band
July 9: Silverado Band
July 16: The Reason Band
July 23: Fran Elmer Band
Aug. 6: Carl Webb Band
Aug. 13: Lakeshore Big Band
Aug. 20: Two Dudes in Flip Flops
Aug. 27: House Cats Band

Grand Haven: Praise by the Pier

When: 6:30 p.m. Sundays
Where: 101 North Harbor Drive, Grand Haven

Lineup:
June 15: Hark Up Horns and Choir
June 22: Alive Ministries
June 29: Jean Watson
July 6: Troy Anderson and Group Faith
July 13: Crosswise
July 20: The Growing Roots
July 27: Hark Up Horns and Choir
Aug. 3: Geoff and Ashley Hansen & Friends
Aug. 10: Harvest Church
Aug. 17: Arrows Rising
Aug. 24: Hark Up Horns and Choir

Grand Haven: WAWL Sounds of Summer Series — Bolt Park

When: 7 p.m. Tuesdays
Where: Bolt Park, corner of Pennoyer and Beechtree, Grand Haven

Lineup:
June 17: The Carl Webb Band
June 24: Electric Red
July 1: Sweet Justice
July 8: HyRydr
July 15: Big Nick and the Rhythm Kings
July 22: The Guiness Brothers Band
Aug. 5: Roosevelt Diggs

Holland: Benjamin's Hope

When: 6 p.m. Thursdays
Where: 15468 Riley St., Holland

Lineup:
May 29: Dying Will Be Easy
June 19: Friends of Friends Music
July 10: Dunegrass
July 31: Sunday Scaries
Aug. 21: The Khakis

Holland: Kids Summer Concerts

When: 6:30 p.m. Fridays
Where: Kollen Park, 240 Kollen Park Drive, Holland

Lineup:
June 11: 123 Andres
July 9: Taylor Live (A Tribute to Swift)
Aug. 13: Worlds of Music

Zeeland: Soundz of Summer

When: 6:30 p.m. Tuesdays
Where: 100 Lawrence Ave., Zeeland

Lineup:
July 1: DB Horns
July 8: Thornapple River Band
July 15: Great Scott
July 22: Old Days (Chicago Tribute)
July 29: That Beatles Thing

— Find more Michigan music news and concert listings at LocalSpins.com. Email John Sinkevics at john@localspins.com.