by Jim Collar
It’s time to give our televisions a well-deserved break.
Summer invites us outdoors to explore and come together as communities. Live music is the perfect vehicle.
There’s a unique satisfaction in resonating with songs you’re hearing for the first time, while long-time favorites carry new energy when they’re shared as part of an audience. They’re experiences in which the world feels a little bigger and a little more connected.
In the Fox Valley, summer is made for music fans as outdoor stages come alive nearly every night. It’s an enriching way to spend the season, and in a time of tight budgets, it can also be an affordable one. From community concert series to festivals and events, fans can get their fill without purchasing a single pricey ticket.
Here are a few ideas to get your summer music calendar started:
Spend Sunday afternoons in Green Bay for a curated series of incredible musicians from all across the country. The Levitt AMP Green Bay music series takes place at Leicht Memorial Park on Sundays at 4 p.m. Concerts run weekly through Aug. 9, with a break over Independence Day weekend. The series aims to present high-caliber talent and a broad array of music genres, in addition to cultural programming. Upcoming events include Blackcat Zydeco on June 7, The Local Honeys on June 14, and Leon Timbo and The Family Band on June 21.
Want some great guitar work? Head to Manitowoc later this month for a free concert from a guitarist who Eric Clapton regards as one of the very best. Sonny Landreth, a 2026 Grammy Award winner, will headline Metro Jam at Washington Park. The free festival takes place on July 19-20 and will feature 10 performances. Landreth, an acclaimed slide guitarist in the blues, blues-country, and zydeco genres, will perform at 8:30 p.m. on July 20.
Concert experiences go beyond the music. When it comes to our community bands, it’s also about the feeling of home and being part of something that belongs to everyone. Put down a blanket at Pierce Park this summer for the Appleton City Band, which performs hour-long concerts each Tuesday at 7 p.m. from June 9 through Aug. 11. The Kimberly, Little Chute, and Neenah community bands also offer concert series over the summer.
On some nights, we all like to sing along. The Glam Band performs at Future Neenah’s Summer Kickoff Concert on June 10 along W. Wisconsin Avenue. Their Wednesday concert series then moves to Shattuck Park from June 17 through Aug. 12.
Catch a band along the lakeshore as Brews on ‘Bago returns to Menasha’s Jefferson Park. Model Citizens will provide the music on June 19, in an event featuring food trucks, lawn games, and craft beer from Stone Arch Brewpub. The series continues on July 10, Aug. 14, and Sept. 11.
These are just a few of the great shows to come. Summer is short, but the music is everywhere. Grab a lawn chair, pick a night, and let our summer soundtrack guide you through new discoveries and familiar favorites alike.Zoo visits are part of summer fun in Wisconsin.
This article was originally published in the June 2026 issue of Appleton Monthly Magazine.
