Those who prefer the safe confines of walls and a sturdy roof can check out Kiss or the Beach Boys this summer at Amsoil Arena or David Liebe Hart at the Red Herring Lounge, but ’tis the season for music under canopies or wide open to the elements.

Bayfront Festival Park and Big Top Chautauqua are hosting the usual slew of major acts throughout the summer, along with local music being showcased through smaller concert series, such as the Chester Creek Concert Series and Bayside Sounds at Barker’s Island Pavilion. With multiple shows scheduled every week throughout the summer, it’s hard to choose which ones to make time for. Here’s a look at some 2016 outdoor concert highlights.
 

June 14
Teague Alexy
Chester Bowl Park
The Chester Creek Concert Series launches its 34th season with a performance by poetic rock musician Teague Alexy.

June 17
Grandma’s Marathon Big Top Opening Night
Canal Park
Multi-platinum rock band Smash Mouth headlines this year’s opening night to Grandma’s Marathon weekend.

June 18
Brandi Carlile
Big Top Chautauqua
Singer-songwriter Brandi Carlile makes her way back for another year at the Big Top stage.

June 21
The Brothers Burn Mountain
Chester Bowl Park
Modern blues and folk band the Brothers Burn Mountain perform for the Chester Creek Concert Series.

June 22
Moors & McCumber
Barker’s Island Pavilion
Moors & McCumber kick off the 2016 Bayside Sounds concert series with their American roots music.

June 25
Buddy Guy
Big Top Chautauqua
Join legendary Buddy Guy underneath the Big Top tent for a night of rock and blues music.

June 26
Michael Franti and Spearhead
A concert for the whole family to enjoy, Michael Franti and Spearhead make their way to the Big Top to perform hits such as “Sound of Sunshine.”

July 5
Listening Party
Chester Bowl Park
Listening Party performs folk-rock music for the Chester Creek Concert Series.

July 7-10
Hodag Country Music Festival
Hodag Country Festival Grounds
Hodag Country Music Festival is a four-day music festival featuring some of the America’s favorite country stars, such as Mikey Gilley, Neal McCoy, and the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band.

July 9
Trampled by Turtles
Bayfront Festival Park
Duluth’s favorite hometown band Trampled by Turtles returns for another year on the Bayfront stage.

July 16
Bayfront Reggae & World Festival
Bayfront Festival Park
Celebrate cultural equality through reggae and world music at the 11th Annual Bayfront Reggae & World Festival.

July 17
Emmylou Harris
Big Top Chautauqua
Grammy Award winning singer-songwriter Emmylou Harris performs on the Big Top stage with songs like “Blue Bayou” and “Mister Sandman.”

July 23
Monroe Crossing
Lucius Woods Performing Art Center
Join Monroe Crossing for the Lucius Woods Summer Concert Series for a night of classic and gospel bluegrass.

July 31
Goo Goo Dolls
Bayfront Festival Park
Popular alternative rock band Goo Goo Dolls headline at Bayfront Festival Park. Opening for them will be Collective Soul and Tribe Society.

August 6
City on the Hill Music Festival 2016
Bayfront Festival Park
Join Twin Ports Entertainment and Life 97.3 FM Radio for a celebration of the Christian faith through music. This year’s lineup includes Newsboys and Francesca Battistelli.

August 9
Mama’s Stolen Horses
Chester Bowl Park
Enjoy the sounds of Minnesota’s Americana folk-grass duo Mama’s Stolen Horses at the Chester Creek Concert Series.

August 12-14
Bayfront Blues Festival 2016
The 28th Annual Bayfront Blues Festival will feature Reverend Raven & the Chain Smokin’ Altar Boys, Javier & the Innocent Sons, and Ina Forsman with Laura Chavez.

August 16
Mary Bue and the Holy Bones
Chester Bowl Park
Mary Bue released her sixth album “Holy Bones” in 2015 and is now performing at the Chester Creek Concert Series with those who helped her make the album.

August 26-27
The Tribute Fest 2016
Bayfront Festival Park
The 2016 Tribute Fest features tributes to AC/DC, Def Leppard, Foo Fighters, Journey, Pink Floyd, Lynyrd Skynyrd, and more.

September 1
Home Free
Big Top Chautauqua
The Mankato, Minn. a cappella group, featuring brothers Chris and Adam Rupp, take on the Big Top stage.