Free Concert at Yards Park

Free Concert at Yards Park

Thursday evenings at Yards Park are one of our favorite low-key family outings. The Capitol Riverfront concert series brings live music to the waterfront, and the vibe is relaxed enough that nobody minds when toddlers start dancing in the grass or older kids wander off to splash around in the canal park fountain. We usually grab takeout from one of the nearby restaurants on the way in and set up a blanket near the stage. It's only an hour long, which honestly is the perfect length when you've got little ones.

The park itself is beautiful in the evening. The light coming off the river makes everything feel a bit more special than your average weeknight. There's room to spread out, so even when it's busy you won't feel packed in. Our kids love running around the open green space between songs, and the canal water feature is right there if they need to burn off some extra energy. It's the kind of simple, free evening that you end up remembering more than the expensive stuff.

Parent Tips 💡

• ✓Bring a blanket or low chairs. The lawn fills up, so arriving by 6pm gives you the best spot near the stage.
• ✓Grab food on the way. There are several restaurants within walking distance. Ordering ahead saves time.
• ✓Bring a change of clothes for little kids. The canal water feature is hard to resist, and they will get wet.
• ✓The concert is only an hour, so it works well even on a school night. You can be home by 8pm easily.
• ✓Bug spray is a good idea since you're near the water in the evening.