The Sounds of Summer 2016 | Out & About

Rhode Island

Newport Folk Festival July 22–24

Since 1959, the Newport Folk Festival has held a unique place in America’s musical and cultural history, including as a hub for the Civil Rights movement of the 1960s and as the site of Bob Dylan’s famous switch to electric guitar in 1965. Iconic performers like Joan Baez, James Taylor, Joni Mitchell, and Arlo Guthrie got their first major exposure on the Newport stage. Shows sell out well in advance, so plan ahead for next year. Newport. 800-745-3000; newportfolk.org

Connecticut

25th Greater Hartford Festival of Jazz July 15–17

In 1992, after 25 years of running the popular Monday Night Jazz series at Bushnell Park, bassist Paul Brown gathered some talented friends together and launched the Greater Hartford Festival of Jazz, which this year celebrates its own 25th anniversary. Over the past quarter-century, the festival has grown into the largest free jazz event in New England, playing host to many of the biggest names in the genre, along with up-and-comers from the New England scene. Hartford. hartfordjazz.com

Maine

50th Bar Harbor Music Festival July 3–31

You’re certain to hear something new at the Bar Harbor Music Festival, nationally recognized for its mission of providing essential performance opportunities for outstanding up-and-coming talent. The outdoor concert at Acadia National Park on July 27 and the Festival Gala on July 31 are always special highlights. Bar Harbor. 207-288-5744; barharbormusicfestival.org

Massachusetts

Lowell Folk Festival July 29–31

For three years in the late 1980s, Lowell played host to the National Folk Festival. The success of those events inspired the 1990 creation of the Lowell Folk Festival, which has been bringing topnotch artists and performers to Dutton Street Dance Pavilion and Boarding House Park ever since. Lowell. 978-275-1764; lowellfolkfestival.org

New Hampshire

New Hampshire Music Festival July 5–August 4

This four-week summer music festival, now in its 64th year, honors the tradition of symphonic, choral, and chamber music while exploring new artistic paths. Founded in 1952 on Melody Island in Lake Winnipesaukee, the event has made its home at Plymouth State University for most of the past two decades. See the website for this year’s lineup. Plymouth/Gilford. 603-238-9007; nhmf.org

Vermont

Summer festival-on-the-Green July 10–16

Bring a blanket and claim some space on the grass for Vermont’s popular, free, family music event. More than 500 musicians, ranging from the very local to the internationally acclaimed, have taken the stage in the bucolic town center over the past 38 years. Saturday’s street-dance finale is a don’t-miss event. Middlebury.festivalonthegreen.org

To see more of our favorite fairs, festivals, shows, and other happenings around New England this season, visit:  YankeeMagazine.com/Summer-Events