Free spring/summer outdoor concerts in Atlanta

It’s time for music under the stars with the many free concert series that take place in the metro area in the springtime.

Take note, some events start in April, while others will begin in the next month. In all cases except one (Centennial Park now charges $5 for Wednesday Wind Down), the events are free of charge to anyone with blankets and lawn chairs. If you wish to reserve a table, you will pay a fee.

Be sure to check the websites in each listing for lineup changes, weather cancellations and additional information. And for information about ticketed concerts and music festivals this spring and summer, visit the AJC's Atlanta Music Scene blog with Melissa Ruggieri.

Atlanta Jazz Festival: On Memorial Day weekend, May 22-24, the Atlanta Jazz Festival takes over Piedmont Park with contemporary, traditional, swing and Latin jazz music. The festival is free and open to the public. This year, the lineup includes Kathleen Bertrand, Julie Dexter, Stanley Jordan and Diane Schuur. Festival hours in Piedmont Park are 6 -11 p.m. Friday, May 22; 11 a.m.-11 p.m. Saturday, May 23; and 11 a.m.-11 p.m. Sunday, May 24. For the full schedule, visit www.atlantafestivals.com.

Centennial Olympic Park Wednesday Wind Down: From 5:30-8 p.m. every Wednesday, April-September, at the Southern Company Amphitheater in Centennial Olympic Park, you can hear live jazz and contemporary music from local and touring artists. The concerts had been free for 16 years, but this year you will have to pay a $5 fee for entry (premium shows are more). Doors open at 4 p.m. and the box office is open from 3-7 p.m. on Wednesday. Or purchase tickets online until 7 p.m. the day of show. For the full schedule, visit the website. Go to www.centennialpark.com and click on Spring/Summer Events under Plan Your Visit.

Chamblee Summer Concert Series: This free series features concerts from 6:30-10:30 p.m. in Peachtree Park, 5468 Peachtree Road next to City Hall (however, the July 4th concert is held in Keswick Park). For more information, go to www.chambleega.com. The lineup this year includes:

• May 22: China Grove

• July 4: Rupert's Orchestra

• July 24: Drivin N Cryin

• August 28: Ricochet

Decatur concerts (three events): This month, catch the last of the Oakhurst Jazz Nights from 7-9 p.m. Remaining performances include April 23: Frank Barnham and April 30: the Nick Longo Band. Performances take place on the lawn in front of the Solarium at 321 W. Hill St. Next month, two additional free music series kick off. Enjoy free music on Wednesdays at noon in the months of May and September for the Blue Sky concert series. And at 7 p.m. Saturdays in May and September, visit Concerts on the Square. For more information on these events and for a full lineup, visit www.decaturdba.com.

Douglasville Wednesday Wind Down series: This event runs from 7-9 p.m. each Wednesday, June 3-July 29, at O'Neal Plaza, 6695 Church St., Douglasville. For more information, go to www.visitdouglasville.com and click on Visitor's Guide. The lineup is as follows:

• June 3: Joel Cruickshank

• June 10: RSVP Atlanta

• June 17: AGM Band

• June 24: Kasper and the 911 Band

• July 1: Karisma

• July 8, July 15 and July 22: TBD

Lawrenceville Summer Concert Series: Visit the Lawrenceville lawn for music under the starts beginning at 7 p.m. May 29. The event takes place the last Friday of each month through September. Parking is free in the downtown district. Bring a picnic or visit the food trucks on site. The concerts are free, but you can get tables for a fee if you wish by calling the Visitor's Center at 678-226-2639. The current schedule follows. Visit www.visitlawrenceville.com for updates and additional information:

• May 29: Connor Christian & Southern Gothic, opening acts at 7 p.m.

• June 26: Abbey Road LIVE! at 8 p.m.

• July 31: The Daniel Lee Band at 8 p.m.

• Aug. 28: Shawn Mullins at 8 p.m.

• Sept. 25: Reuben's Bell, opening acts at 7 p.m.

Mall of Georgia Monthly Music Jam: On the first Friday of each month, through November, enjoy local entertainment at the Hennessy Cadillac Village Stage at Mall of Georgia. For more information, go to www.simon.com/mall/mall-of-georgia and click on News & Events. The lineup is as follows:

• May 1: Joe Hall Band Acoustic

• June 5: White Winged Dove Duo

• July 3: Pippy Thomas

• Aug. 7: The Woodys Unplugged

• Sept. 4: White Winged Dove Duo

• Oct. 2: Fire & the Knife Duo

• Nov. 6: The Woodys Unplugged

Marietta Glover Park Concert Series: At 8 p.m. on the last Friday of each month from April through September (and on May 30), catch this free concert series on Marietta Square. Reserve tables starting at $45 or bring blankets and lawn chairs. For more information, go to www.mariettaga.gov. Here are the current bands:

• April 24: Grains of Sand

• May 29: Douglas Cameron

• May 30: Symphony on the Square

• June 26: The Neons

• July 31: Mike Veal Band

• Aug. 28: Electric Avenue

• Sept. 25: Grapevine

Park Tavern Sunset Sessions: Enjoy a lineup of buzz-worthy artists every Sunday for free. The series kicks off at 7 p.m. April 26 with California rock band Bad Suns, Atlanta-based indie-alt band the Electric Sons and the award-winning indie band Kiev. For more information, go to www.parktavern.com and click on Events. Additional confirmed artists include:

• May 3: Mother Falcon

• May 10: Boogie

• May 17: Those Darlins

• May 27: Kebbi Williams & the Wolfpack

• May 31: Ivan & Alyosha

• June 7 : Pigpen Theatre Company