Join the Akron Symphony as we partner with the City of Akron to offer a series of free outdoor concerts this summer in city parks.

The summer season opens on July 4 as the Symphony joins Akron’s annual holiday celebration at downtown’s Lock 3 with a free concert beginning at 8 p.m., with fireworks following at 9:45 p.m.

The evening will feature a salute to America and a variety of popular favorites, including Lowden’s Armed Forces Salute, Sousa’s Washington Post March, the theme from Rocky,and the March from Raiders of the Lost Ark. The performance will close with The Stars and Stripes Forever.

The concert and fireworks culminate the city’s Rib White and Blue National Rib Festival, which takes place from June 30 through July 4.

We will also offer four summer parks concerts in Akron:

• July 23 at Hardesty Park
• July 30 at Firestone Park
• Aug. 6 at Goodyear Heights Metro Park
• Aug. 13 at Glendale Cemetery

The performances begin at 7:30 p.m. and feature a variety of popular favorites, including Tubby the Tuba, featuring Ken Heinlein, principal tuba; Tchaikovsky’s Swan Lake Suite; and John Williams’ Suite from Jaws and March from Superman.

The Symphony will also perform The Paper Man, a composition by 17-year-old Harrison Collins, a finalist in the 2017 National Young Composers Challenge.

Last year, thousands spent their Sunday evenings under the stars with the Akron Symphony Orchestra performing on the outdoor stage built for the Heinz Poll Summer Dance Festival.

The Akron Symphony’s summer concerts are free to attend and are supported by the City of Akron.