Free concerts at Smithsonian’s National Air and Space Museum

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The National Air and Space Museum’s summer concert series returns to the museum in Washington, D.C., and its Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly, Va., this summer. Visitors can bring a picnic and enjoy the warm weather at the outdoor performances at the Udvar-Hazy Center or catch a military band performance at the National Mall building every Friday.

The summer concert series at the Udvar-Hazy center will take place on select Sundays, June 8 through Aug. 31, from 6 to 7 p.m. and will feature U.S. Military bands and local ensembles.

Udvar-Hazy Center Summer Concert Series Schedule

Sunday, June 8: The U.S. Air Force Airmen of Note and Air Force Strings

Sunday, June 29: U.S. Navy Band, The Commodores

Sunday, July 6: U.S. Air Force Concert Band and Singing Sergeants

Sunday, July 27: Loudoun County Jazz Ensemble

Sunday, Aug 3: U.S. Air Force Band, Max Impact

Sunday, Aug. 31: Quantico Marine Corps Rock Band

Tickets are not required, and parking is free after 4 p.m. Audience members will be invited to bring picnic snacks and blankets or lawn chairs but may not be permitted to bring them inside the museum. Pets are prohibited. Concerts will be held inside the museum if it rains.

The National Air and Space Museum in Washington will also offer a series of free summer concerts every Friday from May 23 to Aug. 29. Each Friday will consist of four concerts at 11 a.m., noon, 1 p.m. and 2 p.m. and will last 20 minutes each. Presented by various ensembles from the renowned U.S. Air Force Band and the U.S. Navy Band, the concerts will feature vocal and instrumental selections from a variety of musical genres, including big band, jazz, popular, patriotic and classical.

The National Air and Space Museum’s Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center is located in Chantilly, Va., near Washington Dulles International Airport. The museum building on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., is located at Sixth Street and Independence Avenue S.W. Both facilities are open daily from 10 a.m. until 5:30 p.m. (closed Dec. 25). Admission is free, but there is a $15 fee for parking before 4 p.m. at the Udvar-Hazy Center.

Note: Summer hours for both buildings are in effect from May 23 to Sept. 1, unless otherwise noted: The Udvar-Hazy Center’s summer hours are 10 a.m. until 6:30 p.m., and the National Mall building’s hours are 10 a.m. until 7:30 p.m.