One of the best things about summer is free concerts!
Living in Collin County, you have no shortage of places to go for free live music, from restaurants and wineries like Taverna Rossa, Truck Yard, Tommy Bahama, Merkado and Fortunata Winery, to larger yet still intimate venues like Lava Cantina and Legacy Hall.
This summer, Grandscape, a shopping and entertainment destination just west of Dallas North Tollway, on the south side of Sam Rayburn Tollway (121) THREE free concerts on the lawn every weekend!
My 11-year-old son and I recently saw the 80s band The Spazmatics and had a blast.
Here’s my twist: I can easily come up with a whole bunch of reasons (a.k.a. anxiety) to not go out. It’s too hot. It’ll be too crowded. I don’t know where to park. All those mind games that can get in the way of having a great experience with my family.
If you’re the tiniest bit like me, here are some tips to help you get your game face on and have a smooth evening of fun tunes and quality time with family and friends. For free!
1. Arrive 15–20 minutes early.
Shows start at 7:30pm. Ours started promptly at 7:30 and ended at 9:30pm on the dot. The crowd shouldn’t be so overbearing that you have to fight for seats, but you’ll want to give yourself some cushion so you can get the first pick. We showed up about 20 minutes early and got front row lawn seats…I love watching people dance, but not right in front of me blocking my view of the stage!
Arriving early also will give you some time to grab food and drinks, take a deep breath, enjoy sundown, all the good stuff.
2. Bring chairs and a blanket.
I saw multiple families roll in with their collapsible wagons carrying the kids and seating gear. Chairs are a must so you can see over the railing, but I recommend bringing a blanket too, so you can stretch out a bit, the little ones can have some space, and you’ll have option for a picnic.
3. Park in the parking garage (or Scheels).
I consider it a win anytime I can avoid traffic and a crowded parking lot.
Aim to enter Grandscape on the east side of the complex off Destination Drive and head toward the free parking garage south of Scheels and adjacent to the Live Grandscape apartments. It’s a nice garage with restrooms near the exit in case you need a pit stop before making your way to the lawn (or back home!).
The walkway will take you right to the stage and will give you a glimpse of the shops in The Homestead.
As an alternative, you can park on the far east side of the Scheels parking lot. There’s a sidewalk on the east side of Scheels that takes you right to the stage. Don’t let the current construction throw you off; the path is there and will get you to the right place. We went on a Friday night for a popular band, and getting in and out of parking was easy peasy.
4. Bring your water jugs and cooling towels.
There’s no way around it: It. Is. Hot. But don’t let that deter you. Living in North Texas, we’re blessed with breezes, and the sun sets shortly after the concerts begin. The best way to prepare for the heat is to dress appropriately—wear those shorts and cotton t-shirts—and bring your water jugs filled with ice water along with fans and cooling towels if you have them. And if you forget anything, Scheel’s is a stone’s throw away to purchase all you’re missing and more.
**Note that no outside alcohol or coolers are allowed.
5. Stake out your food and beverage choices before you go.
For those who are budget-conscious and want this to be a true, zero-cost night out, it IS possible. Eat dinner at home and stick to your water jug for beverages.
For those who want to eat and drink on the lawn, there are many yummy choices. You can save time and headache by looking up restaurants and menus ahead of time. You can order a takeout pizza from Parry’s Pizzeria & Taphouse. Enjoy a small snack and adult beverages from The Colony Wine Bar Patio. Grab a pretzel from Ben’s Soft Pretzels or ice cream and other sweets from Kilwins.
There are also drink carts around the lawn, so beverages are just a few steps away in any direction.
6. Look up the band.
The band line-up for the whole summer looks fantastic, but everyone has different taste in music, so spend a few minutes to find a band that suits your family and friends. Most bands have sample music on their websites and clips on YouTube.
Bands to check out are San Antonio-based Satellite Band on July 1 and Journey tribute band Infinite Journey on July 2. Country music fans might enjoy the Turnpike Tributedours on July 15, and the last concert listed on the events page is Austin-based Top 40 band Electric Circus on July 23.
7. During intermission, shop!
Visiting the shops at Grandscape can be its own pleasant afternoon for moms, but during the short intermission of the free concerts, be sure to check out Willow House and the shops in The Homestead; both are right by the lawn. Willow House is a boutique shop with roots in Celina, and has women’s apparel, accessories, the cutest children’s items, and more. And The Homestead is a charming collection of local artisans and family-owned shops. Intermission will be quick, but they’re worth a look.
So round up the family, plan a date night or a moms’ night out, and go see some free concerts this summer!
Check out our monthly event guides and our guide to all things summer for more family-friendly activity ideas.
