You don’t have to pay top dollar to rock out this summer. With so many free outdoor concerts across the country, you can actually kick back and save your cash for the concession stand. If you’re still not convinced, we’ve compiled a list of some of the coolest concerts for when the weather heats up. Enjoy!

National Memorial Day Concert
Over 300,000 people are expected to descend on the nation’s capitol to commemorate the sacrifices of America’s heroes through music and words. Co-hosted by actors Joe Mantagna and Gary Sinise, this year’s show includes performances by the National Symphony Orchestra with Erich Kunzel at the helm, seven-time Grammy Award–winning singer Gladys Knight, actor and decorated WWII Vet Charles Durning and many other luminaries. Get there early to stake out a patch of grass on the lawn.
May 25, West Lawn, U.S. Capitol, East Capitol Street and First Street NW, Washington, D.C. Pbs.org.

Vampire Weekend, Kid Sister, Ecstatic Sunshine
Central Park’s Summerstage offers something for every music lover — from Mexican rock to Crosby, Stills, and Nash! Kick off the season with alt-rockers Vampire Weekend, MC Kid Sister and minimalist band Ecstatic Sunshine. 
June 14, Central Park, 72nd Street and Central Park West, New York. Summerstage.org.

Three River Arts Festival
The Steel City outdoes itself with this 16-day blowout all over downtown Pittsburgh’s streets, plazas and storefronts. Though participants are still TBA, we’re banking on a pretty decent roster judging from last year’s fest (Robert Randolph, Ozomatli, Grace Potter). Concerts abound every day and night on four separate stages — wear comfortable shoes.
June 6–22, Various venues, Pittsburgh. Artsfestival.net.

Coldplay
The Today Show’s concert series is already in full swing with a hot lineup you would actually pay to see (but thankfully don’t have to). Expect the crowds to wake up at dawn to catch a glimpse of Coldplay on Rockefeller Plaza. The British band’s anticipated fourth album, “Viva La Vida or Death And All His Friends,” which was largely produced by Brian Eno, will be released on June 17.
June 27, Today’s Window on the World Studio, 49th Street and Rockefellar Plaza, New York. Msnbc.msn.com.

Fourth of July Boston Pops Esplanade Concert
Herald the country’s birthday in Beantown with a medley of Broadway showtunes, hits from the big band era and patriotic songs courtesy of conductors Keith Lockhart and John Williams and their beloved Boston Pops Orchestra. The evening ends with a dazzling 30-minute fireworks display to the tune of Tchaikovsky’s 1812 Overture.
July 3 and 4, DCR Hatch Memorial Shell, 1 David G Mugar Way, Boston. Bso.org.

Celebrate Freedom Concert & Fireworks with John Legend
While attending the University of Pennsylvania, R&B singer and songwriter John Legend spent a lot of time in the Philly. He wrote, recorded and played many early gigs there. Five Grammys later, he gives a little love to the City of Brotherly Love with a summer concert that will literally set off fireworks.
July 4, Benjamin Franklin Parkway, Philadelphia. Gophila.com.

Feist
The indie rock songtress and guitarist recently taped an episode of “Sesame Street” in which she duets with Elmo and teaches the kiddies how to count with a special version of her hit song “1234.” Maybe she’ll sing it for audiences in Omaha when she treats Nebraskans to a free show. Either way, pay close attention, her exquisite vocals demand to be heard.
July 12, Memorial Park Concert, 5700 Dodge Street, Omaha. Omaha.com.

Satchmo Summerfest
Celebrate the life of Louis Armstrong right where he was born: New Orleans, Louisiana. This yearly festival is an all out street jam featuring three stages for traditional jazz, contemporary jazz and a brass band. It wouldn’t be a Big Easy–style party without food (think red beans and rice), a parade and a Jazz Mass.
July 31–August 3, Old U.S. Mint, 400 Esplanade Avenue, New Orleans. Fqfi.org.

Andy Palacio Tribute with the Garifuna Collective & Umalali
The Grand Performances series presents a gathering of talent from around the globe that reflects the multi-culti taste of Angelenos. If you only have time for one show, check out this homage to legendary Belizean artist and activist Andy Palacio, who passed away earlier this year. The all-star Garifuna Collective combines West African, Arawak Indian and European influences while the ladies-only Umalali mix up a stew of rock, blues, funk, African, Latin and Caribbean music.
August 29, California Plaza, 300-350 S. Grand Avenue, Los Angeles. Grandperformances.org.

30th Annual Chicago Jazz Festival
This Windy City extravaganza marks the unofficial end of summer. Join headliner Sonny Rollins on opening day for a taste of ‘50s bebop and saxophonist Ornette Coleman on closing day for a “free jazz” session that is bound to instigate plenty of toe-tapping. Other performers include Edward Wilkerson, Jr., T.S. Galloway and Vijay Iyer.
August 29–August 31, Jay Pritzker Pavilion in Millennium Park, 300 S. Columbus Drive, Chicago. Chicagojazzfestival.org.