Where to see outdoor music

Bank of America Pavilion
As far as outdoor shows go in Boston, the Bank of America Pavilion has top billing. Stationed perfectly on the waterfront, the spot has long been the venue of choice for a night out with live music, dating as far back as its tenure as Haborlights. Tickets hover in the $40 to $50 range (and sometimes higher), but BOA doesn’t skimp on bookings. This year’s lineup boasts a variety of heavyweights ranging from modern rock and pop (Death Cab For Cutie, Weezer, My Morning Jacket, Ke$ha), nostalgia and legacy acts (Huey Lewis and the News, the Go-Gos, Earth, Wind and Fire), jam bands (Tedeschi Trucks Band), hip-hop (Wiz Khalifa), and everything in between.

Berklee Beantown Outdoor Jazz Festival
Jazz music and summertime go together pretty perfectly, which makes the Berklee Beantown Outdoor Jazz Festival a no-brainer for music fans looking to enjoy the warm weather. And while the September 24 date technically pushes the event into the Fall season, there’s still bound to be plentiful sunshine and soothing music to go around, so we won’t argue. Featuring live music, food and family-friendly activities like face painting for kids, the South End festival offers a little something for everyone (as evidenced by last year’s recorhd turnout of 80,000 concertgoers). This year’s lineup has yet to be announced, but 2010 managed to land major players such as Al Kooper and Jon Batiste. beantownjazz.org

Boston Harbor Hotel Blues Barge
When it comes to outdoor summer concerts, the little touches and quirky flourishes can go a long way. The Boston Harbor Hotel offers a variety of musical options for visitors throughout the summer months, but it’s the Thursday night Blues Barge that’s truly worth taking in. Every Thursday from June 16 to September 1, fans can witness some top-tier blues on both the local and national level, all performed on a floating stage docked behind the hotel in Rowes Wharf. Among the acts slated to appear this summer include Toni Lynn Washington, the James Montgomery Band and local gal Lisa Marie with her backing band, All Shook Up. bhh.com

Make Music Harvard Square, Volume 3
With its wide array of shops, restaurants, bars and theaters, Harvard Square has always celebrated itself as a mecca of culture. By that logic it makes sense that Make Music Harvard Square is successfully moving forward in its third year. This year’s festival, scheduled for June 19, willh once again bring an estimated 150 local bands from genres including rock, jazz, funk, soul, Latin, choral, hip-hop and more into one musical melting pot across 20 outdoor stages. hharvardsquare.com

Rock On! Concert Cruises
What’s better than good music and good beer? Not much, but the folks at Rock On! Concert Cruises upped the ante considerably by throwing a boat ride around Boston Harbor into the mix. Working with Mass Bay Lines, promoters have once again lined up a solid roster of acts for the summer season. This summer sees visits from Providence alt-country rockers Deer Tick, New York ska vets The Slackers and New Orleans’ own Rebirth Brass Band. Shows are moderately priced in the $25-$30 range, making it one of the more affordable outdoor concert options the city has to offer. rockonconcerts.com

Mayor Menino’s Wednesday night concerts
One of the more low-key entries on the outdoor concert roster comes courtesy of City Hall, as Mayor Menino introduces a Wednesday night concert series in Government Center. Only three dates are scheduled thus far for the series’ 39th installment, including a Motown night featuring the Soul City Band (July 13), a disco night with Stardust (July 27) and a country night sponsored by WKLB (August 10). Granted it lacks much of the hip appeal of other outdoor venues, but those looking for casual fun will find it a fitting way to celebrate getting over hump day. Cityofboston.gov/parks